Strange Luck

I was a real fan of this show. I first watched it because it came before The X-Files. Gradually, I got caught up in the whole mythology of this show, too. It had all the quirkiness, great characters, and paranoia that made the X-Files great. There were even hints of a crossover episode (as there was, recently, with X-Files and Millennium). Then suddenly, there was a reveal-all episode and the series ended on a sour note. What happened? How could such a fun show not have gotten the needed ratings? Let's have a moment of silence for a creative show that could have been so much more.

I really enjoyed this show, too, although fans of today's TV attempts at realism in police and medical dramas might find it "unrealistic." Mainly, it was just a very nice, neighborly world with its own intrusions of intrigue, and the way the random "chance" happenings played into the plot were usually pretty inventive. There were simple romances, but no "who's bedding whom, who's breaking up?" devices to "spice up" the plot. The third episode, "Last Chance," remains one of my favorites because of the character of the guy on death row and the other guy who struggled to take responsibility for his own crime after years of keeping his secret. The song that covered the climax and the way the climax was resolved were, in my mind, unusual for TV drama-light because it used a heavy dose of irony and left you trying to decide if it was a happy ending or not. "Healing Hands" was another personal favorite, even with the odd "faith healer for the guy who looks like Stephen Hawkins" crime plot, because Chance's parents got an expanded role, James Cromwell and the other guest actors played nice characters, Mary Black's "The Holy Ground" was used as the soundtrack for the sentimental wrapup, and I liked the way things were resolved for the characters. I wish the series would have run longer if for no other reason than to see "Healing Hands" revisited with a followup episode. At the least, it would be nice to see Fox pick this up for official DVD release while it's trotting out so many other series.

I remember watching this show when it was first on. D.B. Sweeney was a photographer who had "strange luck." It didn't matter if it

was good or bad. It was just "strange." The plot revolves around Chance Harper, or Alex Sanders, and his search for his identity. As a child, Chance/Alex, survived a plane crash in which everyone on board, including his mother, were killed. Too bad it was

canceled. It was just starting to get good.

I miss the series. It was full of incredible coincidences which were continually interesting. The strangeness was the main attraction, other than the appealing cast of characters. I was always impressed by the inventiveness of the writers in weaving tales of intrigue. Something new and fresh which was unapologetic about coincidence. Always entertaining.

A favorite episode contained the opening scene of Harper fishing from a boat when he begins to hear something far off, before we do. Finally a body falls from the sky into the lake and the story begins. This image immediately borough to mind the adventure of DB Cooper, and here is DB Sweeney playing the protagonist who unravels the mystery.

Will whoever owns this series please release it for streaming. I would certainly buy it. It was a one of a kind show and, though it survived for only one season, I have never forgotten this charming, quirky, and exciting series. As Variety noted at the time: "In "Strange Luck," Fox Broad-casting Co. programmers have come up with a nifty lead-in for "The X-Files." Whether it will click with viewers is anyone's guess, but pairing this slickly produced oddball hour with the web's paranormal Friday hit seems a smartbet."

Give us the "Chance" to watch again.