If you are interested in reading my reviews for Cedar Cove season 3, follow the links below:

Premiere

“A Helping Hand”

“Something’s Gotta Give”

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”

“Civil War”

“Batter Up”

“Runaway”

“The Good Fight”

“Engagements”

“Getting to Know You Part 1”

“Getting to Know You Part 2”

This is the first season of Cedar Cove in which I was given exclusive access to each episode before it aired to the general public. Never one to shirk such a great honor, I reviewed each episode faithfully and much to the delight of the fans, actors, and the network itself.  It is hard to believe that the season has concluded and that my weekly reviews are over, but I do look forward to more from season four (which I do hope they will announce very soon).

By way of a sort of tribute, I decided to recognize every person I could in regards to Cedar Cove as this has been a show that has affected me deeply in  more ways than any kind of entertainment medium ever has.  I cannot begin to share my eternal gratitude with all those who are responsible for this unique show, but I shall certainly do my best.

Debbie Macomber

First of all, this show would be nothing without the author and creator of this series–Debbie Macomber. Three years ago,  a show was advertised on Hallmark, and it was her name that drew me to it. Because of my Pacific Northwest heritage, I knew she was a local author. I even thought I had read some of her books (I discovered I was wrong but quickly remedied that). Her passion for simple tales involving characters who are authentic and replete with their share of foibles is what drives this show. I can hardly wait to meet this wonderful woman later on this month and thank her personally for the show which has turned my world upside down in the most refreshing way. It is always a treat to see her featured in an episode of her own beloved series, and Hallmark did just that last season and this season.

Timothy Webber as “Moon”

There is nothing quite like “Moon” in any series I have ever seen, and Timothy Webber is the man who brings this quirky but wise man to life. I remember last season when I first saw his name on the signed script I received from a contest win.  All too often, he is known only by his character’s name, and sometimes his real name is forgotten. While he may not receive his due as an actor, his character’s presence in the show is something incredibly distinctive, and his fan base may be more extensive than most imagine. From imparting the value of what matters in this world to the precious humor and sometimes even competitive spirit, I thank Timothy for his heartfelt  and comical portrayal of this cherished character.

Part of this season was spent discovering new characters and actors as Cedar Cove boasted almost a cast of thousands this year. (Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit, but there were plenty of new characters with whom to connect, and it was sometimes overwhelming to keep the story lines straight but very much worth it.) One unexpected connection was that of Tara Wilson who portrayed Gloria, the daughter whom Corey and Roy had put up for adoption many years ago. I wasn’t taken with Gloria much until nearly the end of the season. Not because she wasn’t an impressive character but due to the fact that I was distracted by my favorites. When Gloria caught my eye, I decided to include her in my review. Much to my amazement, not only did Tara Wilson comment so sweetly on my review, but she followed me as well. Since that time, I have been attempting to discover more of her works, and so in this way, I have made an unanticipated but welcome connection.

Sarah Jane Redmond (Corrie), Mike Dopud (Roy)

And I am in the process of exploring more in the world of Sarah-Jane Redmond and Mike Dopud as they really sparkled in the finale. I’m still new to their world of acting, but I have to admit that I like what I saw in Cedar Cove this past season.

Also new was Anna Van Hooft who played Linnette, and she also stole my heart in the last few episodes as her character finally became more than just a perky, kind girl with no backbone. I especially liked her as she spoke sharply to her depressed roommate and dealt with the fallout of learning she had a sister she never knew about after all these years. Finally, Linnette has become a character with substance. And hey, she thinks Warren is cute so she can’t be all bad!

The return of Elyse Levesque was sincerely embraced this season. I remember her fondly from season two when she left for New York with her boyfriend, and my mom and I both cried along with Grace. Having Elyse back was perfect as we watched her character support her mom through relationship and wedding issues.  I always found Elyse strikingly beautiful as well as a natural actress.

Of course, there were more difficult “sells” on my list as a result of her character’s return. I admired the actor who originally played John, Maryellen’s reluctant boyfriend, but for whatever reason, he was replaced on this season’s show.  I have to admit I was thoroughly unimpressed at first, but that was my prejudice speaking more than anything else. Whenever a character is replaced with another actor, I think that is one of the most challenging things ever for an actor. And Giles Panton was in this position. I remember only including him initially in my review because he was Maryellen’s boyfriend. As I saw it, I had no choice but to include him.

