TV Series Review: The Chosen: Season 1, Episodes 5-8

Hello, hello!

This is the last day of Megan and Samantha's Catholic Liturgy Week, so I am trying to "slip under the wire" and get this post in, heehee.

I talked about episodes 1-4 of the series The Chosen HERE, and it's time for me to review the rest of the series.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. These are spoiler free!


The Chosen: Season 1, Episode 5: "The Wedding Gift" (2019):

Based on: the true stories from the Bible.
Jesus and His new students attend a wedding of one of His mother's friends. The parents of the groom are trying to impress the parents of the bride, but with some many guests the wine that they ordered doesn't look like it will be enough for all of them. Nicodemus questions the man called John the Baptist in order to find answers. With so many questions burning in his mind can there be a solution?
Genre: Drama, Historical, Family.

Length: approx. 54 minutes.
Costumes: 8, very accurate to the times.
Script: 10, no bad words!
Crew: Directed by: Dallas Jenkins. Written by: Dallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson.
Starring (Reminder, with TV shows I only list the top 10 most important characters for each episode):
1. Jonathan Roumie as Jesus.
2. Vanessa Benavente as Mother Mary.
3. Joey Vahedi as Thomas.
4. Shahar Isaac as Simon.
5. Noah James as Andrew.
6. Giavani Cairo as Thaddeus.
7. Erick Avari as Nicodemus. "Clearly you are not a frothing madman, but every bit as unreasonable."
8. Yasmine Al-Bustami as Ramah.
9. Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene.
10. Karina Dominguez as Helah.
Cinematography: 9, something about the way they did the wedding and everything was really cool. I liked it a lot!
Cinematography by: Akis Konstantakopoulos.
Music: 8. The theme isn't getting any less catchy.
Quotes: N/A because of how recently I watched it.
Content: 10, absolutely clean in all ways.
Originality: I liked how nicely everything was connected with the wedding! I'll admit that I had my doubts because it wasn't in the first episode, but I now approve.
Good For: All Christians as well as non-Christians! This is a perfectly great show for everyone.
Age Range: This is perfectly acceptable for all ages!
Overall Score: 9
This was a really good episode! So many things resonated with me. First, when Simon asks Andrew, "How did father teach us to be fishermen?" and the reply is: "He didn't. We just sat there and watched." Let me tell you, that's my dad's way of teaching. The thing is, whenever I'm supposed to be paying attention I start thinking and am then entirely in my own head.
Second, none of you know this, but I am learning to be a stonemason. This is my dad's and my project for this summer (and probably next, too...). Because of that, the way that Thaddeus talked about being a stonemason and such a special moment was incredible to me. While cutting some stone today I was thinking about it a lot.



The Chosen: Season 1, Episode 6: "Indescribable Compassion" (2019):

Based on: the true stories from the Bible.
Matthew cannot believe what he saw on the shore. Because of this he starts looking for answers. Jesus and the others have returned to Capernaum and when He starts talking a huge crowd gathers. A woman who saw a miracle that He did on the road has hope rise within her, can it be done again and can her friend be healed?
Genre: Drama, Historical, Family.
Length: approx. 52 minutes.
Costumes: 8.
Script: 10, no bad words!

"He's the only one who knows who I'll become."

Crew: Directed by: Dallas Jenkins. Written by: Dallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson.
Starring (Reminder, with TV shows I only list the top 10 most important characters for each episode):
1. Jonathan Roumie as Jesus.
2. Paras Patel as Matthew.

'"Just try to look natural."

"I am natural, I look exactly how I feel."'

3. Amber Shana Williams as Tamar.
4. Shahar Isaac as Simon.
5. Noah James as Andrew.
6. Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene.
7. Noé de la Garza as the Paralytic.
8. Nick Shakoour as Zebedee.
9. Kian Kavousi as Big James.
10. George Harrison Xanthis as John.
Cinematography: 8.
Cinematography by: Akis Konstantakopoulos.

Music: 8.
Quotes: N/A.
Content: 10, all acceptable by any standards.
Originality: This is based on the true story so I don't want to rate it.
Good For: All Christians as well as non-Christians! This is a perfectly great show for everyone.
Age Range: This is perfectly acceptable for all ages!
Overall Score: 9.
Welp, more crying. I love the story of the paralytic man (it's one of my favorites!), and they did a fantastic job with it. Plus, we saw Abigail and Joshua again which made me so happy! Altogether, this might be my favorite episode.

The Chosen: Season 1, Episode 7: "Invitations" (2019):

Based on: the true stories from the Bible.
Matthew is doubting everything and even goes to his family who rejects him to be able to talk to someone. Nicodemus has finally arranged a meeting with the famous man Jesus. Will all of his questions be given an answer?
"It's an act of faith, not reason. Faith."
Genre: Drama, Historical, Family.
Length: approx. 52 minutes.
Costumes: 8.
Script: 10, no bad words!
Crew: Directed by: Dallas Jenkins. Written by: Dallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson.
Starring (Reminder, with TV shows I only list the top 10 most important characters for each episode):
1. Erick Avari as Nicodemus.
2. Paras Patel as Matthew.
3. Jonathan Roumie as Jesus.
4. Janis Dardaris as Zohara.
5. Lara Silva as Eden.
6. Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene.
7. Brandon Potter as Quintus.
8. Shahar Isaac as Simon.
9. Noah James as Andrew.
10. Jordan Walker Ross as James.
Cinematography: 8.
Cinematography by: Akis Konstantakopoulos.
Music: 8.
Quotes: N/A.
Content: 10, all acceptable by any standards.
Originality: All of the character development in this episode was spot on!
Good For: All Christians as well as non-Christians! This is a perfectly great show for everyone.
Age Range: This is perfectly acceptable for all ages!
Overall Score: 9.
All I'm going to mention, is that I need to stop saying when I cry during this show because it is inevitable. From now on, anytime I mention The Chosen, just assume that I cried because you will probably be right.

