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Episode Recap: “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Finally, after a several week hiatus, Medium is back! I was overjoyed. The show was back in prime form, with Patricia Arquette’s little brother, David, directing his second episode, (the first being 1-900 Lucky, where Alison’s brother, a hot-line psychic tried to help solve a case).
Alison woke up, after having dreamt about a young deaf girl being kidnapped, and could not hear. I thought it was very effective to go back and forth between sound and no sound. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to wake up one morning and not be able to hear anything. It really got me when Joe took Alison to the doctor and she was being tested and was crying with those big head phones on. I was in tears right along with her. Until she was in the tub and Joe came in and made a gesture with his hand for her to stop talking. God bless Joe for bringing humor into a very scary situation. I was happy he broke the tension.
Thank goodness for technology too, Joe was clever in his use of the computer as a means of communication with Alison. Once again, he was able to make me laugh as he stretched his arms before beginning to type, “I feel a real bad case of carpel tunnel coming on.”
With all the sign language, I thought subtitles would have been a good idea. But I guess it added to the discomfort that Alison must have felt since she did not understand it, nor could she read lips. Communication was key and was made very difficult by Alison’s ailment. Like Joe, Cynthia Keener tried some hand signals in order to have Alison understand her, but they were even funnier than the one Joe did.
When Alison was sitting in the Stewart’s house and there was so much activity of which she was not a part, I couldn’t help but think how helpless she must have felt. Then she called Joe and it about broke my heart. “If you’re there and you can hear me, sweet dreams, sleep tight, and know that I love you. And if you’re not there…” Seeing Joe holding the phone and knowing all he could do was listen, when all she could do was speak, I was moved again to tears.
Medium is a great show and I love the concept of a psychic helping solve crimes, but it’s not for that reason that I keep coming back, it’s the relationship between Alison and Joe, and the kids for that matter. I like to think there are a few couples out there who actually have a relationship like these two. Speaking of the kids, how adorable was Maria and the Is Your Mama a Llama story?
I couldn’t help wondering why the husband was so obstinate. I thought there might be something to it when he started acting so over the top towards Cynthia. That scum bag, Darren, had his step-daughter kidnapped and would have killed her, a 12-year old deaf child, no less, had Scanlon and Cynthia not shown up on his doorstep ready to blast him to high heavens. Cynthia wanted him to give her a reason to “put one right between his eyes,” and another in his chest. He disappointed her.
The Creepy Award goes to the kidnapper who said he’d already done his part about covering up his identity by writing a note that the girl’s father was responsible and now it was Darren’s turn to do his part adding, “We dug a hole out back.”
Did the kidnappers actually kick the crap out of the little girl? Seems like that would have been a very important point to let the mother know so the child could be taken to a hospital and checked for internal bleeding.
Once again, Scanlon made a very brief appearance, and only then to save the day. I really miss the old team with Devalos and Scanlon. Looks like Devalos will be back next week.
Until then, catch up on all your favorite Medium clips in our Online Video Guide .
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Feb 19, 2008 1:18 AM
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Good recap, Paula. Thanks for for getting it up so quickly.
I suspected the stepfather after hearing about the kidnapping insurance and seeing how he was threatening Cynthia.
I love Patricia Arquette in this role. Even though I figured her hearing would come back when the girl was found, it still was painful watching her go through it.
I miss the old team, too. Anjelica Houston is OK, but not one of my favorite actresses. I'm glad to see Devalos will be back next week.
It was fun seeing Steven Culp (Desperate Housewives) again and Nancy Travis (Becker). Was that Jon Tenney from The Closer?
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Feb 19, 2008 2:51 AM
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I gotta agree this was a good episode. I can not imagine what it would be like to wake up deaf.
I knew it was the stepfather that was behind this, soon as he didn't want to take the trafficing device and wear gloves to help find the kidnappers. Something about him was just off. But Im glad that he got caught.
I also love Patricia Arquette in those role. Each week she is amazing. I would love to find a very understanding husband like Joe. He is one in a million. However, I would like to see more of Bridget. Why can't we have more of her this season?
