***This article contains spoilers. If you have not watched "Me Without You" yet, I strongly recommend you do not read it, as there were some pretty neat twists.***
Last night was the series finale of CBS's Medium. I used to watch the show religiously when it ran on NBC, but after the move to CBS last year, I thought quality went down. NBC wasn't afraid to shake up the series and make major changes. CBS, on the other hand, toned it down to a common procedural, something very successful on their network, because their viewers don't like to pay much attention apparently, but the reason I don't bother with much of their programming. Boring! However, having viewed a handful of episodes this year, and they were better, with more focus Dubois family, the true heart of the show.
Last night's series ender pretty much dispatched with the children all together. It was the love story of Allison (Patricia Arquette) and Joe (Jake Weber). In the first moments, Joe is killed in a plane crash. Flash forward seven years later, and Allison is working with the district attorney (Roger Bart, Desperate Housewives, The Producers) to bring down a major Mexican drug cartel. The DA is killed and Mayor Devalos (Miguel Sandoval) tasks Allison with finishing the case. But then Allison begins dreaming about Joe, convinced the accused has her husband stashed away down in Mexico. Joe has suffered from amnesia, and doesn't remember her.
I thought that the plot up to that point was unrealistic, and it was stretching my enjoyment. I like the series, and sometimes there are some fantastical things that happen, but even so, it was going a little too far. Amnesia? Come on. Been done before. Don't do such a hokey plot for your final episode! I kept trying to talk myself out of the disappointment and just enjoy the love story, but I was having a difficult time. When Allison blew the case on purpose to find Joe, it was really bothering me. Yes, she loves him, but she also cares about her job, and about putting away bad guys. Plus, I wasn't crazy about the new, older Marie. And, let's be honest, Arquette isn't the most talented actress in the world.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - gudsoul
I am so saddened by the ending of this show. It is not often that you find an interesting and consistently good show that brings you back season after season. This show will truly be missed.
2 - Vilma
I cried like a baby for the last 20 minutes of the show. I thought they had a great marrage and family. I am sorryy to see the show end.
3 - Debbie
So disappointed this is the end for Medium. This is the only show I watch on TV. I am truly saddened by this, I could only hope this is only a "bad dream".
4 - Jane
I am devastated by the cancellation of Medium. It was the best show I have watched in years. Can we not reconsider continuing the show? My Friday nights will never be the same.
5 - dang
the most devastating ending ever. i cried for so many hours when joe died in medium. i will truly miss this show!
6 - El Bicho
I have no idea how anyone could read that first paragraph and not notice all the words missing
7 - Daniella Singh
WHAT THE F.UCK! Are you kidding me! This finale was absolute bullshit, I cant imagine what kind of sick person was behind the script for this one. The whole idea of medium was destroyed in one hour flat. Medium is all about family, how does CBS get off killing off Joe! Only a master psychologist could pull at every one of peoples fears like this in just one hour, and then say oh but I ended it happy! Horseshit! The story was an absolute perversion of everything Medium represented! Just another existentialist trying to shove their ideals down the throats of people that have hope. Another "sh.it happens, and dont for get" snuck into a show that never even had a hint of that. Well CBS you can take your ideals and shove it up your ass! I will always remember Medium as an incredible example of the strength of the family as an institution. As far as I'm concerned this final is just a nightmare dreamt up by a very twisted individual.
8 - Rex
I suppose the reviews by shocked and disappointed viewers are understandable, but in the TV world of pap, product placement and predictability, it's nice to see some hard edge writing for a change; some risk taking.
It's particularly refreshing when the series premise is something that does not and cannot happen in the real world. (The lingering irony is that the show is based on real people!)
I, for one, respect the decision to end the series in a way that evokes the reality of death and uncertain futures. This show is supposed to stir up strong emotions. A lot of hard work went into the final episode and I congratulate them for it.
9 - Carmen
I know the show had to end someday, it will be miss. Perhaps there will be a spin off.
10 - ROSANNA
i WANT IT BACK.. HOW COULD IT BE GONE, ITS GREAT. MAKE IT A DREAM LIKE DALLAS AND PUT IT BACK ON THE AIR, PLEASE
11 - gloria smith
I loved this episode and to those of you who have never seen "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" with Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney, the ending was wonderful! Some love lasts forever...even if it is only on T.V...
12 - Rachel
Allison and Joe's marriage was beautiful. That poor man never got a decent night's sleep due to his wife's constant dreaming-----and he remained in love with her to the end.
