THE MERCY SHIPS: Episodes 1.1 to 1.3

THE MERCY SHIPS is a medical documentary series by Angel Studios about volunteer-run hospital ships that help patients from around the world. In season one, the Mercy Ships organization sets their attention on Sierra Leone and Madagascar, two African countries in need of medical assistance. Along the way, the doctors face inclement weather, mechanical failures, and life-or-death surgeries. Will their faith in God keep them afloat?

The first three episodes chronicle the activities of two separate hospital crews and their everyday lives. One ship is docked at a developing village of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Another crew tends some poor families of Madagascar, located in East Africa. THE MERCY SHIPS focuses on the everyday lives of general doctors, physical therapists, plastic surgeons, carpenters, and other crew members.

Each episode splices traditional sit-down interviews with footage of the doctors’ daily routines. THE MERCY SHIPS doesn’t follow a traditional overarching “narrative,” but is built upon smaller story threads. The producers ask each doctor why they joined the organization, how they handle the stress of the job, and how they apply God’s teachings to their own lives. On occasion, the crew faces rainstorms, boat malfunctions, and curing several patients onboard.

In terms of production values, THE MERCY SHIPS knocks it out of the horizon. The camerawork, editing and overall sound mixing are exquisite. There is a seamless blend between the sit-down interviews and the daily snippets of the doctors. Each doctor’s personal journey is easy to follow, and the cast never feels overwhelming. The creators also incorporate beautiful “flying drone” shots of the boats and the African villages. This attention to detail applies to its moral compass.

THE MERCY SHIPS is decked out with a pristine Christian moral sonar. In almost every scene, the doctors engage in group prayer, openly cite Jesus’ teachings as an inspiration, and dedicate their lives to serving local African communities. The crewmates cooperate with one another, develop a close-knit community, and remain positive despite numerous setbacks. During the interview segments, several doctors cite Jesus’ commitment to the poor and sick as a motivation for joining the Mercy Ships.

On top of that, the program sails with a universal theme: that people from around the world are joining a common cause. Men and women doctors from England, United States, Sweden, and Southeast Asia proudly proclaim their heritage while also being united in their cause. Moreover, the doctors treat their African patients with empathy, kindness and stewardship. Finally, the Mercy crew is pro-marriage and prioritizes the blossoming of married doctors.

The first three episodes of THE MERCY SHIPS are free of foul language and lewd content. However, it has glimpses of real life blood and surgery work. In one episode, a male nurse volunteers to donate his blood. He doesn’t scream, but a giant tube visibly pokes through his arm. In one scene, a man gets his torso cut open during a surgery. His innards are briefly flashed on-screen. A few African patients with physical deformities (oversized pimples and necks) are also shown.

Lastly, during the second episode, the crew goes through a simulated emergency regarding a woman injuring her body in the engine room. The woman wears realistic prosthetic make up in regards to cuts to her arms and legs. The doctors and the film crew hurry to transport the woman’s “dead body” from the room. This scene is portrayed with intensity and might scare off Angel Studios’ usual fanbase.

The final positive to THE MERCY SHIPS is its authentic handling of the doctors’ personal lives. The series easily could have devolved into “Doctor X is jealous of Doctor Y,” but avoids this gossip trap. Instead, the creators highlight the doctors hanging out together, doing a group film project for fun, and bringing an “can do anything” attitude to the job. The doctors are not portrayed as perfect saints, but as decent people who bring the best out of humanity.

The first three episodes of THE MERCY SHIPS are awe-inspiring. They shine a strong light on teamwork, compassion and helping patients from needy communities. The titular doctors openly engage in prayer, follow the teachings of Jesus, and support traditional marriage between their co-workers. However, there are glimpses of fake prosthetic gore, people getting their blood taken, and two patients having their chests open during surgery. So, MOVIEGUIDE® recommends this televised voyage only for older children and their families.