Darrow and Darrow (2017): The New Sleuths on Hallmark’s Block

---

A therapist, librarian, bargain hunter, detective, baker and archaeologist are the women who headline Hallmark’s respective mystery series. Now, they introduce a new sleuth (an attorney!) in the launch, of what likely anticipates being a Hallmark serial, Darrow and Darrow.

Darrow and Darrow (2017) Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Review

Running the small-town small practice built on her father’s reputation is something of a life passion for Claire Darrow (Kimberley Williams-Paisley). Settled in her life, she’s been busy with the business, and raising her daughter, Louise (Lilah Fitzgerald) in the town she grew up. Now this is where they live and where she’s reopened the firm her mother closed after her father’s death. When Claire lands a case involving a local business owner on parole, things get muddled – and fast!

Coinciding with this new case is the arrival of Claire’s ambitious mother, Kay (Wendie Malick). Of course, to add more pressure, Miles (Tom Cavanaugh), the DA who takes the case, has a kind of personal connection to her. You see, Miles has a standing monthly date to ask Claire out, which is a penciled in date Claire perpetually turns down.

As is true of the many Hallmark series that are popular and recurring, Darrow and Darrow is an entertaining TV film. The mystery is about deduction skills rather than a “dark tunnel chills” mystery. Unlike some of their other franchises, solving this mystery uses surveillance videos or conversation, which opposes the kind of Nancy Drew-esque sleuths of other series.

TV FILM REVIEW | Ruby Herring Mysteries: Silent Witness – Seek New Clues to the Truth

The story is more about the characters over the suspense, which is a nice change. With just an edge of riddle surrounding the outline of the script, the story is able to dig a little deeper into these characters. Focus is on the personal relationships, and of course the cute friendship between Miles and Claire. The flirty banter between these two characters is adorable! It’s all about the nerdy, geeky kind of banter, something that’s adorable. What we don’t first realize is there are underpinnings to this potential relationship that strengthens it. Their shared emotional connection makes their interactions weighty with some emotion, but never goes “too” deep. (By this, I mean, the same feelings and brand Hallmark is best known for remains intact.)

Beyond this, all I can say is watch Darrow and Darrow. It’s a fabulous start to a new series that is sure to want future installments. It’s lovely to see Kimberly (star of Father of the Bride and wife of country music star, Brad Paisley) on screen again. Plus, it’s nice to see Cavanaugh step into character shoes that is likable! His character on The Flash? Not so much love there.

For fear of spilling spoilers or giving too much away, I’ll end with this: meet the quirky, but lovable characters of Darrow and Darrow. I suspect, you’ll enjoy their brand of justice.

Photos: Hallmark Media / Crown Media