"John from Cincinnati" (2007)TV series

It is difficult to say enough good things about this series. The ensemble cast gives new meaning to the term; there hasn't been as wacky and as wonderful a cast since Firefly. There are standouts -- if Rebecca de Mornay and Ed O'Neill are not nominated for Emmys something is very wrong indeed -- but pretty much every one of the actors is spot-on.

Many people will probably comment about the odd paranormal events that start to happen when John arrives on the scene. Many theories will be generated about who John is and what he does to "cause" them. I see things a different way. The magic of this series, and the brilliance of its writing, is that despite the title it really isn't *about* John. John doesn't really cause these extraordinary things to happen to this odd group of people; it's more like his presence allows the odd group of people to realize what is already going on.

There's an old spiritual saying: "Before realization, chop wood and carry water; after realization, chop wood and carry water." Realization isn't about changing anything, it's about noticing what has always already been present. The magic surrounding the extended Yost family has always already been present. You want miracles? It's a miracle that most of them are still alive. But they've been so busy for so long now chopping wood and carrying water that they never realized how much of a miracle their lives were. Around John, they start to realize this.