Joan of Arcadia

One of my favorite movies is "One True thing," which is probably considered a "chic flick." But I really enjoy watching it, and actually shared it with my neighbor. My fear is that this will become widely known and my reputation for watching post modern films with shocking violence and sex will be challenged. So i will come clean: I just ordered seasons 1 and 2 of Joan of Arcadia. It was my favorite TV show 10 years ago, and i actually stayed home on friday nights so I didnt miss it. Its about an average high school girl and her family: dad's the small town police chief, mom's an art teacher at the school, younger brother is a geek at the high school, and older brother is the golden boy of the family who tragically became paralyzed in a drunk driving crash. The whole spin of the show is that God talks to joan at the beginning of each episode and asks her to do something.For example, God asks her to organize a garage sale...Why? doesnt make sense? But the sale reveals art work, portraits, that her mom made many years earlier. Turns out her mom was raped when she was a college student, and the pictures express her outrage and pain. At the same time Dad is investigating a rape case, he is sure he has the guilty party, but there is very little evidence. His favorite police officer therefore changes the original police report in order to have a stronger case, and dad has to fire him for his dishonesty, even though it would have made a stronger case against someone he knows is guilty. Turns out the rapist is never charged, goes free. meanwhile a popular jock at the HS is flirting with Joan, turns out he is dishonest, manipulative - she confronts him and he dumps her, he was never really interested in her, he just wanted to use her. Mom has told Joan to avoid this jock (she doesnt like him - intuition) and finally dad tells mom to talk to joan about the rape, that joan needs to understand what dangers confront young women, and mom needs to open up and share herself with her daughter. that is just a shortened plot synopsis - there were a few subplots I left out. This is a 50 min tv show, so it covers a lot of ground. I like the show because the scripts are incredible, the acting first rate, and there is always a spiritual conclusion that involves hope, love, or faith. Of course a tv show this good was cancelled....I have to say some of the episodes are stunning in their profoundity. seriously.