For today's post, I am sharing a collection of my favorite shows with strong family elements. In the world of TV and such, I find it a difficult task to find shows that truly value family and show that without shame. However, I have been fortunate to find a handful of shows that, honestly, are just so darn good. I hope you find something here that you may want to give a watch, and maybe, you'll find a new favorite, too.
If you believe in something, you keep fighting for it. No matter what.
~ Danny Reagan ~
So cop shows may not be the first thing you think of when you are considering shows with a strong family element. But I can assure you, with complete confidence, that Blue Bloods is such a show. This show was first introduced to me by my dad, though I didn't give it a try until he had been talking about it for a handful of years. However, when I did watch my first episode, I was completely hooked. His response when I told him I finally watched an episode and loved it was, "What did I tell you?!?!", which was so totally him.
Blue Bloods follows the Reagans, an Irish American family in New York City. We have Henry, or Pop, to the family. He is the former Police Commissioner, now retired and a widower, and a backbone to the family. He lives with Frank, his son, also a widower, and the current Commissioner. His children: Danny, a NYPD Detective, married to Linda with two sons; Erin, Assistant District Attorney in NYC, divorced single mother to her daughter; and Jamie, a NYPD cop and former Harvard Law grad. Frank's other son, Joe, who is not present on the show as he was killed in the line of duty a few years before their story begins, also plays a major part in the family. Through the years, we also see the Reagan family grow and change as children grow, new spouses enter the scene and other events take place. (Trying not to give spoilers here.)
I truly feel like this show is such a gift. There's something really, truly special about this show. Again, being a cop show, you wouldn't think you could have moments that are so heartwarming and touching that you find yourself with a lump in your throat or even watery eyes. But Blue Bloods is that show. Sadly, this show's last and final season is about to air, and I can tell you, I feel such a sadness in my heart seeing such a good show come to an end. You just don't have many good shows on TV anymore.
What I love about this show is that it's fun to watch. Many of the storylines bring in a mystery to be solved as well as some action to make it exciting to watch. I love some of the quips that come out of the mouths of the characters...Danny and Pop, to be precise. There are many times I find myself cracking up at something they have said. The family members stand by each other no matter what. They've seen tragedy and joyous times, and through it all, they are the Reagans. In every single episode, they come together for Sunday dinner around the table, sometimes bickering, sometimes questioning their jobs, sometimes just having a laugh, but it's family time, and that's what matters. I love how this show portrays that no matter how old you get, home is always where your family is and that family home is the gathering place for all things. And, then, I also love and really appreciate how this show isn't politically correct. Even with the social justice issues and political climate going on in these last few years, this show has stood by showing things as they should be. Of course, no show is perfect, but coming from Hollywood, it sure is nice to have something that isn't politically correct. And for that, among many other reasons, I give a standing ovation to Blue Bloods.
Cheasapeake Shores is another favorite and such a comfort show.
This show follows the O'Brien family: divorced parents, Mick and Megan; Gran (Nell); and the five O'Brien children: Abby, Kevin, Bree, Connor and Jess. Along with a whole slew of side characters who play a big part in the story as well.
There is honestly so much that goes on in this series, I won't get into all that. What I will say is that I personally prefer the first 2 seasons the best. After that, things get a bit crazy, especially in the final two. And I don't always agree with the messages being brought forth in this show. But it is a good, wholesome, feel-good show that I really enjoy.
The family aspect of this show that I love is that home is always home, and no matter how old you get, you are welcome there. It's still your home, you just may bring more people with you as your own little family grows. I love how the whole family lives so close to each other, if not in the same house, or on the same property, that they have breakfast together most mornings and they are all very closely involved in each other's lives. That is quite refreshing to see.
Another cop show, but trust me on this...they aren't just chasing criminals and solving murders. Rizzoli and Isles is a show that was recommended to me by our friend who loves the same sorts of shows as I do. I will admit, that upon seeing about this show at first, I wasn't sure what it was about. But I trusted her recommendation and how glad I am that I did!
This show follows Jane Rizzoli, a detective in the Boston Police Department and Maura Isles, the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, along with Angela, Jane's mother, Frankie, Jane's brother (also a cop), Vince Korsak and Barry Frost, Jane's work partners. However, and the very thing I love most about this show, is that these characters are far from just work mates or friends; they are each other's found family. I love how Angela kind of becomes a mother to Maura, when she doesn't have the best relationship with hers. And Jane and Maura are as close as sisters...the sisters neither one of them had. And with all the crazy antics that Angela gets up to and finds herself in, I can assure you there are plenty of opportunities for a good laugh. But there are also plenty of heartwarming moments, too.
All Creatures Great and Small is a new-to-me show that I just recently began watching. But I can tell you that I immediately fell in love with it. From the gorgeous countryside scenery of the Yorkshire Dales to the quaint village of Darrowby to the residents of Skeldale House. This truly is one of the sweetest shows I know of. What took me so long to give it a try?
