Ricky's Tacos

I've said of past episodes of Awake that I appreciated the way they attempt different types of stories within their format, not settling into a single routine. But I think tonight's episode stretched in a direction I hope they don't return to again.

Specifically, tonight's episode really underscored for me how important the main character's relationships with his wife and son are to the overall fabric of the series. There were only a couple of very brief scenes with Hannah in Red World this week, and essentially none at all with Rex in Green World (save for a dialogue-free, three-second piece of a closing montage). And without the vital personal stakes that those characters provide, this episode of Awake teetered on the edge of just being "Another Cop Show."

Yes, the episode dangled the ongoing conspiracy in front of us a bit... but not really progressing that storyline, just keeping it alive. I suppose I do want this story to go somewhere interesting in the long run, but the fact that it seemed so inert to me in this episode just underscored even more how important the family element of the series is.

There was some consolation, though, in the fact that at least the cases this week were interesting for "Another Cop Show." Well, certainly the Green World case was. The rape/suicide was a sad tale that got sadder still when the truth of it was finally exposed near the end of the hour. It was also interesting that this dark storyline actually led to a very warm scene for actress Laura Innes as Captain Harper, the scene in which she drew the truth out from the little girl. It showed a caring side to her character, whereas the Red World incarnation of the captain seems to be more of a "mustache twirler." A reluctant one, but still ultimately part of whatever the Evil Plot is.

Just a small bump in the road, I hope. We'll see what the show brings next week.