The Lifetime basic cable network is a great example of niche programming that has proliferated since audiences began to explore the potential of television beyond the meager handful of channels offered by traditional broadcast TV. The myriad of networks represents a major paradigm shift for the executives in change of programming. The no longer have to strive to reach the broadest possible demographic; a smaller more focused audience is now feasible. Lifetime began with a simple mandate nicely summed up in their tagline, ‘Television for women’. They quickly became known for their ‘tear jerker’ original movies but following the lead of most other similar networks and started their own original weekly series. The flagship of their programming slate is ‘Army Wives’. The DVD for the fifth season has been released and the series remains one of the best made dramas on television. Full disclosure requires this series be clearly marked as a soap opera. I mention this because unlike the stereotypical view of this type of program this one is geared in such a way that men will discover they are pulled in as avid viewers. As is the case with most popular TV series this one depends on a primes that is of paramount concern to most of the public. In this case it is the growing use of American armed services engaging in combat on foreign soil. Although there is considerable controversy and ongoing discussion pertaining to the reasons this country is involved in these conflicts one thing that is widely accepted is a respect for the men and women serving in the military. This is a rather drastic change in public opinion from the Vietnam era were many protesters directed their rage against the eco-political etiology on those that served. The patriotism demonstrated by the themes presented in this show admittedly border on the jingoistic and if this was the sole focus of the stories this series would have fallen flat after a season or so. The success of the show is largely attributable to the deeply humanistic approach the show runner Katherine Fugate has instilled in the fabric of the series. As the title strongly notes the series is not about the politics of war or the multinational chess game being played with the lives of people. It explores the trials and tribulations faced by the spouses of those that leave home to serve overseas.

For the men stationed at Fort Marshall and their families this season unfolds as a time of radical changes. True to the foundation of the series not all of those changes are due to their involvement with the United States military, most are the type that are common to us all. For example Denise Sherwood (Catherine Bell) is getting accustomed to having a new baby in the house after a gap of almost twenty years. Her marriage to Lieutenant colonel Frank Sherwood (Terry Serpico) survived a rough patch but life is far from settled down. Their son Jeremy (Richard Bryant) followed his father’s footsteps and enlisted being deployed t Iraq. While over there he becomes engaged to specialist Tanya Gabriel (Erin Krakow) after a whirlwind romance. Tanya comes back Stateside resulting in the expected difficultly getting her future mother-in-law to accept her but they soon become friendly. That emotion bond is drastically challenged when Jeremy is killed in action. Loss has been handled before in this show but this plot thread takes the theme to a much deeper emotional level than previously attempted. Claudia Joy Holden (Kim Delaney) is busy as usual balancing the social demands of being married to a Major General. Her husband, Michael (Brian McNamara) may be on the Pentagon fast track but Claudia Joy still has to contend with the usual maternal issues in addition to being the alpha wife on base. Their oldest daughter died as a result of an explosion in season one but now her remaining child Emmalin (Katelyn Pippy) is preparing to go off to college and Michael is deployed so Claudia Joy is experiencing a difficult case of empty nest syndrome. The normally out spoken Roxy LeBlanc (Sally Pressman) is trying her best to juggle her business, a bar and grill, her husband’s Trevor’s (Drew Fuller) career changes in the army and her so TJ (Luke Bartelme)imminent entrance into being a rebellious teen. Fiery redhead Pamela Moran (Brigid Brannagh) is estranged from her husband, Delta Force Master Sergeant Chase Moran (Jeremy Davidson). Life is more complicated than usual for Pamela who is divorced from her husband, gone back to work as a police officer and torn between feeling for her partner, taking a job out of town and reuniting with Chase. Finally there is the one male ‘Army Wife’, Dr. Roland Burton (Sterling K. Brown). His training as a Psychiatrist comes in handy helping his wife Col. Joan Burton (Wendy Davis) deal with debilitating brain injury and PTSD after return home to him and their infant daughter. Roland is fully accepted as ‘one of the wives’ but is medical training and male perspective is well appreciated.

The broad and persistent appeal of this series is firmly rooted in the careful attention to the details. Not so much the particulars of military hierarchy although that is impeccably handled. What sustains this show is the emotional honesty it exhibits. While there is sufficient melodrama in every episode and more than enough standard plot devices to retain its union credentials as a card carrying soap opera, the difference lies in the execution. ‘Army Wives’ consistently the usual antics of a prime time soap mobbing on to presenting a compelling human based drama. Even if you are not part of a family involved with the military you can readily relate to what these characters are facing. The issues the characters deal with may be filtered through the unique vantage point of military families but the emotional basis is something in common to all of us. Children growing up, marital difficulties and work related stress are issues every one faces although the military does exasperates them incredibly. No matter how you feel about the current wars our country is involved with you will find yourself captivated by the emotional integrity of this series.