A special note to make before reviewing last week's "Medium": David Arquette, younger brother of star Patricia Arquette, directed this episode. If you look on the official website, there are some interviews and behind-the-scenes information about the two siblings working together, and it is quite adorable. And may I just say that David is a far better director than he is an actor, if this episode is any indication. That being said, the chapter is titled "Do You Hear What I Hear," and it involves Allison having a very serious side effect from one of her visions.

It begins with Allison having a dream about a young deaf girl who is kidnapped from her home by men in masks. Allison wakes up from the nightmare completely deaf and terrified. Cynthia Keener (reoccurring guest star Anjelica Huston) contacts Allison to help retrieve the missing girl, but she is struggling with her new handicap and feels separated from the rest of humanity due to it. Cynthia finds that the stepfather of the child is a very difficult customer, and as information begins to unravel through Allison's dreams and assistance, there may be a reason behind his constant aggressive behavior!

This was an excellent episode, and one of the first I've felt really shone this season. All of the acting was spot on, especially on the part of Arquette and on-screen hubby Jake Weber, plus it was a gentler performance from Huston that made her character less angry and harsh. It was truly startling at times to have the entire sound cut out of the episode, and Allison's bewildered anguish was very believable. It was also gratifying that they made no attempt to translate the sign language, but rather confused the audience just as much as Allison.

Early on it was clear that something was off about the stepfather, but they built up the violence of his character slowly enough that his scenes toward the end were incredibly tense. The interaction between Joe and Allison reminded me how I believe they are one of the healthiest, and most realistic, couples portrayed on television. They love and support one another, but there are times when the serious fallbacks to her gifts cause strain between them, and this was one of those times. Yet their marriage thrives through difficulty, and it is admirable.

I am surprised that Allison did not pick up on the possibility that her deafness would come from her gifts earlier. This was hardly the first time, and that neither she nor Joe would bring it up seemed strange to me. Every episode one or both of them question the validity of her visions, and after being right so consistently, one would think they'd take it without question. Cynthia was much more welcoming of Allison this week, and it turned her into a much more likable character. Lee showed up for his obligatory one scene an episode, probably clocking no more than five minutes of air time, and the dear former District Attorney is no where to be seen. Glimpses of the future episodes indicate that he will be back, and "Medium" fans everywhere rejoice.

It looks like coming up Allison is forced to decide whether to let a guilty man go free and receive a great deal of money for her recently poor family or to follow her moral compass instead. Which way will she turn? You'll have to keep watching to find out!

Recap by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle
Starpulse contributing writer