Television Show Review – Joan of Arcadia
I love my Tivo-like DishNetwork product …
Being the aggressive television show consumer that I am … I stocked up on recording requests prior to my leaving last Friday,
And upon waking up this morning, being home once again … I have been indulging in catching up my missed viewing …
I so love television. 🙂
And in addition to watching I don’t know how many episodes of commercial-less While You Were Out and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy since 6:00 this morning …
I also watched last Friday’s episode of my new favorite television show …
Joan of Arcadia.
It is without a doubt, the best show on television. In fact, honestly, it’s too good for television. I should be paying some premium channel for this. It’s on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. eastern time.
Its premise is simple … wait … no it isn’t, because you really don’t know what you’re getting …
It’s an interesting mix of cop show, family drama, suspense drama, teen angst and comedy all rolled into one … I actually think that if done seperately, each of the shows could have been great independently. But presented in the way it is … viewing the show is like having a dinner comprised of portions of every one of your favorite meals !! You love them all and are left waiting more of each ! It doesn’t get any better than that !!
It centers around Joan Girardi (played fabulously by Amber Tamblyn) … a high school student who has suddenly started having God (yes, the capital G) appear in her life in various forms and giving her some “suggestions” on what he wants her to do … God has a cool attitude and the interaction between the two is fun … the expressions Ms. Tamblyn can deliver with simply a look are mesmerizing.
There is a bit of an overall X-Files story arc feeling going on … something that permeates each episode, but still allows the episodes to stand alone when viewed independently.
The family is central to the show’s premise. In addition to Joan, we have her older brother Kevin (played by John Ritter’s son Jason). Who has recently become paralyzed as a result of a car accident. The relationship between Kevin and Joan is a nice brother-sister relationship. Then there is younger brother, Luke … the family geek. Set-up … Luke, the geek; Joan, the underachiever; Kevin, the paralyzed first son.
Mom is super sweet and totally wise in the ways only a mom can be, while Dad is the new Chief of Police in Arcadia … where the family just moved and is the quiet, in control, concerned family patriarch.
This show has depth and substance. You don’t know where it’s necessarily going, but you like the drive and it tugs at your emotions each step of the way. Totally fun and laughing one minute, completely touching and thoughtful the next.
I don’t tender positive reviews lightly … but this is simply the best show on television. I hope you watch it, or at least mention it to television addicts you might know so they will watch it so it continues to be on the air. I give it a 10 out of 10.