It was heartbreaking to discover he was really dead. I had convinced myself that the whole episode was a terrible nightmare, which isn't too far fetched, given the nature of the show. When the end came, and it was clear he was really dead.........so sad.
How can the death of a character upset me so much? Joe was so loveable, and so obviously the glue that held the family together.
I think the thing is, I really don't think that there is an Allison without Joe.
13 - tina
the person above just summed it up: there isn't an Allison without Joe.
I always loved Joe, but I didn't realize how much the character meant to me till I saw him die in the episode. It was a lovely end, but horrific and heartbreaking as well.
I would have liked to see more of the girls, their lives, and their gifts taking action (spin-off?) and just a simple happy ending with Joe and Allison growing old together.
14 - Barrbara
Oh thank goodness I'm not the only one who thinks Patricia A cannot act. She's the most monotone actress and I can't bear to watch her.
15 - Jody
I agree, Barrbara. I can't say that any of her crying scenes throughout the series really drew me in, but all of the other elements in the show made up for it.
I love this series and am heartbroken to see it gone. I was expecting something way different than how it ended, and I'm undecided on whether or not I enjoyed it. As has been previously mentioned, there is no Allison when she doesn't have Joe, and in that regard I'm glad that they reunited in the end. To leave it as Allison lives the rest of her life without Joe would have been completely unsatisfying and wouldn't have remained true to the show at all. I guess I'm undecided because I'm in denial and don't want to admit to myself that the show could actually be done!!
I've been a watcher from day 1, and congratulate the writers and cast for continuing a series for seven years that never managed to jump the shark. Well done :)
16 - Ron
There was no easy way to end a beloved 7 years series like "Medium". I personally think that they did a great job with the final episode. But really, those of us who wanted the series to continue forever would have found fault with any way that the series ended. A good job. I recommend that loyal viewers watch the closing episode a second time... it is really brilliantly done.
17 - mwa
Wonderful, wonderfully done final episode to a wonderful series. Patricia, as usual, nailed it, and her talent will be missed on the small screen.
18 - Kirstin
I agree that there really isn't any Allison without Joe. I would far and away have preferred an upbeat ending (their afterlife reunion was not enough to satisfy me on that note). It was not necessary to kill Joe, and I think it was just a slap in the viewers' faces. So, I prefer to forget the finale episode ever happened. As far as I'm concerned Joe is still alive and he and Allison and their family are going on with their lives.
19 - Cheryl
I was shocked by the ending because I never knew it was coming. My family loved this show as it was a great show. Please bring it back
20 - Ruth
So it ends, sad isn't, when a really good series ends.
I loved the concept, casting and writers of the show.
I have always enjoyed Patrica and my husband and I look forward to all her work. ..."can't act" ??? Have you SEEN True Romance? She was phenomenal!!
[ For those that haven't, from this show's demography,.. warning it's violent.]
I thought all the actors did a fine job, Joe's charter was a breath of fresh air. The show will sure be missed. I wish they would make more like this one.
21 - Jerre
I have loved this show and watched every episode with admiration for its plot and storyline and the constant twisting and turning. I think Joe, Allison and family were well cast and believable and I have loved watching them and having them in my home each week. I was so sad to know it was going to end and will miss it greatly! I want to thank everyone who produced the show, wrote for and acted in the series. It has been my pleasure to be brought into their world. I didn't know until last week that their was a real Allison--and it didn't really make a difference. It was a great run...
22 - Kimo.
The finale missed an opportunity to be engaging by totally stretching credulity for most of the hour. The acting and writing were sophomoric.
23 - kimberly
I have nothing to watch on TV any more. Tonight I watched Medium on demand as I always do. To my shock and tears, I found out the aweful news. I had no idea I was watching the finale. Imagine how confused I was. My 3 favorite all time shows...ER - canceled, Lost- canceled, Medium- Canceled. What will I watch now. These were shows my Kids could watch with me. I once liked Greys but too much sex and controversy to watch with my 11 year old daughter. Medium managed to be gory and clean at the same time. I will miss this show more than any other. To make it worse I no longer get the reruns!!!!! This stinks big time.... somebody tell me I dreaming. Bring them back... I don't see dead people.
24 - Kimberly
Can somebody please make them come back. PLEASE! There is nothing good to watch anymore.
25 - Dee
The writers couldn't think of anything better than to copy the ending of Lost?? Very Disappointing.