Aaron's Way
| Aaron's Way | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Jeff Baron Steven Baum Christopher Beaumont William Blinn Rena Down Bob Gaydos Neil Levy |
| Directed by | R.W. Goodwin Noel Nosseck Robert Scheerer |
| Starring | Merlin Olsen Belinda Montgomery Samantha Mathis Erin Chase Scott Curtis Kathleen York Jessica Walter Christopher Gartin |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | William Blinn Jerry Thorpe |
| Producers | James H. Brown R.W. Goodwin Bonnie Raskin |
| Editors | Andrew Cohen M. Edward Salier |
| Running time | 60 mins. (approx) |
| Production companies | Blinn/Thorpe Productions Lorimar Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | March 9 – May 25, 1988 |
Aaron's Way is a 1988 American family drama series that aired on NBC. The series stars Merlin Olsen as Aaron Miller, the husband and father of an Amish family that moves to California. The series follows the attempts of family members to adapt to Californian culture while retaining their personal values. Also appearing on the series were Samantha Mathis and Belinda Montgomery.
Synopsis
Aaron Miller's eldest son, Noah, has left the Amish community for the world, but Aaron kept in touch using a post office box. Aaron then learns that Noah died in a surfing accident, and goes to California for the funeral. While there, he learns that Noah had been living with a woman, Susanna Lo Verde, who owns an orchard and is pregnant by Noah.
Aaron returns to Pennsylvania to consider what to do. His wife is surprised that he kept in touch with Noah, and then a relative of Susanna arrives by motorcycle. He relates Susanna's difficulties, and Aaron expresses his opinion to his wife that they needed to go help Susanna.
To Susanna's surprise, the family arrives, and begins helping out while trying to cope with the unfamiliar society and technology. Susanna's mother asks Mrs. Miller if she could make scrapple for breakfast; after tasting it, mother gushes with appreciation, but privately tells Susanna that she didn't care for the dish. The three Miller children are enrolled in the public school system.
Subsequent episodes of this short-lived series deal with the continuing clash (and sometimes complementary meeting) between the Millers and their worldly hosts and neighbours. Aaron's stubborn insistence on the values of integrity and justice bend a few dishonest people their way.
Criticism
The show was described by one scholar as "a pretentious variation on the Beverly Hillbillies;" while former Amish viewers are reported to have called it “disgusting.” [1]
Cast
- Merlin Olsen as Aaron Miller
- Belinda Montgomery as Sarah Miller
- Samantha Mathis as Roseanne Miller
- Erin Chase as Martha Miller
- Scott Curtis as Frank Miller
- Kathleen York as Susannah Lo Verde
- Jessica Walter as Connie Lo Verde
- Christopher Gartin as Mickey Lo Verde
- Pierrino Mascarino as Mr. Benvenuto
Episodes
| Episode # | Episode title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-01 | "The Harvest" (a.k.a. "Circle of Love"), Part 1 | March 9, 1988 |
| 1-02 | "The Harvest" (a.k.a. "Circle of Love"), Part 2 | March 9, 1988 |
| 1-03 | "New Growth" | March 16, 1988 |
| 1-04 | "A Plain Path" | March 23, 1988 |
| 1-05 | "A Healing Power" | March 30, 1988 |
| 1-06 | "Patches of Light" | April 6, 1988 |
| 1-07 | "High Note" | April 13, 1988 |
| 1-08 | "The Men Will Cheer and the Boys Will Shout" | April 20, 1988 |
| 1-09 | "Man and Boy at the Crossing" | April 27, 1988 |
| 1-10 | "Teachers" | May 4, 1988 |
| 1-11 | "Strong Foundations" | May 11, 1988 |
| 1-12 | "Invisible People" | May 15, 1988 |
| 1-13 | "Solid Ground" | May 18, 1988 |
| 1-14 | "New Patterns" | May 25, 1988 |
