After the disappointing shortness of Miguel Sandoval's appearance on last week's "Medium," the show decided to make it up to the fans by having a Devalos-heavy episode. Not only was Devalos a major character -- and a driving force for Allison -- but Sandoval also directed the new episode "Aftertaste."

Detective Lee Scanlon was bumped up to a decent time on screen, and it almost felt like old times again: Allison fighting the good fight with the assistance of her two major supporters. Yet it is not as simple this time, and all is still not right with the "Medium" world.

Allison is startled awake by a vision of a scruffy man having dinner at a very fancy home. He has an eight-ball tattoo and is delighted by the meal they are currently sharing. The owner of the home, however, points out that this scruffy man is actually eating himself.

Allison contacts Lee, and it is not long before he finds the deceased body of the man (named LaRoche), only 30 years older than he appeared in Allison's dream. She is further shocked to find out that the cannibal is none other than Devalos' chief supporter in getting his District Attorney position back -- Senator Garrity.

What then enfolds is a story about the horrors of war, torture, survival, and the things people will do to keep their skeletons buried. Allison is also placed in an unsteady position, since revealing her suspicions about Garrity could put Devalos in a difficult personal and professional place.

On the side, there was a small story involving Bridgette and Joe, and the creditors that keep calling demanding immediate money from the family. Joe feels harassed by the constant calls and loses his temper when he finds Bridgette on the phone with one of the callers, named Rashmee. She has a dream about his home being robbed and persuades Joe to track down the man to Bangalore.

Anjelica Huston is nowhere to be found and not exactly missed. The past two episodes have involved mostly the original cast and perhaps feels strengthened because of the close-knit group of actors. Another interesting point about the past two episodes is that while Allison figures out the true villains, they are not brought to justice. Last week the villain turned out to be the older sister who was using her slow minded sister as a red herring, causing their father to turn himself in. She went free, as Allison stood by helplessly. This episode has a similar conclusion, except it wallows in gray, due to the sympathetic nature of Garrity as a noble character and his relationship to Devalos.

With Devalos back on the road to District Attorney, this time with Allison fully outed as a psychic, can this be the saving grace for her struggling family? They have been plagued with financial troubles since the beginning of this season, and although Bridgette's kindness toward Rashmee takes some pressure off them -- for now -- there is no positive end in sight unless both parents get back on their feet.

One question that niggles at me involves Joe: he said only three places can hire him for his particular branch of work in that area. Two are instantly out, and the third is not hiring. Why have they not considered moving? Yes, uprooting their family would be difficult and time consuming, but it could not be any more exhausting and dire as both parents jobless with no salvation in sight. It would not be the first or last time a family moved for financial security, and it seems odd this has not been brought up.

The upcoming episode is the first of a two-parter, and Allison's mother-in-law will be making an appearance (Kathy Baker), who has a hidden agenda. Also, Allison needs Ariel's help to solve the next case!

Story by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle
Starpulse contributing writer