The Chosen: Season 3

 

As The Chosen has progressed you begin to notice that each season has a certain theme. Season 1 was finding the Messiah, Season 2 was teaching the Good News. Season 3 can be condensed in one word. Healing. Healing of heart, body, mind, soul and spirit. Healing from our past, healing from our fears and anxieties. Amidst the pain and sorrow that this world holds for us, there is healing to be found in hope. Small as hope might be it can be the difference between life and death.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

- Matthew 11:28-30

 

Highlights

• Picking up where season 2 left off with Jesus beginning his famous Sermon of the Mount, where the teachings of the Beatitudes, the lessons of Salt and Life, the Lord's Prayer, and Salt and Light are preached to multitudes who have gathered to hear him. Jews, Gentiles, even Roman guards find themselves drawn to the odd teacher whose foreign words of love and light seem to bring a sense of peace and understanding. 

•  Little James who suffers from a form of palsy that causes immense pain and often slows him down wonders why Jesus hasn't healed him. Does it make sense that a man with James' condition would be able to heal others while he himself still suffers? Jesus certainly doesn't think so and says as much to James.

• Veronica, a kindhearted young woman seeks help and healing. She has heard of a rabbi that can perform miracles and her last ounce of faith in humanity is tested. If she could only touch the edge of his garment she may be healed. 

• Mary Magdelene and Tamar come at odds with one another as they live together apart from the men. Tamar's outgoing and lively personality is perceived as arrogant by Mary, and Tamar views Mary as self-righteous. After a hard discussion both women realize that while they harbor thoughts of fear and anguish, they have been renewed with an unbridled desire to serve Jesus and ministry. 

• Simon and Eden's marriage is tested and at a breaking point when they are faced to deal with a devastating loss. Simon, one of Jesus' most loyal disciples puts his faith to the test and dare to question Jesus amidst the raging storms and waves.

• Miracles abound in forms of renewal and hope. From raising the dead to feeding 5,000 people, Jesus' disciples never cease to be amazed by their Rabbi and his extraordinary miracles that coincide with his revolutionary teachings. Each day, each hardship, each moment of laughter and tears bring these ordinary men and women closer to the culmination of the greatest prophecy known to man.

While The Chosen is a great show it has its highs and lows. For the most part I enjoy a lot of character development in the disciples primarily, Simon, Simon Z, Matthew and Mary Magdelene. However, there are certain aspects of the show that could use some development if the show is going to continue.

• Nathaniel is a good character, but he has the potential to be more. After three seasons all we ever get from Nathaniel’s character is that he always says whatever he wants regardless of what everyone else is thinking. This is brought up without fail all throughout the show. Nathaniel’s unfiltered mouth is practically all he's known for and there's no development beyond that point. His only line from the Bible has become his entire character making him boring and somewhat useless. He's opinionated, he says what he wants. We get it, move on and give him better material.

• Judas Iscariot was an unexpected game changer at the end of season 2. This sweet natured, somewhat naive young man immediately endeared himself to the audience. It was a good way to introduce him in the story and making him a conflicting character from the beginning. However, his discussion with his sister about wanting to have a name remembered through the ages was a little too on the nose and obvious. 

• I understand the Pharisees are an important part of the story, but they are also the most boring. The never ending monologuing and going around in circles has become tiring and monotonous. Once again, no change or development. Every time their scenes come up, I just want to fast forward because at this point, they're a waste of time.

•  Thomas and Ramah are sweet, but their slow burn relationship is literally a snail's pace. They're interactions have gone from cute to just tiresome and cringey. Having Ramah leave was good for Thomas and allowed him to grow beyond a lovestruck young man. 

My quibbles set aside, season 3 was a great and the artistry in this season was incredible. All throughout we get glimpses of the fast-approaching end of Jesus' ministry and the impact it's beginning to have on him.