Granite Flats

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.

Completely enjoyable for all ages and non Mormon's need not fear this is a proselytizing tool. While the show is wholesome and honors Later Day Saint moral standards there is no direct or indirect Mormon content in the production.

The plot is interesting and holds your attention, young and old. You should note that it is a serial and needs to be viewed in sequence.

The cast and writing work well and any unevenness is easily forgiven when you accept that this is after all a University production.

If you enjoyed shows in the past like Sky King or Lassie and lament that TV has lost its sense of innocence you will love this.

The episodes are free to watch on the BYUTV web page so you can give the first episode a test run and see for yourself what I like about this production.

This series falls into the category of never-ending-plot-threads-involving-weird-characters- and-mystery. I confess, I like these types of shows. Granite Flats is a milder version of Twin Peaks and a less polished creation in the image of Lost. The characters are quirky, but several are more single dimensional or less interesting than the characters of either of these other shows.

What I find quite interesting (and something I have no explanation for) is the dialog -- it is mostly done in that same style the Cohen Bros used in True Grit -- reminiscent of a formal and someone stilted style that one could imagine being employed by characters from the 19th century.

I have read reviews that criticize this show because of bad acting or bad editing or bad writing. It is a small budget production. I totally get that this show is not necessarily going to appeal to the broadest audience. But I think many aspects of the show are stylistic choices made by the creators. They want the characters to be like this and talk this way, and they want the scenes and POV's to seem choppy and somewhat disjointed.

Just one man's opinion. I like the show.

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.

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.