Did anyone recognized the guy who plays Hanso from Lost as Allison's doctor?
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Feb 19, 2008 3:25 AM
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Well, I really was expecting Erich Anderson's character to be the guilty party, simply because he always appeared to be in the background, with seemingly not much to do. Usually when a not-so-anonymous character actor is so under-utilized he turns out to be the bad guy. Once I heard Steven Culp referred to as a step-dad, the light bulb went off for me.
Was really great to see the interaction between the girls while Alison was going through her silent phase. Ariel really stepped up to the plate to be the big sis, which was a nice change as she's kind of been an annoying know-it-all in alot of episodes.
Looks like next week we're gonna get the show that was teased in the previews about a million years ago. Who is in charge of these things at the Peacock, anyway. Either they blow any suspense by giving it all away, or they tease you with something they never deliver on. Brandon Tartikoff, your sorely missed, my friend.
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Feb 19, 2008 4:01 AM
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I thought the financial adviser was the one behind it all. You have to remember the economy of guest stars rule. When a known actor plays a guest role on a tv show, more often than not, they're on the show to stir things up. In dramas, they tend to be bad people. This episode had 3, The mother, the step-father, and the financial guy. The financial guy has played a baddie on several occasions, so I thought it was him. Since he knew about the kidnapping insurance, I thought that he was going to take the ransom money and the parent's would get it back through their insurance. That they made it the step-father was an even darker twist. I thought this was a very good episode and it's too bad that Keener was the one running the show not Scanlon. In know, in the context of the show it wouldn't make sense any other way, but I like him and I'm neither a fan of Keener nor of Huston.
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Feb 19, 2008 7:53 AM
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I was hoping Allison lost her voice. That would have been a nice change.
I used to really like this show, now I keep coming back to see if it will every get back to what it used to be. Shouldn't the show be renamed "dreamer"? Why are all Allison's psychic visions revealed only in dreams these days? Anyone else remember when she actually talked to ghosts? When she knew what would happen (such as Joe planning something special)? I'm getting tired of dreamgirl and want the old Allison back (minus all the whining and yelling).
Oh, and Allison and Joe don't have that great of a relationship. They are constantly bickering! I don't know any happily married couples who fight as much as they do.
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Feb 19, 2008 9:04 AM
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This was a very strong episode. I had no idea I was watching Nancy Travis as the girl's mom! The straight hair was all it took to have me fooled--although my wife and I kept trying to figure out if we recognized her or not.
I must say I'm getting tired of Cynthia Keener. She's a morose, disagreeable person who really annoys me with her abrupt, cold way of talking to Allison and everyone else.
As much as I still love this show, I don't think it should have messed with the original setting with Allison working for Devalos.
But geez, Technogeek, you are really a downer.
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Feb 19, 2008 10:23 AM
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Thanks, Paula, for a great recap. I wholeheartedly agree; I watch the show because of the family relationship more so than the psychic thing. Don't get me wrong - the psychic stuff is interesting. Its just that I love the dynamics of the marriage and the parenting. It seems very true to life - lots of love but real "I could just scream" moments thrown in as well.
lizzybelle - Yes! Seeing Dr. Candle completely took me out of Medium and threw me back into Lost...especially because he had a white jacket on as he did in the Pearl orientation video. I kept expecting him to tell Allison to just push the button and then her hearing would return 
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Feb 19, 2008 10:42 AM
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Oh, and Allison and Joe don't have that great of a relationship. They are constantly bickering! I don't know any happily married couples who fight as much as they do.
Yes - and I invented the internet! What a load of crap.
Medium was so original in it's portrayal of the world experienced by the deaf - I was amazed. I kept thinking what I would do if I were deaf - which is a sure sign that the show is getting to you.
The highlight to me was when Joe was listening on the phone while Allison talked to him without knowing if he were listening. Those two are so great together - Joe always gets the "TV Dad" award for being so awesome!