Ultimately, I decided to open my mind and give the poor guy a chance. Giles himself may not have realized just how much I didn’t want to like his portrayal of John, and thankfully I looked beyond any preconceived notions. I am grateful I did because I have since developed an acquaintanceship with Giles that has been mutually beneficial. Although he portrays John differently than I was accustomed to, I truly cannot complain about his portrayal. And by the time the finale rolled around, I discovered he had so become this character that I was glad I had dismissed my biases. As far as I’m concerned, I believe that Giles is not only a fantastic and sensitive actor, but he is also a warm and gentle human being. I couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role of John Bowman now.

Dylan Neal as Jack & Julia Benson as Jeri

Julia Benson is another character I found more than slightly distasteful, but she had some stupendous scenes this past season  As Jack’s ex-wife, she played her role impeccably.  She and Andie had a hilariously perfect scene together which gave Olivia one of her best lines ever. A part of me wonders if they are done with Jeri or not. Regardless, I wouldn’t mind seeing her return since she is no longer a threat to Jack and Olivia.

Jesse Hutch (Luke), Sarah Smyth (Justine)

There were an abundance of changes this season concerning my favorite young couple, Luke and Justine. Justine’s new look this season was fabulous–indeed Sarah is a knockout. And her character certainly produced some classic moments with her beloved.  But her scenes with Warren and Kelly (Warren’s wife/ex-wife) were absolutely her best moments of the season. She handled her Uncle Will pretty brilliantly too. Unfortunately, she and Jesse’s character are a part of the season three cliffhanger. But no trouble. I believe something good will happen for them.

Jesse Hutch, Darryl Shuttleworth

One of the most remarkable connections I made this season was with Jesse Hutch. After much resistance throughout season two, I finally fell for his character. I was Team Seth and Justine all the way, but I couldn’t deny that Luke was an exceptional addition to the cast.  It was one of my friends who began to persuade me about how good Luke was for Justine (thank you Sheila), and so I decided that this couple deserved my complete support. And it was about that time that I began to realize what a character Jesse is. If you have never watched one of his raucously entertaining instagram videos, you don’t know what you’re missing! My mom now knows that if she overhears a masculine voice being silly on my phone, she doesn’t even have to ask–she knows I’m watching yet another Jesse Hutch production. And then I typically entertain everyone in my family with his video

But Jesse is oh so much more than that. I pledged my full support to one of his projects, and it was shortly after that when I noticed he was following me. Actually, I thought I was seeing things when I first saw that, and I fully expected him to recognize his mistake and unfollow me. I still check now and then because sometimes it boggles my mind that he follows me, a mere fan.  But I’m glad he does, and every time I get a response from him, it’s a cause for celebration.

One of the things I appreciate about Jesse so much is how his faith guides everything in his life. In fact, it was after a very long message he posted on Instagram about his faith that I became a loyal fan for life. It is sometimes exceptional in the world of entertainment to find one who veraciously follows his faith, but in Jesse’s case, I really believe he does. And for me, that is the most important thing on this earth. And it causes me to be even more fiercely devoted to him and his career.  Even though his character has undoubtedly struggled towards the end of this season and he is a part of the cliffhanger, I think it is safe to say that the writers aren’t through with Luke by a long shot.

Does it get any sweeter than Barbara Niven and Bruce Boxleitner? I have revered this couple from season one, but it was this season where I made a veritable connection with both of these gifted actors.  While #TeamBeldon was featured on almost every episode this season,  it just didn’t seem like Cedar Cove whenever they were missing.

I grew to love Barbara last season because of the story her character Peggy told.  I will never forget season two when she slapped her tormentor after so many years of letting him win. This year was a much more subdued Peggy, but she was still just as vibrant and angelic as ever.  And it was during the filming of Cedar Cove when my true admiration for her bubbled to overflowing. She is always one who promotes the other actors of the show and often takes pictures with them much to the gratification of us fans. The day she “forced” Sebastian (Cowboy Cliff) to make a video with her, I was absolutely ecstatic to the nth degree.  She became a true advocate for him and his character, and I was even happier when she said that she agreed that Grace’s breaking off the engagement was not Cliff’s fault but she had to say her line anyway–I believe I audibly cheered after she admitted that! Any time another actor promotes another, I am overjoyed, but when one promotes the actor that I care about most deeply, I become an even more devoted fan than I already was. So thank you, Barbara, for just being the delightfully sweet, warm, and gracious woman you are. You will never know just how much your life and words have touched me.

