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Once and Again PRIMER

The fans have written the following synopsis to allow new viewers to become familiar with the show and its characters.

"Once and Again" is a show about the lives of the Sammlers and Mannings. Rick and Lily fell in love two and a half years ago and that love caused ripples in the lives of those that were close to them. They both have two children ranging in age from 11 to 18 as well as two very involved ex's. The show conquers so many issues that families face today…love, divorce, dating, family conflicts, anorexia, the blending of two families, struggles and successes in the workplace and at school, romance, peer pressure and so much more. There is something in the show for everyone.

"Once and Again" does not rely on the backdrop of a courtroom or a hospital or a police station. It relies on the backdrop of life. The writing, acting and directing of "Once and Again" is outstanding. The talent of those involved make the viewer feel as though they are eavesdropping on the lives of real people. The following are brief descriptions of the show's core characters.

Lily Brooks Manning Sammler (Sela Ward) was married to Jake Manning, until she had enough of his cheating. She has two daughters, Grace and Zoe. She is now married to Rick Sammler, whom she considers her soul mate. She is passionate, opinionated but fair, nurturing, sometimes very anxious, and often tries too hard to make everything perfect or "right." She is now trying to balance her and Rick's blended family as she also tries to feel her way around her new job in radio. She and Rick are now starting to realize and deal with the major changes in their lives caused by their recent marriage.

Rick Sammler (Billy Campbell) met Lily three years after his divorce from Karen Sammler, in the carpool lane at his son's school. It was love at first site for Rick. Over the two and a half year romance with Lily he endured many trying situations and overcame many hurdles. Learning from his past mistakes with Karen, he was gradually able to open up with Lily and let her into his heart and his mind. He is now in the process of rebuilding his troubled architecture firm, helping his children (Eli and Jessie) deal with their respective problems, adjusting to his new blended family and due to a recent accident…helping his ex-wife Karen through her recovery.

Karen Sammler,(Susanna Thompson) the ex wife of Rick Sammler, is a beautiful, bright, articulate woman who is still in love with Rick; although not admitting it. She is very controlling by nature, which causes problems with Rick and her children. The fear of losing her children to Rick's new wife and family has created a crisis in Karen's life, and she has gone deep into depression. Karen is seeking help, and is trying valiantly to lift that cloud hanging over her. While contemplating her situation, and not really concentrating on the present, she is hit by a car. She is now on a long road to recovery…

Jake Manning's (Jeffrey Nordling) philandering ways were a major factor in the demise of his marriage to Lily. He then dated Tiffany long enough for his two daughters to grow comfortable with her, but ultimately Jake's inability to have a monogamous relationship caused Tiffany to leave him. Jake adores his daughters Grace and Zoe, and because of this he is, at least partially, redeemed in the eyes of the viewer. Tiffany has just given birth to Jake's third daughter, and now we are left to wonder if Jake will be as attentive to his newest child as he is with his daughters with Lily. Besides helping his ex-girlfriend care for their infant, Jake is also busy working for Judy, his former sister-in-law.

Eli Sammler (Shane West) is the oldest, and only son of Rick Sammler. Eli is a kind, attractive, easy-going, very unfocused 18 yr. old. Due to his learning disability, a frustrated Eli aimlessly changed from high school athlete to promiscuous, pot smoking, guitar playing high school graduate with no goals. After an altercation with his mother about getting fired from his job, Eli has some guilt to deal with as his mother lies, helpless, in a hospital bed. With no college plans and no job, Eli must seriously start to face his future.

Jessie Sammler (Evan Rachel Wood) is the fifteen-year-old daughter of Rick and Karen and younger sister of Eli. She is a beautiful, intelligent and talented girl, gifted in countless ways. Unfortunately, her fear, confusion and insecurity make it impossible for her to see these attributes. She struggles daily to fit in with her new family. She harbors guilt over her parents divorce. She fights her own battle with anorexia. She excels in everything she tries, from the classroom to the stage to Tai-Kwan-Do. She possesses the face and voice of an angel. Yet she cannot help but feel like a failure. She is the regrettable byproduct of a broken home, and the joyous potential of an unlimited future.

Grace Manning, (Julia Whelan) Lily's oldest child from her marriage to Jake, was an anxious, insecure high school freshman when the show began. Complicating her embarrassment over her mother's romantic involvement with Rick is her secret crush on high school basketball star, Eli, who is also Rick's son. During the last two years, we've watched Grace blossom into a lovely young woman who is beginning to see that the world is painted in shades of gray rather than black and white. While Grace has grown in confidence and insight, she still longs both for a boyfriend and to feel popular and respected at school.

Zoe Manning (Meredith Deane) is Lily's youngest daughter from her first marriage. She is sweet, funny, loving and has an incredible sense for style. She always brings a bit of comic relief when things get tense. Zoe has always felt over shadowed by Grace and has been dealing with her parents divorce in her own silent way. She was excited at the idea of getting a new stepsister (Jessie) only to find out it wasn't like she thought it would be. She also has to deal with no longer being the "baby" of the family now that she has a new baby half sister.

Judy Brooks (Marin Hinkle) often feels invisible in her sister Lily's shadow. Through a singles club at Booklovers, her bookstore-cafe, she helps others find mates while struggling with her own love life. The ticking of her biological clock gets louder as she watches Lily's family grow in size and happiness. The only man she's really connected with is the artist, Sam Blue, Rick's friend and business partner. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Judy still wonders whether Sam can ever be faithful to her.

Sam Blue (Steven Weber) is Rick's partner and friend as well as Judy's love interest. He is separated from his wife Janine with whom he shares a son Jamie. His relationship with Judy, which started while he was still married, has been off and on over the past two years.

Tiffany (Ever Carradine) is the former girlfriend of Jake Manning. She can be seen as flighty when you first meet her, but she has an empathy not found in most people. Because of her difficult upbringing, Tiffany has trouble believing that other people actually care about her. Tiffany recently gave birth to a baby fathered by Jake.

The following websites provide detailed descriptions of each episode and each character as well as details of the fans' campaign to save "Once and Again".

http://www.angelfire.com/tv/onceagain/
http://www.oandafans.com/


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