I voted 7 because I just can't stand Jackie. The "recovering" alcoholic mother with the annoying enabling teenage daughter (Mariah) and that says a lot for the actors because I work in the mental health/substance abuse field and those people could walk in to my office any day, that's how accurately they play their parts. I just love this show, I never miss it (thank goodness for our DVR/genie) and I sure hope they will have a 2nd season at least. I enjoy the whole thing, the family setting, Allison's patience and toughness, Matt's occasional outbursts of humanness (as when he had to give up his office for the queen of me-me-me Jackie) the slow change in Cameron, the loveliness and kindness of the resident teenagers. Thank you UP for giving us this series, I usually wait for the Sunday night movies, this was a pleasant surprise. Please give us a season 2.
23 Reviews
A family feel good, only 1 season- probably due to the lacking in scriptwriting.
y_veety18 January 2024
The writing and direction of the show leave a lot to be desired, especially when there are key actors that have skills, but aren't given chance to fully showcase their talent.
Could have been a hit with the right team of writers and crew. Felt amateur from the first episode. I watched it for Kelli Williams as her acting was diverse and solid in Lie to Me. It was a great entry level for the young actors. Characters lacked depth, except for the lead, again this shows the weak writing. I've read better developed scripts at film schools. Could have really been something. I can see why it wasn't renewed for second season. It does feel unfinished, and the last episode is really where it could have taken off in a new season had it been strong enough to convince producers and network to renew.
Easy watching for families, very clean language. Some scenes were cringeworthy with their spoon feeding of viewers. Easily watched in a day if you're bored.
Could have been a hit with the right team of writers and crew. Felt amateur from the first episode. I watched it for Kelli Williams as her acting was diverse and solid in Lie to Me. It was a great entry level for the young actors. Characters lacked depth, except for the lead, again this shows the weak writing. I've read better developed scripts at film schools. Could have really been something. I can see why it wasn't renewed for second season. It does feel unfinished, and the last episode is really where it could have taken off in a new season had it been strong enough to convince producers and network to renew.
Easy watching for families, very clean language. Some scenes were cringeworthy with their spoon feeding of viewers. Easily watched in a day if you're bored.
This is a show that exists
elijahcabatic13 October 2023
I found this show by looking up cop show on Amazon. The best way I can describe this show is a crime, family, and high school drama show all in one, and it does all of these kind of meh. The kids are not that likeable. The Titular Detective McLean is okay and for once a cop show main character who isn't divorced or has a rotating line of love interests. The dad is fine, if not just a plot device for the main character to confide in and the kids to make his life miserable. The crime part is perfectly average and I've seen much worse, but the drunk mom. She is just so annoying. When she comes in she ruins almost everything. I hate her. Everything else is perfectly average. If you were to ask me if you should watch it I would say its good to kill time, but if you want a riveting story that makes you excited for every new thing I would avoid.
Whoa...What Happened to This Show?
jplusj-479411 February 2018
We just picked this up on Hallmark and are bummed that there is no second season. It will leave you hanging. I can't believe they would not find a way to do season 2. It has real life situations with real answers, not having to pollute the air with bad language or stunts to keep it interesting. Bring it back!!!!
can't wait for season 2
kvm-2831620 April 2017
My whole family loves this show. So does everyone I work with. We talk about it all the time and cannot wait for season 2. If they don't have a season 2 I will be so upset! My dad was a cop and my mom a teacher so they are pretty picky and my husband likes almost nothing. Even my teens which hate everything love this show. I was at the doctors office talking about it with a friend and all the other people in the lobby also liked the show. It seems like I can't go anywhere without people loving this show. Please put a season 2 out asap!
Painful Start
doubledennyconsulting20 December 2021
We tried this show on a streaming service because Kelli Williams was solid in Lie to Me, not because we were looking for "family values" programming - but we would have been fine without the cheap gimmicks of modern TV. Problem is, the first couple of episodes were so painful to watch that we had to stop. The scripts were clumsy, nothing even slightly subtle. Every line seemed to be delivered at a different camera angle, with exaggerated facial expressions. The sulky teen boy is record-breaking awful, and the star's husband is not much better. What a sad waste of money and talent.
