The network’s description: “In the town of Hallelujah, it’s like the devil grabbed hold and won’t let go. Formidable Del Roman (Terry O’Quinn) uses his wealth and power to pull the strings of the local police force and control the town from behind the curtain. But there’s a stranger on his way to Hallelujah and if things don’t straighten out, there’s going to be hell to pay. Rye Turner (Donal Logue) is a good man, but lately he and his family have fallen on hard times. A tragic accident has turned his 8-year old son Matthew mute and left his wife Ruth (Frances O’Connor) racked with guilt. The whole town of Hallelujah is suffering, but when Rye almost hits a stranger by the side of the road, his luck begins to change. Rye invites this stranger, Jared (Jesse L. Martin), to stay for a while, but Ruth isn’t as easily taken in by this charming drifter.

When Jared’s arrival coincides with a rather miraculous event, even Ruth agrees that Jared is a welcome change to the town. Of course, Del Roman isn’t nearly as enchanted. As these two very different but equally powerful characters face off, the small town of Hallelujah will become the landscape for an epic battle between good and evil. Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives) imagines a vivid reality where good and evil struggle mightily for the upper hand. Set to the rousing gospel music of the town’s church choir, Hallelujah is one of the season’s most absorbing and original new character dramas.”

What did they leave out? For all the aforementioned tubthumping about an epic showdown between good and evil the actual product is far more subdued. There are no special effects and the like, just the underlying suspicion that Jared may in fact be a higher power.

Read the full review at The Futon Critic