The Fontana and Green era was not a bad one at all. It did take me a bit of time to warm to Fontana and the chemistry between them, namely because of him having to fill in such big shoes. But when the character and chemistry settled, they were fine and the general quality of the episodes with them improved. Season 15 was inconsistent, but Season 16 was very impressive and one of the better latter seasons. Was rather mixed on the premise for "Bible Story".
In that it did sound interesting, as did the character of the perpetrator, but it also sounded quite basic and familiar and the franchise has really wildly varied in its portrayal of religion. This was an example of it potentially being bizarre and one sided if not done right but when religion is explored well, where interesting questions are raised and where perpetrators have more complexity, there is potential for it to be a good and more episode. Despite being a long way from perfect, "Bible Story" was a pretty solid and thought probing episode that is in the middle category when ranking the season.
Did feel that there were a few too many twists and turns, which made it a little over-complicated at times later on (a slower pace at the conclusion may have helped).
Also that it was on the heavy handed in the middle act.
Having said all of that, "Bible Story" has a lot that is noteworthy. As usual, the production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough while also taut. The performances are very good, with the standout being the unsettling performance of Zach Grenier as a psychologically interesting character that isn't too over the top.
Moreover, the script challenges enough without being too much of a challenge in terms of understanding what's going on. It is taut and intelligent throughout, especially between McCoy and Branch. The story is always engrossing and tight in pace generally, it doesn't come over as too easy to figure out thanks to things not being what they seem. While the policing engages and ideal in tone, the more thought probing and tense legal portions are even better.
In summary, pretty solid if not great. 7/10.
In that it did sound interesting, as did the character of the perpetrator, but it also sounded quite basic and familiar and the franchise has really wildly varied in its portrayal of religion. This was an example of it potentially being bizarre and one sided if not done right but when religion is explored well, where interesting questions are raised and where perpetrators have more complexity, there is potential for it to be a good and more episode. Despite being a long way from perfect, "Bible Story" was a pretty solid and thought probing episode that is in the middle category when ranking the season.
Did feel that there were a few too many twists and turns, which made it a little over-complicated at times later on (a slower pace at the conclusion may have helped).
Also that it was on the heavy handed in the middle act.
Having said all of that, "Bible Story" has a lot that is noteworthy. As usual, the production values are solid and the intimacy of the photography doesn't get static or too filmed play-like. The music when used is not too over-emphatic and has a melancholic edge that is quite haunting. The direction is sympathetic enough while also taut. The performances are very good, with the standout being the unsettling performance of Zach Grenier as a psychologically interesting character that isn't too over the top.
Moreover, the script challenges enough without being too much of a challenge in terms of understanding what's going on. It is taut and intelligent throughout, especially between McCoy and Branch. The story is always engrossing and tight in pace generally, it doesn't come over as too easy to figure out thanks to things not being what they seem. While the policing engages and ideal in tone, the more thought probing and tense legal portions are even better.
In summary, pretty solid if not great. 7/10.