It is true that Bruce is not as active on social media as some of the Cedar Cove actors, and I used to think that meant that he really didn’t know who the fans were. It is a rarity to get him to notice a tweet, but even rarer to get a reply. And so in many ways, while I loved his character on the show, I figured there wasn’t a whole lot of point to keep contacting him. I figured he didn’t know who I was.

Little did I know just how wrong I was. When I sent out greetings to the cast concerning my birthday (I’m strange in that I sent out awards to the entire cast in honor of my birthday), he responded by wishing me a happy birthday, and suddenly I realized my perception of him was erroneous. Don’t ever underestimate Bruce, for I tend to think he knows more than what may we may think about who supports the show and what’s going on amongst the fans. While he may not always respond, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t notice. And that’s something this cast as a whole has taught me. Don’t ever assume that the actors don’t know what’s going on just because they are quiet about it. In fact, some of the “quietest” ones probably know more than the active ones.  And I will admit it’s nice to know that Bruce realizes I am a big supporter of the show. It’s funny–I think my mom has finally learned Bruce’s name. For so long, I had to keep saying “Scarecrow” for her to know who I was talking about.

Lest I forget about the people behind the scenes, there is one with whom I have connected since last season. Pam Slay has heard from me a lot over this season. Last season, it was a cyberbullying issue, but this season it was much more innocuous. Meet the lady who heard from me every time the “screener” for Cedar Cove was not available for me to watch. There were times I was really worried that I wouldn’t get to review the episodes, but every time, this dear lady came through. I cannot begin to imagine all that she does for Hallmark, but my interactions with her have always been genuine, professional, and sweet. Her kindness and encouragement to me have meant so much, and she knows what an ardent supporter I am of Cedar Cove and other Hallmark works. I sometimes felt bad having to go to her about the screeners not being up, but she always did her best to quickly rectify the situation. Here’s hoping that season four will be even better, and maybe she and I can devise a way to bring even more media attention to the show.

Cindy Busby (Rebecca)

From the moment Cindy Busby joined the cast last season as Rebecca Jennings, the assistant district attorney with an attitude, she became an integral part of the show.  Last season, I wasn’t too pleased to see her come along. In fact, I despised Rebecca more than I ever did Warren. However, Cindy played her so perfectly, so I never had an issue with her.  And this season, Cindy brought even more to this character, and her interactions with Colin Ferguson were some of my favorite of the whole season.  As far as Cindy herself goes, there is one tweet she sent me during the filming of the show that meant more to me than anything else.  While Cindy is not typically as active on Twitter as some of the actors, when she is, I always make it a point to promote her. Once in a while, I even respond. When I sent her an award in honor of my birthday, she responded by thanking me for being so encouraging. I seriously took that to heart as one of my self-proclaimed missions is to be a source of encouragement for the Cedar Cove cast. I felt that her response was an affirmation that I am just that even if what I say and do it not always officially recognized.

Cameron Bancroft as Will

Now let me set this one up. I never ever ever ever liked Olivia’s brother, Will. I didn’t care who played the part. He was after Grace, and one of my favorite episodes had been when Cliff knocked him out. I couldn’t believe that Will was going to be an intrinsic part of season three. I detested the character so much that I wouldn’t even give poor Cameron Bancroft a chance. I was so incensed whenever his character was on the screen, so I only mentioned him in my reviews. I always said I was keeping an open mind, but I made it clear that all the enmity I had originally had for Warren was being placed on Will’s shoulders.

The moment that changed everything was one evening when I happened to go to his twitter account and notice that he was saying he wasn’t going to be tweeting much. I had been loathe to follow him on twitter anyway, but I thought I’d be nice and encourage him to be on twitter more. After all, that was my job, right? Imagine my amazement when not only did Cameron respond, but he praised my reviews. Immediately, all my defenses were cast aside, and I decided it was time to give Will a fair chance.  I think I had noticed that Cameron honestly played the part well, but I didn’t want to like Will. Unfortunately, Cameron’s kind words softened my heart towards the character, and now, although Will isn’t my favorite character, I have actually defended him to other fans, and I have realized what a good actor Cameron is. If you read my reviews, you will notice when the change occurred.  Andie MacDowell was right. Cameron is a sweetheart even though he plays a role that is pretty lazy and sorely misguided.  On a side note, my mom never liked Will, but she told me that Cameron played him well. Amazing how insightful she was even before I was.