What I love about All Creatures is that this show really portrays, quite beautiful, I may add, the concept of a found family. The little circle of Siegfried and his brother Tristan, and Mrs. Hall, the housekeeper, and of course, James Herriot, is as good as it gets. I love how they are so devoted to one another, even though Siegfried may not admit it up front.
Each episode just comforts you and make you feel all good and warm inside and hopeful, too. The compassion James has for his patients and their owners is admirable, and just how a veterinarian should be. Mrs. Hall is such a gem of a character, I just love her so much. I want to sit down with a cup of tea and have a chat with her. She is always rooting for James and genuinely loves her little found family. Tristan is just a hoot! At first, I wasn't sure what to think of him, but I don't think James was either, to be fair. As the show went on, it quickly became evident that his heart is always in the right place, and I do love seeing the friendship between him and "Jim" continue to grow. And as for Siegfried, half of the time, I want to tell him off and to treat James and even Tristan better, then the other half of the time, I love how protective and caring he is towards them. I feel is just as much of a nut as Tristan, just in different ways. Though, he would never dare to admit that! Finally, we have Helen, who is a dear as well. I will admit, unashamedly, that I absolutely adored her and James' relationship and how it slowly blossomed and grew. She is a fiercely loyal and protective daughter and sister and eventually, wife. She knows her mind and always has the courage to speak it, which I find admirable. She is also an encouraging wife to James, always believing in the work he does and sticking by his side to do the right thing, which is always, always what he strives to do.
If you want to feel good, watch this show. If you want to be filled to the brim with hope, goodness, light, and to believe that there is good in this world, watch this show. It's as simple as that. You'll soon find out just what a special show this one is.
Heartland is a show that I loved during my older teen years through my early twenties. This show follows the Bartlett family: Grandpa Jack Bartlett and his two granddaughters, Lou and Amy, along with their estranged father, Tim; family friend, Mallory; new stable hand, Ty; and a whole cast of side characters, that eventually get bigger stories of their own.
This show is one that, like the others here, will warm your heart in so many ways. But it will also make you laugh out loud, especially if Mallory is involved in any way. After Amy and Lou's mother passes away, the whole family is left to reel from the shocking tragedy. Lou returns to the family ranch in Calgary called Heartland, after living and working in New York City, and she brings her big city ideas with her which don't always sit well with her Grandfather. After all, Heartland has been in the Bartlett family for 6 generations and Jack is quick to remind her of that. Amy, on the other hand, is still in high school, but she has her mother's gift of communicating with and healing horses. This is a big part of the family's life, as there are always horses coming and going as Amy helps them by following what her mom taught her.
This show has a lot going on and every episode keeps your attention and has you wanting to watch the next one to see what happens next. But one thing for sure, it's all about family for the Bartlett family. As the years go by, and as the characters grow up and find their own way in the world, they always end up back at Heartland. That really is the family home...the heart of them all. I have loved this show for almost half my life, and it still remains one that is very beloved.
I do want to say that I only like the first 8 season of this show. I haven't even watched seasons 10 through the current season. This show, sadly, in my opinion, turned into a big soap opera, and I am so disappointed in how crazy it got. Those first 8 seasons were so, so, so good, and then they totally messed it up. So I can only recommend seasons 1-8, but I can tell you that they are definitely worth watching and perfect for the whole family.
And finally, but definitely not least, is a show very dear to my heart...Call the Midwife. Just as with All Creatures, this is a show that really puts a found family on display so beautifully, and gently. This is another really special show, I feel.
The nuns and nurses as well as Dr. Turner and his family, Fred and Violet and Reggie, and Cyril...they're all a family, though not related by blood, they are most definitely related in heart. This is a show that is so comforting and gentle and lovely. With wisdom and often odd sentiments from Sister Monica Joan to Sister Julienne's graceful and kind spirit and skill to Shelagh's most compassionate approach to her patients, and to everyone around her, it's hard to choose one or even two favorite characters. They all bring so much to the show! And I love and appreciate how much the characters love and care for one another.
Something that I feel is especially unique with Call the Midwife is that through the years, people come, and people go. Characters are there for a season or two or several, and then they move on, whether it be in real life or on the show. The point is, the cast often changes and shifts with this show. And yet, it doesn't change the quality of the series. So many times, I notice that when a show has a change or shift in cast, the show really goes downhill. But not with this one! Somehow, the writers make it make sense and bring in characters that just seem to fit in. And that is one reason why I believe this show has been able to go on for so long.
This is another show to watch if you want to be comforted and believe that there is still good in this world.
These are a few of my favorite shows...that have a strong emphasis on family. I hope you enjoyed this little rambly post about some of my favorites. If you have any favorite shows with a strong family element, please do share them with me. I'd love to hear your favorites!