Now and Again
"Film At Eleven"

Airdate: February 11, 2000

Theo reluctantly leaves Michael alone in the park.

Left alone in the middle of the big city while Theo meets with POTUS, Michael goes on an adventure that leads to nothing but trouble. What follows is a bank robbery, an escape that only Superman could have pulled off, and a hell of a lot of angst for our favorite superhero with the soul of a normal guy.

While Michael begins this episode by making comments that put him and Theo on an equal, almost sibling, level, Dr. Morris's actions quickly point to the fact that he's wrong. Their quick negotiation of terms proves that the relationship is definitely one of father-son, with Michael as the sometimes recalcitrant child. This idea is further strengthened when the image of his back as he shoves open the bank vault door is broadcast all over the world and Theo comes down on his insubordinate charge with an intensity that gave me flashbacks from the lectures I received after my own pathetic attempts at teenage rebellion.

And while it's been clear from the start that this secret life has never been easy for Michael, the depths of his loneliness resulting from his isolation are fully examined in this episode. Dr. Morris is, for the most part, his only contact with the outside world and the chilly silence that surrounds him as a consequence of Theo's anger is clearly unbearable. But it is the final scene with Lisa that finally drives the last of the light out of Michael's eyes.

One can't help but wonder about Michael's not only sending Lisa her favorite flowers on Valentine's Day, but deciding to withdraw money from their account in order to do it. Any head shrinker -- or avid television viewer -- would speculate that his real motivation was the desire to get caught. Yes, that's right. Michael wants Lisa to figure out who he really is. Okay, so that wasn't surprising news, but to anyone who has seen the show, it is also recognized as bad.

Bad as in dangerous bad.

Sure, we wanted to see those two crazy kids together again... but the gut-wrenching misery wasn't what we had in mind.

And it is bad. But because this is Now and Again, which operates in a manner as to always keep you on your toes, instead of the punishment for his rash actions being meted out by Theo and the project goons, it comes from Lisa. There is an old adage that says that you only hurt the ones you love. Oh, how true it is in this case.

Far from allowing herself to feel -- albeit incorrectly -- stalked and harassed by this strange man, Mr. Newman, Lisa Wiseman proves herself to be a strong chick. She angrily confronts Michael with his misdeeds and threatens him. If the guy hadn't been close to tears I would have cheered on her gutsy actions.

And yes, I asked for another scene that included interaction between Michael and Lisa, but this was not at all what I meant. Nevertheless, I'll give it to them credit for making it both emotionally wrenching and unforgettable.

The squirrel bastards. And I mean that in the most complimentary sense of the phrase.

Eric Close deserves special recognition for his performance in this episode. From a twinkling mischieviousness, to full of worry, to heartbroken and soul shaken, his eyes are truly a window to Michael Wiseman's soul. Even when he was standing perfectly still, they were brimming with emotion.

Damn, he's good.

-- Linda M. Najera

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

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