The Good Witch's Destiny
Cassie's continuing story extols compassion, forgiveness.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Good Witch's Destiny is the sixth in a series of Hallmark movies about a woman whose kindness has a positive effect on the people she meets. Besides the continued mystery of her intuitive gift, this story also concerns the longstanding mysterious disappearance of her ancestor and the possible connections it has to Cassie's life and destiny. A sultry character brings discord to the town, but his journey illustrates the joys of making amends for mistakes, repairing damaged relationships, and extending forgiveness. There are a few tense moments when a character's fate is unknown, but it's quickly resolved and holds no real scares. This story's meandering pace might be a hard sell for tweens, but, if you can get yours to watch with you, you'll find all kinds of talking points about relationships, overcoming challenges, and the value of strong family bonds.
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What's the Story?
Life couldn't be better for Cassie Nightingale (Catherine Bell). She has a husband (Chris Potter) she loves, two nearly grown kids, and a toddler, and she runs a shop in the heart of her beloved hometown, where she always manages to offer the perfect thing for the uncertain visitor. What's more, her inexplicable ability to help people with troubles endears her to everyone she meets...that is, until a newcomer named Drew (Robin Dunne) challenges her good intentions and causes her to second-guess herself. What follows is a string of misfortunes for Cassie and the others around her, threatening the tranquility they've grown used to finding in each other's company. Meanwhile, a school project sends Cassie's daughter Lori (Hannah Endicott-Douglas) on the trail of answers to the mysterious life and disappearance of Cassie's great aunt, whose strong resemblance to Cassie raises questions about whether the two also share a cursed destiny. With Cassie's birthday -- and the anniversary of her greataunt's disappearance -- fast approaching, can she set everything right in time for a proper celebration with her family?
Is It Any Good?
The Good Witch saga is Hallmark's highest-rated and longest-running original movie series, and for good reason. Bell is an absolute delight in the role of kind-hearted Cassie, and those who have followed her story from the beginning will best appreciate how her role evolves with each new installment. In THE GOOD WITCH'S DESTINY, she's an established wife and mother, looking to treasure time with her family before older kids Lori and Brandon (Matthew Knight) head off in separate ways. No doubt this will ring true with many viewers, as will the story's unmistakable messages about reconciliation, forgiveness, and relationships that stand the test of time. And even though knowing the characters' history adds another element of understanding to their actions, it's written in such a way that newcomers can easily jump right in, too.
As for the ongoing "witch" curiosity, it's never more obvious than it is here that although Cassie's true nature remains a mystery, her greatest magic lies in her ability to understand people's needs. It's not witchcraft or sorcery that enables her to help others; it's her willingness to look beyond a person's exterior to see what's in his or her heart. It's hard to imagine a truer message or a more pleasant, family-friendly package in which it could be delivered than The Good Witch's Destiny.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Cassie uses her gifts of empathy and compassion to help others. Have you ever been in a situation that required you to do the same? How can you try to understand other people's needs?
Tweens: Do you believe in destiny? To what degree are you in charge of your own future? What circumstances affect your direction? How do you gauge success?
What traditions are important to your family? How do you celebrate your time together? In what ways does family time remain a source of strength for you even as your lives start to diverge?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 26, 2013
- Cast: Catherine Bell, Chris Potter, Robin Dunne
- Network: Hallmark Channel
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: August 6, 2021
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