The Way Home

With the mother (Kat, played by Chyler Leigh - you'll recognize her as Supergirl's sister, but less annoying in this role) and daughter Alice both suddenly at loose ends, a surprising note arrives, which seems to be from Kat's mother Del (the lovely Andie MacDowell who elevates the show with her presence and gifted talents) telling her it's time to come home. Kat and Alice are displaced in short order and wind up in a small town where everyone knows everything, and you suspect that before long, everyone's problems will be sorted, like laundry that just gets done on a farm.

If this sounds like many other shows you've already seen, it's not. A bit of fantasy is woven into this family/small town 'drama' which makes the whole thing way less formulaic and more surprising than you can possibly imagine. Indeed, the fantasy element, combined with the picturesque setting, some decent writing and MacDowell's involvement, makes this watchable, even for folks who are NEVER-Hallmarkers. A family oriented show, sure, but...given the twist, I don't know WHAT to expect next, and that...is a VERY VERY good thing.