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Jonathan & Jesus (2024)
Should have been called Fame
In a documentary that has Jesus in the title, one would expect a string of theologians and historians to weigh in. But this documentary is about Jonathan Roumie's experience in playing Jesus. Consequently, the breadth of this series is actually wider than the title might lead one to believe. In navigating the intersection of faith and fame, Roumie actually interviews several people, mostly musicians (because Roumie's first love might actually be music), who have had to learn how to live out their faith while being famous. Incidentally, Alice Cooper gives the best description of extreme fame during his segment that we should all keep in mind when it comes to celebrity culture.
Along with familiar celebrities, Roumie also speaks with faith leaders like Francis Chan and a missionary working with refugees in France as well as other faith leaders.
Alongside following Roumie's daily life, a sometimes fraught journey to meet the Pope, and an international promotional tour for The Chosen, the crew interviews people whose faith in Jesus has lead them to combat racism, sexism, and human trafficking. In dealing with fame and faith they interview psychologists and health experts, some of whom openly admit to being non-believers, which was a surprise in this production pointed squarely at The Chosen core audience.
The biggest surprise at the end is the video of a story that Roumie tells pretty much any time anyone asks him about how he got the role of Jesus in The Chosen. It is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness, but also illustrates why SAG-AFTRA went on strike partially due to how residuals were paid.
Outlander: Never My Love (2020)
Beautiful even when it loses the plot
The thing about Outlander is that even when the writing stumbles, the acting will always be exceptional and the show will be beautiful to look at. That is exemplified throughout season 5 and especially its finale.
The first half of season 5 had a specific point it was building to: Alamance Creek. After "The Ballad of Roger Mac" the season really wanders a bit aimlessly. Despite having separately tortured every member of the central family, Stephen Bonnet really never lived up to other great Outlander villains who could seem sympathetic and repulsive in equal measure. Ed Speleers plays Bonnet as though he's twirling an invisible mustache and that just doesn't play after Tobias Menzies' powerhouse performance as Blackjack Randall. It's not a huge surprise then that he meets his end before the finale, but that does mean there wasn't much tension going into it.
Another thing Outlander did in season 5 other than meander to the point was experiment stylistically. I loathed the attempt at a horror film in episode 3 and the silent movie interludes in "Famous Last Words" didn't really work, but the dissociative interludes make sense from both a character and storytelling standpoint. As a combat nurse, Claire learned to compartmentalize, and it also served to remind both Claire and the audience that Brianna and Roger could be in danger regardless of the century. And, as ever, it was beautifully shot. But the beauty of this episode was only skin deep. It was devoid of the true heartbreak or hope of previous season finales.
Blue Bloods: The Reagan Way (2022)
Backed into a corner
The Reagan Way could more correctly be called the Frank, Erin, and Jamie Reagan way; a way that adheres as much as possible to the letter of the law with respect and dignity afforded to all parties involved and avoids the very appearance of evil. A lot of characters have questioned this stance over the years, but this episode features a member of the family, Joe Hill, questioning those methods.
Because the writer's room reasonably thought that the show would likely be ending with season 11, they wrote themselves into a corner as far as Joe Hill is concerned. Season 11 ends with him breaking bread at the family dinner table like a full member of the family. However, when season 12 rolls around, he might as well have never existed for the first five episodes despite the fact that Erin and Anthony straight up committed a crime to help save him.
In "Be Smart or Be Dead" Joe comes around to the idea of being a member of the family and asks to come to dinner (which we never see) but when we meet him in this episode, he's done a complete 180 and doesn't want to be known a member of the family or do the job they way they do at all.
Without the benefit of even semi-regular appearances on the show, Joe's change in attitude is whiplash inducing. From a behind-the-scenes perspective, the show didn't lock down an up and coming actor when they weren't certain of a renewal and now they just use him when they can. As a viewer, however, it's a bit eyebrow raising.
The episode itself is very well done, but the lack of planning really kind of shows.
Blue Bloods: On the Arm (2022)
It's fun, shockingly
Blue Bloods very rarely cuts loose and does something for fun. While the show is rarely wholly grim, it is just as rarely outright fun. The last time the writers did something for kicks was the Bullitt Mustang way back in season six. This time it's Jimmy Buffet and Jimmy Buffet's doppelgänger both played by the genuine article.
Conversely, Frank's story about an officer taking goods and services "on the arm" is incredibly serious and shines a light on inconsistencies in general police policy and on how the breakdown in race relations in the last few years must have worn on minority officers. It is serious but it doesn't overpower Danny's delightful adventure with Jimmy Buffet so this was a refreshing change of pace for the stalwart show.
Blue Bloods: Justifies the Means (2021)
Would have been a great series finale
Showrunner Kevin Wade very reasonably assumed when CBS told him the show was getting a sixteen episode run with a two part finale that CBS was ready to pull the plug. So these two episodes were written to serve as a series finale and as such, this pair of episodes works excellently. The overall plot of the Reagan family banding together from their various positions within the justice system and with their closest associates to "do whatever it takes" to save Joe echoes the first season finale where they did essentially the same thing to avenge Joe's father. That main plot along with nods to the show's past would have made it a satisfying conclusion in many ways.
However, CBS renewed the series and the writers kind of backed themselves into a corner with the character of Joe Hill because of how these episodes are written. But taken on their own merits and how they were intended, these episodes are very nearly perfect.