Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Kristin Booth and Eric Mabius as Shane and Oliver in ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters’. (Photo Courtesy of Luka Cyprian/Hallmark.)

It really is quite amazing how sometimes… a singular and simple idea can grow into something so much more. Because more often than not, especially in storytelling, an idea in that vein is often nothing more than a one-off. That contrite and contained story that audiences love through and through, but there won’t be any complaints if talk of a sequel never arise. But every now and again, we genuinely run into a story in that vein that grows and becomes something that audiences crave and want more of and for proof… then look no further than the Signed, Sealed, Delivered franchise. For this simple story, one about a group of post office employees that work in the ‘Dead Letter Office’ that try to reunite lost letters with their recipients, could have been that one-off.
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For that original story, a pilot episode that debuted in 2013, could have easily served as a one and done. For it was so quirky and so unique that it held its own and the plot got the point across no problem. But here we are, eleven years later, talking about that concept. Because it exploded into something popular, and resonated with audiences who loved the idea of Oliver, Shane, Rita, and Norman, finishing business for others through those dead letters and bringing harmony and joy in doing so. But despite its popularity, since it spawned a ten-episode season and a near decade of a dozen films… one could say the magic of this story ran out, since there hasn’t been a new story in this saga since 2021. But that… would be incorrect.

Because last night saw a new chapter in the saga come forth on the Hallmark Mystery Chanel, one that reminded us of why we adore this series and why we keep coming back for more. Which is a feat that Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters accomplished by simply giving us more of what we love. Since this time around, the POstables were tasked with solving the mystery of three damaged letters from a high school prank gone wrong in 2007. Which allowed for them to once again, learn about people’s stories and find ways to bring them together through those letters and the words we communicate with and that made for a charming little feature. One that really did speak volumes to why this series is so successful.

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Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, Rhiannon Fish, Geoff Gustafson, as Rita, Charley, and Norman in in ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters’. (Photo Courtesy of Luka Cyprian/Hallmark.) ©2024 Hallmark

For at its core, it looks at the ties that bind us, one of which is communication. For words matter deeply to us and letters in any form, be them through a block of text message, a powerful email or through the postal service… have weight, have gravity and can do so much for a person in a positive and negative light. Since they do indeed deliver bad news, wondrous news and an outpouring of joy, the end of a relationship or the bare beginnings of one. Because we pour our very souls into words and that was on display here in a beautiful manner. One that truly spoke to how we connect with this concept and are curious to see what stories these letters tell our heroes, and what they will teach everyone about life and its complexities, and its beauty and everything in between. But it of course, also offered more.
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After all, this series is nothing without its characters, for we do indeed adore them and connect with them as well, and since the last film ended with Oliver and Shane getting married, we were able to enjoy the follow-up to that here and learn how married life is vastly different from everyday life and were able to bear witness as to how one overcomes those difficult first days. Plus, we came to learn more about Rita and Norman’s ambitions to become a parent and Charley even went on quite the journey here. Since she had ties to the prank in question in a manner that added great depth to the plot and its messaging of reconnection and forgiveness, all of which made for an enriching story that at the end… explained another reason why we keep tuning into this saga.

In that, it’s just about life. About the words we forget to say or never say, and why we should say them, and the ups and downs that we all experience as we work to get to another day, complete with doubt and hope and everything that makes life so wild and worth living. All of which brought forth another charming and heartwarming chapter in this saga. One that yet again, leaves us eager for more. Since we simply must know what will come from all the big moments that were assembled here. But while we wait for the next chapter, we can celebrate another feel-good feature from a franchise that just plain understands the majesty of life, and the moments and words that make it so special and so joyous.

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