Querido Edward

As Episode 1 of "Dear Edward" (2023 release; 10 episodes of about 50 min each) opens, we are introduced to siblings Jordan and Eddie, roaming New York's Central Park on their bikes. Big changes are in the air: their family is about to move to Los Angeles. In a parallel story line, we are introduced to Congresswoman Washington, whose staff includes her granddaughter Adriana. They are getting ready for a flight to LAX. At this point we are 10 minutes into the opening episode.

Couple of comments: this mini-series is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Ann Napolitano. I have not read the novel so I can't comment how closely this TV adaptation sticks to the book. Equally important, this adaptation is spearheaded by Jason Katims, best known for bringing us the critically acclaimed "Friday Night Football" TV adaptation. I have seen the initial 3 episodes of "Dear Edward", and bottom line is that I am now emotionally invested in the story line in a way that I did not expect. Kudos to young Colin O'Brien, who is masterful in the title role of the 12 yo boy who must deal with being the sole survivor of an airplane crash. Taylor Schilling plays the role Eddie/Edward's aunt, herself struggling with various life-altering doubts. There are LOTS of parallel story lines and characters, so it will take you a while to settle in, or at least it did for me, but I was surprised how it all works so well.

The initial three episodes of "Dear Edward" premiered this weekend on Apple TV. The remaining 7 episodes will be released on a weekly basis on Fridays. If you are in the mood for a heavy duty, emotionally-laden family drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

This series really started off strong in the first few episodes. Some amazing performances all round, I won't deny that. You do get pulled into the individual stories at first. But then it plateaus and becomes a bit meh, there seems to be no rise and fall with in the story lines, the soundtrack etc. No real tension and release, just meh. I feel at times it becomes hard to find empathy for a majority of the characters and what they are going through because they make some very selfish decisions. So now I've lost interest at episode 5. I'm wondering if this would have been better served as a 2 hour film rather than a series?

This show is spectacular! I don't understand how anybody could not like this show. In my opinion this may be the best television series on TV right now. I am watching all the good stuff out right now and this easily hits my top 3. The acting is superb, the writing is fantastic, the storyline is on point, and it will warm your heart in every way. I wish we had more shows like this out right now. This is a show you could watch with the family but there is a small amount of bad language here and there and a couple romantic scenes, but no nudity. I think it sends a good message to teenagers and kids. It's a must watch for all!

The show starts at a peak and although it does not maintain its momentum, the episodes that follow are still worth getting credit. Once you get attached to the life of the orphaned boy at the start of the show, feeling how he feels and knowing why he is not like any other ordinary kid, I swear you won't want to miss any part of the show. It is also impressive about how the same boy picks up friends and its unlike any other kid would act after undergoing the same trauma. The support cast also deserves much credit after all for making the show such a great one to look forward to watch. These are inclusive of characters whom their relatives, husbands and loved ones become diseased following the aftermath at the start of the show. All of the cast contribute to the tonnes of emotion in the show. Overall, it is a wonderful show.

This has some excellent writing and acting, I mean the actors are really outstanding in this. It's pace is a little slow, but that is really ok because it's a drama and fitting. The only distraction and issue I have personally, and maybe it's just me, is how it is constantly and endlessly drowning in music. The kind of music that is so sappy, so depressing, and it's overpowering in so many scenes where if they took it away we would have so much more power in the moment without feeling like we are being pushed to emote, So that is my only complaint, is the soundtrack. The music producer needs to just pull back about 60%. Again, phenomenal acting. What a great cast.