Just Peachy.

Hi everyone

I'm trying to think of ways to bring more topics to this board and this was one of them.

I thought this would be a good discussion to have on JoA and how it compares to other shows present or cancelled shows.

While I love a lot of TV shows today a lot of them are just based on the character with no show of the parents or their family life and I think that was something that JoA always got right.

Anyway that's just one of my thoughts.

I'd like to see what your think

-Bella

colorful_dust

Good thread idea! Thanks.

What I notice is that on JoA the characters acted like real teenagers, I feel like they were always relatable where I definitely don't see that on some other shows.

Another thing I liked that was different from others was that everything wasn't about sex. We got real, awkward moments in the teenage relationships that I feel are missing on other shows.

Just Peachy.

Glad you like it

Same! While I like a lot of TV shows. It feels that alot are focused on sex, wearing expensive designer fashion that looks good no one in the real world can afford.

colorful_dust

Good point about the fashion! I totally agree, everyone wore clothes that you'd see in stores you shopped in.

Another thing, I do like some of the 'epic' couples out there, but I adore the fact that neither Joan/Adam or Luke/Grace were like that. They each had their obstacles but they weren't over the top.

clueless01

Yeah, I agree with you guys, JoA had it's feet on the ground a lot more than other teen dramas ( to the point that I feel weird calling JoA a teen drama???), which is saying a lot since the main character was talking to God!!!

With regards to sex I think that most teen shows go the same route with that and it was awesome to see JoA's fresh take on it. I would have loved to see Luke/Grace in that area, not because I'm a smutty L/G shipper, not really...it's really more that it would be interesting to see how they approached sex between them, given the characters and the fact that Grace is a little older than Luke.

And i double agree on the fashion, most shows are completely unrealistic, and I get that they're trying to appeal by having "cool clothes", but I usually don't like those overly fashionable clothes, whereas, I noted some very cool outfits from Joan's wardrobe. I loved her scarfs.

Good point, I think that enhances their appeal, there's not boring, but they encapsulate a real life relationship a lot more accurately.

Just Peachy.

I nearly described JoA as a teen drama as well but while the characters may fit that title, show and stories didn't feel like a teen drama.


No that's an interesting point. Especially since Grace wanted to keep their relationship a secret.

I mean I fashion. But to watch some shows and see "school kids" trot off to school with a Louis Vuitton handbag it does make you question how they can afford such a bag.

I loved Joan's skirts and dresses in the late part of S1 and S2.

colorful_dust

I really would have loved to see that too, I suppose if we had gotten another season we would have. I have wondered about when that would have come up, etc.

Exactly! All the couples were just so normal, but not dull at all. That's pretty rare to find.



I LOVED the way Joan dressed, she always looked so cute with her dresses, boots, scarves. She had a signature style but one that a regular teenager would have.

Just Peachy.

Another thing that I liked was that Helen and Will looked and acted like real parents. You know how you see all these parents on tv and they like the older brother/sister then the parents.

colorful_dust

Good point. They were there for their kids and looked after them. I never felt like I was watching one of those shows where all the kids live in a parentless world.

Just Peachy.

I know they'd just go out without asking if they can go out or the parent/s were oblivous to whats going on.

clueless01

No, the parents' presence was very much felt. my only complaint was that once you added in the will storylines, there was a parent overload. But, the parents when relating to the kids directly was superbly done. They were, like you guys said, real parents.

shadowcrawler05

I always liked the parental relationships on this show. I'd even go so far as to say that the parents of the other kids on the show (well, Adam and Grace, at least, and Glynis, her mom was at the parent-teacher night thing) were also actively involved in their childrens' lives, to a certain extent. Adam's father clearly loved him and supported his art, obvious by the fact that he didn't seem to care that Adam would cut school now and then to work on it. Which, okay, that's not the best parenting decision in the whole world, but it came from the right intentions. He wasn't on screen much, but you could always tell he was trying to do the best he could, given their situation.

I absolutely loved the relationship dynamic between Grace and her parents and wish we would have gotten to see more of it on screen. There was an obvious love there, but it was coupled with pain, shame, and disappointment of having an alcoholic parent.

What a great show. There really hasn't been anything that could compare. The closest I can think of as far as a good parent/child dynamic is Eureka. Psych also has a great father/son dynamic, but the son is an adult so it doesn't really count with what we're talking about here.

Also, totally agree that Will's plots sort of sent things into overload. I can dig that BHall wanted to parallel Joan's story with the darker side of life, but so often the police storylines were very lazy and didn't actually parallel Joan at all. My favorites were the early season one plots, through Jump, because they were all connected by the corruption in the city. I really think they should have drawn that out a little more, because once it was over, they really, well, sucked hard.

Just Peachy.

Another thing that I liked about JoA and I know that this has been mentioned a lot of the years is the messages in each episode. For me it really made me stop and think about how to treat people and how one can help someone to help them and not benefit yourself.

I never liked the police storylines and as I watched most eps on DVD I have to confess that I fast forward through them .... if I wanted a Police show I've got plenty to chose from here!

Just Peachy.

Just thought I'd give this a

We've finally got Eli Stone here (just watched the Pilot). I really like it and a part of me couldn't help but not compare some of it to JoA.

clueless01

Never heard of that show. What makes it comparable to JoA?