A Thousand Tomorrows

➤ Pure Flix

An NFL star abandons his wife and two sons, in part because the younger boy has Down syndrome. Years later, he tries to earn back a place in their lives. Karen Kingsbury’s A Thousand Tomorrows, a new Pure Flix six-part drama based on the novel by the same name, presents a story about forgiveness and perseverance through hardship.

Rodeo champion Cody Gunnar (Colin Ford) fuels his bull rides with angry memories of the day his father, Mike (K.C. Clyde), walked out. Cody stays in touch with his mother Mary (Kate Easton) and younger brother Carl Joseph (a standout Cole Sibus) who, unlike Cody, welcomes Mike back after more than 10 years—with no questions asked. Cody steers clear of his father and the Christian faith that guides his mother and brother.

Ali (Rose Reid) is a Christian and a champion barrel racer. She doesn’t share details of her dire medical condition with her friends, and she competes despite the physical harm it causes her. Although Ali and Cody are drawn to each other, she initially keeps him at arm’s length because of their spiritual incompatibility.

The show has spiritually encouraging moments, but those moments—as well as Ali and Cody’s budding romance—often take a back seat to repetitive scenes that don’t advance the plot.

Bull riding and barrel racing competitions function as filler for the six episodes. Gratuitous bar scenes and unwholesome flirtations between cowboys and ­cowgirls might buck faith-based conventions, but they also distract from a worthy story. A focused 90-minute feature film would have made for more ­compelling viewing.