Saber T Wings

Not knowing what to expect, I entered the series with doubts, biblically and historically. The disclaimer at the beginning about historicity and biblically allayed any distrust and allowed viewer to see the work holistically. The idea of a rift within the family of Jesse due to an extra-marital liaison is not what I would have expected, but scripture mentions the smoke of where David is with respect to the family (the other sons) several times and where there is smoke, there is fire. Why was he not called to the sacrifice with Samuel when the rest of the sons were? Therefore, I overlook the dramatic license and see attempts at weaving together the imperfect human motivations with which these lives, our lives are rife. The treatment of Goliath and his brothers within the Philistine context is brilliant and unprecedented in such depictions. The references to Gen 6:1-4(5) are remarkable. “The Chosen” producers made the choice to drop the ball with respect to this same reference when they went traditional in the episode on Caesaria Philippi. The confession, not the person, of Peter is “the rock” and the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Hermon is pivotal in the work, passion and purpose of Christ. That “throw-down” of Jesus gives context to Pentecost, the writings of Paul, Peter, Jude, etc and the entire New Testament. It also declared the reversal of Gen 6:1-4(5) by Christ himself and ties back to the conquest and David’s encounter with Goliath. (In contrast, the Chosen producers chose to punt on 2nd down regarding this aspect.) The writing in this series is exceptional, at times profound, and the acting and directing are masterful. God (Yahweh) is not subject to the gods of the nations or the hubris of men’s dynasties, hierarchies and traditions and I am grateful. I am also grateful to these players, writers, directors and producers who bring the grit, and are unafraid to deal with the dark portions and sides of humanity and the Bible. Without intending to, with only doing good work and letting texts speak for themselves, this series speaks to us and our times.

Affleck, Simmons, Lithgow, Bernthal, etc. Well paced. Well written. Well acted. Action well filmed. Depending on what your family likes, it has memorable scenes, lines and a great final credits song. Authentic and entertaining.

Casting - excellent Acting - great Story - timeless Storytelling - 85% - diminished by music and choreography Adaptation - excellent apart from music and unnecessary choreography Music - other than an incompletely developed love theme and the last letter song, the rest of the soundtrack and lyrics seem lifted straight out of Sesame Street. Read Bert and Ernie Choreography - distracting, unhinged, unsupporting of story

Saw "Yesterday" today. Entertaining and surprisingly thought provoking. Against the backdrop of a shallow celebrity industry where everyone is looking to cash in, transcendent music and relationships rise above. Surprising twists, moments of story telling pleasure.