When you had any doubts that the sequence may thrive after Candace Cameron Bure’s departure, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: One thing New allayed these fears.
De-aging the characters labored exceptionally nicely, and essentially the most questionable alternative — to retain Marilu Henner as Aurora’s mother, Aida — gave the sequence an sudden tether to the sooner episodes.
There is not any doubt that this was of venture that paid off handsomely for Hallmark Motion pictures & Mysteries.
As soon as upon a time, Bure was Hallmark royalty. There is a purpose that she starred in 29 films between the 2 networks, a report that can quickly see Lacey Chabert, with 27, catching up and bypassing her.
Selecting a alternative for the longest-running thriller franchise could not have been simple with these massive footwear to fill, however Skyler Samuels steps into the function completely.
To get a greater really feel for a way well-suited Samuels is for the function, I watched the sooner Aurora Teagarden films earlier than watching “One thing New.” It had been some time, and it was vital to think about Aurora earlier than the franchise started.
“One thing New” needed to re-establish the entire characters we have recognized so nicely and their relationships for it to make sense. Though they’ve fairly completely different types of performing, it was very simple to consider that this Aurora was the Ro we would come to know.
It did not require Samuels to repeat Bure or to be anybody apart from herself, which is a testomony to the casting director. Their imaginative and prescient was additional cemented by the remainder of the forged.
Evan Roderick as Arthur and Kayla Heller as Sally not solely had the identical vitality as their predecessors, however they labored nicely with Samuels and one another.
It felt just like the clock had actually been dialed again. There wasn’t a hitch. Everyone seems to be rather less jaded and brisker in life and expertise.
And the sudden coup de grace was holding Henner within the function of Aida. One way or the other, she actually does look youthful than she did when the franchise started, and her presence is the glue that ties the brand new actors to the previous. It is fairly good.
The toughest a part of this new journey is discovering new tales that would not have impacted the characters sufficient to hold on to the lives we have already witnessed.
You’d assume that Sally’s engagement ending when her fiance was carted away in handcuffs may need had that form of impact, however the film ended with a caveat: they have been by no means to talk Matt’s title once more.
Thank goodness for that!
It was one other gamble, centering the primary crime Ro and Arthur solved along with the brand new forged round one among their very own. Wanting analyzing all earlier materials for any point out of their youth, this was a superb guess.
Ro is residence from faculty to check for her grasp’s. She’s simply getting reacquainted with Aida and residing below her roof as a household once more. The easiest way to introduce her budding investigation abilities was by specializing in somebody near her.
Who higher than her finest pal?
Aurora’s concern about Sally getting married after understanding a person for a matter of months and standing by her it doesn’t matter what confirmed how a lot she cares for her pal, simply establishing these to be the Ro and Sally we have come to know.
Arthur, as a brand new recruit to the police division, could be extra prepared to interact with Ro’s theories, too.
He is thirsty for information, eagerly studying Aurora’s true crime strategies, and the 2 use what they’ve realized collectively to resolve against the law instantly affecting their pal.
Sally comes out wanting the worst with the brand new case, however as soon as she noticed purpose, she shortly pivoted and confirmed Matt the door — not that she had a alternative, as he was being led away in handcuffs.
However the entire characters’ actions have been on par with the folks they’d change into. They’re younger and discovering their approach and do not know what number of circumstances lay forward of their crime-solving future!
It is also a problem to put in writing materials that may tease romantic relationships after we know the place the characters are heading.
Aurora has up to now and get to know folks. She did as a lot earlier than she met and married Nick.
However discovering a stability between folks she will date and who the viewers will not get connected to goes to be a particular dance the writers will cope with because the sequence continues.
Daniel, a budding chef that works with Aurora on the diner, has already taken a liking to her. They by no means made it on a date, however the possibility is hanging on the market like ripe fruit.
He was even astute sufficient to query whether or not Arthur had emotions for Aurora, which supplied the proper alternative to close down any unrequited emotions between the previous pals.
I am glad they addressed that shortly as a result of regardless of the friendship between Aurora and Arthur, Samuels and Rodering do look cute collectively, and their recent tackle established characters did beg the query if there was one thing extra between them.
If that future wasn’t set in stone, it would not be exhausting to get on a RoArthur ‘ship. Alas, it’s, and we won’t.
The case we want by no means converse of once more labored wonders to create new and lasting bonds between Aurora, Sally, and Arthur, and the stage is ready for a lot of extra mysteries to come back.
Properly earlier than the film launched, followers have been able to usher within the new technology with open arms. Now, we are able to fortunately report that “One thing New” was an amazing success.
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Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a workers author and critic for TV Fanatic. She’s a member of the Critic’s Selection Affiliation, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of tv and movie with anybody who will pay attention. Observe her on Twitter and e-mail her right here at TV Fanatic.
