Although this premiere TV episode comes across as a high quality big screen production in which it does have its moments there is more to be desired. The TV premiere opens up with a cancer victim named Stella Abbott (Lucy Hale) jetting off to Paris (via the retro like Mary Tyler Moore opening song) to find true love with a British black man named Wes (Elliot Knight) and they quickly get married to enjoy her last few months on planet earth.
Stella's parent love her as do Stella's brother and older sister and all of them have apparently put their lives on a permanent hold pattern to ensure Stella's last days on earth before the big "C" take her away are the most joyous.
The pretense of the series is that after Stella comes home from Paris with her new British beau who she marries she is told that her previously incurable cancer has actually now been miraculously fully cured. Now Stella and her family cannot continue their charade of giving her a carefree life and bountiful love as her dad Paul Abbott (Dylan Walsh) who is a college professor has extended his credit with the banks further than it should have to allow Stella's last few months to feel like a princess.
Now Stella's fairy princess lifestyle and her Prince Charming husband Wes have to come to terms that it is unrealistic to live every day as if it may be their last one together since Stella has been given a new "life sentence" by her Doctor Helena Chang (Anna Enger).
As stated earlier, this premiere episode utilizes a Hollywood style opening Paris scene to draw in the romantics, as well as attempting an Ed Sheeran hit tune to boost the music lovers in all of us but is this sufficient enough fuel to continue watching? I am not sure by simply hitting key demographics such as mixed marriages, cancer survivors, a lesbian mom, a wife stealing brother, and a struggling college professor, what is the actual weekly story going to tell its audience? I think Life Sentence will be done by the time summer hits us and the star Lucy Hale will be looking for another TV career from the one she has here as a barista.
I give the series a 6 out of 10 rating. I just don't feel it lasting. Sorry Stella but I think your days are still numbered so enjoy the TV spotlight this spring while you still can.
