Review of Awake

Coming a long way from Harry Potter, Jason Isaacs stars as the protagonist in this psychologically tantalising TV series. From the very beginning the audience sympathise with Michael Britton as he experiences a shattering car crash that transforms his family from three to two. Awake then takes a supernaturally creative direction which distinguishes it from any other ordinary tragedy; one morning he will open his eyes to the comfort of a grieving but breathing wife…and the next morning his bed will be empty yet his teenage son will be waking for school in the nearby room.

In these alternate realities life struggles to become a new sense of normal, father and son gradually learning to reconnect, whilst husband and wife have to discover that there can be more happiness in life. However, Michael is unable to grieve with his remaining family because the loss is as much a dream to him as his two therapists believe the alternate reality is. Splitting himself between his loved ones can only lead to further mental deterioration, according to Dr Lee and Dr Evans, who both ironically dismiss the existence of each other. Sessions on the couch provide a very intelligent aspect to the show, as they plausibly explain why his delusions are likely to be delusions. They believe that his psyche was damaged during the accident, yet despite their realistic words, the audience are reluctant to dismiss the fantasy that many wish could be true.

Meanwhile, Michael throws himself into his work as a detective, bringing in another dimension that keeps Awake exciting and changeable. Episodes are a mix of family drama and murder mysteries – twice over, as Britton heroically deals with two cases and two different partners. Using his unique ability, he solves crimes by taking clues from one world and applying it to the other.

As Michael begins to heal from the accident, the truth about what really happened comes to light…so scandalous with betrayal that not everyone will be left standing. 

Awake brilliantly explores the powerful possibilities of the mind, and deals with the universal tragedy of death, investigating the lengths people would go to keep hold of the people they love. The concept is original and complex and the show purposefully keeps aspects blurred and unexplained. Superb acting and great character development leads this series to easily be an unforgettable highlight of 2012.