Ties That Bind

I voted 7 because I just can't stand Jackie. The "recovering" alcoholic mother with the annoying enabling teenage daughter (Mariah) and that says a lot for the actors because I work in the mental health/substance abuse field and those people could walk in to my office any day, that's how accurately they play their parts. I just love this show, I never miss it (thank goodness for our DVR/genie) and I sure hope they will have a 2nd season at least. I enjoy the whole thing, the family setting, Allison's patience and toughness, Matt's occasional outbursts of humanness (as when he had to give up his office for the queen of me-me-me Jackie) the slow change in Cameron, the loveliness and kindness of the resident teenagers. Thank you UP for giving us this series, I usually wait for the Sunday night movies, this was a pleasant surprise. Please give us a season 2.

The writing and direction of the show leave a lot to be desired, especially when there are key actors that have skills, but aren't given chance to fully showcase their talent.

Could have been a hit with the right team of writers and crew. Felt amateur from the first episode. I watched it for Kelli Williams as her acting was diverse and solid in Lie to Me. It was a great entry level for the young actors. Characters lacked depth, except for the lead, again this shows the weak writing. I've read better developed scripts at film schools. Could have really been something. I can see why it wasn't renewed for second season. It does feel unfinished, and the last episode is really where it could have taken off in a new season had it been strong enough to convince producers and network to renew.

Easy watching for families, very clean language. Some scenes were cringeworthy with their spoon feeding of viewers. Easily watched in a day if you're bored.

We just picked this up on Hallmark and are bummed that there is no second season. It will leave you hanging. I can't believe they would not find a way to do season 2. It has real life situations with real answers, not having to pollute the air with bad language or stunts to keep it interesting. Bring it back!!!!

I enjoyed this show as it isn't perfect, as is life. It proves shows can depict the gritty side of true life without being overly graphic. A perfect balance of the good and the bad. I especially appreciate the problem solving and the way the McLean family takes responsibility of the niece and nephew, giving them some stability in their lives. I also appreciate the fact that things don't always turn out the way you want them to, and there are not always happy endings, as we would like, but shows how you take what is dealt and work your way through it. I wish there were more shows like this. This show was unpredictable, and best of all, DECENT for the entire family. I get so tired of these shows where every other word is bleep, bleep bleep! Thanks so much.

We tried this show on a streaming service because Kelli Williams was solid in Lie to Me, not because we were looking for "family values" programming - but we would have been fine without the cheap gimmicks of modern TV. Problem is, the first couple of episodes were so painful to watch that we had to stop. The scripts were clumsy, nothing even slightly subtle. Every line seemed to be delivered at a different camera angle, with exaggerated facial expressions. The sulky teen boy is record-breaking awful, and the star's husband is not much better. What a sad waste of money and talent.