Could a series like this be made today? I doubt it. Many of today's television aficionados look at any kind of sentiment as a weakness and something to be scoffed at.
Michael Landon always believed the opposite: that it's courageous and even important to show your emotions; that it's actually cowardly to hide behind them and your feelings. Perhaps that is why it took a brave man like a Michael Landon to spearhead a show that would demonstrate to the world this simple truth: absolute vulnerability is the only true courage.
Jonathan Smith, an angel, spends his time wandering around Southern California, meeting people, and helping them. He picks up a partner in Mark Gordon (Victor French), an ex-cop, who is often used for humerous moments (who can argue that Mr. Edwards from LHOTP wasn't one of the most beloved characters of that series!). We also find that Gordon is a good fit for Jonathan. Sometimes, his own life wisdom rivals that of Jonathan's, and that Jonathan needs someone to keep him grounded and in-check.
We have a lot of themes in this series: drug addiction, cancer, terminally ill people, dealing with the elderly, conceited people, people looking for love, people dealing with disabilities, etc. The spectrum is vast, and for the most part, every episode is a wonder. Yes, there are some that are far more memorable than others, but Landon's ability to tap into the feelings and emotions has always been as brilliant as it was uncanny.
While some fans may still find the series way too sentimental, it really doesn't get mired down in heavy melodrama. Instead, it brings true feelings and insights to light. In other words, the emotions fit the situation. And Landon knew exactly when and where to tap into them. He also had an uncanny knack of instilling as much humor as he did sentiment. There was often a good balance.
In the long term, Landon dared the viewer to face his/her own emotions, and I daresay, there are episodes where you will struggle NOT to shed a few tears. That's how effective Landon and French were. As the writer and director of many episodes, Landon was able to instill his own feelings and pieces of Life Wisdom into each episode.
While there are some Judeo-Christian thematic elements, the show actually isn't religious. It never advertises or proposes that there is only one way. There were even episodes (Child of God) where it is encouraged to love and be supportive of others no matter what path they choose. That no one is inherently better than anyone else.
In short, Landon believed that love was universal and that everyone can do a much better job of treating others with dignity, respect, and yes, even love. This was what he was trying to demonstrate with this show. And to my mind, he more than succeeded! Whenever I find myself craving an uplifting show with good values, and something that will make me feel good after I watch it, I invariably turn to "Highway to Heaven."
Michael Landon always believed the opposite: that it's courageous and even important to show your emotions; that it's actually cowardly to hide behind them and your feelings. Perhaps that is why it took a brave man like a Michael Landon to spearhead a show that would demonstrate to the world this simple truth: absolute vulnerability is the only true courage.
Jonathan Smith, an angel, spends his time wandering around Southern California, meeting people, and helping them. He picks up a partner in Mark Gordon (Victor French), an ex-cop, who is often used for humerous moments (who can argue that Mr. Edwards from LHOTP wasn't one of the most beloved characters of that series!). We also find that Gordon is a good fit for Jonathan. Sometimes, his own life wisdom rivals that of Jonathan's, and that Jonathan needs someone to keep him grounded and in-check.
We have a lot of themes in this series: drug addiction, cancer, terminally ill people, dealing with the elderly, conceited people, people looking for love, people dealing with disabilities, etc. The spectrum is vast, and for the most part, every episode is a wonder. Yes, there are some that are far more memorable than others, but Landon's ability to tap into the feelings and emotions has always been as brilliant as it was uncanny.
While some fans may still find the series way too sentimental, it really doesn't get mired down in heavy melodrama. Instead, it brings true feelings and insights to light. In other words, the emotions fit the situation. And Landon knew exactly when and where to tap into them. He also had an uncanny knack of instilling as much humor as he did sentiment. There was often a good balance.
In the long term, Landon dared the viewer to face his/her own emotions, and I daresay, there are episodes where you will struggle NOT to shed a few tears. That's how effective Landon and French were. As the writer and director of many episodes, Landon was able to instill his own feelings and pieces of Life Wisdom into each episode.
While there are some Judeo-Christian thematic elements, the show actually isn't religious. It never advertises or proposes that there is only one way. There were even episodes (Child of God) where it is encouraged to love and be supportive of others no matter what path they choose. That no one is inherently better than anyone else.
In short, Landon believed that love was universal and that everyone can do a much better job of treating others with dignity, respect, and yes, even love. This was what he was trying to demonstrate with this show. And to my mind, he more than succeeded! Whenever I find myself craving an uplifting show with good values, and something that will make me feel good after I watch it, I invariably turn to "Highway to Heaven."