Ok, so the way that I found to make it work was...
FrmEpisodes (main form)
Code:
Public NewSeries As Integer
Option Compare Database
Private Sub Command38_Click()
DoCmd.OpenForm "FrmNewSeries" 'this was the subform, but now opens in a new window but not acDialog so that it takes the whole Access window
End Sub
Private Sub Form_Activate()
Me.Refresh
End Sub
FrmNewSeries (subform)
Code:
Private Sub Command2_Click()
NewSeries = Me.SeriesID.Value
Forms!FrmEpisodes!SeriesID.SetFocus 'this was done in the original post so I'm not sure why I didn't include it
Forms!FrmEpisodes!SeriesID = NewSeries
DoCmd.Close
End Sub
I included everything, just in case something that wasn't considered is what fixed it.
I had a refresh on the main form, already, but it was in conjunction with a click event that hid the subform after entering a new series.
Apparently, the Activate function and a separate window really sealed the deal.
I really liked having the new option integrated into the form, but I need another subform to be continuous and you can't have subforms within continuous forms.

Things are coming together, nicely...
JJ