There was something incredibly gorgeous about this show. It was not the most incredibly realistic, nor was it necessarily groundbreaking (although the overall premise was a good one), and there were occasionally episodes that wacked themselves out a bit. But this show had a warm, endearingly personal quality that I'm not sure many others have ever had.
The setting and cinematography were, again, incredibly gorgeous, and the cast of lovable (or occasionally hate-able) characters won a place in my heart. It was a great look at a relatively small town, and the essential emotional struggles that people go through in attempt to transcend the stereotypes that confine them, and/or escape the gravity of mistakes and the past. And as an elixir for all of that, it was ultimately about the power of friendship. That sounds trite, but unlike a lot of television, this show made it work in the purest sense. It did not take itself too seriously in general, but when it counted, it did not flinch. Music was also used, often wonderfully, to enhance certain scenes.
The one specific thing that I want to mention is that a couple of the episodes in the second season (the closing moments of "Stand by Me Alone" and the finale, respectively) contain some of the most absolute, pure beauty that I have ever seen (and felt) on screen. And I mean that. If you could use some friends, or something that watches like a cup of warm soup on a clear, cold day, this series is well worth checking out.
The setting and cinematography were, again, incredibly gorgeous, and the cast of lovable (or occasionally hate-able) characters won a place in my heart. It was a great look at a relatively small town, and the essential emotional struggles that people go through in attempt to transcend the stereotypes that confine them, and/or escape the gravity of mistakes and the past. And as an elixir for all of that, it was ultimately about the power of friendship. That sounds trite, but unlike a lot of television, this show made it work in the purest sense. It did not take itself too seriously in general, but when it counted, it did not flinch. Music was also used, often wonderfully, to enhance certain scenes.
The one specific thing that I want to mention is that a couple of the episodes in the second season (the closing moments of "Stand by Me Alone" and the finale, respectively) contain some of the most absolute, pure beauty that I have ever seen (and felt) on screen. And I mean that. If you could use some friends, or something that watches like a cup of warm soup on a clear, cold day, this series is well worth checking out.