Patricia Arquette's character sees disturbing visions of crimes, as dark images invade her sleep. This season, she confronts more ordinary challenges as well.

"She's dealing with the all-American nightmare," said Arquette, who plays psychic Allison Dubois on NBC's "Medium." "She's out of work, her husband's out of work, they have no savings -- it's what the working middle class is facing these days."

The series, in its fourth season, focuses on Allison's ability to quietly help police solve perplexing cases as her dreams pinpoint elusive evidence or foreshadow events. Bolstered by an understanding spouse (Jake Weber) and three young daughters, Allison's life straddles evil and contentment.

But this season she faces fallout from a newspaper article that reveals her work, prompting the police department to distance itself from her. Allison's frustration, coupled with her husband's recent job loss, fuels tension at home. She also is uneasy about joining forces with a jaded private eye (guest star Anjelica Huston), who harbors secrets of her own.

All the turmoil "is a way to keep things fresh," said show creator Glenn Gordon Caron. "I've always felt an obligation to keep all those involved in the show interested, and Patricia is game for almost anything."

The series was inspired by real-life medium Allison DuBois of Phoenix, who also is a consultant on the show.

Arquette admitted the show's starkly graphic scenes "can really get to you."

"A lot of times I am not there when they film the torture or murder scenes, but of course I see them (on film) the next day," she said. "The only way (for Allison) to get through it is with the family dynamic. And she is so close to her family that when her marriage starts having difficulties, she's at a loss."

Arquette said her own nighttime visions are quite unlike her character's. "I am starting to have dreams," she said. "I feel I am coming to terms with things in my subconscious, and I have only good dreams."

Kathy Blumenstock

The Washington Post