Teryl Rothery as Grace

In season one, when the character of Grace walked onto the screen, I instantly connected with her. I had no idea who Teryl Rothery was, but the personality of her character is similar to mine. I could also identify with having an unwanted divorce and a sweet daughter–both things resonate with my experiences.  And once Cliff came along, I lived for every moment I saw them on screen together. And all this before I knew who either of the actors were.

This was the season when Cliff and Grace finally married. Yes, they had their share of tumult, but the end was worth it.  Teryl is quite a busy lady, and she doesn’t always make it onto social media.  But this year I learned a lot more about her and even some of her past roles.  She has always so appreciated my promotions of “my favorite couple” (Cliff and Grace, if you didn’t know), and I look forward to seeing her part continue to expand in the next season.  From one busy lady to another, thanks for putting your heart into all you do Teryl!

Laura Mennell, Brennan Elliott

I realize Laura Mennell was only on two episodes this year, but this is an actress who constantly impresses me, and she is always appreciative of my support. As Kelly, Warren’s wife, she couldn’t have been better cast. Laura is one of those actresses who can play anything they give her with such conviction and prowess, and it was a delight to see here in Cedar Cove for a change. I hope with all of my heart that they bring her back even though her character is now Warren’s ex-wife. Stranger things have happened. I loved seeing her and Brennan Elliott work together yet again, and this was one of the smartest guest spots all season, at least in my opinion.

Speaking of small parts, Hayley Sales appeared as Shelly only in the premiere, and then she was never heard from again. She and Tom Stevens (Eric) made a cute couple, and I would love to see both of them come back to at least visit next year (especially Hayley).  I applauded the strength Hayley always brought to her character, and after all, doesn’t Jack miss seeing his granddaughter? Hopefully, they will visit next season because Hayley is not only a fabulous singer, but she is an amazing actress.

Colin Ferguson as Paul

Okay, speaking of guest stars, let’s talk about the special guest star this season that really shook things up. From the moment I heard about Colin Ferguson playing Paul Watson, I was determined to not like him. And I mean that. I was critical of everything he did, and I refused to believe anything good that any of the other actors said about him. I was anti-Colin big time! Oh I followed him, and I was kind enough to not let everyone know openly how I felt about him. I refused to be overly complimentary of his acting, and in the review of the premiere, I only mentioned him in passing. No way was I going to let another actor play a character that could conceivably steal Olivia from Jack. And so I judged Colin something fierce, and I refused to see him as anything but an interloper.

Well, Barbara Niven told me I needed to keep an open mind when I mentioned I wasn’t sure of Colin’s character being on the show. She said he’d grow on me. Why is it that I have to be so nice and open my heart like I do? It wasn’t too long before I discovered just what an extraordinary actor Colin was. He was so much fun to watch when he and Andie were in scenes together. He brought a light-hearted quality which was so much appreciated as things in the show tend to get pretty serious at times. I loved seeing his character with Alex (I’ll get to her a minute), and I hoped those two would become an item. But there was something between his character and Olivia that I knew didn’t bode well for Jack. Even so, I fell in love with Colin’s portrayal of Paul. I almost didn’t know it happened.

Unfortunately, Olivia kind of fell for Paul without knowing it too, and the finale was the time when Colin displayed his true acting expertise. I never thought he could handle an emotional scene, but he did. And it was absolutely perfect.  At the end of the finale, I found myself conflicted. I have always been team Olivia and Jack, but now I wasn’t sure if that was best for Olivia. I have to say I’m still rooting for Jack and Olivia, but I don’t want to see Paul leave the series. I also don’t want to see his heart get broken. I cried with both Paul and Olivia when he confessed his love for her. Although I have not interacted with Colin very much, I sense he might be trying to come out of his shell, and there is no doubt in my mind that he deserves a place in the happenings of Cedar Cove.

