With its fate hanging in the balance, Everwood returned to the WB Monday night, rewarding viewers with a two-hour episode.
Why the big hullabaloo? When the new CW (a combination of the “best” of the WB and UPN networks) premieres in the fall, Everwood probably won’t be on the schedule. The drama about people coming of age – at all ages – isn’t quite ready to give up yet, according to executive producer Rina Mimoun.
Loyal fans should’ve been happy to see storylines return to their enthralling roots Monday night. The first half of the two-part episode explored Dr. Brown’s unresolved anger toward his deceased wife, Julia, who died shortly after she had an extramarital affair. It was clear the effects of the tragedy were far from over as 12-year-old Delia spewed hate-filled lines at her father for a less-than-utopian upbringing.
But Everwood was shafted by the WB at the beginning of the season when it was moved from solid Monday nights to competitive Thursdays. Additionally, the show has been on hiatus since December, making way for so-called gems like Beauty and the Geek.
In all fairness, Everwood hasn’t held up its end of the bargain either. When the show started four years ago, it stood apart from others with its raw emotion and harsh realities seen through a family starting anew after a tragic loss. Since then the show got away from that, possibly leading to the decline in ratings. With its uniqueness lost, perhaps viewers became lost, too.
But recent cast additions, including former Party of Five star Scott Wolf, are making a difference. Wolf’s character Jake charmed viewers in previous episodes with his chipper, laid-back nature only to shock them Monday night with the revelation that he will enter rehab for a painkiller addiction.
As television schedules become overpopulated with crime, medical and reality shows, these unoriginal offerings can’t possibly fill Everwood’s void. More than that, they shouldn’t have to – Everwood is long overdue for a fifth-season renewal.