Wildfire

"Wildfire" isn't exactly a breakthrough teen drama series, by any means. Much of the dialogue wouldn't be out of place in an episode of "Dawson's Creek" or "The OC," and neither, to some extent, would be the story "Wildfire" tells. And yet, the show has a real charm that makes it just fun to watch.

Kris Furillo (Genevieve Cortese) is a girl who seems to specialize in being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When we first meet her, she's a prisoner at a juvenile detention facility, paying for the crime of helping to steal a car and resisting arrest. In her time in prison, she's not only "learned a little discipline" (which, after watching a couple episodes of the show, really makes you wonder what she was like BEFORE she got locked up) but also learned to ride and love horses, with the help of Pablo Betart (Greg Serano). Betart, an ex-con himself, also works at a horse ranch called Raintree, which is owned by the Ritters: Jean, Jean's father, and Jean's two sons, Matt and Todd. As Kris settles into life at Raintree, she makes really good friends -- Pablo, the Ritters (Matt in particular), Matt's friend, Junior Davis -- and really bad enemies -- Matt's ex-girlfriend Dani Davis and her friends, and others that seem to just keep on coming. Watch as Kris faces challenges and learns more about horses, and herself.

It's a guilty pleasure show, but it's definitely a pleasure. "Wildfire" airs Monday nights at 8pm on ABC family. The DVDs for the first season are available in some stores, and episodes are easy to buy on iTunes, for $1.99 each!

I'm 22 and certainly not a girly girl. This was a friends suggestion and I started watching it with no small amount of trepidation.

And I was very happily surprised! The characters have more depth than I've come to expect from teen dramas and having watched a several episodes of the O.C and various series of a similar vein I have to say - This blows them out of the water.

The main character is also a fabulous role model for any younger teens watching the series, its truly refreshing to see a strong character with a bit of bite and without the vain flailing most series seem to give their female leads.

The biggest praise I can give is to tell anyone reading to -watch- it. No matter age or anything else, give it a try.

I have watched this show since the first episode and i was instantly hooked. It is full of drama and romance and everything else a good show should have. I can never wait to see what the next episode will be and see what problems will arise. The acting could improve a little bit but it gets the job done and the point across. I highly recommend this show and after one episode.the show also is great for people that love or even just like animals. It mainly focuses on a horse named, wildfire. In the first episode the main character, Kris, saved the horse from being killed. So the show also tells people to protect animals and that we should all be kind to the animals. Also the horse, wildfire, makes you just fall in love with it with one glance. The producers picked a great horse to play the part. I'm sure you too will agree with me on saying that this show is great.

Rural setting? Family values? A girl and a horse? I am all in!

'Wildfire' ran for four seasons on the ABC Family network. Ostentatiously geared towards the teen angst audience, 'Wildfire' nonetheless has much more to offer. Insights into the world of competitive horse racing, and those who inhabit that world. There is more than enough here to hurdle viewers through the entire series. Gorgeous scenery. Magnificent horses. Strong values. And a competent cast.

Genevieve Cortese is the series lead. A tough city girl from the wrong side of the tracks, imprisoned for fairly minor crimes working toward her release as a prison laborer training horses for the city police force. It is there that she makes a connection with 'Wildfire', a horse in training for police civic duties. These first few episodes set a strong tone for the series, as the convict girl and the horse make a transcendent connection that will propel them both into a world far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

Cast wise, Nana Visitor provides a familiar face (she of Star Trek DS9 fame). But the acting accolades belong to Greg Serano as the horse trainer who sees something in Kris Furillo (the convict girl) and sponsors her into the world of horse racing. Nicole Tubiola is the the rich girl who was reared in that competitive world. Both of their performances throughout the series provide the foundation for all of the drama that ensues.

'Wildfire' is well worth the watch, assuming you can overlook the perpetually silly teenage drama employed by show runners seeking to ensnare those young demographics that network execs demand. Somehow, the show manages to exceed those network expectations, and delivers a satisfying family drama that will hold your interest throughout the run of the series.

My 14 year old horse loving daughter loves this show which means that the entire house has to watch.

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the writing and acting of some characters--notably Genevieve Cortese, Arye Gross, and the especially talented Nana Visitor. Sadly, all of the acting is not of that quality. Greg Serano as Pablo seems stiff and stoic in every scene.

Production quality could be stepped up a bit, but I suspect they're squeezing everything possible from the budget.

There have been a few scenes that might be too sexually charged or violent for young children, but the rating system works. Use it if you have young children watching television.