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Guide: Once And Again
Synopsis:
"Once
and Again" returns for a third season this fall as Edward Zwick
and Marshall Herskovitz, creators of "thirtysomething" and "My
So-Called Life," continue to bring their singular vision of modern
life to television with a Golden Globe-nominated drama series
about two families brought together by the second marriage of
Lily Manning, played by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress
Sela Ward, and Rick Sammler, Golden Globe nominee Billy Campbell,
who have discovered another chance at love and genuine commitment
after divorce.
Their relationship,
however, has not been without challenge; parenting, divorce, infidelity,
financial hardship and even death have pushed them to the limit,
both as a couple and as individuals.
But they
continue to move forward with a life together while trying to
maintain a semblance of normalcy in the lives of their conjoined
families.
Lily has found
the strength to move forward with her life, grappling with her
new identity and the challenges of coping with a new husband,
stepchildren and an overcrowded home. Her relationship with Rick
has given her courage and a renewed sense of confidence to help
her deal with another career change and take a more tolerant,
open-minded approach to her ex-husband, Jake (Jeffrey Nordling).
Both Jake’s personal and business lives have taken an overwhelming
turn, and he has been forced to find a new career and to embrace
parenthood for a third time with Tiffany (Ever Carradine), a woman
he doesn’t love. Lily’s sister, Judy (Marin Hinkle), has recently
become successful in business but still struggles miserably in
love.
Rick, too,
has had more than his share of personal and professional challenges.
His commitment to Lily has strengthened his resolve to move forward
with his life and to face the daily difficulties of parenting
two teenagers. He doesn’t always successfully maintain a safe
distance from the constant scrutiny and criticism of his ex-wife,
Karen (Susanna Thompson). Though she has come to terms with being
single again, Karen is extremely uncomfortable sharing her children
and relinquishing some of her authority to Lily.
Seventeen-year-old
Grace (Julia Whelan), who has grown stronger and much more understanding
of her mother’s decisions, still lives with constant confusion
about her role in the world of boys and in her new family, while
eleven-year-old Zoe’s (Meredith Deane) limitless energy and enthusiasm
have been dampened by frustration at having to share her sister,
her mother and her home with two new siblings, and to adapt to
having a new father in her life.
Now that eighteen-year-old
Eli has finished school, he’s been unable to move forward into
adult life with any real enthusiasm. His struggles are compounded
by his parents’ fervent attempts to steer him away from his one
true love, music. His frustration has driven him to rebel them
and to rely more upon his seemingly safer new stepfamily, especially
Grace.
Fifteen-year-old
Jessie (Evan Rachel Wood) continues to struggle with her self-image
and an eating disorder, while having new, unfamiliar thoughts
about her developing sexuality. Her
inherent perfectionism and need to please make dealing with her
new stepfamily even more challenging.
Against all
these forces, Rick and Lily now have their love, their family
and their new commitment to sustain them. They must continue to
confront their own flaws and struggles, as well as those of their
children, in order for their new family to survive and to fully
embrace this rare second chance at happiness.
(courtesy ABC Entertainment, 2001/2002)
The Cast:
Sela Ward
as Lily Manning
Billy Campbell as Rick Sammler
Julia Whelan as Grace Manning
Shane West as Eli Sammler
Meredith Deane as Zoe Manning
Evan Rachel Wood as Jessie Sammler
Susanna Thompson as Karen Sammler
Jeffrey Nordling as Jake Manning
Marin Hinkle as Judy Brooks
Ever Carradine as Tiffany
Steven Weber as Samuel Blue
Production
Credits:
"Once and Again" is executive-produced and created by Marshall
Herskovitz and Edward Zwick. The one-hour drama series, which
premiered on September 21, 1999, is from The Bedford Falls Company
in association with Touchstone Television.
Airdates:
Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide
Season Two
Episode Guide
Season Three
Episode Guide
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