Type of Series: Cop Show; Court Room Drama; Family Drama;

    Similar Shows: I don't think there's ever been a show quite like this: part Ally McBeal, part Hunter, part thirtysomething.

    Typical Episode: Typically, Annie's plotline was a court case of some kind, a case that invariably had parallels with something else going on in her life. Annie took her work very seriously and agonised over such things as getting a killer off scott-free at the end of an episode. Meanwhile Sean's plot-line tended to be a cop story of some kind. Sometimes - but not always - connected with the case Annie was trying. Of the two, it was usually Sean who spent most (screen) time with his family and their problems.

    The Inner Light: Marriage ain't easy, but if you work at it, the rewards are there.

    Some of the episodes are warm and fuzzy in a predicable way, while others have a noteworthy harder edge. Had the show survived a full season, I think we would have had a highly worthwhile drama on our hands. Alas it was not to be.

    Strengths: Jason Beghe was the real break-out star of the show for me.

    Weaknesses: Occasional duff moments/stories. To Have And To Hold was only really finding it's feet when the plug was pulled. The writers/producers were attempting a balancing act. Grim crime drama with romantic comedy and soap opera thrown into the mix. That was the goal. A goal they were (mostly) reaching.

    Impressive Characters: Sean O'Brien, as played by Jason Beghe, was nothing short of the Perfect Man. Cut from the same cloth as Mack from Knot's Landing, he had everything going for him. He was rugged, charming, romantic, confused but honest.

    Impressive Actors: Beghe.

    Impressive Episodes: I liked the one where Annie got the killer off and there was nothing she could do about it. So she just got really, really depressed. And this was the Christmas episode, too.

    I also loved the one where Sean's brother went and told his wife he was having an affair. Stephen Lee and Colleen Flynn were terrific in their roles.

    Impressive Writers: Joanne Waters was the creator. David Janollari, Bob Greenblatt and Scott Shepherd were the executive producers.

    Less-Than-Impressive Characters:

    Less-Than-Impressive Actors: None of the regulars were less than impressive. It was a likeable, and talented ensemble. One that was completely blown off the screen by Jason Beghe, but still a likeable and talented ensemble. It was particularly cool to see Jason Wiles on board, as brother Michael. His is a face I know from Beverly Hills 90210. And Mariette Hartley played Annie's mother. She's a lady I'll forever know as Banner's second wife from The Incredible Hulk.

    Less-Than-Impressive Episodes: There was one episode about an arsonist trying to make a life for himself again, after serving his sentence. But he was being persecuted. This went on and on and on, and - eventually - we found out that he was innocent all along, he just kept the fact a secret for the sake of a friend.

    Puke!

    Had he stayed guilty at the end, and continued to fight for a life for himself it would have been cool. But, no, they ruined it and made him a martyr.

    Continuity: Strong. Annie's mother was dating a younger man, and Sean's brother was leaving his wife. While the various cases were wrapped up within a single episode, the family drama stuff went on from week to week. And nicely compelling they were, too.

    Rewatchability: So-so. Once you've seen an episode, you've seen it, and that's it.

    Episode Guide: EpGuides.Com is the best place to go for Episode Guides.

    Reviews:

    Other Info: The show's creator Joanne Waters has a site up about the show.

    Also of interest: During it's short life, To Have And To Hold aired Wednesdays at nine, opposite Star Trek: Voyager.

Three Things I Really Like About This Series:

    Miscellaneous Comments:    12 December, 1999

    In many ways, I think To Have And To Hold was a PR job for Jason Beghe. He came off as so perfect that even I - a heterosexual male - began to imagine how wonderful it would be to settle down with him!!!

    He'd always be there for me. He'd always listen. He's always be understanding, even when he didn't understand. And, as well as that, he's a well respected member of the community.

    Dreamy!!

    Since that was the slant of the show from my perspective, when describing it to friends, I always resorted to the "Ally McBeal marries her perfect man" pitch. While the show wasn't as clever or inventive as Ally McBeal, it did have it's heart in exactly the same place as David Kelly's highly regarded programme.

GRADE: B+

Review by Michael Leddy

Comments are welcome: rikerdonegal@hotmail.com

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