The Chosen (Season 2)

⭐ 9.5/10

Not a ton to add from my Season 1 review, but this show continues to be great. I was concerned when the first episode opened with a framing device involving straight-to-camera interviews, but by the end of the episode I thought it completely paid off and in fact made me emotional.

I could go episode by episode, but I feel like they continually pay-off every thing they set up.  Sometimes I am annoyed by flashbacks or new characters, but then they are pulled into the narrative expertly. I love how well it feels like we know the disciples now.  Each one is distinct and kind of gets their own moments and arcs.  Not just the disciples, but everyone in Jesus' orbit feels well thought out.  So much care is given to forming these characters, and knowing where they all end up, like with Thomas or Simon or Judas, everything they say is so loaded.

There is an episode here that starts with a 20 minute oner! Love that they do things other prestigey shows do, and it fits. They show really hinges on Jesus, and I think the guy playing him will be the Jesus in my head for the rest of my life. The actor gets a lot of credit, but I think the writing is incredible, giving Jesus lines that might not be directly pulled from the Bible, but said in ways you can totally believe, with empathy and kindness and passion. Other Biblical adaptations often fall short in how serious it takes the source material, and this show makes it feel like something that actually happened. I have said it a million times, but the writers are amazing and I wish this show got talked about with other great shows of our time because what they are pulling off is very special. Every episode challenges me with something new - a pastor could do worse than to just play one of these episodes in full every Sunday.

The storylines with the Rabbis and Romans can bog the pace down a bit. They are clearly setting up the endgame, but I just want to be with the disciples as they learn and grow. I think its clear this show is about them, the chosen, and that also helps Jesus remain set apart from the group. The struggles they have, the conflict within this inner circle, all helps serve the narrative, but more importantly breathe life into scripture that can feel like it loses some weight the more its repeated. I know the show is currently on Season 5, and I think they are planning 7, so its a long road ahead. Really hope they continue to value quality here, because at this point this is the only adaptation worth watching.