Joan of Arcadia

Joan of Arcadia is the surprise hit of the sason – or is it a surprise? Barbara Hall (Judging Amy) has created a metaphysical space – Arcadia – for us to drop in and visit every week as God visits the teenager Joan. God has many faces – young, old, all races, cultures and occupations – and invites her (sometimes with a little more conviction) to do something that ends up helping someone or inspiring them. The show is thoughtful and I think the acting is excellent. Joe Mantegna as the police chief and the rather dark side of life he represents seemed at first to be too extreme a counterpoint to the supernatural aspect of Joan’s relationship with God, but as the show is finding its pace, the elements are integrating well. The show invites us in, and makes me think “ah ha!” rather than weep into my hankie (as Touched by an Angel could do so well). And that’s OK. Joan of Arcadia is a show filled with seekers for seekers. I like it very much.