Granite Flats

I'll confess that I watched this primarily because it was produced locally and because it followed something I had been watching on the same channel. But it exceeded my expectations. The acting was good, the writing was very good, and the plot moved along quite well. I've always been interested in a "what if" kind of story, and this develops the premise very well.

Of course, much of my interest was in the fact that I lived through this period and was probably the same age in 1962 as the kids. But don't think the show is only about the kids - the adults are all interesting and they have very real interactions with each other.

The biggest fun for me though was in seeing how goofy people's thinging was back in the days of the cold war. But I also remember my own anxiety over the Cuban missile crisis or over the fact that a major Air Force base 60 miles to the north would be a likely target for nuclear attack. There was a lot of fuzzy thinking with the duck and cover exercises and the basement bomb shelters, but it's easy to see why from a contemporary perspective.

Well worth watching.

This is BYUtv's first attempt create a family series on a limited budget, so I was concerned it would be cheesy or poorly done. That was true at first, but then they learned from their mistakes, and things got really interesting...

Season 1: 5/10 stars. A few good moments. Persevere.

Season 2 (first half): 7/10 stars. Improving. Important changes in scripting and acting make a *big* difference.

Season 2 (last half): 8/10 stars overall. Added some big name talent, impressive script developments, characters start to come to life.

Season 2 (finale): 10/10 stars. Brilliant! They are hitting on all cylinders now.

Season 3: Can't wait to see. I feel like I *must* watch it.

You'll have trouble understanding season 2 if you don't wade through season 1. IMO it was worth it. Think of it as an example of "agile" business methods (like they used for the iPhone, etc.)--get it out there quickly, learn from your mistakes, improve rapidly based on actual feedback.

A refreshing change to the "push the envelope" mentality in many dramas out there. The show is simple and I suppose will get a little more complex as the story lines are allowed to develop. The actors are good and play it simple, which is fine. There is no need to over due it with the time period, the culture, or the storyline. There is a good balance of realism mixed with a little fantasy that is believable. As more episodes air, we will continue to bond with the characters. The only negative I have to share is that the editing is a little choppy and some scenes seemed hurried. I try to absorb the character or characters on the screen before the screen keeps changing the points of view too quickly. I think that can be worked out easily enough going forward. Hopefully the series will be allowed a second season.

This show is nostalgic, family friendly, very well acted, and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. My family looks forward to this each week. The story line of children appeals to young audiences, and if you grew up in the 60's you'll recognize the chalk boards and rows of wooden desks. Adult viewers will understand the deeper influences of the period of time: Government influences and suspicions. Women being obedient to their male bosses. The struggles of single parents and unwed women. etc. There is also some humor infused into the realistic characters. You will be taken in by the retro feeling, the mellow but interesting story line, and the overall charm of Granite Flats.

This starts out as a rather somewhat predictable story of a group of 11 year olds, one of which sees something in the late night sky. They all work together to determine just what happened. When they get together with one of their fathers (who happens to be the chief of police in a small town) things grow from there.

The story matures each season, the acting improves, and the story line grows deeper and more complex.

The 3rd season is really good, as the young characters show a great degree in maturity (probably too much for 13 year olds), and the adults are puzzled and confused as well (both with themselves, their associates, and children).

Some times overly dramatic, yet --- still an outstanding series for the whole family. I personally loved the old cars. There were a few costume errors. Filmed in Utah, which resembles Stratmoore/ Ft. Carson, CO (just outside Colorado Springs) in the mid 1960's.