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Medium: The Seventh and Final Season
Paramount // Unrated // June 21, 2011
List Price: $39.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Created by Glenn Gordon Caron ("Moonlighting") and exec-produced by Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier"), "Medium" was based upon the real-life Allison DuBois. Allison (Patricia Arquette) is a psychic who uses her unique talents to see the future, read thoughts and communicate with the deceased. Allison uses her abilities to help people and assist the Phoenix, Arizona district attorney's office - headed by Phoenix District Attorney Manuel Devalos, (Miguel Sandoval), and working with detective Lee Scanlon (David Cubitt) - in solving crimes.
What made "Medium" work as well as it did was the balance the show managed to have between Allison's work and home life. Allison is supported by her husband, Joe (Jake Weber), who has come to accept his wife's gift. The two also have three children: Ariel (Sofia Vassilieva), Bridget (Maria Lark) and Marie (Madison and Miranda Carabello). The scenes where Allison interacts with her family are incredibly well written and portrayed. Then before you know it, you're watching a scene where Allison is having a vision, or dealing with the district attorney's office to help solve a case. Both aspects of the series managed to impress, and each offer a different, and interesting insight into Allison's life.
While it's easy to compare "Medium" to similar shows, it must be noted the "Medium" stood apart not only due to the writing and balance, but also the performances and direction. Arquette does a fantastic job carrying the series and she's supported by an excellent ensemble cast, especially Weber (who she has fine chemistry with.)
The seventh and final season begins with an interesting take on the "Freaky Friday" concept in "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day." Allison and Bridget end up switching bodies, and have to go about their day (Allison goes to school as Bridget, and Bridget goes to work as Allison.) While not the most engrossing hour of "Medium," it's a fun way to start the season, and to give the actresses a chance to show a different side of their acting abilities. For a final season, "Medium" seemed to know where it was headed, and the ending is not only surprising but saddening.
The episodes leading up to the finale hold the whole season together nicely, and include some memorable episodes such as: "Means and Ends" where Scanlon has recurring dreams about his dead brother, leaving him restless. In "Smoke Damage," Allison thinks about her career and decides to finish her law degree when Devalos announces he may run for mayor.
There are several episodes that focus on Allison's gift, as well as her daughter's, and there are even some heartbreaking moments, but with only 13 episodes to wrap up a seven-year series, there's clearly some episodes (especially towards the end of the season) that feel rushed. The season finale is one of those finales that fans may love or hate. With some shocking news, a flash forward, and an unexpected dream, the series finale wraps things up but in an unexpected way.
Season 7
7-01 24/Sep/10 Bring Your Daughter to Work Day
7-02 01/Oct/10 The Match Game
7-03 08/Oct/10 Means and Ends
7-04 15/Oct/10 How to Kill a Good Guy
7-05 22/Oct/10 Talk to the Hand
7-06 29/Oct/10 Where Were You When...?
7-07 05/Nov/10 Native Tongue
7-08 12/Nov/10 Smoke Damage
7-09 19/Nov/10 The People in Your Neighborhood
7-10 03/Dec/10 Blood on the Tracks
7-11 07/Jan/11 Only Half Lucky
7-12 14/Jan/11 Labor Pains
7-13 21/Jan/11 Me Without You
VIDEO:"Medium" is presented by Paramount in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The presentation quality is mostly marvelous, as sharpness and detail are quite good throughout the episodes. Some slight artifacting was occasionally seen, but the presentation was free of edge enhancement and mostly crisp and clear. Colors looked natural and accurately presented. Flesh tones appeared spot-on, as well. Overall, one of the better presentations of a newer TV series that I've seen lately.
SOUND:The show's Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack offered up an audio presentation that was slightly more active than most TV fare, with some minor surround use for effects and ambience. Audio quality is fine, with crisp dialogue, effects and score.
EXTRAS: A commentary from the cast/crew would have been nice, but it's good to see that the studio gathered together a moderate-sized set of extras for the final season set, rather than let it go out with a no-frills release.
"The Making of Medium Season 7": Glenn Gordon Caron starts of the 23 minute featurette by talking about the final season being cut to only 13 episodes. The feature goes on to cover things like adding a lighter episode at the front of the season since some darker episodes followed, guest stars, set design, filming locations, directing and more. With extra footage, interviews, and footage from the series, the "Making Of" is a nice addition to the DVD set.
"Memories of Medium": the 20-minute featurette includes lots of interviews and extra footage, and takes a look at the origin of the series, casting, the pilot, developing the series, favorite episodes, and more.
"Medium: Shadows & Light" is a look at the technical side of filming "Medium," including a closer look at the people behind bringing the series to life.
"Meet Detective Lee Scanlon": a look at Detective Lee Scanlon and David Cubitt, who plays the character.
"Medium Around the World": The brief feature talks about how "Medium" is viewed around the world, some about being viewed in so many locations, and even includes sample scenes from different countries.
A "Gag Reel" is also included on the DVD.
Final Thoughts: Final Thoughts:
"Medium" stood apart not only due to the writing and balance, but also the performances and direction. The season 7 DVD is only 13 episodes, but the episodes stand out and the final episode is one fans may love or hate. Recommended for fans of the series.
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