Anne Reynolds, estranged from her mother, haunted by her dead father, and terrified of being close to anyone, is attacked, injured, and wakes up on the operating table a changed woman.
Opening narration
| "Within each of us there is an internal voice that tempers our actions. But what happens when that inner self overwhelms the face we show the world?" |
Plot
Anne is driving home when her car tire goes flat on a city street. She gets out to inspect and is mugged by a man holding a pipe. She resists and the mugger strikes her on the back of the head, leaving her to die.
She is discovered and brought to the hospital where she dies on the table. Several minutes later, she rises again. She appears to suffer no ill effects from her temporary death. Her mother visits and admonishes Anne for resisting the mugger and failing to visit her more frequently. Anne's lover, Eric, also appears, and she loses consciousness while talking with him. When she returns to consciousness, she discovers that she was in fact awake all that time, but simply cannot remember what she said or did during that period. She goes home and sees Eric, who is confused because she apparently told him she wanted to maintain their relationship while in her fugue state. Anne now tells him she is definitely not interested in commitment.
Anne begins to have strange visions and discovers growths appearing on her spine. Upon investigation, Dr. Field reveals that her body absorbed parts of a dead twin in the womb, but he tells her they will not cause her any problems. As Anne attempts to make plans with friends and feels lonely at home, she fades into her fugue state again, wandering the streets and then waking up with all of her hair cut off. Anne discovers that her mother chose to save only one of the siamese twins she was carrying, saving Anne and killing the twin named Marie. Anne realizes that Marie has somehow been asserting herself in various ways, including attempts to maintain a relationship with Eric against Anne's wishes. Marie's consciousness finally reveals itself and talks with Anne to tell her she plans to assume control of Anne's body, telling her Anne has made a mess of her life and Marie is better suited to it. Anne goes to the doctor to surgically remove Marie's brain from her spinal column, but it is too dangerous and could kill her. She then attempts suicide by swallowing pills but is stopped by Marie as she continues to take control of Anne's body.
During Anne's last desperate attempt to stab Marie's brain growth, Marie explains that she is the reason Anne is still alive. Marie has been keeping Anne safe during her turbulent life, and Anne finally accepts that she is ready to recede into her mind as Marie takes control. Anne thanks her mother for what she did and apologizes for her behavior over the years, then she turns into Marie completely, revealing herself to her mother.
Marie, now in full control of their shared body, meets with Eric and prepares to go out on the town.
Closing narration
| "Without darkness, there would be no light; without error, no sure path to the truth. In a world where absolutes reign, what may be most important is finding the balance." |
Notes
- This is the second appearance of Michael Ontkean (of Twin Peaks fame) as a medical doctor in the revival series. His first role was as Dr. Charles McCamber in "New Lease".
- The exterior shot of the hospital was reused from "Beyond the Veil".
Cast
- Laura Leighton as Anne Marie Reynolds / Marie Reynolds
- Roberta Maxwell as Mrs. Reynolds
- David Lovgren as Eric Tanner
- Michael Ontkean as Dr. Field
- Gerry South as Mugger
- Lyle St. Goddard as Paramedic
- James Tsai as Technician
- Moneca Stori as Technician (as Monica Gemmer)
- Kevin Conway as the Control Voice (voice)