True to life show
mpaxton-2794227 October 2016
I enjoyed this show as it isn't perfect, as is life. It proves shows can depict the gritty side of true life without being overly graphic. A perfect balance of the good and the bad. I especially appreciate the problem solving and the way the McLean family takes responsibility of the niece and nephew, giving them some stability in their lives. I also appreciate the fact that things don't always turn out the way you want them to, and there are not always happy endings, as we would like, but shows how you take what is dealt and work your way through it. I wish there were more shows like this. This show was unpredictable, and best of all, DECENT for the entire family. I get so tired of these shows where every other word is bleep, bleep bleep! Thanks so much.
Cop meets teenage angst
adriaan-990-67831617 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Someone opened up a can of clichés and this show rolled out. Teenagers are either sulky, angry or catatonic. Parents are either good or bad. Sprinkle with average acting and obvious plots and, voilà, there's your new TV show.
It's a shame the writers haven't tried to come with stories and personalities that aren't black or white. If that wasn't clear enough, the scene where they sit around the table praying before dinner already hints that the show's creators aim not to offend anyone. The tag line of "Every line will be crossed" is therefore wildly misplaced. They won't be crossing any lines and every person in the show can be put in a well-defined box.
It's a shame the writers haven't tried to come with stories and personalities that aren't black or white. If that wasn't clear enough, the scene where they sit around the table praying before dinner already hints that the show's creators aim not to offend anyone. The tag line of "Every line will be crossed" is therefore wildly misplaced. They won't be crossing any lines and every person in the show can be put in a well-defined box.
Bummed Out
vickiburton-080519 January 2022
Just finished watching Season 1 of Detective McLean and it was so awesome. Clean family drama. When I looked to see if there were other seasons I was gutted. So why would movie/tv companies show a programme with only 1 Season when the show had been cancelled. What are we paying for?? Please bring back this show and more like this. So disappointed.
I wanted to like this but the teen angst defeated me
meganjrichardson-744546 June 2021
I wanted to like this show, I like a good police drama. I am not averse to teen shows either but the moody teens were a bit too much and half way through the second episode I turned it off. I couldn't keep watching. I wanted to someone to give all 4 kids a boot up the backside, also Alison's brother and sister-in-law - what a bunch of drop kicks.
UPtv Has Its First Scripted Hit! *May Contain Spoilers*
josephmatthew7916 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The show stars Kelli Williams, Jonathan Scarfe, and Luke Perry. To sum up the premise: Williams and Perry are polar opposite siblings Allison McLean and Tim Olson. Scarfe plays Matt, Allison's husband. Allison is an accomplished detective, wife, and mom. Perry, at this point, is a criminal but I'm sure as the season progresses we'll see more of his backstory and find out why he is where he is in life. In the pilot, Williams allows her brother to be sentenced to two years in prison. She does the right thing, as she believes it to be, and takes in her teenage niece and nephew to live with her family which includes her husband and her two teenage children. There's no way Allison would allow her niece and nephew to be put into foster care. But, after Tim's sentencing hearing tension rises and there's a whole lot of drama in the McLean house. What I like, no, what I LOVE about the show is how Williams plays her character in such a way that she is tough as nails and if needed will lay the smack down on anyone who pushes her buttons. At the same time, she is also tender hearted and admits she doesn't always know what to do or how to do it. One of my favorite scenes is when she and her nephew Cameron, played by Rhys Matthew Bond have an explosive argument in the police station. The way she yelled at him and put him in his place but then spoke so gently to him, it was a wonderful scene. Is there anything more enjoyable to watch than families arguing on the screen?! I LOVE IT! The show is wonderfully written and has a strong moral compass