Mysterious Ways

"Mysterious Ways" is the kind of TV show that grabs you and won't let go. It deals with a variety of subjects that engage, enlighten, and entertain, all while promoting basically good messages and ideals. Declan Dunn is an anthropologist who loves to investigate the mysterious. Along the way, he attracts the attention and friendship of a hospital psychiatrist, Peggy Fowler, and his less-than-normal friend Miranda. Together, they investigate the unexplained... a host of miracles, strange coincidences, unfatal falls, and "voices." Ultimately, they wind up healing the souls of the people they meet, and learn a few life lessons along the way.

For me what makes the show excellent is the complete inability to foresee the climax. Generally I can guess what's going to happen (both in movies, television and books) but this show never ceases to surprise me. I like the element of the unknown... the church window that cries blood, the ghosts that push cars off the train tracks. I like it that often there is an explanation by science, but it's never quite that simple. That, combined with the overall charm of Declan's bumbling character, Miranda's style ("take your IQ, add black velvet, and you're halfway there!"), and Peggy's disbelieving but slowly-coming-around nature.

It's a show in which you don't check your brain at the door. And it's a fun, often amusing and normally shocking, way to spend an hour a week.

I fell in love with this show within the first 10 minutes of watching the pilot episode. I've watched X-files since day one, and believe it is one of the best shows to ever have tackled the "unknown"...... but Mysterious Ways has more heart and that is what sets it apart. The acting is fabulous! Adrian Pasdar is very charismatic, and his character is wonderful, (I've already fallen in love with Declan!) And Rae Dawn Chong adds a powerful and insightful side to the duo that just makes me want to know her character in real life. I think these two have a great relationship on screen. Both Adrian and Rae detailed movie and t.v. histories, but I think this show will really help them along. Looking forward to the next episode already!! Monday is my new favorite day of the week!

I know this show was canceled about five years ago, but I just started watching the reruns a couple months ago, and fell in love with the show. True, the episodes aren't in order that way, but I don't think it really matters. Peggy Fowler, the psychiatrist (is that what it's called?) is a really interesting character, because you find out more and more about her as the series continues. Of course, Declan Dunn is great; I love his klutziness, and how he always jumps to conclusions, and Peggy and Miranda step in to help him, though more skeptically. Which brings me to Miranda Feigelstein (is it Feigelsteen or Feigelstein?), another amazing character. She's just so serious, and so focused, you can't help but love her character. An amazing show, and I'm very sorry it was canceled.

One of the biggest losses was the cancellation of Mysterious Ways. The first time I saw it was in Sept. 2000. The title caught my eye and decided to watch it. It left me in amazement! I loved it! And this was just the first episode I saw. Some shows grow on you, this one steals your heart and mind.

I totally disagree that this show is a cheap imitation of the X-Files. The X-Files deals with government conspiracies, alien invasions and gives you a sensation of doubt and uncertainty. Mysterious Ways relaxes you and gives you hope that not everything is what it seems and that anyone can experience a miracle, where this word is not meant to be a "Divine intervention", but rather the emotions and possibilities that are within us all.

Take the characters, a bumbling anthropology professor whose heart is the only thing in its right place, a scientific minded calculating psychiatrist and a true genius that is a social misfit. How can these three people have anything in common? How could they get along if placed alone in a room? And yet, each has this trait which takes them above all this and helps them build a friendship of love and loyalty. In a world where they are all alone, they form a union where each accepts the others and is in turn accepted. The message that they scream is that the true miracle is that we all can get along and that we should, if we can get outside our selves for a moment. Who can forget the episode when Declan discovers a lump near his underarm, or when Miranda mysteriously learns to play the violin, or when a college student is found to have "superhuman" strength, or when the tomb of an ancient monk is discovered. (etc, etc.)

The show was marketed at 30 to 40-year olds, and apparently there weren't enough of them to keep the ratings up, so the show was cancelled leaving us with game shows, reality TV and sitcoms. Not that these are bad, everyone is entitled to veg-out once in a while, but shows that make you want to be a better person and that make you think and leave you feeling like there is hope out there and that we can make a difference are scarce, and this was one of them.

If you ever come across it, don't pass up this unique experience.

This is a terrific show that is hidden on the Pax network. This means that it is hard to find the show times. But, if you do, it is definitely worth it. The 3 main actors: Pasdar, Chong and Downs are reliable professionals who produce quality shows. I think it showed on NBC one time, but I don't know why it wasn't picked up for more episodes.

Pasdar plays an anthropology professor who delves into the unknown. If you liked the X-Files, but don't want the gore, then this show is for you. It's intelligent without insulting the viewer's IQ. And, it has surprise endings that leaves you guessing. I rate it 5 stars.