Despite some Lifetime channel overtones and some atrocious musical choices (the theme being the worst offender) Family Law ended up as one of my favourite series of 2021. Jewel Staite plays a disgraced lawyer who's trying to do better and working with her dysfunctional family in their law firm. It's a silly premise but there's buckets of character and Family Law is steeped in this relentlessly pragmatic empathy that's both comforting and addictive. The casting is brilliantly authentic and the Vancouver setting (for once just being itself) feels different. Yes it's cheesy, but not as brash as an American equivalent would be and the writing is snappy and consistent; each new case has a solid point to make and it's woven together by the travails of the Svensson clan. Also, Victor Garber, people. I'm glad they shot another season at the same time and I'm deeply up for more. A true guiltless pleasure.
