Martha Williamson Movies
- 2003
For their 200th assignment together, Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) were supposed to bring hope and faith into the heart of embitteredt DMV instructor Kelly (Lesley Warren). But when Tess is "disqualified", angel-in-training Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) takes over. On surface, Kelly is a standard-issue assignment, a woman who has soured on life after spending 14 years caring for a streetwise orphan named Jessie (Edwin Hodge) in a crime-ridden Chicago neighborhood. But there is a whole different dimension to this case: Kelly is herself an angel, who since going AWOL from Heaven has evolved into a human being...with far more than her share of human failings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
In the first half of Touched by an Angel's series finale, Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey) is at long last on the verge of being promoted to supervisor. First, however, she is required to pass one last test--and it's a formidable one indeed. Monica must somehow restore hope and faith to the profoundly grief-stricken citizens of Ascention, where all the children have been killed in a school explosion. Curiously, several of Monica's former "clients" have apparently settled in Ascention, including mentally challenged Joey (Paul Wittenberg), the sole witness to the tragedy. And what exactly is the story of happy-go-lucky handyman Zack (Scott Bairstow), who shows up in town just in time to be accused of setting off the explosion? Guest star Randy Travis sings "When Mama Prayed". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
In the conclusion of Touched by an Angel's two-part series finale, it appears as though Monica will fail her final test to become a Heavenly Supervisor. The town of Ascention remains entrapped in the grip of bitterness and hatred following a schoolhouse boiler explosion which killed all of the town's children. Worse still, genial handyman Zack (Scott Bairstow), the only person in town with a positive outlook on life, has been accused of deliberately causing the tragedy and put on trial for his life. Even with Monica's fellow angel Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) and her old friend Mike (Patrick Duffy) handling his defense, the cards are obviously stacked against Zack--especially since the prosecuting attorney is really Satan in disguise. But what seems to be a hopeless situation takes a unexpected turn in the final moments...and there is a startling revelation at the very end. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
The ninth and final season of Touched by an Angel finds all four of our favorite Heavenly operatives--Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese), Andrew (John Dye, and Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli)--way out West, where amateur astronomer Joe Collette (Robert Pastorelli) is hoping for a reconciliation between himself and his son Ricky (Taylor Handley), a recovering drug addict. When Joe and Gloria simultaneously discover that an asteroid is hurtling toward the earth, it appears as though the present mission is pointless, but Tess grimly insists that the job at hand be completed regardless of whether or not anyone is left alive afterward! Meanwhile, elderly Mildred (Lois Smith) is rather looking forward to the impending Armageddon, reasoning that at least she will be reunited with her late husband--but she'd like to experience at least one genuine miracle before she dies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
In this followup to the first-season episode "Tough Love", Phylicia Rashad and Erica Gimpel) return in the roles of journalist Elizabeth Jessup and Elizabeth's daughter Sydney (whose own daughter Beth, originally played by Melissa Lee Andrew, is here enacted by Lauren Robinson). Though Elizabeth had overcome her alcoholism with the help of angel Monica (Roma Downey) several years before, she has curiously chosen not to mention this life-altering experience in her memoirs. In fact, when Monica returns for a visit, Elizabeth is downright hostile. Ultimately, Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye) gently informs Elizabeth that she hasn't much time left to come to terms with her past--if not for herself, then at least for the sake of her loved ones. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Angela Lansbury guest stars as Lady Penelope Berrington, the proud and very haughty matriarch of a famous tea-manufacturing family. When told that he and his wife Sarah (Kate McNeil) can never have children, Lady Berrington's grandson and heir James (Brian McNamara) decides to adopt a Chinese orphan. The outraged dowager is dead set against the notion of her noble lineage being "tainted" by a non-Caucasian--at least until angel Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) forces Lady B. to reveal an embarrassing secret about her "aristocratic" past. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye) is unhappy about his latest assignment, which requires him to "collect" young Ben Mason, the last member of a venerable Virginia family, on Ben's wedding day. As his Heavenly predecessor Adam (former series regular Charles Rocket) listens sympathetically, Andrew relates Ben's family history, which is intewoven with an old inn called "Sign of the Dove", once a major link of the Civil War-era Underground Railroad. Meanwhile, Andrew's fellow angel Monica (Roma Downey) tries to talk Nicholas Freeman (Richard Lawson) out of committing suicide--an assignment that turns out to be connected with the foredoomed Ben Mason. