Now & Again
"The Bugmeister, Part Bee"

Airdate: April 28, 2000

Heather makes the connection between Dr. Bing and the bug attacks, while Theo volunteers Michael to catch one of The Bugmeister's friends.

In direct opposition to the first of this two-parter, this episode crams too much into a single hour. While the Bugmeister plot is resolved, "Part Bee" forces Dr. Bing into the role of an eco-terrorist on par with some Batman-esque villain which doesn't really suit his previously intellectual portrayal. Then again, isn't the oldest stereotype in the book that of the mad scientist? What could have turned out to be an even more interesting (and sympathetic) villain is carelessly tossed away in favor of... Well, probably just making this a two instead of a three-parter. Which weakens the story.

But at least the characterization was on par with the rest of the season.

Lisa's dismay at the growing schism between her and Heather is poignant. Her strained voice as she explains to Roger how unnatural it seems to raise a child alone, speaks of her continuing bereavement over losing Michael. Although she is a strong woman and is trying hard to get on with her life, the pressures of being a single parent only serve as a reminder of what she had before. Lisa is adapting, but that doesn't mean she likes it, or even thinks that she's doing a good job of it.

Heather, the stereotypically self-centered teenager, is growing as well. Unlike her mother, she openly acknowledges an affection for and bond with the mysterious Mr. Newman, and instead of fleeing to safety immediately, she shows her concern for him by attempting to convince him to leave before he orders her out of the reach of Dr. Bing. The protectiveness she feels towards her mother is evident in the white lie she tells about the incident in the museum. Although they will probably clash for quite a few more years, it's clear that Heather is not completely blind to or uncaring of her mother's plight.

My favorite moment, however, is during Heather's attempt to get Mr. Newman away from Dr. Bing. She tells him that her mom is outside and can give him a ride home. Michael touches his nose as he realizes that without the transmitter he could now run away with his family without fear of being caught. The only problem is that the bug menace would remain, and so, possibly out of loyalty to Dr. Morris, but most likely out of a need to do what's right, he sends Heather away and confronts The Bugmeister. It would seem that despite his normal guy roots, Michael is truly a hero at heart.

Now and Again is filled with characters who genuinely care for each other and while their lives may not be perfect, and face it, their world is definitely weird, their relationships are probably some of the strongest and most functional on television. I like to think of them as normal people trying to live in a Twin Peaks sort of universe.

-- Linda M. Najera

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

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