Aaron’s Way
Aaron’s Way was a family drama series that ran in 1988 on American television, starring Merlin Olsen as Aaron Miller, the husband and father of an Amish family, which he moved to California and had to adapt to technology and situations that Amish traditionally shun. Also appearing on the series were Samantha Mathis and Belinda Montgomery.
Synopsis
Aaron Miller’s eldest son, Noah, had left the Amish community for the world, but Aaron kept in touch using a post office box. Aaron then learned his son had died in a surfing accident, and went to California for the funeral. While there, he learned his son had been living with a woman, Susanna Lo Verde, who owned an orchard, and she was impregnated by him.
Aaron returned to Pennsylvania to consider what to do. His wife was surprised that he kept in touch with Noah, and then a relative of Susanna arrived by motorcycle. He related Susanna’s difficulties, and Aaron expressed his opinion to his wife that they needed to go help Susanna.
The family arrives, to Susanna’s surprise, and begins helping out while trying to cope with the unfamiliar society and technology. Susanna’s mother asks Mrs. Miller if she could make “scrapple” for breakfast; after tasting it, mother gushes with appreciation, but says privately to Susanna that she didn’t like it at all. The three Miller children are put into the public school system.
Subsequent episodes of this short-lived series dealt with the continuing clash (and sometimes complementary meeting) between the Millers and their worldly hosts and neighbours. Aaron’s stubborn insistence on the values of integrity and justice bend a few dishonest people their way.
Cast
Merlin Olsen as Aaron Miller
Belinda Montgomery as Sarah Miller
Samantha Mathis as Roseanne Miller
Erin Chase as Martha Miller
Scott Curtis as Frank Miller
Kathleen York as Susannah Lo Verde
Jessica Walter as Connie Lo Verde
Christopher Gartin as Mickey Lo Verde
Pierrino Mascarino as Mr. Benvenuto