There was an unusual rise of Christian based television shows in the mid to late eighties, and my absolute favorite as a child was “Highway to Heaven.” I already was a huge fan of Michael Landon in “Little House on a Prairie,” so as a young boy I tuned right in to see Landon team up with old co-star Victor French in what was one of the best hours of television during my youth. Even as an atheist, “Highway to Heaven” can be appreciated for being an interesting and entertaining drama as Landon plays the enigmatic Jonathan Smith.
One day in the middle of the road, Smith appears literally out of nowhere on a highway, and begins ushering himself in to the breast of humanity. Jonathan Smith is an angel who has been cast away from Heaven and is now on probation. He has to now live among humanity and redeem himself so he can earn his wings back and go back to paradise. “Highway to Heaven” is very much in the vein of “It’s a Wonderful Life” only if Clarence were the main character coming across hundreds of George Bailey’s. Jonathan Smith soon enough meets Mark, an ex-cop and drunkard who lives with his sister and wallows in his own misery.
In the two part series opener, Smith happens upon an elderly home, where he begins working for free to prove he can offer something for the residents. Soon enough he begins inspiring the elderly patients to live life again, all the while helping a bitter patient learn to care for herself and appreciate her time, in spite of her delusions that she’s only in their care temporarily. Meanwhile, Mark begins investigating Smith and the two form a bond that pairs them as traveling agents of good and justice throughout the series. As they did in “Little House on the Prairie,” Landon and French have wonderful chemistry, and are able to open themselves up to more dramatic and contemporary stories.
French works as a great opposite to Landon, both of whom approach life differently, but inevitably come back around once again as friends and partners. Their exploits vary from helping families with terminally ill children, to helping others overcome their own physical limitations and disabilities. There are also occasional runs ins with evil business men and thieves, but mainly the show follows Smith and Gordon as they seek to help guide people along the way to fulfillment.
“Highway to Heaven” is still an entertaining and engrossing drama, and it’s held up to nostalgia well. All 24 episodes of the first season are available uncut, and features bloopers, as well as a documentary about Michael Landon.