"By The Light Of The Moon"
Airdate: November 26, 1999

Despite Dr. Morris' (Dennis Haybert) continuous reminders to the contrary, Michael Wiseman (Eric Close) is not dead. And not only does he still eat, sleep, drink, and utilize the special waste matter collector in his townhouse, but he still has other needs as well. Needs that are brought to the forefront of everyone's minds when Michael is assigned a new, beautiful, female physical trainer in the form of Dr. Taylor (Reiko Aylesworth).

Despite his protestations that he's still a married man, he finds himself attracted to this woman and suffers horribly from guilt. Even Dr. Morris' assertion that he is, in fact, a dead man, cannot quell his conscience. In a fit of self preservation, he asks the good doctor to find a replacement, a male replacement.

In the meantime Lisa Wiseman (Margaret Colin) has passed her real estate license course only to find that her graduation attendees includes none other than hopeful paramour Gerald Miscenbach (Chip Zien). In order to prove to daughter Heather (Heather Matarazzo) that nice guys, not guys with an edge (like say for example that hottie Mr. Newman who lives in a townhouse and looks like he was made by Mattel, but breaks dinner engagements), make better companions, Lisa calls Gerald and makes a date with him.

Back at the townhouse, just when Theo is about to grant Michael's wish, Dr. Taylor, in a burst of compassion, finagles a way for Michael to have a night out of his lonely cage. They spend the evening bowling, eating hot dogs and walking together through a lovely scenic park underneath a full moon. Giving in to the moment, Michael and the pretty doctor move closer and it seems that a passion filled kiss is imminent.

Elsewhere in the park, Lisa and Gerald are wrapping up a pleasant evening together. It even seems to be heading towards the same conclusion as Michael and Dr. Taylor. Only, as is the case with the other couple, the kiss never happens. Like her husband, Lisa is not ready to let go and so pulls away.

We later learn that Dr. Taylor is actually Lt. Taylor and was a setup. She was part of an experiment that Dr. Morris had devised for Michael to test just how strong his feelings still were for Lisa. He acknowledges that Michael loves his wife and that there is nothing to be done about it. The tone Theo uses is matter of fact, and yet you get the feeling that he respects such dedication. Which goes to prove once again, that with the good doctor (much like this show) you just never know.

Devoid of almost all its genre elements, this episode focuses on the inner lives of its characters. But therein lies its strength and originality. Plus, I kinda dig that they don't always follow the 'this week's mission' or even 'this week's display of superhuman powers' format. It keeps me from getting bored.

-- Linda M. Najera

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

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