Awake

Awake is a thought-provoking, riveting drama series that aired on NBC in 2012. The show stars some notable actors including Jason Isaacs, best known for his roles in Harry Potter as Lucius Malfoy and in Star Trek: Discovery as Gabriel Lorca, as well as emerging talents like Dylan Minnette, Laura Allen, BD Wong, and Cherry Jones. Awake intertwines elements of police procedural, psychological drama, and parallel-universe fiction to create a captivating narrative that keeps viewers on edge.

The story revolves around Michael Britten (played by Jason Isaacs), an LAPD detective whose life gets thrown into chaos following a catastrophic car accident involving his wife and teenage son. After the car crash, Britten finds himself caught between two realities, each with its own set of traumas and subtleties. In one world, his wife, Hannah (Laura Allen), has survived the accident, while their son Rex (Dylan Minnette) has perished. When Britten goes to sleep in this reality, he wakes in another where Rex is alive, and Hannah has died.

Awake handles the concept of these two divergent realities with deft sensitivity. In one, Britten is dealing with the grief of losing a son while trying to rebuild a life with his wife. In the other, he is helping his son navigate the painful path of life without a mother. Britten is unable to come to terms with either reality, not knowing which one is real and which one is a result of his mind trying to cope with loss. He uses color-coded wristbands to differentiate between these two worlds - red for the one where his wife is alive and green for the one where his son survived.

Adding another layer to Britten's complicated existence are his two psychiatrists, Dr. Evans (Cherry Jones) and Dr. Lee (BD Wong). Each psychiatrist exists in one of Britten's realities, both trying to convince him their reality is the true one and pushing him to let go of his delusions of the other.

From a police procedural standpoint, the show establishes an intriguing premise as well. The cases Britten is assigned to in one world offer clues to help solve a case in the other, making for some compelling crime-solving sequences that blend his two worlds in unique ways. This aspect enriches the narrative by incorporating elements of mystery and suspense and provides another facet to Britten’s already entangled life.

The show offers an exploration of human psyche and grief, presenting a character that resists letting go of an alternate reality where he hasn't lost a loved one. The lead performances, particularly Jason Isaac's portrayal of Detective Britten, carry a heavy emotionality, enabling viewers to empathize with Britten’s situation and escalating the stakes of the central dilemma.

Moreover, Awake also features a warm father-son dynamic, with Dylan Minnette delivering a nuanced performance as Rex. This relationship is paralleled with a husband-wife chemistry between Isaacs and Laura Allen, exploring how these dynamics change when faced with the magnitude of their respective losses.

One of the prominent elements of Awake is the direction and cinematography, which skilfully differentiates between the two worlds through various visual techniques. The attention to detail, combined with impressive storytelling, helps amplify the essence of the show.

Upon release, Awake attracted a strong critical response for its unique premise, gripping narratives, and stellar performances from the cast. Its distinctive approach to depicting parallel realities sets it apart from typical crime dramas, resulting in a truly original series that successfully blends various genres. However, the show's complexity and deeply psychological narrative might not cater to every viewer's tastes.

In conclusion, Awake is a riveting journey into the delicate mindscape of a man grappling with unbearable loss. Its unique blend of science fiction, police procedural, and deep emotional exploration sets it apart, making for a thought-provoking drama that delves into heartrending realms of love, loss, and courage. It's an emotional rollercoaster ride, fraught with suspense, mystery, and psychological thrills, which makes for an engaging viewing experience for those who appreciate complex, character-driven narratives.