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The Angels arrive in a small New York community just before Christmas, where town mayor Victoria (Blair Brown) is having trouble summoning up any kind of genuine Yuletide spirit. Only recently have the townsfolk discovered that beloved music teacher Bill Harper was killed in the 9/11 attacks in Manhattan (the reason that he happened to be at Ground Zero on that tragic day is mystery that remains unsolved until the final scene). While Bill's student Benny Lewis (J.B. Gaynor) takes the news harder than most, Victoria grimly refuses to allow herself the luxury of mourning. It is up to Victoria's son Patrick to help Benny and his mom find closure and move on with the lives...but first he must perform an act of profound selflessness as an example to everyone else. The song "Winter Carol" is performed offscreen by Steven Curtis Chapman. One of the series' highest-rated episodes, this one is also known as "I'll Be Home for Christmas". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
In the conclusion of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Seven finale, angel Monica (Roma Downey) and psychiatrist Rebecca Markham (Faye Dunaway) continue their (extremely separate!) efforts to help Diana Winslow (Delta Burke), a member of a famous gospel-singing family group, come to grips with the death of Danny Winslow--and to locate Diana's brother-in-law Jed (Randy Travis), who caused the accident that killed Danny. Diana remembers nothing of the tragedy, while Joshua Winslow (John Schneider), son of family patriarch Carter Winslow (John Schneider) remains on life support. Although the taciturn Carter is unable to forgive Jed, his wife Lila (Rue McClanahan) may be willing to do so--and forgiveness is the only thing that can keep the family from permanently breaking apart. Of course, Monica's first concern is the Winslows, but it turns out that Dr. Markham needs her assistance as well. Musical highlights in this episode, performed by the formidable guest-star lineup as well as the real-life gospel aggregation The Gaither Homecoming Singers, include "Shallow Water", "See Myself In You", "Don't Ever Sell Your Saddle", "God Trying to Get Your Attention". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
In the first episode of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Seven finale, Monica (Roma Downey) is celebrating her newly acquired ability to see humans "from the inside out." It doesn't take long to find the perfect test for her new skills, as manifested in a famous gospel-singing aggregation called the Winslow Family. When the group splits up after a bitter argument, Monica is certain that she can bring them back together--and thenl tragedy strikes. The bulk of the story is told in the form of a therapy session, as the troubled Diana Winslow (Delta Burke) tries to assuage her sorrow with the assistance of her cynical psychiatrist Rebecca Markham (Faye Dunaway). Among those appearing as the Winslows are guest stars Randy Travis, David Canary, John Schneider and Rue McClanahan, as well as the members of the real-life gospel group The Gaither Homecoming Singers. Musical highlights include "Shallow Water", "Oh, What a Time" and "Because He Lives". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Monica (Roma Downey) takes novice angel Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) under her wing to show her how best to bring the love and hope of God to ordinary human motals. Just when she is making headway, Monica is literally shaken by a bomb blast in an office building which kills dozens of people (ironically, this episode originally aired several months before 9/11). Suffering a near-total loss of faith, Monica wanders aimlessly in the desert, where she hitches a ride with a handsome, charismatic stranger (Mandy Patinkin). It doesn't take long for the stranger to betray his true demonic identity as he tempts Monica with the prospect of forsaking her angelic ways by becoming a human being...and his earthly emissary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The opening episode of Touched by an Angel's eighth season introduces the series' newest regular: Valerie Bertinelli, in the previously recurring role of bespectacled novice angel Gloria. As Monica (Roma Downey, Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) do their best to indoctrinate Gloria in the intricacies of their Earthly responsibilities, the plot proper gets under way with William Russ guest-starring as agnostic college professor Thomas North (William Russ). Armed with an ancient map, North goes on an expedition in search of the fabled Ark of the Covenant--accompanied by the Angels, who hope to dissuade the professor from disturbing the sacred religious artifact. Sharing screen time with the main story is the of 88-year-old Catherine Knight (Julianna McCarthy), whose bitter life experiences have caused her to lose faith in everything except her grandson Paul (R.D Robb)--who happens to be the person who sent Prof. North off on his quest for the Ark! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
