Kate Brasher is very uplifting and a genuine pleasure to watch. It strays from the normal drama scenerio in order to focus on people who do good things, rather than those who do bad. This series seems to be able to find good in every situation, at least in the first two episodes. For example, the second episode deals with a shooting at 'The Center' where an employee is shot and killed by a young boy who was seeking help from the workers there.

The Center's tough director, Joe Almeida, played by Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope), becomes the child's only visitor in lock-up, the only person who sees the good within the boy and tries to look past the hurt that he caused in order to seek out help for him, deciding to build him up rather than tear him down and send him to trial as an adult.

Kate Brasher stars Mary Stuart Masterson (Fried Green Tomatoes, Benny & Joon) in the title role as a mother who finds her place in life as a social worker at the inner city advocacy center, appropriately titled 'Brother's Keepers.' Originally, she walked through the doors to seek out help for herself in taking court action against an employer who stiffed her (and several other less fortunate women) on her wages.

While at Brother's Keepers she meets the talented cast of characters including Elizondo and Rhea Perlman (Cheers, Pearl). Perlman plays Abbie Schaeffer who is a sassy attorney who relies on her wits and imagination as much as the law itself. Perlman has a great part and she plays it well, she has always been one to pick great roles to play. Her dominating personality takes you by surprise due to her small stature, as did her award winning turn as Carla on Cheers.

Kate's family life is strong and successful even though they live in some of the worst circumstances possible. Her husband left years ago without a word or a penny of support, her jobs vary from week to week, and if she gets stiffed a paycheck nobody knows where the rent and food money will come from.

Even living with all this over her head she manages to find time to spend with her two teenage boys, Daniel and Elvis (played by Gregory Smith and Mason Gamble, respectively). She takes time to watch Daniel's track meets and stays involved in both their lives. And when she takes the job at Brother's Keepers, even though it's a pay cut from her previous dead-end jobs, its steady and she can count on it - and even more-so...she feels as though she's accomplishing something important and as though she has a future.

Kate Brasher inspires the viewer, giving you the feeling that anybody can make a difference - at least anybody who has the drive to do so. At Brother's Keepers, it is all about giving a voice to the voiceless and although many obstacles stand in her way, she remains confidant that God will provide for her and for those she loves.

This series is a winner! Again, it breaks the mold of the tired, overdone primetime soaps like Titans, Melrose Place, and so on. Instead, Kate Brasher takes flight with a unique, refreshing tone on Saturdays. Don't miss it if you enjoy walking away from the Tv feeling challenged in a positive direction instead of the contrary.

Kate Brasher airs Saturday nights at 9:00 p.m. on CBS weekly. Expect some hard hitting future episodes dealing with current and sometimes controversial subject matter.

Robert Bach is a writer and musician and former entertainment editor for an East Coast publication.

Got a problem? Email Robert at filmmonthly@hotmail.com