This show has been on my radar for so long, but couldn't find it anywhere. Living in Europe it was really hard to get.
I bought the boxset for the german release the day it got out, but for one reason or another, it stayed on my shelf for two years.

I finally picked it up in the last weeks, and it is really a delightful show. Basically it is the stamp for every show that came after that I loved so much: Ally McBeal, Gilmore Girls, Pushing Daisies, Bunheads and many others ar heavily influenced by what David E. Kelly put on display here.
The small town setting, the quirkiness, the weirdness, the intelligence of dialogues. It is really my cup of tea.

So far I've encontered two types of episodes: the one with the police case, and the one with the social theme.
The police case are really entertaining, set up with cliffhangers and also some scares. I really couldn't get wnough of them. My favorite so far has been Remembering Rosemary.
The social theme episode are what makes this show so special. The town, and then the family, has to deal with a difficult theme that proves everyone beliefs and securities. And shows how to deal with them without prejudice, kindness and good-hearted intentions is what makes a family and a community a better place to live in and with.
It was really ahead of its time in many of these, and my favorite so far is Pageantry.

Into season 2, and overall at the moment I think it is not as good as the first one.
Some storyarcs were underwhelming, and the ideas carrying are not as surprising anymore.
But it is still a good show.

Yesterday I saw the dancing bandit episode, and it was Picket Fences at its finest!

After the dancing bandit episode really the show boosted and there were three super episode in a row.
Fantastic show!

Finished season 2, really a touching episode, and one of the best single moments in the history of tv entertainment.

I'm really glad I blind bought the entire boxset, it is really a great show. This evening I'll start with season 3.

Watching season 3 now, and the show at the moment partially lost its quirkiness and extravaganza, and is more focused on its duty of civic entertainment.
Still excellently done.

I must say that Jill and Jimmy have always upside downs, and they definetely aren't the moral compass of the show. Maybe at the time it aired there were less consideration on some aspects, but some of their stances are really unforgivable.
Especially Jill with the potato man, the bus kids and bursting inot joy when a man was found guilty... she let me down a lot. But on other aspects she was the best one.

My favorite character are Henry Bone, Douglas Wambaugh, Carter Pike, Kimberly Brock. I also like Maxine, but to be honest it is more a crush kind of affection.

Yesterday I've seen an episode that perfectly shows why I prefer Jimmy over Jill, even if I consider them both to be more than decent people.

The episode is the one with the former child molester coming to live in Rome.
Everytime things are difficult and tough, Jill always slips and abandon her morals and her ideals.
Jimmy is a pillar, and even if he struggled at the beginning, faced the whole community and followed what was right by law.
The same thing happened with the potato man, when Matthew was shot and with the bus kids.

Super-happy about the Dancing Bandit comeback!
Brilliant idea, and I really hope to see her for a lot of episodes!

Super ending for season 3, and nice beginning for season 4!
I am more and more in love witht his show!

The quality drop in season 4 is undeniable, and the show is now running on the boost from previous ideas than on its own leg.
It is now an average show, that gets right the initial setting, but from there can't go anywhere further and explore the introduced theme with the same brilliance, acumen, irony and sweetness.

Also the characters interaction and screentime appear confused and mismanaged. It seems as if noone is given enough attention, even if their screentime isn't reduced, or they are even given episodes as protagonists.
The only two character that are still well written are Judge Henry Bone and mayor Laurie Bey.

Finished watching, it wa a heartwarming, fun and entertaining ride, and despite an underwhelming 4th season it has become one of my favorite shows.
Truly what tv should be about.