800 Words

800 Words is a heartwarming, dramedy television show produced by South Pacific Pictures and Seven Productions and screened on Acorn TV from 2015 until 2018. This Australian-New Zealand co-production, created by James Griffin and Maxine Fleming, dives into the life of newly widowed George Turner, a popular columnist for a top-selling Sydney newspaper, who makes a life-altering decision to shift his life's gears after the death of his beloved wife.

Turner, portrayed by the captivating Erik Thomson, shocks his readers and his almost grown-up children by impulsively buying a house on the Internet without having ever seen it in person. The house is in Weld, a small coastal town in New Zealand, a location filled with quirky characters, stunning landscapes, and a slower pace of life. This spontaneous decision leads to him quitting his job and relocating with his reluctant teenage children, Shay and Arlo, played by the talented Melina Vidler and Benson Jack Anthony, respectively.

As the title suggests, each episode is centered around George Turner struggling to complete his weekly newspaper column of exactly 800 words. However, these are not just any 800 words; each column unfurls the Turner family's ongoing adventures and misadventures as newcomers, providing them with new perspectives on loss, love, and the importance of community - all with a dosing of good-natured humor.

Early in the series, the family quickly realizes that the home they bought online is nothing more than a ramshackle property - a humorous reality check that accurately represents the premise of the show: plans don't always work out, but you can always figure it out somehow. As the Turners clumsily try to fit into their new environment, they have a series of amusing encounters with the townsfolk, which includes surfers, hippies, and healthcare providers who all live in this tight-knit community.

George's journey from a high-paced city journalist to a small-town newspaper columnist provides many of the series' comedic and dramatic moments. The new lifestyle sometimes feels like it's too much for George and his children, who both miss their former city life filled with friends, school, and familiar places. Yet, they persist and gradually get to know their new neighbors and town. The show explores the dynamics of welding together the very different city and small-town ways of living and values.

Through relationships and encounters with the town's colorful inhabitants, the Turners learn to navigate their new life while dealing with their personal loss. Every character they meet is unique and contributes something valuable to the family's experience. However, the show is not just about the Turners. The people of Weld also play a substantial role, and as the series progresses, various storylines involving the local residents begin to develop, demonstrating that every person in the tiny settlement has a story to tell.

Robyn Malcolm, as the town's no-nonsense cafe owner Fiona, Bridie Carter as Jan, the local real estate agent, and Rick Donald as Woody, a local worker turn out to be great supporting characters, adding depth to the storyline.

Despite the humorous undertone throughout, 800 Words is also sometimes a tear-jerker, exploring the theme of grief and how people navigate through it - the challenges faced by George and his children after his wife's sudden passing is a recurring theme. Simultaneously, it folds in romance, family drama, and the occasional surf scene to keep the series light-hearted and engaging.

The cinematography of the series is noteworthy, showcasing New Zealand's beautiful landscape - the serene coastline, picturesque beaches, and lush green environment are a visual treat, making the show more aesthetically appealing. The beautiful soundtracks accompanying the episodes further heighten the emotional ardor.

In summary, 800 Words is a show about adjusting to a new life in a new town, about community bonding, about finding joy in the ordinary, and navigating through grief. It is a celebration of the simple life, emphasizing that sometimes, the best life plan is to have no plan at all.