In this sequel to the previous season's episode "Psalm 151", Wynonna Judd and Mika Boreem make return appearances, respectively cast as grieving mother Audrey and ebullient youngster Celine. Audrey has still not gotten over the death of her son Petey, and resents Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey) for talking her into "letting go." Sensing this, Celine makes a beeline to the boy's grave and says a special prayer. In a twinkling, who should arrive but "special guest angel" Emma (Jean Stapleton), assigned to help Audrey overcome not only her bitterness, but also her addiction to alcohol. Crucial to Audrey's salvation is an acerbic radio personality named Liz, played by Wynonna Judd's real-life mother Naomi Judd. The episode's highlight is the Judds' musical duet "That's What Makes You Young" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Season Seven of Touched by an Angel begins as overage playboy Everett Clay (Richard Chamberlain is disinherited by his millionaire father Benjamin (Ray Walston). Inspired by the story of the Prodigal Son, Benjamin intends to make Everett miserable enough to change his ways and learn something about self-reliance. With a bit of prodding from Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey)--and through the auspices of a mysterious painting on a barroom floor in Central City, Colorado--Everett flashes back to the misadventures of his great-grandfather Jack (also Richard Chamberlain), who started the family business. It turns out that young Jack was an even less admirable character than his great-grandson...but all this changed during a memorable stopover at Central City. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
The popular daytime TV show "Breakfast with the Baxters" has been cancelled, and hosts Betsey and Bud Baxter (Tess Harper, George Dzundza) are out of work. As they sit in their home ruminating over their bad luck, Betsey and Bud are visited by their two biggest fans--who bear a remarkable resemblance to angels Monica (Roma Downey) and Andrew (John Dye). As the evening progresses, the Baxters reveal that they've put up all sorts of emotional roadblocks to shut out their past--and all because they've never forgiven themselves for aborting their baby 15 years earlier. Only when all defenses are down do Monica and Andrew reveal their true identities...and their true purpose of their visit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
As New Year's Eve of 1999 approaches, a woman named Angela (Ann-Margret) dreads the inevitable moment that her longtime boyfriend Nick (James Read) intends to propose marriage. Not only is Angela pathologically incapable of making a commitment, but she also is unable to let go of her painful past. Posing as employees at a New Year's party, Monica (Roma Downey) and Andrew (John Dye) do their best to help Angela shed her past and look forward confidentally to her future--but first she is required to remember a promise made to her father made way back in 1955, and to honor that promise no later than January 1, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
On the eve of the "Civil Rights Day" celebration in Aynesville, Illinois, Monica (Roma Downey) stumbles across the dead body of an elderly black man, apparently the victim of a hate crime. Over the protests of Sheriff McKinsley (John Ritter) and his black deputy James (Rick Worthy), the organizers of the celebration choose to hush up the murder so as not to spoil the festivities--and for good measure, they order Monica to be locked up in jail "for her own good" until the whole thing blows over. The next morning, Monica awakens to discover that she is no long an angel, but instead a human being...a black human being. The reason for this metamophosis has as much to do with Monica's attitudes towards race as it does with the events of the past few days, but she does not realize this until she meets the celebration's guest of honor, Rosa Parks (playing herself, and appropriately making her first appearance on a bus). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Bill Cosby guest stars as Phil, the Angel of Reconciliation. Phil's current assignment is to mend the rifts that have separated prosperous car dealer Ben Mangione (Pat Hingle) and his prodigal son Buddy (Josh Carmichael). Ben's anger over Buddy's refusal to take over the family business--not to mention the ill feelings of Ben's son-in-law Frankie (Michael Rispoli), who'd hoped to take over himself--casts a pall over the 35th wedding anniversary of Ben and his wife Sylvia (Joyce Van Patten). Even more irksome is that the habitually late Phil has yet to make an appearance, forcing Tess (Della Reese) to cover for him, and possibly complete his assignment. But this may not be possible; halfway through the anniversary, party, word arrives that Buddy has been killed in a car accident! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
