The Chosen: Season 1, Episodes 1-4

**All photos and videos used in this post are courtesy of The Chosen. I do not own any of them.**

Thanks to all you read my last post. I didn't know if anyone would actually take the time to read it. I get passionate about some things and pour my heart into talking (writing) about it, then realize that other people might not care. Lol. 

Sorry for the delay. It took me longer to do this recap than I thought. I kept going back and forth how I wanted to post them. At first, I was going to do one episode per post, but that would take forever, so I'm going to do four episodes a post. Obviously, this post is going to have spoilers, SO, if you think you want to watch the show, I encourage you to watch the episodes first. Like I mentioned before, they have a free app (click here) where you can watch the episodes. I know season one is on Netflix and I think it's also on Amazon Prime.

If you want a detailed recap of the episode scene by scene, I'm sure you can find those online (just Google The Chosen episodes recap). My recaps are gonna kind of be all over the place but if you know me, this won't surprise you. I tend to be all over the place telling a story. Lol. 

If you are a person who doesn't care about spoilers (or if you have already watched the show), keep on reading. But grab some snacks first, because this going to be a long post. 

DESCRIPTION: Two brothers struggle with their tax debts to Rome while a woman in the Red Quarter wrestles with her demons.

We meet a lot of characters in episode one-which is one reason I got confused the first time I watched it. But also, to be honest, I wasn't paying super close attention the first time I watched it (because I thought it was going to be your typical "cheesy Christian" production). 

Here is a breakdown of some of the main characters we meet:
Nicodemus: A leading Pharisee from Jerusalem and a prominent member of Sanhedrin. 
Simon (Peter) and Andrew: Two brothers who are fishermen in Capernaum by day and gamblers the rest of the time. Like most of the Jewish community, they are drowning in tax debt.
Matthew: A young man who is a tax collector in Capernaum, because even back in the 1st century, the government demanded the payment of taxes.
Gaius: A Roman centurion assigned to guard Matthew's tax booth.
Quintus: A Roman magistrate in Capernaum and the Praetor of Galilee (AKA, the one demanding the taxes). Heads up- he's the bad guy you love to hate.
Eden: The wife of Simon (Peter). 
Shmuel: A Pharisee in Capernaum who studied under Nicodemus.
Zohara: The wife of Nicodemus. 

Lilith: A woman suffering from demon possession. 

Rifka: A friend to Lilith.

Jesus: I assume everyone knows who He is. :)

CLIFF NOTES SUMMARY:

The show starts with a flashback to a little girl talking to her father. When she says that she's scared, he has her quote scripture from the prophet Isaiah. "Thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

The scene flashes forward, and we see an adult Lilith covered in blood with no memory of what the demons caused her to do the night before. Meanwhile, the great Nicodemus is touring Capernaum with his wife and is stopped by Praetor Quintus. He wants Nicodemus to help him collect all the unpaid taxes from the Jewish community. 

Matthew is pushed and spit at as he walks to his tax booth, which is guarded by Gaius. He is considered a traitor by his fellow Jews and it becomes apparent he is liked by no one. Simon (Peter) and Andrew struggle with their tax debts to Rome and spend time gambling in hopes of making enough to pay off the debt. This gambling includes fighting with Eden's brothers. Nicodemus is ordered by Rome to go to the Red Quarter to perform an exorcism on Lilith. When it doesn’t work, he leaves saying only God himself can save her. 

When Andrew tells Matthew he is unable to pay his past due taxes, Simon steps in and tells Matthew that he has an arrangement with Quintus, so they don’t have to pay. Simon’s arrangement is to let Quintus know the Jews fishing on Shabbat (Sabbath) but Andrew disapproves, considering it a betrayal to their friends and fellow Jews. 

Lilith has lost all hope of ever being healed and is sitting in a bar. As she leaves the bar, she is followed by a man (spoiler- it’s Jesus). He then calls her Mary (of Magdala), and she stops. It's obvious that no one in Capernaum knew her real name. He quotes the same scripture that her father taught her many years earlier. He then places his hands on her head, freeing her from the demons that have tormented her. This scene is so powerful that I have to show a video and not a gif. This scene is when I decided The Chosen was going to be different than any show I had ever seen.

 

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

When I recommed the show to someone, I always tell them that the first time I watched episode one, I was confused, and it wasn't until the end when I was like, "oh, okay, I think I see what's going on." I know some people will start a show, and if they don't like it within 15 minutes, they will stop watching. KEEP WATCHING THIS ONE. This show is going seven seasons, so they take a bit of time introducing you to the characters. And yes, episode one is a little slow at first, but the show will pick up. Trust me.

Knowing what I know now, I think this episode does a great job of introducing the viewer to the characters. Yeah, when you first watch it, it's a little annoying that you don't quite know who is who or what is going on- but it will eventually make sense. I feel if they had rushed it in episode one, it wouldn't have worked as well. Of course all of this is in hindsight. And, as I stated in my previous post, the writers have added some content and characters that are not in the Bible. They are not trying to ADD to Scripture, they are just trying to make the stories come to life. Another thing I like about this show is that they don't speak in "Old King James" speak. For those who don't know what that means, this is Isaiah 43:1 from the King James version of the Bible: “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” They DON'T speak like that- they speak in "modern" terms and use modern phrases. They do that so people can relate to (and understand) the show. 

DESCRIPTION: Matthew validates Simon's claims with Praetor Quintus. Nicodemus investigates the miracle reported in the Red Quarter, and Mary receives surprise guests at her Shabbat dinner.

New characters in this episode:

Mary: Technically we met her in the first episode as "Lilith", but from now on, she's Mary (Magdalene).

