Four seasons of outstanding soap television
Peter Harris
Manchester Evening News – Live Content Editor
Every episode of what many regard as ‘one of the best series ever’ is now available for streaming on Netflix.
All four seasons of Everwood have been added to the streaming giant’s extensive catalogue, making it an ideal binge-watch for fans of Virgin River.
Synopsis
The series synopsis reveals that it revolves around world-renowned brain surgeon Dr. Andrew Brown from New York, who decides to start afresh following his wife’s death. He leaves behind the glitz and glamour of Manhattan and his successful medical practice for the quaint small town of Everwood, Colorado (fictional).
He selects this location due to his late wife’s emotional connection to the town. Accompanying him are his two children, Delia and Ephram.
The narrative focuses on the family’s relationships as they adapt to life in a small town and the children’s interactions with their peers, both in friendship and romance.
While the late Treat Williams led the show’s cast, it also featured some soon-to-be famous faces in their early roles. This includes Emily VanCamp, who would later star in several Marvel projects and the medical drama The Resident.
A young Chris Pratt, before his roles as Andy in Parks and Recreation or Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, also starred in the series.
According to a piece in Southern Living, “Everwood is a cosy and sentimental show that ran from 2002-2006 with a storyline so similar to that of Virgin River that people have wondered whether or not it provided the blueprint for Netflix’s adaptation of the Robyn Carr books.”
The publication went further, suggesting Virgin River enthusiasts would be ‘crazy’ to overlook the series, whilst highlighting numerous narrative parallels between both programmes.
Viewers appear to share this sentiment, as evidenced by responses to a Reddit thread asking, ” I have just finished watching Virgin River for the first time. Does anyone have any recommendations for similar shows?”.
Among the most popular replies was, “Everwood should definitely be your next watch! ! One of my all-time favorites and I’ve watched a lot of the same shows as you.”
Though it originally aired from 2002 to 2006, the series garnered critical acclaim during its run, achieving an impressive 93% rating on the review aggregator website. Two decades after its finale, the programme continues to enjoy a devoted following, with supporters still championing it as an effortless binge-watch that deserves wider recognition.
One devotee enthused, “I got so hooked that couldn’t do anything else and became a daily binge watch marathon. Great acting. Great story.”
One viewer was effusive in their praise, stating: “One of the best series ever. A pity it ended after just four seasons. Talented actors, beautiful photography, a complete and amazing drama, full of sentiments, sensations, fun. It makes me smile, makes me laugh, makes me cry a lot too.”
Another fan chimed in with: “A gem. Truly one of the greatest shows ever. Always nice to visit Everwood.”
Echoing this sentiment, another viewer commented: “An underrated TV series. The characters are interesting, and draw you in from the first episode. Well written and very clever humours at times. Quite relaxing and worth watching.”
One particular viewer described the series as ‘addictive’, adding: “I’m speeding through this show way too fast. I think it’s been less than a week and I’m already on the third season. We are talking 20+ episodes per season, not the usual 8-12 episodes that we get nowadays.”
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Another synopsis:
Everwood is an American drama television series created by Greg Berlanti. The show revolves around the life of Dr. Andrew “Andy” Brown, a renowned New York neurosurgeon who moves to the small fictional town of Everwood, Colorado, with his two children after the sudden death of his wife. The series explores the emotional journey of the Brown family as they adapt to their new life in a close-knit community. Andy, played by Treat Williams, struggles to balance his demanding medical career with being a single parent to his teenage son Ephram (played by Gregory Smith) and young daughter Delia (played by Vivien Cardone). While adjusting to their new surroundings, the Browns encounter engaging and complex characters who become a significant part of their lives. One unique aspect of Everwood is its emphasis on the power of relationships and family dynamics. The show delves into themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and second chances, portraying the challenges and triumphs faced by the characters in their personal and professional lives. The series also addresses various social issues such as teen pregnancy, mental health, bullying, and the importance of community support. Through its heartfelt storytelling and well-drawn characters, Everwood captivated audiences with its emotional depth, genuine moments, and relatable family dynamics. Overall, Everwood is a heartwarming and thought-provoking series that explores the complexities of family, love, and finding one’s place in the world. With its compelling storyline and memorable characters, it remains a beloved show that resonates with viewers long after its original airing.
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Richard’s added comments
This is absolutely ‘must-watch TV.’ The series will tug at your heart strings more times than you can believe. The stories feel like real life. They may not be, but they sure come close to feeling like real life.
Every episode hits emotional chords, some times making you laugh, other times edging you into tears. Each episode reminds one of something similar in their own lives, great people we never forget, sad events like loss of first loves, times of grief at the loss of someone special. The series never stops mirroring real life and doing it with acting that is outstanding and ceaselessly Oscar calibre.
The series is so unrelentingly good, you’ll look forward to watching TV once again.
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The primary CAST
