I recently sat down and tried to think of good and bad TV shows that were based on movies. Perhaps, because I have not had the pleasure of living through the 70's and not remembering much of the 80's (seeing, as I only came to be in the mid-80's.), I could not think of many. I could only think of one bad one; which was "FX." I thought of a bunch of good ones, mainly ones that were movies not so long ago (see above parenthesis.) I came up with these few: "M.A.S.H." (exception to my first statement), "Stargate SG-1" (certainly much better than the movie) and, my most favorite, "The Crow: Stairway to Heaven."

I know many people will disagree with me. I knew that the moment I sat down to write this. But, that's one of my main goals in life. I agree to disagree. But, unlike most people I've met, I will give reasons for my choices.

To start I think "The Crow: STH" is a great first step for someone who wants to be a Crow fan. That's how I became to be the Crow-obsessed person I am now. I saw the show and I had questions. I had to know things that weren't explained to me in the show. Why did Draven's face become painted when he got angry? Why are the Sarah and Albrech characters so important? It drove me to find out more. I had to see the movie. So, that's one reason. But, lend the new Crow fan your copy of "The Crow." Don't want Moneymax getting any more of our money, do we?

I also like STH because I didn't compare it to the movie. Well, not at first, I came into STH about midway. That will just leave you angry and confused. Angry because you'll know all the gang members are dead and Eric had moved on. Confused because you'll know all the gang members are dead and Eric has come back. I certainly made that mistake when I finally got to see the first few episodes. I sat there thinking, "Cool, he's going to finally be with Shelly. Hey, wait, he's jumping off the bridge and Shelly is running backward. Damnit! Who the hell is the Hispanic guy with the harlequin makeup?"

Lucky for me I have a mother who is a fan of the series "Highlander." For those who have watched the movies (that's one thing Crow fans and Highlander fans have in common, many refuse to acknowledge the second movies) know that neither TV show follows the movie directly. So, while I was fuming about the changes she says, "Son." (she didn't really say 'son', but I growing up in the Internet era, I'm paranoid about giving out my real name) Anyway, she says, "Son, you know that sometimes certain things aren't kept. Sometimes things get changed when movies are translated into TV shows, just live with it. Just watch the show as is and go with it." Who can argue with their own mother? I just watched the show for the show. And it was great! I wasn't burdened by the fact the Eric should be resting peacefully with Shelly in the afterlife. I discovered the great show I was missing. A man doing what he thinks is the way to get back to his beloved. Another man is at odds with his conscious and his superiors. A girl whose mother is becoming the mother she never had. And nothing, in my opinion, overlaps the other. Each person's story fit into the others.

And finally, my third and last reason. I could go on for a long time, but I won't shove too much of myself into one article. I still have lots of thought to get out. Lord knows I need more RAM for my brain. Anyway, my final reason is this: it's just an all around great show. It's not a cutesy, teenage drama TV show from Warner Bros. It's not some action show with a big, stupid man totting a gun. While STH does have action and drama, it's not all about either. The dialogue is great, the action is great (except for one little mishap prior to it's start), the actors fit great into their parts. Though, who else could've played Sarah or Albrech? It would've been cool to see Brandon pick his part back up, but Mark does a wonderful job.

Those are my thoughts on STH. I like the show, many do not. I still don't see how you can not after my article. But, I won't press my ideas onto you. We can all be cool, just so as long as I don't have to watch City of Angels again. But, that's another thought for another time. Thanks so much.

-J. Hawk EDraven84@hotmail.com