Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Higher Ground

8.1 stars.

You know what surprises me about these films? It's the fact that they're not more widely known. This one has less than 10 user reviews (as do most of them) and I don't understand it because these SSD movies are the best thing Hallmark has ever created.

This installment is probably my fourth favorite so far, but only by a nose. It's very close to being my actual favorite. Let me explain: three of them are 8.2/10, all basically tied for first place. Realistically, I made a mistake by giving my favorite episode 8.2 stars, when it is actually 8.3, but at the time it was a difficult decision. I know, who cares.

The last 30 minutes of this episode is probably some of my favorite material of all the SSD movies, but it doesn't make up for the general slowness of the first 90 minutes. All in all, this is an absolutely wonderful story that fits neatly into the epic saga of the Postables' adventures.

I wish the first part of this episode was a bit more exciting, but it took some time to build up to a most beautiful climax. The tension was off the charts (as much as can be for a bunch of socially awkward geniuses trying to navigate the tumultuous waters of romance).

I happened to find this gem on Hallmark Channel 85 the other night. What a beautifully written story of the power of love. The different relationships among the characters were wonderfully intertwined.

This episode of the Postables developed extremely slow, but the last 20 minutes (including commercials) was worth it.

If you like Jazz (or was it Blues), you may really like this one because the sound tract is full of singing by Keb' Mo' including both background and actual screen time.

The conflict in the Postables personal lives was stupidly done but important.

This is the first Signed, Sealed, and Delivered I've seen. In fact, I didn't know this series existed. I'm now excited to see ALL the episodes leading up to this one and of course, everything afterwards.

My first thought is the entire cast is like a family. I think that is what makes this show works. So much chemistry between everyone, and there should be, after all the episodes they have been in together.

Eric Mabius and Kristin Booth are perfectly typecast as the leads. I'm not real familiar with them, but they've got my attention now. The supporting roles by Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe and Geoff Gustafson were great as well and as important and dramatic to this episode.

I'm not going to give any spoilers, but, I will say the last 5 to 10 minutes were awesome. If you don't have time to see the whole episode, but you NEED to see it,...well you get the point.

I try to not give too many 10 ratings, but this was an easy one.

The postables find a letter from a displaced Hurricane Katrina victim...who didn't provide a return address because he didn't have one. It's a sweet New Orleans story of love and charity.

Rita and Norman are officially engaged and Shane and Oliver are officially going steady. Post the death of one of their post office colleagues, they clean out her office...repurpose her blender and find her kombucha smoothie recipe that Shane always wanted.

Oliver is still bonding with his father and learns a little more about his post retirement list: travel, learn Italian, work in a garden. He opens the topic of wanting to start dating again.

"Man cleared in runway penguin escapade."-Norman.

Higher Ground is another episode in the Signed, Sealed and Delivered Hallmark postables series.

"True Love never gives up."-Ramon

"You don't just stop loving somebody especially if you have been lonely your whole life."-Norman.

Shane and Oliver have a romantic evening out and then their lovely walk is interrupted by her former love interest, Steve, who wants her to help the clandestine services (Homeland Security) with a super secret mission where she has to be completely radio silent for several weeks. Something that ends up being very hard on Oliver...not having Shane around, but the postables and his father have his back.

If you love their quirky characters you will love this episode as well.