Medium DVD

For fans of sci-fi and other similar genres, the paranormal would be considered closer to the normal. The possibility of other realms of consciousness is one of the things that attracted us to the genre in the first place. Although it may not be an actual reality for most of us, we don’t discount it as hokum. It’s interesting that many people believe in God yet cannot accept the presence of the paranormal, yet neither can be proved conclusively with science, although they can be experienced. Whether or not seeing and communing with dead people is a good thing is another matter, but in the case of MEDIUM it certainly helps with solving murders.

The series, produced by Kelsey (FRASIER) Grammer, and starring Patricia Arquette, has just finished its first season on BBC1 and is currently showing on the SCIFI channel (Mondays at 9 PM), is to be released on a four disc DVD set from Paramount Home Entertainment on August 14.

This “based-on-a-true-story” TV series is about Allison Dubois, a mother of three, who works in the District Attorney’s office as a law intern, until her clairvoyant powers start to interfere with her work, as she starts ‘seeing’ the murders happening in her head. After solving a particularly difficult case, she is hired as a consultant by D.A. Devalos (Miguel Sandoval), who believes her ability to talk to the dead proves invaluable in solving cases.

But the show is not a psychic CSI and is much closer to Chris Carter’s MILLENNIUM, but much lighter. For a start Patricia Arquette is much nicer to look at than Lance Henriksen. But this role is far removed from the lean characters she played in TRUE ROMANCE and STIGMATA (apart from the visions of the latter). Here she has a much fuller figure that makes her look very maternal, and with a lot of each episode revolving around her domestic life, making her all the more believable. But the believability extends beyond the physical appearance to the scripting and acting. The relationship between her husband and children is very realistic, with dialogue you would expect to hear an everyday home, except it has the addition of prescient dreams and conversations with the spirit world. Her husband Joe (Jake Weber), a rational aerospace engineer, accepts her gift – most of the time – and is very supportive of her, but they do have altercations and there are also some great moments of comedy that come from a wife that knows what her husband is thinking.

The balance of domesticity and criminology makes the show very watchable. Most episodes start off with a dream sequence that sets up the episode, but the crime solving part is not always predictable (unless you are psychic), with enough twists to keep you guessing, although some episodes are simply courtroom dramas.

With quality acting (Arquette won an Emmy for her portrayal of the lead character) and a good variety of stories, it does make compulsive viewing even if it is slightly more subdued than the usual supernatural fare.

MEDIUM is released on four-disc DVD on August 14 and can be ordered now from Amazon or Play.

To celebrate the release of the DVD we have some great prizes that will suit any non-psychic investigator – two great Crumpler bags. First prize is the Brian’s Hottub model that will carry all your photographic equipment as well as your laptop and other necessities. Second prize is the very smart Crisp Suit laptop bag. Find out more about these bags at www.crumpler.co.uk. We also have two Medium DVD box sets for runners up. Go to the competitions page of the forum for more details.