Now & Again
"The Eggman Cometh"

Airdate: May 5, 2000

In the season finale of Now and Again, while Theo awaits the arrival of a new tracking device for Michael, Lisa is informed by a lawyer in a class action suit that her husband didn't die instantly, that he in fact was alive when he arrived at the hospital. Meanwhile, The Eggman plans and executes a daring prison escape.

The best season finales leave you so emotionally torn you want to throw up. At least that's what I think. And based on that criteria, "The Eggman Cometh" is one humdinger. The last minute or so was so bad -- but in a good way -- that I was reminded of what someone called "the Morgan and Wong propensity for slash and burn season/series finales'. And coming from me, that's a serious compliment.

After a season in which Michael and Theo have been steadily moving towards a more trusting relationship, Caron and Company (in this case writer/producer Rene Echeverria) decided to raise the tension level that had been building ever since Michael's tracking device was removed. Basically, they throw everyone's ass in the fire.

Theo's threats to kill Lisa and Heather, should they find out Michael's secret or should he try to run, have, of late, seemed like so much hot air. For once thing, there was the budding friendship between the two men. Then there was Michael's unwavering loyalty, which was first achieved through fear, but later from, what I feel is a true understanding of what he is a part of and his affection for his keeper, Dr. Morris.

Michael has always been a very simple guy. He loves his family. He loves food. He loves reading. He is loyal, as witnessed in "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face", possibly to a fault. He isn't very hard to figure out and his actions are fairly predictable.

Dr. Morris, on the other hand, is, and has always been, somewhat of an enigma. A patriot, surely. A genius, definitely. A man of great ego and self-control, undoubtedly; but he has nevertheless also been given a heart and a conscience, as seen in "Deep In My Heart Is A Song" and "There Are No Words". But he is also a very dangerous and vindictive man (see: "Lizzard's Tale"). You never know exactly where you stand with the man.

This is something that Michael understands all too well. He respects and likes Dr. Morris, but he knows that he can't always trust him. Which is what makes "The Eggman Cometh" work. Michael's emotional distress is plainly evident as he questions Theo about the procedure that he is about to undergo. Although Dr. Morris claims that it is only to restore the tracking device in his nose, something about his tone, his manner, his stance, suggests that that may not be all that happens when Michael is under anesthesia. As expected, with his trust in the good doctor gone, Michael makes a run for it and tries to save his family.

Without trust there can be no relationship, and until Dr. Morris calms down from his anger at what he perceives as the ultimate betrayal, he will be unable to see that he was partly at fault. His continued distrust, even after Michael has proved himself loyal time and time again, left his science fair project with no choice than to believe that even an accidental discovery on Lisa's part as to his true identity would lead to her's and Heather's death. As a scientist, Dr. Morris should remember that if you corner a lab rat you should expect them to bite the hand that feeds them.

Although it may mean murder and mayhem, one can only hope that the return of The Eggman (in the second season) provides a window of opportunity for Michael to both return to the fold and keep his family safe.

Oh, and if CBS doesn't renew Now and Again I may have to go bitch slap some network suits. Anyone care to join me?

-- Linda M. Najera

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

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