THE MIDDLEMAN 1.12 - "The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome"

Writer: Jordan Rosenberg
Director: Guy Norman Bee

Cast: Matt Keeslar (The Middleman/Mirror Middleman), Natalie Morales (Wendy Watson/Mirror Wendy), Brit Morgan (Mirror Lacey), Mary Pat Gleason (Ida), Jake Smollett (Mirror Noser), Brendan Hines (Tyler Ford), Warren Sweeney (Factory Owner), Jonathan Kowalsky (Storm Trooper), Mike Disch (Old Man), Kevin Sussman (The Palindrome/Ivan Avi), Heidi Marnhout (Mirror Ida), Sean Davis (Mirror Joe 90), Mark A. Sheppard (Mirror Manservant Neville) & Drew Tyler Bell (Mirror Pip)

Wendy
Who leaves a palindrome?

The Middleman
Typical supervillain horse feathers. Can't wait to hear
this guy's monologue. "I am the Palindrome. Feel my
power. Power my feel. Palindrome the am I".
Peter piping weirdos.

This is probably the last episode of The Middleman, the low-budget sci-fi and comic-book mash-up that's given us likeable characters, imagination on a shoestring and blissfully knotty dialogue. The intended 13 episodes have been cut down to 12, allowing "The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome" to produce something of relatively epic scale.

The Palindrome (a.k.a Ivan Avi, played by Kevin Sussman) is this week's supervillain, a psychic Jew who discovered another dimension and exchanges places with his inter-dimensional opposite. Unfortunately, the wormhole he opens up drags Wendy (Natalie Morales) through, trapping her in a "Mirror Universe" dystopia governed by Manservant Neville (Mark A. Sheppard) and Fatboy Industries.

As The Middleman (Matt Keeslar) tries to devise a way to communicate and rescue his colleague, the Mirror Middleman (Keeslar doing a passable Snake Plissken impersonation) doesn't seem particularly interested in helping Wendy escape this Never-Never Land. Well, unless she pays him. The "alternate universe" clichés comes thick and fast, with all the other characters having a flipside duplicate (often sporting "evil" facial hair) -- from gun-toting bodyguard Noser (Jake Smollett) and vampish Lacey (Brit Morgan), to a bikini-clad version of Ida (Heidi Marnhout, doing a spot-on impression of Mary Pat Gleason.)

It's a lot of fun and a decent story to end the season on a high-note, even if it offers no closure to any recurring Middleman stories (the whereabouts of Wendy's dad, the Lacey/Middleman relationship, or Manservant Neville's plans for Tyler). Clearly, hope remains for a reprieve from cancellation, and ABC Family should definitely consider giving the show a second chance to find an audience. As I've mentioned before, there's no logic in airing this series after 9pm, as it screams out for an earlier timeslot. I know PVR's are becoming commonplace and kids stay up late these days, but I'm sure there's a big audience not even aware The Middleman exists!

Throughout the season, the feathering of the mythology and development of characters ensured The Middleman became more than just a weekly hour of increasingly weird plots and impenetrable in-jokes. It's definitely aimed at geeks and superficially resembles a kid's show, but its inventiveness and affable humour also makes it ideal family viewing.

"The Palindrome Reversal Palindrome" is a treat for whatever fans The Middleman managed to enchant, giving the actors a chance to craft different personalities. Although, to be honest, only Matt Keeslar has a true mirror opposite; face of stubble, exposed torso, leather chaps, greasy hair and greasier bike ("The MiddleHog"). It was actually a shame Mirror Wendy didn't look that different to the good Wendy, or that Mirror Lacey was the same good-hearted person, really -- just with darker hair and penchant for hot pants.

Still, forgiving a few missed opportunities, this was an enjoyable send-off crammed full of fun references (notably from Escape From New York). I really hope The Middleman returns with fresh adventures, a bigger budget and a better timeslot. If not, I guess it's back to the comics for Boss Man and Dubby.


1 September 2008
ABC Family, 10/9c pm