Joan of Arcadia

Most miracles occur in hindsight

Published on October 18, 2003 By russellmz In Movies & TV & Books

Joan is a teen who happens to be able to talk with God. Before you groan and click to another article, let it be known Joan of Arcadia is a great show. Never turns preachy or sickeningly sweet. There are certain rules in the show that prevent it from being Touched by an Angel. There is no miracle that saves her if she gets in trouble. There is no miracle where Joan's brother jumps out of his wheelchair fully healed and no signs that this is going to happen.

Lots of humor and very good writing. Funny lines, interesting characters, realistic dialogue, good acting, plot lines are interwoven without being confusing and can be enjoyed even if you miss an episode. Usually has a beautiful ending where the episode gets tied together. Let's you think about how God interacts and what effects simple actions can have on the people around you. The relations between the family members is done in a realistic manner.

A big part of the show is the wheelbound brother of Joan, a former athlete about to go to college on a sports scholarship before he got into a car accident. He is bitter and angry about his disability but still makes jokes about his condition. The parents are confused on how to deal with him: push him, allow him more time? Joan is given seemingly urelated "assignments" from God often help her family. These include "build a boat" and "learn to play chess".In the first episode her assignment of "get a job at a bookstore" helped her brother out in a subtle way (and at the same time caught a criminal).

Which leads to a few minor flaws in the show. Joan's actions have helped indirectly catch two criminals so far (her father is the new Chief of Police in a less than stellar police department). A little credibility stretching, but since it didn't involve her wrestling them to the ground I am willing to forgive it. Her actions merely helped get others into the right place and right time to solve the crimes. Also, even if Joan doesn't help solve the crime there has so far been some major crime committed every week that sometimes distracts from the plot threads where Joan is doing what God told her or from the family dealing with each other.

So far there have been four episodes and I have thoroughly enjoyed each. Currently kicking the butt of its competitors on Friday nights for good reason. Usually when I enjoy a Friday night show it gets cancelled, but looks like this one is gonna break the curse. My new favorite show.

TeeVee.org: A much better article than mine on Joan of Arcadia
Episode Recaps: At least read the pilot episode recap and see if it is interesting or not.

"I think prayer can never hurt, as long as you understand you might not recognize the answer right away. Most miracles occur in hindsight." -hapless priest in DMV parking lot responding when Joan's mother asks him whether praying for a personal miracle (she is obviously thinking of her wheelchair bound son)

Comments

KarmaGirl

on Oct 20, 2003

Hmmm...I've never seen that show.
What station is it on? What time slot/day? (Just slap me if it was in your article and I wasn't paying attention......)

russellmz

on Oct 20, 2003

cbs, friday at 8:00pm est

just hit record on your vcr before you leave the house

Robyn

on Nov 03, 2003

I so agree with you about it being a wonderful show. It's so religously inclusive that my whole coven watches it. Of course no one mentioned it until I did, so I think it still has some "Touched by an Angel" stigma attached.

Jack Mullen

on Dec 24, 2003

I have been studying the Jaon of Arcadia segments with great enthusiasm because the show tries to take on the God question from a Hollywood perspective. So far Hollywood has shown that God is interested in fostering family love, helping others in need, catching criminals and preventing horrendous crimes like school shootings. However, Hollywood has totally dropped the ball on the religious aspects of God and therefore runs the risk of turning people off on the importance of finding the one true faith and practicing it well so that all of these divine favors can be earned and thanks can be given. After 12 miraculous intcercessions from God to help people in Arcadia, Joan has still not said thanks to God in any meaningful way, and still has not made good on her promise to go to church if God let her brother live. Let's hope that Hollywood can get real and get the Girardi's back in Church. Joan's mother tells the Catholic priest that she is a non-practicing Catholic. Why does Hollywood feel the need to have Joan's mother to be a non-practicing Catholic. This seems like a typical slap against the very esteemed Catholic Church which has an unbroken line from Saint Peter and stands up for everything that God is tanding for in the show. By separating God from his church, Hollywood jast slaps God in the face with the same slap directed at the church.

And the there is Joan's father, who was raised Catholic, and who says his religion doesn't make sense to him like he is simple minded. He says he does not understand why God was mad at him ( what malarkey is this?) However, he proceeds to show us real brilliance in solving crimes and dealing effectively with very difficult situations as Chief of Police. This is another blatant attempt by Hollywood to separate God and Godliness from His own created Catholic Church on earth, which we know for certain because he created it with St. Peter as the first Pope ( who was crucified upside down by the Romans). Remember, Joan of Arc was Catholic and you can amke a safe bet that she and her family members were all practicing Catholics.

I hope that Joan of Arcadia can get the courage that all of God's faithfull have to ultimately have in today's world and put religion and practicing the faith into the show before it's too late. Othererwise, the Christians who love the show will grow tired of the constant shots at the Catholic Church, it's self sacrificing clergy, and practicing the faith( like going to church or praying) that are interlaced with the weekly miracles that God is giving to the Girardi family and the People of Arcadia. I, myself, will give the writers one or two more show to "find religion" or I will tune out on the series. I hope Barbara and Karen Hall read this before its too latefor them and their shows.

wjackmullen

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