Prime-Time Show Makes Pitch for Stay-At-Home Moms
by Randall Murphree
April 16, 2004
(AgapePress) - It's pretty rare for a prime-time drama series to promote traditional family values, even in a minor way, but the April 11 episode of Doc on PAX scores two home runs for the family. In reality, the hit series never has fit the mold of the typical TV drama.Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus stars as Dr. Clint Cassidy, a Montana doctor who moves to New York, where his country ways and traditional moral values frequently clash with a fast-paced city medical practice. This episode champions the cause of stay-at-home moms and illustrates the value of parents spending time with children.
The series was created by Dave Alan Johnson and Gary R. Johnson, brothers who openly use their TV shows to share their Christian faith. "We look at everything we do as our mission," Dave says. "We use our shows as evangelistic tools."
Nate and Beverly Jackson are among the main characters in the series. Nate is a police officer and Beverly stays at home to care for their two sons. In this episode, they learn that Mama Dolce's, a favorite cafe when they were dating, is going to close. Nate sets out to plan one last hurrah so he and Beverly can again meet their old friends at Mama Dolce's.
Unnoticed by Nate, Beverly is reluctant, secretly feeling inferior to her friends who have gone on to professional careers. She sends Nate to the party alone, and is then upset when he has a great time. By the time he realizes why Beverly avoided the party, she is ready to confess and apologize. She prepares a surprise candlelight dinner for Nate.
"I was jealous," she admits, "and more than a little insecure. And I didn't think I would measure up to anybody else who was sitting at the table, but ... I realized something. I don't need to be in competition with Susie or Megan or anybody else. They have their lives and I'm really happy for their successes and adventures. But I'm also very happy with the choices I've made in my life, and nothing gives me more joy than being your wife and the mother of my sons. I'm right where I want to be."
Meanwhile, Nate had come home to the surprise dinner with his own surprise, a long-stemmed red rose and a card reading, "To the woman with the most important career I know of. Thanks for taking care of us."
It's not a very long scene, but it packs a powerful punch with its direct commendation of stay-at-home moms. Beverly is played by Tracy Shreve, a Vancouver, British Columbia native, who grew up on Canadian television commercials.
"It is a blessing to be on a show that everybody can watch," Tracy says. "You can have your children watch it and know you're safe. I'm very proud to be on Doc."
A Christian and a mother, Tracy says her joy is being mother to her son Timas, who "works" with her on the show. While Tracy was pregnant with Timas last year, Beverly and Nate were preparing for the birth of baby Matty on Doc. Timas now plays Matty on the show.
Tracy encourages mothers to consider staying at home with their children if possible. "I think if you have the support system and the financial means, go for it," she says. "You may have to give up something. It's not necessarily an easy decision and there may be sacrifice. But it's a blessing."
This is the fourth season for Doc. It has been an unheralded hit, usually ignored by the mainstream media, apparently because it espouses strong Christian values. "We have a tough time getting any attention from the secular press," Dave Johnson says, "even though our numbers [of viewers] are much bigger than other shows they pump all the time."
Another story line in the April 11 episode features the Graingers, mom-and-dad lawyers who are driven to find material success -- at the expense of their only son, Clayton, a clinically obese 10-year-old. Dr. Clint Cassidy confronts them, points out their misplaced priorities and helps them realize how badly Clayton needs their time and attention.
The Johnsons also created Sue Thomas F.B.Eye, another one-hour drama series that follows Doc on PAX net on Sunday nights.
Randall Murphree, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is editor of AFA Journal, a monthly publication of the American Family Association.
