The Inside Scoop on "Medium" and Patricia Arquette

The television show Medium, is one of the most watched shows on NBC. Known for its interesting story lines and good detective work, Medium is not your normal cops and robbers show. The district attorney's office use a medium, hence the name, to help solve crimes in and around the Phoenix area.

The main character, Allison Dubois, is played by Patricia Arquette. Patricia was born in Chicago, but grew up in Los Angeles. She had a quick marriage to Nick Cage in 1995, and has one son, Enzo, born in 1989. Arquette is also known for her roles in Bringing Out the Dead, True Romance, and Stigmata.

She has grown up in acting family. All four of her siblings act, as well as her father. Her brother, David Arquette, is also very well known. He has produced and starred in many films, including the Scream series. David even directed an episode of Medium.

While filming, Patricia often consults with the real Allison Dubois. After all, she is the inspiration for the show. Her character, just like the real Allison, sees things in dreams. She helps the D.A. find missing people and solves murders. It is the only show in which most of the scenes take place in the bedroom, and it is still on regular programming.

Medium begins each week with Allison dreaming. The dream is usually a prelude to what the show will be about that night, and it always wakes her up in a panic. Her husband Joe, played by Jake Weber, is as use to this as he is pouring cereal for his daughters in the morning. He usually rolls over and asks her calmly if she is ok. He is also the only husband I know that doesn't seem to mind that he never gets a complete nights sleep!

Most of the scenes on Medium take place either in the bedroom, or the kitchen. But in one episode, Joe and Allison were actually walking down the street. It almost seemed out of the ordinary. And most recently, two episodes took place in Joe's building. He was being held at gun point by a fired employee. This time, it was their daughter Ariel, who had the premonition and knew something was wrong. But whether the scenes are in the bedroom, kitchen, or the D.A.'s office, they are always filled with anticipation. The writers do an excellent job of keeping you on your toes.

Allison has three daughters, and as far as they know, two of them have her psychic ability. A few of the episodes, including the one about Joe being held hostage at work, rally around something that the daughters have seen in their dreams. Aerial (played by 14 year old Sofia Vassilieva) is at school when she gets a feeling that something is wrong. And once, the middle child, Bridgette, (Maria Lark) helps her mom solve a crime by dreaming in cartoons.

So whether you believe in the paranormal or not, Medium is a show you should definitely tune into each Wednesday night. If you like action, drama, and a good mystery all rolled into one, this is the show for you. Patricia Arquette and the rest of the cast do an amazing job of bringing Allison Dubois' life to television.