"One For The Money"
Air Date: October 15, 1999

While this first non Glenn Gordon Caron scripted ep was a little clunkier than its predecessors (and there wasn't a single shot of Eric Close's yummy chest -- although he does look scrumptious in a suit and tie), the reason I am so drawn to this show was still in full effect. The strong characterization continued with wife Lisa Wiseman's (Margaret Colin) plight getting as much attention as that of the sort-of-late, kind-of-born-again husband Michael (Eric Close).

Our reluctant Superman is once again volunteered by Dr. Morris (Dennis Haysbert) for a mission. This time it involves aiding an old friend of the project director (Ed O'Ross) with the elimination of a former operative who has been selling the covers and locations of government operatives, leading to their deaths. For the normal guy Michael this is not something he can easily brush off as just another assignment.

However, once he is apprised of the importance his new assignment and the fact that he has no choice in the matter, he settles into accepting what he must do. It is then that Michael begins to dream of wife Lisa and daughter Heather's (Heather Matarazzo) reactions to his new role as government assassin. With the people he loves serving as his conscience, the poor guy doesn't get much rest.

In the meantime, because the squirrel bastards (Chad Lowe?!) over at Grand Empire Insurance's continuing refusal to honor Michael's life insurance policy, Lisa is forced to look for a job. Any kind of job. Her realistically awkward relationship with Heather is played out amusingly in a scene where daughter helps mother come to terms with the real world.

Some people might complain that this series, with its focus on realistic relationships between people (if a bit odd at times) doesn't really qualify for genre status, but unlike other shows that concentrate on the whiz bang technology aspects of their stories, from episode one you find that you actually give a damn about the Wiseman family, Dr. Morris and all the other quirky characters who inhabit Now and Again. Yes, there are genre aspects of this show, but instead of turning Michael into the weekly avenging angel a la The Incredible Hulk or The Six Million Dollar Man or even someone supposed to be the one, they decided to show us that while you can give a man a super body, he still retains his normal guy soul.

Giving a character a soul? Hmm... Chris Carter needs to take notes.

And the moment of pure fun in this episode? Dr. Morris singing, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor..." Ahhhh... I just adore Mr. Rogers, don't you?

Now And Again airs Friday nights on CBS at 9pm EST

-- Linda M. Najera

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