In the opening episode of Touched by an Angel's sixth season, Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey) hopes to awaken the conscience of Senator Kate Cooper (Lindsay Crouse), and persuade the woman to make public the horrible plight of women and children in war-torn Sudan. Unfortunately, Kate stands to lose a major endorsement from a candy company which is exploiting Sudan's slave-labor pool, so she remains silent. The issue is ultimately forced when, with the gentle encouragement of Monica and fellow angel Andrew (John Dye), Kate's own son Thomas (Jake Thomas) mounts a well-publicized fundraiser for the victims of the Sudan crisis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Evidently inspired by Saving Private Ryan, this episode takes place in July of 1944, in the closing stages of WW2. A group of soldiers, led by Sgt. Walker (Matthew Glave), make a pact that if one of them survives the war, that person will deliver letters of hope to the others' loved ones. Monica (Roma Downey) is assigned to watch over this "special" platoon, which includes ultra-cynical Pvt. Faraday (Christian Leffler), and the eternally optimistic Pvt. Rourke (Andrew Kavovit). What follows is a maelstrom of terror, courage, cowardice, stupidity and nobility--but the payoff does not occur until 50 years later, during a poignant visit to a London pet shop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In the conclusion of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Four finale (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) have managed to smuggle Chinese defector Jean Chang (Bai Ling) back into Beijing for a reunion with her husband George (Russell Wong). But George has bad news: his and Jean's beloved daughter Piao is missing, and may no longer be alive. Also in Beijing is Jean's American boss Edward Tanner (Adrian Pasdar), a disreputable toy manufacturer who has been exploiting cheap labor provided by George. One of these characters is slated to perform an act of great and selfless courage that will change the lives of many others--but Monica isn't certain whom that person will be, and with the Red Chinese police hot on her heels, she may never find out! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In the first half of Touched by an Angel's two-part Season Four finale (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) wonder how many lives can be changed by the courage of a single person--and better still, who will turn out to be the "courageous" one in their newest assignment. Candidiates include Jean Chang (Bai Ling), a dissident Chinese National who fled Beijing after the Tiananmen Square confrontation; Jean's boss Edward Tanner (Adrian Pasmar), a none-too-ethical American toy manufacturer; Jean's husband George (Russell Wong), who stayed behind in Beijing and who now provides low-cost labor for Edward's company; or Jean and George's daughter Piao Yue--who has been missing and presumed dead for years. When this episode was originally telecast, Richard Gere appeared in an introductory segment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Now a schoolteacher in a tough Washington DC neighbor, Tess (Della Reese) learns to her dismay that one of her students, young Calvin (Mitchah Williams), wants to grow up to be a hit man! To convince Calvin that he's on the wrong track, Tess tells the boy the story of John Wilkes Booth(Reg Rogers), the assassin of Abraham Lincoln (David Selby). Not surprisingly, several familiar Touched by an Angel regulars are on hand to witness this historical tragedy and somehow restore the nation's faith in God, including Monica (Mona Downey)--as Mrs. Lincoln's seamstress!--Andrew (John Dye), and Sam (Paul Winfield). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
This 100th episode of Touched by an Angel also marks the 100th assignment of Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey). And it's a real heartbreaker, involving eight-year-old Petey Carmichael (Joseph Cross), who is dying of cystic fibrosis. Taking his fate in remarkable stride, Petey gives Monica a lengthy list of the goals he wants to meet before he enters Heaven. Foremost of his wishes is that his mother Audrey (Wynonna Judd), a too-busy writer of TV jingles, finish composing the song she had started when her son was born. Petey also wants Monica to arrange a meeting between his best friend Cornelia (Mika Boorem) and her idol Celine Dion (as herself). But there is one request that may never come to pass: Though Petey wants to leave his hospice bed and die at home, his HMO manager Eric (Fredric Lane)--who happens to be Cornelia's dad--refuses to break the rules. The episode's musical highlights include Celine Dion's rendition of "Love Can Move Mountains", and guest star Wynonna Judd's performance of the title song "Psalm 151". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Monica (Roma Downey) is assigned to help mayoral candidate Carrie Carver (Sheila Kelly) make an important--and possibly life-altering--decision about friendship. When her college friend Bill (Erich Anderson) is arrested on a charge of sexual misconduct with a minor, Carrie wonders if she should make a public statement in defense of Bill, or keep her distance lest she damage her political career. As it happens, the only way to "save" Bill is for Carrie to tell a lie...and in the final analysis, Monica can do little but stand aside and allow Carrie to follow the dictates of her own heart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
