Miracles

When the regular TV season ends, I start digging out old favorites on DVD. This week’s pick is Miracles, a short lived show that ran on ABC in January of 2003. Of the 13 episodes, only 6 ran.  These were aired in such a spaced out, convoluted fashion that it would have made Fox proud.

The series follows Paul Callan (Skeet Ulrich) and his search for miracles in the modern world. After his own miracle experience is dismissed by the Church, he joins up with a group called Sodalitas Quaerito, Latin for “Brotherhood in search of truth” led by Alva Keel (Angus Macfadyen). Paul has seen his blood form the words “God is Now Here”, and Keel explains to him that this has happened before, but everyone else has read the words as “God is Nowhere” a small but significant difference.  This story line forms the backbone for what is otherwise a mystery of the week type show.

It’s this backbone that really keeps the viewer coming back episode after episode. Each episode provides a couple more pieces of the puzzle while giving you a few more questions as well. It becomes clear early on that Paul’s closeness to things otherworldly leaves him open to both the good and the bad parts. He is a flawed character, at times swayed toward the lure of darkness.  Skeet Ulrich plays the role well, easily bringing Paul to life. He portrays him like most of us; eager to believe, but quick to doubt.

Though the show is certainly very entangled with religion, it’s episodes each have their own mystery that is not always related to religion, from ghosts, to possession, to time slips. Imagine  if Stigmata and Fringe were combined to question God and every other strange occurrence out there. Unfortunately, since this show only had 13 episodes, the overlying mysteries of Paul (is he meant for good or evil) and the “God is Nowhere” message, are never answered. Still, it is an engaging and enjoyable show and worth the buy. And as an added incentive for any other Buffy fans, David Greenwalt was the executive producer.