Wonderfalls

I'm here to talk you all into watching one of those great, undiscovered TV series that died an untimely death. I could go on and on about some great shows like "Freaks and Geeks" and "Brooklyn Bridge" (Both of which you should watch, by the way!!!) But today's lesson will be about the strange and wonderful "Wonderfalls."

The series is about young college graduate, Jaye (played by Caroline Dhavernas) and her mixed-up family... Sharon, her Mom (Diana Scarwid), Dad Darrin(William Sadler), Sarcastic Sister Karen (Katie Finneran) and atheist Theologian Brother Aaron (Lee Pace).

One day, Jaye is on a break from her job at the "Wonderfalls Gift shop" which is located right next to Niagara Falls, when she nearly chokes to death while eating her lunch. When she recovers, she discovers that some of the Tchotchkes that she sells, now talk to her. (Strangely enough, it's only the ones with animal faces).

Jaye is not the most likeable person, and much to her dismay she finds that the animals are telling her (ordering her is more like it!) to do good deeds for people. At first she thinks maybe it's the Devil's doing, or that she's gone crazy (which is the opinion of those around her), but then she realizes it may be God at work in one of his mysterious ways.

Along the way, (of the storyline) she and her friend Mahandra (Tracie Thoms) run into Eric (Tyron Leitso) who is the new bartender at the "Barrel" restaurant where Mahandra works. It seems that Eric's Wife has dumped him on his honeymoon and he's decided to make Niagara Falls his new home, and over the course of the 13 episodes of the series, he decides that maybe he wants to make Jaye his girlfriend.

The show is quirky beyond belief and I totally understand why it was canceled. I don't think most people will latch on to a show where most of the characters aren't really all that nice, and the situations are often confusing...HOWEVER, the acting, writing and the tone of the show are Fantastic, and I loved the "Indie-Film" feel of the show and the unusual setting for the series.

Of course, the whole "God-talking through toys" part of the show might offend someone as might the fact that Karen is a Lesbian and there is also a larger than normal amount of foul language in some of the episodes... Strangely enough, it was quirky enough to catch my attention, and I buzzed through all 13 episodes in just a few short days... Now I wish there were more episodes!!!

Darn the FOX network for killing this show... It's on DVD now...So watch it!!!