Regular Price $39.98

Starring: Amber Tamblyn,  Joe Mantegna,  Mary Steenburgen,  Jason Ritter,  Michael Welch, 
Directed By: Alan Myerson,  David Petrarca,  Elodie Keene,  Gloria Muzio,  Helen Shaver, 
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Release Date: 2003-09-25
Studio: Paramount
Format: Box set,  Color,  DVD-Video,  Widescreen,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about Joan of Arcadia - The First Season

Description
After patriarch Will gets a job as the chief of police, the Girardi family moves to the small town of Arcadia from the big city. Middle child Joan isn't happy, and her family, consisting of science nerd Luke, paralyzed former jock Kevin, and their perpetually flustered mother Helen, isn't helping. Joan finds herself talking to God, in the form of random people who give her assignments to help the people around her. Joan keeps following God's assignments, never sure if she's really speaking to him, or just going crazy!

Amazon.com
Once in awhile a show comes along that breaks the mold. Most such programs fail, but Joan of Arcadia set out to do something new, beat the odds, and found an audience. Created by Barbara Hall (Judging Amy), it’s a unique hybrid of My So-Called Life, The Commish, and--well, something different. Unlike CBS predecessor Touched by an Angel, faith creates more questions than answers (and God even has a sense of humor).

Joan (Amber Tamblyn) is an ordinary 16-year-old. Father Will (Joe Mantegna) is the local Arcadia police chief, mother Helen (Mary Steenburgen) is a teacher/administrator, younger brother Luke (Michael Welch) is a fellow student, and older brother Kevin (Jason Ritter, son of John Ritter) is a high school graduate who was paralyzed the year before. He used to be popular and athletic. Now he watches TV and builds models. In the pilot, God speaks to Joan for the first time, as a cute boy, and asks her to get a job. Once she's convinced He's really God, she does. Her action inspires Kevin to get one, too, and his process of rejoining the world begins.

As in Joan Osborne’s theme song, "One of Us" (featured on two episodes), God will continue to appear to Joan in a variety of guises--even as a dog walker who looks like Russ Tamblyn (Amber's father). He’ll often ask her to do things that make her uncomfortable, but she'll always learn from the experience and some good will always come from it. Unfortunately, she isn't able to talk to anyone about this or they'd think she was crazy, not even friends Grace (Becky Hahlstrom) or Adam (Christopher Marquette). By the season finale, faith will be replaced by doubt, setting the scene for the second season, in which Joan’s faith will be restored. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews for Joan of Arcadia - The First Season

Best Television show in years
This show is written well, is very thought-provoking and allows the viewer to come to their own conclusions.

The cast is outstanding.Joan of Arcadia - The First Season

An Above Average, Quirky Family Drama
"Joan of Arcadia" is a good show. That seems like such a general statement, but I think its the best way to describe the show. Certain episodes go past good and get to 'great' status, and some don't even scratch good. But overall, it's a good, above-average family show. The characters are flawed but likable, and one can't help but connect with them on some levels, even times, written badly. What I'm talking about is how Luke sees everything in terms of science and Grace sees everything in terms of how "anti-" she can be. At times, it seems as if the writers let one swooping trait define these characters. Other times, the characters burst with eccentricities and life. It's an odd show, how it goes from quality to "meh" a lot, but there is definitely more good than mediocre here.

Other than the characters, which I really like, there is a lot to love in this show. The little details are the best, such as how Adam always calls Joan "Jane," and how they don't shy away from looking at all sides of Kevin's condition. He is confined to a wheelchair, and that is explored in so many different ways, from outright strife to triumphing over farts (you'll see what I mean). Other than the little details this show is filled with, I also love the way the situation of God is handled. The main character, Joan, talks to God and acts on his "advice," so this is obviously a spiritual show, but I wouldn't call it religious. It tackles religion from the point of view of Joan, keeping it respectful and spiritual without being pushy or supporting any specific denomination.

This is a show I definitely recommend investing in. It's more of a family show than a "watch on your own" kind of thing, because the subject matter is family friendly and can lead to some really nice conversations. The quality of the episodes does vary, and the beginning-middle of the season is a lot better than the middle-end. I noticed that it got very overly sentimental in the third quarter of the season, with a string of episodes that climax with two of the character in tearful hugs. It did bounce back, however, with an arty and trying finale, written fantastically by creator Barbara Hall. I've already bought the next season and will be watching it as soon as possible.

7/10Joan of Arcadia - The First Season

Joan of Arcadia
Interesting premise for the show.

Acting is good, ideas terrific.

can't wait to get season 2Joan of Arcadia - The First Season

very enjoyable
I bought both season one and two. I never got to see many of the episodes when it was on tv and in watching a repeat now on tv, I missed them. I bought both seasons. I enjoy the series because it involves a number of emotions: its funny, sad, silly. But most of all I enjoy the characters (actors) and the fact that the family communicates well with each other. We need to see more of that and more shows like that.Joan of Arcadia - The First Season

Awesome, awesome show
I started watching this show midway through it's first season at the insistence of a friend. I'm glad I finally "caved" and watched an episode. The show handles some intriguing material in a well-thought-out manner. It might have a religious premise, but it's a show that's far from preachy.Joan of Arcadia - The First Season

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