Wildfire

"Wildfire" isn't exactly a breakthrough teen drama series, by any means. Much of the dialogue wouldn't be out of place in an episode of "Dawson's Creek" or "The OC," and neither, to some extent, would be the story "Wildfire" tells. And yet, the show has a real charm that makes it just fun to watch.

Kris Furillo (Genevieve Cortese) is a girl who seems to specialize in being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When we first meet her, she's a prisoner at a juvenile detention facility, paying for the crime of helping to steal a car and resisting arrest. In her time in prison, she's not only "learned a little discipline" (which, after watching a couple episodes of the show, really makes you wonder what she was like BEFORE she got locked up) but also learned to ride and love horses, with the help of Pablo Betart (Greg Serano). Betart, an ex-con himself, also works at a horse ranch called Raintree, which is owned by the Ritters: Jean, Jean's father, and Jean's two sons, Matt and Todd. As Kris settles into life at Raintree, she makes really good friends -- Pablo, the Ritters (Matt in particular), Matt's friend, Junior Davis -- and really bad enemies -- Matt's ex-girlfriend Dani Davis and her friends, and others that seem to just keep on coming. Watch as Kris faces challenges and learns more about horses, and herself.

It's a guilty pleasure show, but it's definitely a pleasure. "Wildfire" airs Monday nights at 8pm on ABC family. The DVDs for the first season are available in some stores, and episodes are easy to buy on iTunes, for $1.99 each!

Rural setting? Family values? A girl and a horse? I am all in!

'Wildfire' ran for four seasons on the ABC Family network. Ostentatiously geared towards the teen angst audience, 'Wildfire' nonetheless has much more to offer. Insights into the world of competitive horse racing, and those who inhabit that world. There is more than enough here to hurdle viewers through the entire series. Gorgeous scenery. Magnificent horses. Strong values. And a competent cast.

Genevieve Cortese is the series lead. A tough city girl from the wrong side of the tracks, imprisoned for fairly minor crimes working toward her release as a prison laborer training horses for the city police force. It is there that she makes a connection with 'Wildfire', a horse in training for police civic duties. These first few episodes set a strong tone for the series, as the convict girl and the horse make a transcendent connection that will propel them both into a world far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

Cast wise, Nana Visitor provides a familiar face (she of Star Trek DS9 fame). But the acting accolades belong to Greg Serano as the horse trainer who sees something in Kris Furillo (the convict girl) and sponsors her into the world of horse racing. Nicole Tubiola is the the rich girl who was reared in that competitive world. Both of their performances throughout the series provide the foundation for all of the drama that ensues.

'Wildfire' is well worth the watch, assuming you can overlook the perpetually silly teenage drama employed by show runners seeking to ensnare those young demographics that network execs demand. Somehow, the show manages to exceed those network expectations, and delivers a satisfying family drama that will hold your interest throughout the run of the series.

I am 22 and I thought that a ABC family show would cater to the teens and of course it does, but I enjoy it nonetheless. Perhaps it is because it is the summer and there is nothing on TV but I really enjoy this show. And that says a lot considering I am not a horse fan (that is my sister!) I enjoy the dynamics and can forgive all the inaccuracies in the horsemanship, mostly due to the fact that I don't care. I watch this show for the relationships and not the horses. The whole situation with Wildfire only responding to Kris may be a bit far fetched but so is so many things on TV. This show has promise and even someone in their 20s can enjoy it. The acting is good and I hope that this show picks up. Watch it, you just might be surprised. There is nothing better on TV anyway!

I love this show. It is kind of like "The O.C.", except for a family crowd. And a little gender role reversal. It's great. The guys are cute, and the people have issues. That is all I ask for in a good TV show. I hope that the story lines maintain their greatness. So far, the quality hasn't declined, like many other shows I have seen. I will continue to watch this show, and I encourage everyone else to watch it, too. I'm glad that I can watch it with my parents without having to have any embarrassing talks about weird stuff that I get when I watch "The O.C." And I also love the horses. They are so beautiful. Especially Wildfire himself. I love this show! Yay!

This is the best show I have ever seen! I'd recommend it to any teenager out there who loves a lot of drama in their t.v. shows! The plot line is so good, it would make a show even with bad actors and actresses look good! The cast is also amazing! Genevive COrtese, Ryan Sypek, Micah ALberti, Nana Visitor, James Read, Nicole Tubolia, Arye Gross, Greg Serano, Dennis Weaver, and Andrew Hoeft are all really amazing actors and actresses; as well as all of the short term and long term characters on this show. Wildfire and all the other horses are great. The characters who ride the horses are marvelous. In my opinion, everyone should watch the best show on Earth, and Wildfire is it!