The Chosen: Season 1, Episode 8: "I Am He" (2019):

Based on: the true stories from the Bible.
The time has come to leave Capernaum. The Romans are getting suspicious, and Jesus knows that He is needed elsewhere. It won't be easy, but who will go with Him?
"We didn't choose Him, He chose us."
Genre: Drama, Historical, Family.
Length: approx. 52 minutes.
Costumes: 8.
Script: 10, no bad words!
"It's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
Crew: Directed by: Dallas Jenkins. Written by: Dallas Jenkins, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson.
Starring (Reminder, with TV shows I only list the top 10 most important characters for each episode):
1. Jonathan Roumie as Jesus.
2. Vanessa DeSilvio as Photina.
3. Shahar Isaac as Simon. "Normal Simon is bad enough, do you think I want to travel with a worried Simon?"
4. Lara Silva as Eden.
5. Paras Patel as Matthew.
6. Erick Avari as Nicodemus.
7.Kirk B.R. Woller as Gaius.
8. Brandon Potter as Quintus.
9. Kian Kavousi as James.
10. George Harrison Xanthis as John.
Cinematography: 8.
Cinematography by: Akis Konstantakopoulos.
Music: 8.
Quotes: N/A.
Content: 10, there is a woman who has been married several times and is living with someone who isn't her husband when we meet her, but it is handled perfectly.
Originality: This is based on the true story so I don't want to rate it.
Good For: All Christians as well as non-Christians! This is a perfectly great show for everyone.

Age Range: This is perfectly acceptable for all ages!
Overall Score: 9.
Well, what a season finale! The way that they did Eden is wonderful, the scenes with her and Jesus made me bawl (pretty much). It talks about how the ones who were not "chosen" still are so important and loved. Ack, it was great.
Jesus' talk with the woman at the well was also prevalent to today, at a time when I haven't been able to get to my place of worship for four months, and Jesus talking about how we can pray anywhere.



I apologize again for the lack of photos! These are the best that I could find.

Samantha put together a Catholic tag as well, so here are my answers to a few of the questions:

Personal/Family:

How did you get your name? Is there a special story?

My mom and dad had a deal with naming kids. My mom would name all the girls, and my dad would name all the boys. They only had daughters, so mom named all of us. My dad was trying to convince her to name me Alana, but that didn't happen. (He tried again later with my younger sister, and it still didn't happen). But, my mom did name me after two of my dad's relatives, and my first name is after a saint. (Actually, both of them are saints, but my mom didn't know about the saint with my middle name).

Who are your patron saint(s)?

My Confirmation saint is the same as my Baptismal saint, who is the same as my name. Those of you who know, already know... hee hee.

Does your family do any devotions together?

Right now we are doing makeshift Sunday services together. When my sisters and I were little, a hermit would come over and teach us the rosary, which we would do all together. Nowadays, sometimes my sisters and I will do a Divine Mercy Chaplet together.

Have you or anyone in your family dressed up as a saint? What was the best costume?

No, but now I seriously want to! I would want to dress up as Saint Lucy, Saint Dismas, or Mother Teresa. At a Catholic camp that I've been to we had a day where all of the councilers dressed up as saints, but I've never done it myself.

Have you been to the Easter Vigil? What is your favorite part? What about your favorite line of the Exultet?

I've gone to an Easter Mass every year (well, excluding this year, we just streamed it from our Diocese), but I don't believe that any of them have been the Easter Vigil.

How many sacraments have you received? Are there any good stories about them?

Baptism, Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Well, for my First Communion I was the first to receive The Body, and I was filled with such happiness and so excited that I had done it...that I forgot about The Precious Blood. As I was walking back to my seat the minister had to grab me...

On my Confirmation day I kind of lost my voice all of a sudden, during the service, so when I was asked what name I wanted to be Confirmed in, I couldn't say anything. Whoops. It still counts.

What are your family traditions around...

Advent and Christmas?

Advent calendar, a wreath that we weave out of bows and put on a wooden cross outside, a Christmas tree, and all the usual things.

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter?

Nothing that is anything special.

Godfamilies/confirmation sponsors?

I've actually only met my Godparents twice. Only once that I remember which was back in 2018. You see, they live in a different country. But, I've sent them lots of letters and talked on the phone a lot (usually on Christmas, Easter, or my birthday).

What is your...

Favorite hymn?

Amazing Grace - by John Newton! This is so beautiful. I also love Morning Has Broken, Eye Has Not Seen, You Are Mine.

Favorite saint quote?

Once when a reporter asked Mother Teresa if she was trying to become a saint she answered, "Yes, shouldn't we all?"

Favorite Bible verse?

2 Corinthians 13:4-13. My favorite part of it is "Love never fails".

Favorite sacrament?

Reconciliation! I love that we are all forgiven during this, no matter what.

Favorite feast day(s)?

The feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, as well as the Assumption!

Favorite Marian Devotion?

The rosary! It has a very special place in my heart.


That wraps it up! Please check HERE for more Catholic posts!

Thanks for reading! Have any of you seen The Chosen? If not, what are you waiting for?

MovieCritic