which you don't find in too much television these days. It has an element of faith as demonstrated by the family blessing their food at lunch time but it never comes off preachy. I'm the kind of writer that adores acting and actors. As a child I wanted to be an actor more than anything. One thing I really appreciate is fine acting and perfect casting. Kudos to Anderson and her team for doing an impeccable job casting the show. Everyone was wonderful and there is such a chemistry between the cast, especially among the four young adults which include: Cameron played by Bond, Mariah his younger sister played by Matreya Scarrwener (both play Perry's kids), Jeff played by Mitchell Kummen and his sister Rachel played by Natasha Calis. The tension between the Allison's kids Jeff and Rachel and Tim's kids Cameron and Mariah is so believable. The bickering, the snide comments, the awkwardness
I love it. I look forward to more and more of that bickering. Another thing that is really wonderful about the show is that it is a total hybrid of family drama/cop procedural. Throughout the episode we're seeing this amazing woman Allison McLean in these two vastly different roles: a smart and tough detective and a wife and mom trying to do the right thing even if it means alienating the very people she's trying to protect. I'm hooked already and I look forward to these next nine episodes. I also hope the show gets picked up for another six seasons. Like I said, I love family drama. And when family drama is done right it's so much fun to watch. I encourage you to tune in and give it a try. The writing is sharp and real, the acting is on par, the production value/design is beautiful and it's got the perfect mix of family drama and cop procedural. I give Ties that Bind FIVE THUMBS UP. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.
Should be retitled lumber yard
abwetman-1-81732827 October 2021
This series should be re titled lumber yard as it so full of wooden acting Except for the late Luke Perry no one can act.
Every role is so mawkish and clichéd
Only after i found out that it is Hallmark show, did I understand. How something this bad got produced.
Every role is so mawkish and clichéd
Only after i found out that it is Hallmark show, did I understand. How something this bad got produced.
Love it!
mdehart-862666 June 2020
Oh gawd
jiballini648 June 2021
Bummed about no season 2
cinder_rella787 June 2021
First series was done in 2015 and I only just became aware of it and sadly there couldn't be a season 2 without at least 1 cast change as Luke Perry passed away and could not revive his role as Tim.
Was a good show and so many unanswered questions.
Was a good show and so many unanswered questions.
Bad on every level.
Foxtrot-Alpha77726 January 2022
I really should have known what to expect by the opening credits, they can be at best described as 1980's Australian soap opera quality, basically no quality.
So what was good? Absolutely nothing. Script, acting, cinematography and even the background music was laughable. Out of this cavalcade of pure amateurism the stand out feature was the acting, I must point out that it stood out for all the wrong reasons, it was hopeless to the point I was embarrassed for them.
I managed 10 minutes of this tripe, most of which was my disbelief that someone actually commissioned it.
So what was good? Absolutely nothing. Script, acting, cinematography and even the background music was laughable. Out of this cavalcade of pure amateurism the stand out feature was the acting, I must point out that it stood out for all the wrong reasons, it was hopeless to the point I was embarrassed for them.
I managed 10 minutes of this tripe, most of which was my disbelief that someone actually commissioned it.
Are only 10 episodes
moussesmommy10 May 2023
It's really hard when you find an amazing series with no vulgarity that's safe and it only had 10 episodes. I wish I had looked ahead of time so I didn't get so hooked on it. It was put together really well with a very talented cast, family, love and devotion, teen drama & action! I wouldn't even suggest that somebody start watching the series because it's so disappointing when it's over so many sides of the family dynamic were touched upon, but I think almost all of us can relate to! Abandonment issues, peer pressure, codependency, even a dirty cop or two. But the characters are believable the way they interact with each other and you fall in love with the family from the first episode.
