Only a handful of episodes in, and I love this series. It's the first truly family oriented show the CW has seen on its schedule since Gilmore Girls ended its run a few years ago. It definitely fills the void those Gilmores left behind too. (I apologize in advance for all of the comparisons between the two that might crop up. It seems to be inevitable.) Where Gilmore Girls was shiny and sparkly with the sarcastic soundbites and the idealized small town setting, like sweet and sour candy, Life Unexpected is a bit more rough around the edges in a big city, a little saltier with a surprising aftertaste, kind of like chocolate covered pretzels. I wouldn't venture to say that the Gilmores were more wholesome, or that Lux has a darker story, but it is a bit edgier. This probably results from the setting. Stars Hollow was definitely not gritty. And Rory never attended a school described as a “feeder for the state prison.”

Setting locations aside, let's talk casting.

Britt Robertson is magic onscreen. She's had a handful of roles over the last few years, but it doesn't seem like anything has stuck. She's got notice for some of these roles, but she hasn't developed quite the same following as other actors her age. I think this role could change that for her in a big way. Lux has the same spunk, independence, and intelligence that Alexis Bledel's Rory Gilmore had, but she's got an edge. Lux has had a hard life. She's never really had a family. She's had to look out for herself, and doesn't entirely trust everyone she meets. Robertson brings a little bit of innocence and teen angst to the role, but also a maturity that allows her to stand out. She does such a great job at selling the show.

Of course, lucky for Robertson, she doesn't have to carry the show alone. The entire cast is excellent. I've been a fan of Shiri Appleby since her days on the WB's Roswell. It's nice to see her in a slightly less vulnerable role, and a more mature role at that. I'm used to seeing her in parts that involve her living with her parents or taking classes, living the life of the perpetual teenager, and she's finally landed herself a real adult role, even if the character of Cate Cassidy still has a whole lot of growing up to do.

In fact, the idea of growing up is the most prevalent theme of the series. Lux has been forced to grow up way too fast, and now she's getting the chance to be a kid, to rebel. Both of her parents are refusing to grow up. Cate has commitment issues; she keeps herself closed off from those around her, not allowing herself to really grow emotionally, even though she might be thriving professionally. Baze just enjoyed being the quarterback a little too much in high school to let himself move on. He has trouble embracing responsibility, although he embraces the role of Lux's parent wholeheartedly, wanting to be a good dad. All three of them have to strike a balance between growing up and living the life of young adults.

Now, if the storyline, the characters, and the actors weren't enough to get you hooked, the writing should be. The dialogue is snarky and sarcastic without going too far. Lines that would normally come off cheesy in other shows, remarks that might be stilted when delivered by others, all come across exactly the way they should. This is one of the few shows on right now that is billed as a drama, but is also so funny. If the writing keeps up at the pace its going now, this show should be a hit.