Mysterious Ways

I used to watch '' Mysterious Ways '' when it was broad casted after midnight on our commercial television. For me it was the perfect material to end the day with. Its heartwarming story lines never get too heavy and it has a positive atmosphere.

The show is about a charming college professor ( Adrian Pasdar ) with a huge interest in the paranormal. With his skeptical colleague psychiatrist Peggy ( Rae Dawn Chong ) and promising student Miranda ( Alisen Down )on his side, he tries to uncover the story behind ghostly appearances, Christian miracles, reincarnation and exorcism. In most of the episodes he's confronted with a scientific explanation to everything, but sometimes the outcome suggests more between heaven and earth. Science and faith are equally important in this show.

In another review someone mentioned it is a combination between ''The X-files '' and '' Touched by an angel''. That's a pretty accurate way to describe the show. It has the scientific approach to uncover the reality as in ''The X-files'' and the heartwarming interaction between humans as in '' Touched... '' Though I must add that '' Mysterious Ways '' never takes a religious stance in its subjects. It's to the viewer what he wants to believe. No forced Christian morales here.

After viewing The Pilot, I thought that The Adventures of The Believer & The Skeptic had already been done well and better on The X-Files. The Second episode, however, changed my mind. Adrian Pasdar and Rae Dawn Chong are engaging leads and are believable as the passionate Professor of Anthropology and the bitter scientist/Psychologist. Episode II was better written and was reminiscent of other feel good shows like Touched By An Angel, Early Edition, and Highway To Heaven. Mysterious Ways is worthy of a second glance.

I've followed the two years of this amazing and marvelous show and as thousands and thousands of fans worldwide I've got to know from numerous discussion boards over the internet would love to have it released on DVD.

Even though it has already been cancelled and it's no longer being aired in many countries, the producers should think carefully about it.

There's a real market opportunity out there and they're simply turning their back to it. If they did so, both sides of the story would be pleased because they would have the return over their investment and the fans would be satisfied to be able to see the show again and again as many times as one wishes.

This is a terrific show that is hidden on the Pax network. This means that it is hard to find the show times. But, if you do, it is definitely worth it. The 3 main actors: Pasdar, Chong and Downs are reliable professionals who produce quality shows. I think it showed on NBC one time, but I don't know why it wasn't picked up for more episodes.

Pasdar plays an anthropology professor who delves into the unknown. If you liked the X-Files, but don't want the gore, then this show is for you. It's intelligent without insulting the viewer's IQ. And, it has surprise endings that leaves you guessing. I rate it 5 stars.

One of the biggest losses was the cancellation of Mysterious Ways. The first time I saw it was in Sept. 2000. The title caught my eye and decided to watch it. It left me in amazement! I loved it! And this was just the first episode I saw. Some shows grow on you, this one steals your heart and mind.

I totally disagree that this show is a cheap imitation of the X-Files. The X-Files deals with government conspiracies, alien invasions and gives you a sensation of doubt and uncertainty. Mysterious Ways relaxes you and gives you hope that not everything is what it seems and that anyone can experience a miracle, where this word is not meant to be a "Divine intervention", but rather the emotions and possibilities that are within us all.

Take the characters, a bumbling anthropology professor whose heart is the only thing in its right place, a scientific minded calculating psychiatrist and a true genius that is a social misfit. How can these three people have anything in common? How could they get along if placed alone in a room? And yet, each has this trait which takes them above all this and helps them build a friendship of love and loyalty. In a world where they are all alone, they form a union where each accepts the others and is in turn accepted. The message that they scream is that the true miracle is that we all can get along and that we should, if we can get outside our selves for a moment. Who can forget the episode when Declan discovers a lump near his underarm, or when Miranda mysteriously learns to play the violin, or when a college student is found to have "superhuman" strength, or when the tomb of an ancient monk is discovered. (etc, etc.)

The show was marketed at 30 to 40-year olds, and apparently there weren't enough of them to keep the ratings up, so the show was cancelled leaving us with game shows, reality TV and sitcoms. Not that these are bad, everyone is entitled to veg-out once in a while, but shows that make you want to be a better person and that make you think and leave you feeling like there is hope out there and that we can make a difference are scarce, and this was one of them.

If you ever come across it, don't pass up this unique experience.