The Way Home

With the mother (Kat, played by Chyler Leigh - you'll recognize her as Supergirl's sister, but less annoying in this role) and daughter Alice both suddenly at loose ends, a surprising note arrives, which seems to be from Kat's mother Del (the lovely Andie MacDowell who elevates the show with her presence and gifted talents) telling her it's time to come home. Kat and Alice are displaced in short order and wind up in a small town where everyone knows everything, and you suspect that before long, everyone's problems will be sorted, like laundry that just gets done on a farm.

If this sounds like many other shows you've already seen, it's not. A bit of fantasy is woven into this family/small town 'drama' which makes the whole thing way less formulaic and more surprising than you can possibly imagine. Indeed, the fantasy element, combined with the picturesque setting, some decent writing and MacDowell's involvement, makes this watchable, even for folks who are NEVER-Hallmarkers. A family oriented show, sure, but...given the twist, I don't know WHAT to expect next, and that...is a VERY VERY good thing.

The worst thing about the show is that it's over too soon and you have to wait an entire week to watch the next episode. We've all been so spoiled with all the binge watching on all the streaming services, but the fact that I can't wait to see the next episode is why this is an easy 10 for me so far.

I have found all the characters quite fascinating and the show honors them by providing a fair representation of their very different points of view. Just as you're wanting to feel a bit critical about a character, you begin to empathize with why they are behaving the way they are.

And I've always been a sucker for time travel stories. The great Richard Curtis movie "About Time" may be my favorite time travel movie in part because it has the same sort of focus on family and personal relationships.

I have been so moved by each episode that I have cried repeatedly during each episode.

Sadie Laflamme Snow is fascinating to watch as teen time traveler Alice, Chyler Leigh is believably distraught as her mother, and Andie McDowell is surprisingly edgy as the cold, heartbroken matriarch of the family. Evan Williams is also fun as the oft embarrassed Elliot.

The only thing I wonder about is whether or not they will be able to keep up this high level of quality, and whether this would work over another season. But, in the meantime, I'm just really enjoying the ride.

I was so pleasantly surprised after my friend urged me to watch this and I did. This show is still heartwarming but it's also modern and fun and full of twists that keep you guessing in each episode. I still don't know how the story will connect us back to the woman in the white nightgown in the opening episode but I pick up clues in every new episode. I love that! I've been watching g the shows over again to get new clues each time. The acting and the writing and great and I can't wait to see where this show goes in this season and future ones. Don't cancel this Hallmark! You have something good.

I just read a review because it wasn't "realistic". Umm. Hi. Time travel story. Not going to be realistic. Suspend reality and just enjoy.

What IS real is the family relationships. Sure again suspend a bit of reality. They go for a visit and surprise the mom/grandma and all the sudden the next morning the girl is enrolled in school?

Ok some things just don't make sense and when you find those sometimes it's hard to pay attention to the rest.

I think it's beautifully cast.

I have been a big fan of a few of the hallmark tv shows and while this isn't like the most exciting for me I think it has potential. But also I'm worried that like where do you go from there...

I'm excited to see where it goes.

I love it because it has a degree of sentimentality. Andie MacDowell is an awesome actress! While watching, I think how awesome it would be to be able to go back in time and check out what your parents were like when they were young, especially if you had a sibling that died at a young age, and wished you had had more time with them. And the setting is wonderful, it is the type of place that I sort of grew up in, the farm like atmosphere, along with all the animals that come with a farm, and the drama that it brings to the show as well. But I think it's a great storyline and I hope there is a second season!!