Rebecca Marshall as Alex

Let’s talk about the captivating Rebecca Marshall with whom I am totally enraptured this season. During season two, her character Alex was after Cliff, and so I didn’t like her much. I was worried that she might be a threat. When, however, that threat was removed this season, she got a makeover, and she left for the world of business, I was pretty blown away. Having Alex and Warren work side by side was pure dynamite this season, and even having her and Jack connect was an intriguing plot twist. I was worried for a while that Alex might try to claim Jack’s affection, but in the end, it was Paul who attracted her attention.  Watching the confident, sweet, sassy, and no-nonsense Alex in action each week was sheer delight, And it is Rebecca’s portrayal of this character that kept us all spellbound. Last season, Alex was merely a 2-dimensional character with whom I couldn’t connect even if I had wanted to. However, this season, the writers gave Rebecca fantastic material to deliver, and it was her interpretation of this role and corresponding dialogue that made me absolutely love her character. She crafted Alex into the beguiling woman she has become, and I greatly anticipate continuing to see her work in  season four.

On a personal note, Rebecca has been one with whom I love to interact. As I dismissed any prejudices I had concerning last season, I was amazed to discover that this woman is warm, complimentary, and exceptionally kind to her fans. On more than one occasion, she thanked me for the wonderful support I gave to the show and the special words I wrote about her character. I know that the actors always appreciate my review, but having Rebecca tell me on more than one occasion was truly a boost to my spirits. Indeed, I am not only a devoted fan of her work on Cedar Cove, but I am branching out and discovering even more of her amazing contributions to the entertainment world.

Lest anyone think I have been avoiding Jack, you are completely wrong. I have been a Jack fan from the beginning, and I valued the fact that this show dealt with alcoholism in just the way it did. Dylan Neal is a consummate fit for the role, and even though Jack was “drawn” a little differently this season, Dylan is still the astounding actor that brings him to life. In the beginning of the season, I was very concerned about him, but as time went on, I began to see the old Jack that I knew and loved. While the cliffhanger is a tough one, I still am rooting for Jack and Olivia. Ultimately, I believe they belong together, and no matter what, Dylan plays him flawlessly. There is still nothing like the chemistry between him and Andie–I never tire of seeing them together.

Safe to say that Dylan and I have an unusual twitter relationship. He knows he can always count on me for full support in all his endeavors, but he also knows that I “get” his humor and have no fear whatsoever firing back when necessary. Since he is also a writer, I value his feedback highly, and I know it never comes from compulsion.  While he is not the absolute top actor in my heart (sorry, that was occupied long ago), his benevolent words are always a special treat as his schedule doesn’t always permit him to participate in Twitter conversations as much as some.  But never underestimate his knowledge of what is going on or being said.  He may not always respond, but he typically keeps up with current events and fan discussion.

On a side note, it is Dylan and Brennan (whom I will cover in a moment) who truly are responsible for a very delectable memory that occurred right towards the end of the season. Well, it also included my dear friend Anna, too. In short, I knew Anna was going to see an episode of Home and Family where Brennan, Colin, and Barbara were supposed to be the guests. At the last minute, Dylan replaced Barbara. I had told Anna to tell Brennan “hi” from me.  But you know, I wasn’t expecting she’d get the chance to do that, and I wasn’t sure if she’d remember. It’s just one of those things you say.

Well, Anna was so sweet to take me seriously. When she met both Brennan and Dylan, she actually did bring me up in the conversation. And the fact that (in Anna’s words) their faces lit up with recognition at my name (and I understand Dylan even was curious where I was from) meant an incredible amount to me. I know, I know, how could they not know who I am? But there is still that part of me that sometimes wonders if the actors are just being nice and indulging me. I know that sounds ridiculous, but once in a while I still have my doubts. Indeed I am forever grateful for Anna’s inclusion of me in this experience. I feel as though I virtually met these two sensational guys.  Oh well, maybe one day…

Andie MacDowell as Olivia

Let’s talk Andie MacDowell, shall we? She has the distinction of being the first cast member to ever tweet me back, and I have always understood that her character is at the very heart of the show. Although I was a fan of hers during season two, it has been season three where I truly discovered and appreciated her talent. It began on the day Andie followed me on twitter.  When that happens, I always feel a genuine compulsion to go out of my way to support that person.  In so doing, I learned more about her as well as her movies that I had missed for most of my life.  Again, it was Anna’s influence and guidance that taught me so much about Andie, and after months of work to ascertain who Andie really is and what her true passions are, I began to get more responses from her.  I began to review her works, and she was always complimentary. And I felt like I was drawn into a special “inner circle” that included Anna and a few others here and there.

