Earlier this year, NBC made the pilot episode to its much buzzed about musical-drama Smash available early for public consumption. Along with the intense marketing campaign and a primo timeslot, the word-of-mouth helped drive the show to solid ratings. The network seems to be going to the same well again with its next drama premiere, Awake.

Granted, something as somber and emotional as Awake can hardly be expected to pull the same numbers as a splashy musical, but NBC is taking advantage of the critical fawning the pilot has already inspired. Having been named one of the eight shows honored with a Critics' Choice Television Award for Most Exciting New Series last June, it's intelligence, fascinating concept, and tense atmosphere have been earning rave reviews and ratcheting up anticipation to see where things go from here.

Created by Kyle Killen (Lone Star) and executive produced by Howard Gordon (Homeland), Awake tells the story of Detective Michael Britten, recently involved in a car crash that claimed the life of his son...or is it his wife? We don't know and neither does Michael, as he wakes up in separate realities where only one survived. The only people to know of his new "double life" are his therapists Dr. Lee and Dr. Evans, both intent on trying to help Michael work through the grief that came from his recent loss. Michael has to figure out what's real (if any of it) and use the information from each reality to help his various police investigations.

Awake premieres Thursday, March 1st at 10:00 on NBC. Aside from the Youtube embed below, you can also find the pilot on NBC's website and Hulu, among other places.

Do you watch any/all of the pilots that leak out early? If you've already checked out Awake, do you think you're in for the long haul?