Full of contradictions
deelmowe29 October 2015
This program taunts to be one of 'family values' and high morals. But yet, the it has the main character dressed like a hooker for a 'date night' with her husband. A skin tight dress with a neck line cut to her waist and so tight you could see her butt crack. All this while showing off in front of teenagers and out to eat in a dinner. The camera just couldn't stop showing her chest. While the producers had the star dressed liked a hooker, they had actor who plays who husband dressed in normal clothes. I guess next they'll have the kids playing pimps and prostitutes. This program is not suitable for family viewing. I gave it one star.
Beautiful series, very ugly the fact that you have interrupted
veronica_s-2466127 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I'm really disappointed.
I was expecting the 2 season that has never arrived.
I'm very sorry because you keep series that are much uglier than this and you have eliminated it.
Without thinking of those who impatiently waited for the new season.
This is a series that taught a lot.
Cops and Family
rob23076631 July 2021
it's worth watching
jmmurf28 August 2021
No cussing, life issues with hope. Ended sad didn't see that coming entirely! Loved the husband and wife relationship as they were very encouraging, you don't see that ever!!! Nice to see!!!! High priority on family unity and values!!!
Family Drama + Police Drama = Messy Drama
lintonsa-170239 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Were the teens - as written - kind'a a mess?
Were the criminal-brother-in-jail + sister-in-law-addict ... sort'a a mess?
Both a resounding *yes*.
Yet ... this uniquely-written 10-epiisodic - not to to mention the viewers - deserved a BETTER wrap-up than the network provided. Either make Ep-10 a 2-hr Series-Ender ... or give it a full 12-Episodes.
Network were putzes to have left it hanging as it did. Detective McLean ... the ENTIRE McLean family ... deserved so much better. The moral to the story - the message you sent: BEing + DOing like a #GoodGuy ... is not gonna make for a #HappyEnding ... or even a #ReasonableEnding ... no matter how hard you work + how much you sacrifice.
Tell that to UKRAINE..
Were the criminal-brother-in-jail + sister-in-law-addict ... sort'a a mess?
Both a resounding *yes*.
Yet ... this uniquely-written 10-epiisodic - not to to mention the viewers - deserved a BETTER wrap-up than the network provided. Either make Ep-10 a 2-hr Series-Ender ... or give it a full 12-Episodes.
Network were putzes to have left it hanging as it did. Detective McLean ... the ENTIRE McLean family ... deserved so much better. The moral to the story - the message you sent: BEing + DOing like a #GoodGuy ... is not gonna make for a #HappyEnding ... or even a #ReasonableEnding ... no matter how hard you work + how much you sacrifice.
Tell that to UKRAINE..
Encouraging & Entertaining
debesfolly25 February 2024
What a great group of actors! I liked almost everything about this series. I'm gutted that it's not got a bunch of seasons. Sadly, another beautifully written and acted series didn't make it past season one.
In the disintegration of tasteful programming this is another casualty. The police stories are compelling. I love the relationship between the primary couple. They're doing the right thing taking in ungrateful and distraught teen relatives.
I've read some reviews that missed the brilliant handling of the disgruntled teens. What I appreciated is they had rules and consequences usually missing these days. The dad especially was consistent in his avoidance of being a fawning parent who is trying to be a cool friend. He's not apologetic to the kids, but a leader with good guidance values and maintains a sense of humor.
I so wish this was ongoing. Since it's not, I hope you watch it all and express interest in a decent program. Maybe someone will pick this up again and produce a great series dealing with so many current issues in a way so different from what's out there.
In the disintegration of tasteful programming this is another casualty. The police stories are compelling. I love the relationship between the primary couple. They're doing the right thing taking in ungrateful and distraught teen relatives.
I've read some reviews that missed the brilliant handling of the disgruntled teens. What I appreciated is they had rules and consequences usually missing these days. The dad especially was consistent in his avoidance of being a fawning parent who is trying to be a cool friend. He's not apologetic to the kids, but a leader with good guidance values and maintains a sense of humor.
I so wish this was ongoing. Since it's not, I hope you watch it all and express interest in a decent program. Maybe someone will pick this up again and produce a great series dealing with so many current issues in a way so different from what's out there.
See also
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