The pinnacle for me was this summer when I was contacted by Huffington Post Live to ask her an interview question live in a webcast. For the first time, Andie and I were able to see each other (Anna was there too–it was a marvelous experience), and it meant so much when she instantly knew who I was as her face lit up with a smile. As she grew busier, I wasn’t always sure if she had the time to read the reviews I had written of her movies and  Cedar Cove. But one evening, she proved me wrong on that point, too. I would never attempt to usurp anyone’s position with Andie, but it is so nice that she views me as a genuinely kind person who also writes exceptionally well. Over the course of this season, she has come to occupy a very special place in my affections, and I will admit that I long for the day when I can meet her face to face as well.

Warren Saget (Brennan Elliott)

If you ever read my twitter feed or my Cedar Cove reviews, you probably know exactly how I feel about Warren and the man who brings him to life, Brennan Elliott. What you may not know is that as much as I love Warren now, I used to loathe him. Once in a while, I see some of the tweets I sent during season two, and I find myself cringing at just how cruel I was. And don’t even mention the first time Brennan Elliott send me a tweet. Oh my, I had responded to a tweet about Warren before season two began, and the person had said something about Warren changing, and I said that I would believe it when I see it. I didn’t realize that he was tagged on the tweet, and at some point later, I received a response, and I was terrified. I realized that this was the actor who played him, and I had said something not too flattering about his character. And now he responded? I remember not knowing what I should do–in fact I don’t even remember what I did except that I looked up this Brennan Elliott and thought I should at least follow him and try to figure out why on earth someone would want to even play a guy like a Warren Saget.

Well, this was the season when everything changed. I was out of the loop with Brennan for a while, but once I returned, I became a very staunch supporter of his. And he has been the most supportive of my reviews. Every review I wrote was always promoted by him, and on occasion, he even commented on them. (I have to admit, that was always the best. If Brennan took the time to offer a comment on my review, I knew I had really outdone myself.)  It definitely didn’t take me long to rise to the status of one of Brennan’s top supporters, and it was this season’s Warren who ultimately became my favorite character of the season. The struggle each week in my reviews was to devise a new way of saying just how phenomenal Brennan was as Warren. But my understanding is that his favorite description of Warren was “charmingly flawed.” (Okay, I don’t even remember writing that, I’ll be honest. But Brennan said I did, so I suppose it’s true.)

During the course of the season, I felt that my allegiance on Saturday nights was to Brennan’s twitter page, so that is where I would hang out for the most part. If I had time to tweet something else, I would. And some nights, those tweets kept me so busy that I went to “Twitter jail” a few times. Tweeting with Brennan every Saturday night was such a joy as I think we both always tried to find a way to say something nice that would nearly render the other speechless (okay so maybe that was just me–yes Brennan did that a few times to me, I admit).

There are a couple of instances though over the course of the season that I count amongst the topmost memories. The night he said he would not be tweeting with the East coast, and so I nicely didn’t tag him lest his feed go crazy. And as I was going along on my normal tweeting, and suddenly I get this tweet where he singled me out essentially asking where I was (oh but only in the way Brennan can). I honestly had to do a double-take in case I misread the tweet. That’s okay, I went crazy filling up his feed later in retaliation.  And then there was the night my daughter and I attended the Taylor Swift concert. I made it clear I wouldn’t be around, but I just felt so bad that I wasn’t tweeting. I tried to come on, and everyone (including Brennan) said they missed me. I felt like I wasn’t doing my job. I remember when Brennan essentially told me to stop tweeting and enjoy myself as I had earned it. Honestly, had he not done that, I probably would have kept tweeting, but once he told me not to, I didn’t. Oh, I really do go to an extreme, don’t I?

But I will say that when it comes to actors, Brennan is about as far up on the totem pole as one could go–at least in my opinion. It is so easy to throw my support behind an actor who is so humble, talented, and truly a sweetheart.  His words of encouragement to me this season (and beyond) are some I will truly cherish.

