Are you awakened by Awake? AWAKE: Pilot Review

NBC's new fantasy crime drama, Awake, premiered last March 1, 2012. The show features Jason Isaacs, Laura Allen, Wilmer Valderrama, BD Wong, and more. 

The series was announced by NBC last May 2011 to serve as a midseason replacement for the 2011-2012 tv season of the said network. 

Police detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs) is newly returned to work after being in a car crash along with his wife Hannah (Laura Allen) and his son Rex (Dylan Minnette). After the crash Britten discovers that every time he goes to sleep he switches between two realities, one in which his wife died in the crash and one in which his son died. In the reality where his wife is alive he is partnered with rookie Efrem Vega (Wilmer Valderrama) and is seeing a confrontational department-recommended psychiatrist Dr. Lee (BD Wong). His wife has redecorated the house and begins pushing him to move in an apparent effort to move past their son's death. In the reality in which his son is alive, Britten maintains his long-time partner Isaiah "Bird" Freeman (Steve Harris) and sees a more nurturing psychologist, Dr. Evans (Cherry Jones). His son, previously a football player, has recently returned to playing tennis, and is coached by Hannah's former doubles partner Tara (Michaela McManus). Britten remains unsure which of the two realities, if either, is real, and begins to worry he is losing his sanity when details begin to cross over between the two

 What do I think of the pilot episode of AWAKE?

I think it was amazing and smart. The plot is unique and engaging. Also, Jason Isaacs' performance as the deranged father is perfect. 

This is the kind of show that makes the viewers think. Just like what happened in Lost when we were all making theories and stuff just to satisfy our TV needs. Well, I think Awake will offer something like that. The writing and development is very thought-provoking and captivating. 

I was immediately sucked into their world during the first 10 minutes of the episode! Although the 'crime show' part of Awake might be a little confusing for fans like me who are not avid supporters of crime shows. I actually had to rewind the episode just to further understand the "mystery" of the red-hair suspect.

Over all, NBC offered us one of this season's best freshman show. I can't wait how the story will unfold and how much will they give out clues for the viewers to "solve" the mystery - which is real? which is a dream?

Here are some of the things I THINK will happen:

- Michael Britten is the one who died... or at least, he's in a coma that's why he's dreaming.

- There will be people, who have the same roles/positions, in both realities 

- The therapists will fuck up Michael. Big time.

- There will be an episode wherein the people around  Michael will doubt his sanity.

- His sleeping skills would be a problem when he wants to go to a certain 'reality'

As I mentioned above, AWAKE's first episode was awesome. The fast transgression of the story and the amazing cinematography and direction made this pilot one of the best premiere episode I've seen.

4.5/5 Stars!