"Over Easy"
Air Date: October 8, 1999

Waking up smiling with thoughts of his encounter with wife Lisa (Margaret Colin) still fresh in his mind, our reluctant hero, Michael Wiseman (Eric Close) is ready to face another day. That is until he learns what Dr. Morris (Dennis Haysbert) has in store for him.

In a continuation of the Eggman subplot, we see the mysterious Asian man (Kim Chan) preparing for another attack. The sight of annoying houseflies exploding into dots of red would normally bring out my bloodthirsty nature and make me cheer, but, as planned, my throat closed up in fear observing the terrorist's disregard for any manner of life.

Facing mortality a second time, Michael is pensive and rightly so. He questions the need for him to be the ransom delivery boy, but Dr. Morris makes it clear that he has no choice in the matter. However he does arm him with a nifty toy that looks to be straight out of Batman.

In the meantime Roger (Gerrit Graham), still staggering from his "epiphany", goes to see Lisa and hints broadly at her mystery man's identity. They decide to go in search of him and use the then seemingly a joke hints of his whereabouts.

Unfortunately their search for and eventual tailing of Michael leads them to the same subway car that holds the notorious Eggman. Wiseman is justly worried about his wife, daughter and even Roger's presence in a highly volatile situation, and without the time to explain exactly what is going on, yells at them to leave.

He then turns back to his assignment and searches for the Eggman. Seeing the small stature of the man and brimming with confidence in his new body, instead of just handing over the ransom, decides to really get into his role of Superman. When the egg is dropped, his super fast reflexes enable him to catch it before it breaks.

Before a chase can ensue however, Michael has to find a way to get the nerve gas filled egg into safe hands. Only there are no plain clothes policemen to be found. Enter Lisa once again. Angry with herself for nearly falling under his spell, at first she tries to blow him off, but a chance remark spoken during the loud rush of a passing train, makes her change her mind. He professes to trust her more than anyone else in the world. After she relents, he plants a kiss on her that made me glad I was already sitting down otherwise my knees would have buckled. Talk about chemistry. Yowza!

While Michael chases the Eggman down the tunnels of the subway Lisa makes it back topside and delivers the egg to Dr. Morris. When he questions her, she reveals that a stranger gave it to her and then kissed her. Inventing an excuse on the fly, the project director mumbles something about the IRS and allows her to leave.

Meanwhile, back in the tunnels, Michael has found the Eggman's escape route and follows him back up. He spots the terrorist getting into a cab and gives chase on foot. When that proves futile, he jumps on top of a car. Lisa's car as a matter of fact and asks her to give chase. The Eggman is eventually subdued, but not without a tense moment or two.

Whomever cast Harsh Realm needs to watch this show and learn what real chemistry is between actors. Eric Close is more than a yummy chest. Dennis Haysbert is just too fabulous for words. And Margaret Colin is one talented and lucky wench.

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

-- Linda M. Najera

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