Ties That Bind

Ties That Bind, marries a police procedural to a family-under-stress drama, and in the premiere, the combination works pretty well.

The production values are mediocre, much of the acting rough around the edges, and some of the plotlines contrived. Its faith-based family-friendly message feels forced. That said, there's a solid heart at the core of this drama. Maybe it's hokey, but the show grows on you.

Where Ties unravels is in its other half, as it desperately tries to be a gritty police procedural.

The whole show is paint-by-numbers predictable, from the wayward cousins’ unhappiness, to their slowly grudging acceptance of their aunt and uncle saving them from getting shunted to a random foster home.