"I've Grown Accustomed To His Face"
Airdate: December 17, 1999

This episode contained all but one of the things I love about this show; Michael (Eric Close) was shirtless (twice!), Dr. Morris (Dennis Haysbert) sang, and there was plenty of great interaction between all of the characters. Well, almost all of them. Therein lies my single biggest complaint. But it's not one that I can't live with. For a while at least.

After serenading him with a stirring rendition of The Five Stairsteps' classic "O-o-h Child", Dr. Morris informs Michael that his complaints of boredom will soon be addressed. A survival trek in the mountains is planned and Michael is to be dropped in the middle of a forest with no food, no water, no compass, and unarmed. He is expected to utilize all of the skills they've taught him and find his way back home. Oh, and the rest of the people assigned to the project will be stalking him, paint guns at the ready.

While it's not exactly what Michael had in mind, one supposes that he's at least happy with the prospect of escaping his gilded cage if only for a while. The only problem is that when morning arrives, Dr. Morris doesn't. In fact, none of Michael's normal baby-sitters are present and he begins to worry.

What ensues is a trek through the urban jungle of New York that in many ways parallels the test that Dr. Morris had outlined. Michael is penniless, unarmed, and on the trail of his favorite, missing scientist. To make matters worse, he's also being pursued by biohazard-suited goons with guns.

In the meantime both Lisa (Margaret Colin) and Roger (Gerrit Graham) are approached by a mysterious man asking that they get in touch with him should Michael Wiseman contact them. Both are confused by his insistence even after they explain that Michael Wiseman is dead. Finally the stranger is forced to lead them to where, according to his information, Michael Wiseman has been living since he died. The residence they travel to is, of course, where Mr. Newman lives. Well, at least that's what Roger and Lisa continue to believe and try to explain to the man, but to no avail.

The stories, but not all the main characters, converge when the audience discovers that the stranger is the son of a wealthy, but ailing man who has heard rumors of Dr. Morris' project and wants the procedure performed on himself. When bribes didn't work, he had Theo kidnapped and planned to threaten him with the destruction of his science fair project. Despite all of this, the good doctor remains firm in his insistence that no such project exists even after Michael comes to his rescue.

In many ways I felt the ending was cut off too abruptly. While Dr. Morris is not the most demonstrative of people, I wished that there had been some acknowledgment on his part of Michael having proven his loyalty, if not friendship, by his actions. I also thought that there should have been a moment between Michael and Theo where the science fair project mused on how the gift of youth and superhuman strength wasn't worth what he had to give up in order to receive it. But I suppose that by now we should take that fact for granted.

My biggest complaint is that "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face" marks two consecutive episodes that did not contain any direct contact between Michael and Lisa. I miss their unique and exciting chemistry. Yes, I know that he isn't supposed to see her at all, but I like them together, okay? One blasted phone call where they both just listen and feel a strange connection is not enough.

Despite these minor problems, I still enjoyed this episode. I particularly liked how Michael proves that it takes more than strength to overcome the obstacles that are placed in front of him. Dr. Morris' work might be of some help, but it takes some original equipment (You know, like brains?) to get the job done. And of course I thought it was cute when he let himself get just a bit sidetracked by the siren's lure of peanut butter cups.

I completely understand.

-- Linda M. Najera

Now and Again airs at 9pm EST, Fridays on CBS.

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