Life Sentence

Life Sentence is an intriguing drama-comedy television series that aired on The CW network during 2018. This American television series was created by significant industry names, Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith, and brought to life by an impressive cast, including the likes of Lucy Hale of Pretty Little Liars fame, Elliot Knight, Dylan Walsh, and Jayson Blair.

The premise of Life Sentence is built around an inventive and emotionally resonant concept. The story is centered on the life of a young woman named Stella Abbott, played by Lucy Hale, who at the beginning of the series, has spent the last eight years living as if each day might be her last. Stella had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and in response, she decided to live her life to the fullest, making the bold decision to travel the world and even marry a charming British man, Wes, played by Elliot Knight, who she barely knew.

This unique premise lends itself to a range of fascinating storylines and comedic situations and forms the backbone of the show's narrative arc. Stella's "life with no tomorrow" approach is turned upside down when her doctor informs her that her cancer has been miraculously cured. This unexpected news triggers a tsunami of reality and leaves her to confront the long-term consequences of the "live in the moment" decisions she made, including marrying a total stranger.

However, the ripple effect of Stella's illness and her recovery extends to the wider family too. Her parents, played by Dylan Walsh and Gillian Vigman, had put their own lives and dreams on hold whilst dealing with their daughter’s illness. As they commence their journey back to normalcy, they have to confront and untangle the complications in their long-stagnant marriage.

Stella's siblings also have their issues to contend with. Her high-achieving older brother, played by Jayson Blair, has to face his choices, his responsibilities, and the fallout from his self-imposed big-brother role. The youngest, Elizabeth, portrayed by Brooke Lyons, must reconcile with the consequences of her teenage rebellion and its impact on her current life.

Life Sentence veers between the dramatic and the comedic, managing to hit the right emotion in every scene. The show strikes a fine balance by portraying desperate times with a light-hearted twist. The show consistently delivers a heartfelt and positive message, reminding viewers about the importance of appreciating life, whether you have a day left or decades.

The audience gets a peek into how ordinary lives get disrupted and complicated by extraordinary turns of events. Life Sentence leverages this cleverly to illustrate an array of emotional narratives - love, desperation, fear, joy, relief, and frustration - drawing viewers into a web of familial love, sacrifice, and survival.

Lucy Hale's impressive portrayal of Stella is worth mentioning. She showcases a spirited lightness embedded with profound strength and vulnerability necessary for a character who stands at the intermingling crossroads of life and death. Elliot Knight, as Stella's husband Wes, effectively embodies the character of a loving husband who fears losing his wife and yet is willing to stand by her under any circumstances.

Life Sentence spans a total of 13 episodes, each an emotionally packed capsule filled with riveting characters, well-written dialogues, and unexpected life plots. The series falls under the banner of optimism and resilience, providing viewers with a heart-tightening, earnest portrayal of how a young woman, initially faced with life's grim verdict, rapidly learns to live again amidst a resurrected existence.

Life Sentence is more than just a series about a cancer survivor. It beats the pulse of life, pounding with the reality of family, love, sacrifice, and survival.

While the series didn't extend beyond its first season on The CW, Life Sentence offers a mix of comedy and drama that is worth a watch and offers valuable insights into the complex nature of human lives when they’re faced with unpredictable circumstances. For those looking for a series that illuminates the realities of life and mortality with a series of plot twists and a prevailing sense of hope, Life Sentence is a compelling choice.