THE CHOSEN: Episode 3.6: “Intensity in Tent City”

In THE CHOSEN, Season 3, Episode 6, the absence of Jesus has the disciples gearing up to defend their Messiah while seeking to ascertain his whereabouts themselves. Here, Simon the Zealot is their model, as they discuss the intensifying polarization of those who accept and those who reject Jesus, His message and His mission. As the former Zealot, whom most refer to simply as “Z,” comes to terms with his past, Mary Magdalene crosses philosophical swords with Tamar. The two women eventually come to a better understanding of each other and help Zebedee with his new olive oil business.

Meanwhile, Pontius Pilate talks privately with the spy, Atticus, and asks him to keep an eye out for Jesus’ ministry. Also, two men come to the apostles to speak with Jesus. They claim they have an important message from John the Baptist, who’s a prisoner of King Herod. Since the men claim to know Simon Peter’s brother, Andrew, Peter asks them questions about Andrew, to make sure they really know him.

When Jesus finally returns to Capernaum, everything zeroes in on Jesus’ famous answer to John the Baptist’s question to Jesus, given to Jesus by John’s two disciples in Matthew 11:3, “Are You the Coming One, or should we look for someone else?”

The acting and production values in Episode 3:6 remain high, but the episode’s first half seems to meander a bit. Granted, Mary and Tamar’s tense dialogue and Z’s having to face his past are excellent for character development, but it’s still hard to see where the story is heading until halfway through this episode. This problem gives this episode a somewhat tentative feel. Notwithstanding, the outdoors oration of Jesus regarding his answer to John’s disciples is well written, because it comes directly from the biblical text in Chapter 11 of Matthew. However, the scriptural quotes from Jesus are cut sort at Matthew 11:19. The ending of Matthew 11, Verses 25 through 30, is saved for Episode 7 of Season 3, where Jesus speaks to the multitudes during the miracle of feeding the 5,000 in Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-15.

The overall worldview in Episode 6 of Season 3 remains largely Christocentric and biblical, with the creative team taking pains to remain true to the biblical text in the four Gospels. Jesus’ oration in answering the questions of John’s disciples is superbly delivered by Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus. However, the scriptwriters omit Jesus’ reference to the Son of Man in Matthew 11:19 after John’s two disciples left. Viewers may also ask if the series’ presentation of the heart of John’s question is rightly understood. John’s seeking clarification from Christ is often seen as a moment of doubt. However, it’s legitimate to critique this too simple interpretation in light of Matthew 11:14, where Jesus identifies John the Baptist as “Elijah who is to come,” a reference to John fulfilling prophecy in Malachi 3:1 and 4:5. Despite these omissions, the scene featuring John’s two disciples is effective in many key ways, down to the soul-piercing stare that Jesus gives a member of the Sanhedrin as he says: “And, blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Matthew 11:6).

Objectionable content in Episode 6 is scarce, but it includes a brief scene of two men being crucified by Pilate and two suggestive comments.