Mysterious Ways

I used to watch '' Mysterious Ways '' when it was broad casted after midnight on our commercial television. For me it was the perfect material to end the day with. Its heartwarming story lines never get too heavy and it has a positive atmosphere.

The show is about a charming college professor ( Adrian Pasdar ) with a huge interest in the paranormal. With his skeptical colleague psychiatrist Peggy ( Rae Dawn Chong ) and promising student Miranda ( Alisen Down )on his side, he tries to uncover the story behind ghostly appearances, Christian miracles, reincarnation and exorcism. In most of the episodes he's confronted with a scientific explanation to everything, but sometimes the outcome suggests more between heaven and earth. Science and faith are equally important in this show.

In another review someone mentioned it is a combination between ''The X-files '' and '' Touched by an angel''. That's a pretty accurate way to describe the show. It has the scientific approach to uncover the reality as in ''The X-files'' and the heartwarming interaction between humans as in '' Touched... '' Though I must add that '' Mysterious Ways '' never takes a religious stance in its subjects. It's to the viewer what he wants to believe. No forced Christian morales here.

"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.

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.

Hi,

I'm seeing this show in reruns for the first time as I never caught it in its original showings, darnit. This is my fave show even if it's old. I've seen most of the episodes now, they are all great. The writing is immeasurable and can't compare to any other, just truly wonderful and inspiring. The actors are easy on the eyes. lol.

I really don't understand why it only ran for two seasons. But at least I've got a chance to watch it here in Canada weeknights at 11 pm. Now I think the characters are great but one thing I don't get...is that Declan is their with these two gorgeous ladies and there's no love interest??????? I don't buy that part. I guess they don't want it as a romance show. But that would be interesting. Miranda is stunningly beautiful and Peggy is absolutely gorgeous. Declan is extremely good looking, in my opinion. Most of you must know he's now on Heroes.

A big fan here. Take care, Cheryl from Ontario, Canada.

It is the kind of TV show that won't let you go after watching the first episode. What gripped me in this TV show is the different characters, the different story and the amusing mind of humor even in serious events. It's the kind of TV show that don't try to tell you that there ARE really something mysterious, maybe alien like, in the world, but try to tell you that there may be something mysterious, maybe alien like, that is behind anything special event, for example suicide or murder.

I love it completely, liking all actors and characters, and every episode awaits always another new surprise.