Lest twitterville and beyond doubt my sincere devotion to the man who plays Cliff Harting, all I can say is–you must be kidding! If you don’t know, this is the man who goes beyond any list or any ranking.  This is the man whom I say is my all-time favorite actor, but he is oh so much more than that. Sebastian Spence is my dearest friend, and it’s safe to say that without him and his encouragement, I wouldn’t be writing this post at all. Goodness, I may not be writing at all. I can’t even begin to put into words the way he has impacted my life, but let me just hit the highlights.

As I’ve mentioned in other blog posts in the past, I was drawn to Cliff and Grace from season one. I didn’t know what I liked about Cliff–cowboys have never been my taste, I must admit. Most Westerns were just mediocre. When I began connecting with the other cast members, I visited his page, and I was absolutely stunned! Come now– a Canadian playing an American cowboy? You had to be kidding! And his name was Sebastian Spence? Wait a minute, the only Sebastian I ever knew came from The Little Mermaid. I confess to my reluctance in tweeting him, but it wasn’t long before he won me over. (Honestly, it didn’t take much persuasion on his part. He is quite a charming salesman after all.) Well, the rest is but a whirlwind as our friendship took off like I would never have imagined. And on a whim, I wrote a review of one of his movies. Oh, dear, did I ever have to work to get him to see that, and had it not been for one of my friend’s insistence (thank you Mon!), Sebastian would never have seen my review at all. It was his response that caused me to realize that this gift of writing was something I needed to use and not just let it lay dormant. And use it I did.

I could probably fill an entire book with stories of how Sebastian has touched my life and how I’ve touched his, and it is this show that always brings back those fond memories (and even the ones that are not so fond).  While I love all the cast of this show, Sebastian and I connect on a level that goes beyond anything I’ve ever known. Sure, I’m easily his number one fan, but that goes beyond his movies and television shows. While I can’t speak for him, I can say that from my perspective, I have never connected with anyone on the level and in the way he and I do. While my fierce devotion to him easily spills over into my reviews (I know, who else would spend a paragraph talking about how amazing he is when he only has one line in an episode?), know that professionally speaking, what I say about Sebastian is absolutely true and with as little bias as I can muster.  For me, Sebastian is the most considerate, long-suffering, charitable, encouraging, friendly, and truly lovely person I have ever known. I long for the day when I will officially meet him as well.

Sometimes, I am asked what my review process is. People are amazed that I am not overly critical of anything I see.  You might even wonder, dear reader, if I stretch the truth so that I can promote the show better.  Some probably even think that I am far too subjective to give a hard-hitting review.

Well, here’s my philosophy. First of all, this world is full of so much negativity. Everywhere you turn, people are tearing something or someone down. Most of the reviews I have read online are filled with such cutting words and are often written from a place that implies that the reviewer began with the predisposition that he or she wasn’t going to like what was shown in the first place. I can’t tell you how many times I have yelled when reading reviews of things I enjoy and even don’t enjoy because the reviewer absolutely demolished the people and work involved.

When I make a decision to review something, I approach the work with the expectation that what I am about to see is going to be incredible.  There may be parts that I don’t like, but hopefully I will find enough I do like to write a stellar review. Whatever I do not like is either not worth mentioning or needs to be clothed in kindness and understanding that there are many variables that affect a work like this: budget, illness, writing, directing, focus, motive–so much to take into consideration. And at the end of the day, each one of these actors is a real person with feelings and lives. Therefore, my words have the power to tear down and build up. With all the negativity out there, shouldn’t I be one who come along and builds another person up? I see it all the time in the classroom. If I can find one positive thing in a student and latch onto that, is entirely probably that the student will be willing to rise to the occasion. If, however, my focus is on the negative, that’s all I’m going to get from the student. I know very well that there are ways to say things in a review that show that maybe I didn’t like something as well as another, but I don’t tear someone down. And that is what I always want to be known for–positive, upbeat reviews that build up rather than tear down.

Above everything else, I have met some of the most wonderful friends online through Cedar Cove.  I’m sure I have forgotten many of them, but here are just a few:

For me, Cedar Cove will always be an intensely special series to me. Not everyone can say that a television series changed their lives, but in this case, there is no doubt.  I will continue to implore Hallmark Channel for a season four, five, six, seven, and so on. The cast and crew involved with this extraordinary show is a rare group of talented, sweet, supportive, and genuine people. Long Live Cedar Cove!!

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