W.O. Mitchell's serial "Jake and the Kid" takes place in the 1930s. 30 years later(1960s), it became a TV series. 30 years later(1990s), it became a TV series again. This latest incarnation is a modern classic that recalls "The Waltons" or "Andy of Mayberry" and, on this side of the 49th, "Wind at My Back" and "Emily of New Moon". Although at first glance the characters seem to be harmful stereotypes(Repeat, the stuttering barber, Moses Lefthand, the token Indian, and Daddy Johnson the dotey elder), the acting is sincere and the scripts, if not written are at least inspired by W.O.. These elements allow the characters to rise above stereotypes and to be developed as real people. For anyone who recalls the Canadian prairies during the first half of the 20th Century, this series will bring back memories as the costumes, set and dialogue is a pseudo-time capsule to 1930 Saskatchewan. This alone is worth watching this charmy-farmy series.
