Tonight marks the return of Pushing Daisies, one of my favorite new TV shows from the strike-truncated 2007-2008 season.

It’s the fantastical story of Ned (Lee Pace), a humble pie maker with the power to bring people and things back from the dead: First touch, alive. Second touch, dead—forever. Keep anything alive longer than a minute, and something else must perish in their place. Suspense!

A private investigator (Chi McBride) discovers Ned’s gift, leveraging that knowledge and Ned’s unique talent to solve cases for cash rewards. But soon Ned encounters the untimely death of his childhood sweetheart, Charlotte (or “Chuck,” played by Anna Friel), and he can’t help but revive the passed lass. Ned’s secret revealed to her, the couple realizes they must never touch again, no matter how true their love connection. Check this second season preview:

Beyond the excellent performances (the très-talented Kristen Chenoweth is also a series regular) and the whip-smart dialogue, the cinematography is eye-poppingly gorgeous. Pushing Daisies may very well be the best comedy/drama/mystery/fantasy you’re not watching. Emmy voters certainly feel there’s something special here, nominating the show for 12 awards and bestowing three (Outstanding Direction of a Comedy Series, Oustanding Original Score, and Oustanding Editing of a Comedy Series).

See what the buzz is all about beginning tonight at 8/7 Central on ABC.