Despite the plethora of new shows on television, many exiting swiftly stage right if they cannot command the Nielson ratings or the plush advertisers - the new show "Awake" has stirred something in me.
The show is a tense sort of dance between a confused and tormented police detective who is never completely sure that the verisimilitude of his dreams exceeds that of his conscious days.
Jason Isaac has piercing eyes. He can be tough or compassionate. As a detective, he is just as fatherly with people in trouble as he is with his own son. Screenwriters, editors, directors and producer all combine with excellent actors to keep the audience suspending disbelief about which of the very real seeming realities is the actual truth.
This past episode, I was pulled in much deeper. Although my own son is now grown to be a very successful man, I have known for a long time just how difficult, how damaging my divorce from his mother 35 years ago - hurt him. He's still dealing with it.
The most recent episode, ostensibly about a damaged tennis racket belonging to the son's deceased mother - touched me deeply, demonstrating that our deepest feelings greatly transcend the realities of possession, wealth, power, and emotional stability.
As in Shakespeare and Dickens, there are no minor characters in this show. Even those with minimal speaking lines fit into the plot puzzle quite convincingly. The dialog is simply outstanding every moment.
No time at all is wasted with chase scenes or shoot-em-ups, a rarity in a show devoted to detectives.
"Awake" is like a schizophrenic chess game for viewers.
Give it a viewing, and maybe you will agree with me: good story, good writing and good acting.