For Heaven's Sake is a unique true crime and comedy docuseries that was released on Amazon Addon in 2021. It is an excellently crafted show that follows the story of two friends Mike Mildon and Jackson Rowe as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of Jackson's great-great-grandfather, Harold Heaven, back in the 1930s. The show has a total of eight episodes, each lasting between 20-30 minutes.
The series presents itself in a fresh and innovative way by blending two genres that are vastly different from each other, which is intended to keep the viewers engaged throughout the show. The duo's relaxed and funny approach garners sympathy and trust from the people they interview and investigate, including Harold's descendants and various individuals from the local area. The creators' use of humor is a breath of fresh air, as it makes the show enjoyable and keeps it from becoming too dark or unnecessarily serious.
The show's primary focus is Jackson's great-great-grandfather, Harold Heaven. Harold went missing almost 85 years ago, leaving behind his wife and children, a bursting farm in Ontario, Canada, and a mysterious legacy that has intrigued his family members for generations. Mike and Jackson, his great-great-grandson, strive to solve the mystery of Harold's disappearance with their unique brand of investigation.
From the interviews, the two gather crucial evidence, and with this proof, they attempt to piece together the scraps of Harold Heaven's life that they can find. They use humor to help them break down the emotional barriers that people put up when confronted with the topics of loss and inherited trauma. However, they do not use humor for humor's sake; instead, they use it to create an authentic connection with the people they interview.
The show is a visual delight, capturing the local town's serene beauty, where most of the interviews take place, as well as the history behind the town itself. As the central character of the show, Harold's life and legacy are presented and mapped out in each episode through interviews with his descendants, as well as from archival footage of the era, including old photographs and newspaper clippings. The use of archival footage provides the audience with an authentic sense of the events surrounding Harold's disappearance.
Each episode contains a particular segment that focuses on a significant piece of evidence that the duo uncovers, and Mike and Jackson discuss and analyze every clue they receive before arriving at the conclusion of that episode. The show scours every lead and piece of evidence uncovered in Harold's story using wit, humor, and determination, ultimately creating a fantastic blend of suspense and comedy that is not common in most docuseries.
In summary, For Heaven's Sake is a docuseries that is intriguing, engaging, and loaded with humor, making it stand out from most other true crime shows. The series combines the investigation and humor elements successfully, and with the crisp production and the charming hosts, it is sure to entertain audiences of all kinds. The show does an excellent job of presenting a mystery and keeping the viewer engaged, all while never losing sight of the humor and fun necessary to make the experience truly enjoyable. Overall, For Heaven's Sake is a must-watch docuseries, and it is hard not to be invested in this tale of local folklore and a family's legacy that spans generations.