Aaron's Way is an American family drama series television series that aired on NBC from March 9 to May 25, 1988. It stars Merlin Olsen as Aaron Miller, the husband and father of an Amish family that moves to California. It follows the attempts of relatives to adapt to Californian culture while retaining their personal values. Also appearing on it were Samantha Mathis and Belinda Montgomery.
| Aaron's Way | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Family drama |
| Written by | Jeff Baron Steven Baum Christopher Beaumont William Blinn Rena Down Bob Gaydos Neil Levy |
| Directed by | R.W. Goodwin Noel Nosseck Robert Scheerer |
| Starring | Merlin Olsen Belinda Montgomery Samantha Mathis Erin Chase Scott Curtis Kathleen York Jessica Walter Christopher Gartin |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | William Blinn Jerry Thorpe |
| Producers | James H. Brown R.W. Goodwin Bonnie Raskin |
| Editors | Andrew Cohen M. Edward Salier |
| Running time | 60 minutes (approx) |
| Production companies | Bonnie Raskin Productions Blinn/Thorpe Productions Lorimar-Telepictures |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | March 9 (1988-03-09) – May 25, 1988 (1988-05-25) |
Aaron Miller's eldest son, Noah, has left the Amish community for the world, but Aaron kept in touch with him using a post office box. Aaron then learns that Noah died in a surfing accident, and goes to California for his funeral. While there, he learns that Noah had been living with a woman named Susanna Lo Verde, who owns a vineyard and is pregnant by Noah.
Aaron returns to Pennsylvania to consider what to do. His wife is surprised that he kept in touch with Noah, and then a relative of Susanna arrives by motorcycle. He relates her difficulties, and Aaron expresses his opinion to his wife that they needed to go help her.
To Susanna's surprise, the family arrives, and begins helping out while trying to cope with the unfamiliar society and technology. The three Miller children are enrolled in the public school system.
Subsequent episodes of this short-lived series deal with the continuing clash (and sometimes complementary meeting) between the Millers and their worldly hosts and neighbors. Aaron's dedication to the values of integrity and justice bend a few dishonest people their way.
The show was described by one scholar as "a pretentious variation on the Beverly Hillbillies;" while former Amish viewers are reported to have called it “disgusting.” [1]
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 | "The Harvest: Parts 1 & 2" | Noel Nosseck | Story by : Rena Down Teleplay by : William Blinn & Rena Down | March 9, 1988 (1988-03-09) |
| 3 | "New Growth" | Unknown | Unknown | March 16, 1988 (1988-03-16) |
| 4 | "A Plain Path" | Unknown | Unknown | March 23, 1988 (1988-03-23) |
| 5 | "The Healing Power" | Unknown | Unknown | March 30, 1988 (1988-03-30) |
| 6 | "Patches of Lights" | Unknown | Unknown | April 6, 1988 (1988-04-06) |
| 7 | "High Note" | Unknown | Unknown | April 13, 1988 (1988-04-13) |
| 8 | "The Men Will Cheer and the Boys Will Shout" | Unknown | Unknown | April 20, 1988 (1988-04-20) |
| 9 | "Man and Boy at the Crossing" | Unknown | Unknown | April 27, 1988 (1988-04-27) |
| 10 | "Teachers" | Unknown | Unknown | May 4, 1988 (1988-05-04) |
| 11 | "Strong Foundations" | Unknown | Unknown | May 11, 1988 (1988-05-11) |
| 12 | "Invisible People" | Unknown | Unknown | May 15, 1988 (1988-05-15) |
| 13 | "Solid Ground" | Unknown | Unknown | May 18, 1988 (1988-05-18) |
| 14 | "New Patterns" | Unknown | Unknown | May 25, 1988 (1988-05-25) |