I was a devout fan of the WB Network and was the target age for shows like ‘Roswell,’ ‘Popular,’ ‘Charmed,’ ‘Felicity,’ and the iconic ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ I found ‘Gilmore Girls’ after it aired, and it became one of my all-time favorite shows.
But there was one program I missed.
‘Everwood’ aired for 4 seasons (2002-2006) during the final stages of The WB. 89 episodes were created by Greg Berlanti and somehow, I had never heard of it until a random suggestion on Amazon Prime. And after my first watch through, it became an instant favorite.
The series blends a typical teen dramedy amidst larger family issues. Toss in some random medical cases and set it against the backdrop of a beautiful mountain town and there it is.
Treat Williams stars as Dr. Andy Brown – a renowned neurosurgeon practicing in New York City. Andy is highly acclaimed for his skills, super rich and confident, and of course, chooses his work over his family. When his wife dies unexpectedly in the first episode, Andy relocates the Brown clan to the quaint Colorado town of Everwood.
There could be no better casting choice for Dr. Andy Brown than Treat Williams. The actor oozes the necessary ingredients for a complex character. A gifted neurosurgeon, Andy Brown is used to the glam lifestyle of Manhattan. While shown to prioritize work over family, we know the character still loves his wife and children, albeit in a non-enviable way. Andy Brown goes through growth over the 4 seasons, professionally and personally. Treat Williams is amazing to witness on screen, and truly is the heart of the series.
The high school drama comes from Andy’s son Ephram (Gregory Smith). Ephram is a gifted pianist, socially awkward, and a typical moody teen. He draws the attention – good and bad – of fellow students Amy Abbott (Emily VanCamp) and her brother Bright (Chris Pratt). The high schoolers go through the standard tropes of the era. Dating, bullying, dealing with parents. There is a much heavier aspect introduced that I won’t spoil here that makes for great intrigue in the early part of the series.
Vivien Cardone plays Delia – Ephram’s younger sister. While not given as much to chew on as the older cast members, the Delia character is fun when time allows. Debra Mooney plays Edna, Andy’s feisty nurse. Stephanie Niznik portrays Nina, his next-door-neighbor. John Beasley plays Edna’s husband, Irv, and provides narration at the bookends of the episodes.
My favorite character (aside from Andy) is Dr. Harold Abbott, played impeccably by Tom Amandes. Dr. Abbott provides depth, wisdom, and comic relief for the story. Amandes looks the part of a small-town doctor, and his ire is rightfully drawn when Andy unintentionally steals his spotlight – among other things, Edna is Dr. Abbott’s estranged mother and Amy and Bright are his kids.
‘Everwood’ excels with its cast, with new additions sliding seamlessly into the mix. In season 3, Sarah Drew was brought in as Hannah, a new classmate of Ephram and Amy. Scott Wolf of ‘Party of Five’ fame joins the cast as Jake Hartman, yet another doctor. Marcia Cross, Sarah Lancaster, Anne Heche, Betty White, James Earl Jones, and J. K. Simmons also show up at times. What’s great is that, despite the popularity of some of the side players, no one steps over the bounds of the main cast.
Like ‘Gilmore Girls’ or ‘Northern Exposure,’ the town of Everwood is a character in and of itself. It’s a small mountain town as Hollywood sees it. A place with massive festivals and a community where everyone knows everyone, and no secret is safe. The beautiful scenery of the fictitious town came courtesy of filming in Denver, South Salt Lake, and Park City.
‘Everwood’ was cancelled after 4 seasons, which may be the perfect time to go out. At 89 episodes its not a daunting task to get through it, and it ends with the viewer wanting more. While the 22-episode seasons of the past can lead to some wasted moments, I was never bored. Episodes are an assortment of drama, coming of age, medical cases, and teenage fun.
A show I had never heard of a month ago is now one of my favorites. I look forward to many more rewatches and am now back to needing another form of entertainment.