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Feb 19, 2008 11:02 AM
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Ranger99 - I'm sorry you don't have the same experiences I do with knowing loving couples who don't constantly bicker, that is very sad for you. However, it is not a "load of crap" that I do. This episodes was one of the rare ones where they were not constantly fighting and making up, maybe because Joe would finally have the advantage because Allison couldn't hear him!
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Feb 19, 2008 11:19 AM
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Have you noticed that even though you know the person can't hear you talk even louder to the person.
I have a couple of friends loosing hearing gradually, what a trauma to loose it all at once.
Yes, Joe is the husband every woman wants. Selfless, caring always supportive and on top of what is going on.
I wish we would see more of Allison's brother. 1-900 Lucky was my first Medium episode and it was a fun episode with the phone psychic listening to AC/DC in the background.
Dave A. should direct more episodes.
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Feb 19, 2008 11:48 AM
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This was an exceptional episode. Kudos to David Arquette for directing this one. The deafness was handled perfectly. There were touching moments [the phone call to Joe], troubling moments [Allison freaking out the kids with her screams], and funny moments [Joe's carpal tunnel comment and Carolyn Keene suddenly treating Allison like a moron].
My mom pegged the dad as the kidnapper right away, but it took Nancy Travis pointing out he was a stepdad to convince me. That touch was a bit cliche, evil stepparent stuff. It was a little confusing to see Carolyn all decked out in bullet proof vest on the front line to arrest the guy. She has that kind of authority working for this Ameritips organization? Great line she had there though.
I always love seeing Nancy Travis, but it was a stroke of genius for them to straighten her hair. For this type of role it would have been wrong to keep it natural because she's just too bright and fluffy looking when its natural even if she isn't lighting up the room with that terrific smile of hers.
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Feb 19, 2008 12:01 PM
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Moondancer- that is funny about how even though she was deaf they would talk louder. You know, I have also noticed (in real life) if one person speaks a different language, then you must speak slower and louder in your language as if that will make them understand. LOL
I also like the relationship between Joe & Allison. They get along so well and have such a great relationship with the girls. Not many husbands are as supportive as Joe. He is especially good considering Allison has different needs than most of us. I felt Patricia was excellant portraying a deaf person. Her expressions were acting enough.
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Feb 19, 2008 12:20 PM
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Great recap, Paula, and I totally agree with you. This was a fantastic episode, with phenomenal acting and directing by all (the writing did have some cliche moments but otherwise it was great). Patricia was amazing as always. Her ability to convey so much emotion with only her facial expressions constantly amazes me. Joe was wonderful as always in this ep, loving and supportive and kind. I loved the phone call when she could only speak to him and he could only listen. How sweet was that? And so sad. Patricia's portrayal of Allison's fear and frustration and loneliness was incredible. And I loved the moments with the girls, especially Ariel being the big sis and reading to Marie. It made me feel so bad for Allison when she saw them together and felt so left out and isolated from her family.
The twist at the end when the kidnappers told the girl about her stepfather and left him in the position of having to kill her or risk exposure was chilling. I loved Cynthia Keener's lines when he opened the door.
"Fine. Deny a woman a little happiness."
I think there's a lot more to her character that we haven't learned yet, and she may turn out to be nicer than we think she is.
I'm so happy that Medium is back! Yippee!
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Feb 19, 2008 12:38 PM
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Loved all of these comments and loved the episode. Alison and Joe do have a great relationship. I don't see a lot of bickering happening. Perhaps if it's seen that they do it's more of a way of working things out together and a way to be very supportive of each other. This family dynamic is one of the best I think I've seen on TV.
Anjelica Houston is a terrific actress and it shows through even in this small part. We don't know a lot about Cynthia's background to make a detailed assessment. She comes across as a strong and determined woman and appears to be someone who won't put up with BS and has had to deal with a lot of crap, which makes her so intense. I'm sure we'll get a backstory about who she is, but since it wasn't presented up front, I can see where it wouldn't be easy to warm up to this character -- especially since she was initially skeptical and dismissive of Alison.
I'm not crazy about her bangs but Anjelica still has a great figure and her long legs sure look great in those tight pants.
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Feb 19, 2008 1:16 PM
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