This is sort of an OK show. There are continuous attempts at quirky, sharp dialogues with a mediocre success rate. But the cast is good and at least it's trying to be something different.Just like in Dead Like Me there's a sarcastic underachieving girl. In Dead Like Me she has to help people cope with their own death. In this show she gets assignments from little statues to cause small but important changes in the lives of people so that they accidentally improve it.This formula gets really old from the second episode on. It usually involves people accidentally meeting the love of their life through a twist of fate, instantly falling in love. This takes away all the intelligence the show has at moments and kind of puts it in a routine, dull, though slightly less sugarcoated Amelie (that French film) mode, the main character trying to be a do-good-er.There's also a tendency to put characters into awkward situations but it's equally cheap and formulaic. I watched two episodes but already felt I knew how each episode was going to be. Disappointingy this show is not about real life (even Dead Like Me, as overrated as it was, seemed to do a better job at that) and ultimately it's as dull-minded and preaching as the average young adult drama series although it so desperately tries not to be. Every single person in the show has a soulmate somewhere that's always within reach and when that person is met, through a twist of fate, there's instant magic. I was hoping this would be a show that would ridicule that sort of cheap lie, the way a lot of Woody Allen films do, showing the randomness of life, but instead there seems to be a genuine belief in fortune cookie and tile wisdoms, the type of thing that you would find in the kitschy souvenir shop that the main character works in.

Jaye Tyler (Caroline Dhavernas) is a disaffected college graduate living in her trailer, and working in a dead end job in a Niagara Falls souvenir shop. Her days are pointless until the souvenirs starts talking to her. They command her in cryptic messages, and they just won't shut up. She's never sure about their meaning, and can never predict the wild outcomes. Jaye is forced to break out of her apathy and falls for bartender Eric Gotts (Tyron Leitso). She begins to repair her relationships with her family.This is Bryan Fuller's whimsy at its best. The talking nick nacks are wonderful. Dhavernas is adorably bitter. The show is filled with great actors. It was canceled almost immediately by Fox after 4 episodes, and only 13 episodes were ever made. It never got a good audience but also never got much of a chance.

A show canceled before it's time. Only one season and 13 episodes, FOX did another great up job of canceling yet another descent and unique show (Prematurely canceled FOX shows: Firefly, Undeclared, Arrested Development, Family Guy, etc). Wonderfalls is a story of an ivy league educated girl named Jaye working at shop at Niagara Falls, and one day toys with heads start talking to her in blatant demands and one subtle hints. Her comments, attitude, and overall demeanor are comparable to Daria, Veronica Mars, Juno: the basic modern sarcastic, yet caring girls. It's a story of magical sequence of consequences, similar to that of Pushing Daises but without the brilliant artfulness of costumes or colorful stories… both do have Lee Pace, sigh.Review after finishing the series: Wonderfalls is unique but not inspiring, the people Jaye (main character) ends up helping in each episode are annoyingly creepy and general jerks. It doesn't have the helping feel of Leverage or the The Pretender, since it is a comedic show. But if the universe of talking animal heads are giving you hints, at least help those that really need it. After a few episodes I got annoyed at the simple outline of her misreading the hints that the universe give her. But quite honestly, Leverage and The Pretender … alright most shows have a basic outline. It also doesn't help that I watch shows back to back to back… until I finish the series or at least one season.Despite that little disgruntle with the show, Wonderfalls is a touching comedy of a sarcastic no care, uninspired, family avoiding girl who slowly learns humanity: the value of family and friendship with each adventure of helping people. Overall it's a funny and charming show, that should not of been canceled.

In this case I am depressed to disagree with The Onion AV Club's dictates regarding Wonderfalls. They say it wasn't going anywhere and it's okay it was cancelled. After liking the first few episodes with reservations (the boy is puppy-dog-ish but not actually interesting, the episode music is horrible - not the theme music, that's good, I mean the crappy radio rock in the background - and, principally, the episodes are totally interchangeable in much the same way many of the "Dead Like Me" episodes were - except worse there where they would introduce entirely new interesting characters /george's friend at the college/ and completely throw away the story line with no trace the next episode), I was looking forward to a decline in quality that would make me sigh in resignation at the end of the season. Instead the AV Club is way wrong and the episodes begin to have lots of continuity and gain in A) emotional weight B) technical dexterity and especially C) great directors. The second to last episode is directed by the incredible Jeremy Podeswa (watch Six Feet Under and learn his name); and the last episode is directed by MICHAEL LEHMANN. Yes, MICHAEL LEHMANN. It is a sign from beyond the grave (40 days and 40 nights, Because I Said So) that his talent is not yet dead (Heathers, and go look him up too). Bryan Fuller creates another remarkable heroine in Caroline Dhavernas, someone who really does not want to be a better person but the universe is forcing her to become one. Just like with Ellen Muth in "Dead Like Me" her problems hit me a little too close to home (averted eyes and smirk to discourage contact? ouch). Whereas Muth has a restless intellect going for her, Dhavernas has that she is hypnotically beautiful and handles the offspeed pitch especially well (read: demonstrates emotional change moment to moment in a skilled and controlled yet natural way). Her backup might not be Mandy Patinkin, but even if Tracie Thoms went to Juilliard and still throws in "up in her grill" "come correct" etcetera (did you see "Grindhouse"? Don't.) this is a part she is well suited for. Lee Pace seems wasted at first but as the episodes get better it's obvious how much better he is than the early material. Kate Finneran is strong throughout and makes some of the early episodes seem better than they are. The parents are strong also, but not the focus. There are several excellent guest turns, especially Louise Fletcher(!), Rue McClanahan, Beth Grant and the adorable and sadly departed Kellie Waymire. I want a wax lion.This show requires an ability to handle a LOT of quirk, a lethal dose for some, but FOX was wrong to axe it, as usual those bastards. However there are some ill elements to the show: it uses Judaism and Lesbianism as a punchline and has some rather strange and revolting overall references ("he's ready for your jelly!"; comparisons in the tastes of saliva). It's like "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," just when it's getting even better: death. Thanks, FOX. You heartless bastards.