James and John: Two brothers living in Capernaum who run a fishing business with their father. This James will later be known as "Big James". 

Zebedee: Father to James and John.

Barnaby: Friend of Mary Magdalene.

Shula: Friend of Mary Magdalene.

James: Student of the rabbi Jesus. This James will later be known as "Little James". 

Thaddeus: Student of the rabbi Jesus.

CLIFF NOTES SUMMARY:

Mary Magdalene (formerly Lilith) prepares for Shabbat dinner. Matthew confirms Simon’s agreement with Quintus is true. Simon continues to spy on merchants, all while buying them drinks at a local bar. He runs into fellow fishermen James and John, and their father, Zebedee. 

Nicodemus hears about a miracle in the Red Quarter. When he confronts Mary to see that she is indeed healed, he is surprised to hear that someone else was responsible for the miracle. 

Nicodemus leads a Shabbat dinner with the other Pharisees. Matthew approaches what we learn is his family’s home to observe Shabbat with them, but decides not to go in, and eats dinner with his dog. 

Mary hosts her first Shabbat dinner with her friends Shula and Barnaby. She receives surprise guests, two young men named Thaddeus and James. When Jesus shows up to the dinner, we discover they are students of his. After leaving Shabbat dinner early, Simon is approached by the Romans at the Sea of Galilee to spy on the merchants again. 

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

This episode definitely moves faster than episode one. For those who know the Bible, it's kind of exciting to see the disciples slowly introduced. While these back stories in the show aren't necessarily the true backstories of the disciples (because we don't know them), it makes you stop and think who they were before they met Jesus. The first time I watched it, I kept thinking, "This is a Jesus show, and they have barely shown Jesus." Don't worry- they show him more as the show moves on. The show is focused on showing Jesus through the eyes of those who knew him best, so we have to get to know those people first. I also like the humor that they throw in the show. While Barnaby is a minor character, he does bring "comic relief" to his scenes. *Note: This video isn't the best quality, but it was all I could find on YouTube. The actual episodes look better than this.*

DESCRIPTION: Jesus befriends and teaches the group of children who discover His camp on the outskirts of Capernaum.
New characters in this episode:
Some children from Capernaum. 

CLIFF NOTES SUMMARY:

Jesus has set up camp outside of Capernaum. A little girl named Abigail discovers the camp and is intrigued by all the tools and brings her friend Joshua to see it. Jesus befriends Abigail and Joshua, as well as their other friends. The children help Jesus on his work as he teaches them about love, prayer, justice, compassion, faith, and wisdom.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:This is a short episode but I thought it was good. If only we were so eager to learn from Jesus like these children were. :) The timeframe of this episode seems to be the same as the first episode, because there is a scene where the children ask Jesus where he was the day before, and he said he had to go help a woman in need. I assume we are to believe that is when he went to Capernaum and healed Mary Magdalene. Also, episode four picks up where episode two leaves off, so I feel that episode three takes place at a different time (and not right after episode two). That is something super minor, but I still felt like mentioning it.

DESCRIPTION: With his life and family under threat from Rome, Simon spends one last night fishing in a desperate attempt to square his debts. Andrew spots a familiar face waiting for them on the shores of Galilee. 
New characters in this episode:
John the Baptizer: A wandering preacher in the wilderness, who baptizes on the Jordan River. He is the cousin of Jesus. 

CLIFF NOTES SUMMARY:

Simon has a change of heart and misleads the Romans to save fellow Jews from being caught fishing on Shabbat. Shmuel tells Nicodemus about a baptizer on the Jordan River. Matthew tells Quintus that Simon is not reliable, so Quintus has Matthew follow him to keep track of his actions. 

Simon tells Eden they are in danger of losing their house if he doesn’t catch enough fish to pay off his debt. Andrew runs to Simon exclaiming that they are saved, as his rabbi John the Baptizer has identified the Lamb of God, but Simon (who called the baptizer "Creepy John") doesn’t believe him and leaves to go fishing. 

Later, Andrew, Zebedee, (Big) James, and John arrive to help Simon fish, but they catch nothing all night. In the morning, they think the Roman soldiers are there to arrest Simon, but it turns out to be someone teaching to a crowd. Andrew recognizes the teacher as Jesus, who asks to preach from their boat so the crowd can hear him. After the sermon, Jesus tells Simon and Andrew to cast their nets again. They catch so many fish that their boat starts to sink.

         

Simon surrenders himself to Jesus. Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, and James and John to follow him. They join Thaddeus, Little James, and Mary, who were all listening to Jesus teach. After witnessing the miracle, Matthew is shocked by its impossibility. Meanwhile, Nicodemus visits the imprisoned John the Baptizer to ask about miracles.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

The "miracle of the fish" is one of my favorite scenes in season 1. It was so well done. I watched the behind the scenes of the filming of it, and it's just amazing how it turned out. That video is here, but I recommend watching the scene first before you see how they made it. It just shows the quality in the production of the show. It's hard to pick a favorite character in this show (my favorite changes every time I watch it), but this episode is where I really starting liking Matthew. Yeah, he's hated because he was a traitor by being a tax collector (and for spying on Simon). Back in those days, tax collectors were the worst. Not only did they collect taxes that people owed to Rome, but they would charge them more and keep that extra money for themselves. So yeah, not a nice guy. But in this episode you can see that Matthew starts to question what he is witnessing. The wheels are starting to turn in his head. I should mention (because it took me until episode four to figure out) that they are portraying Matthew as having Asperger's Syndrome. This has been met with so much positive feedback by viewers and fans. I have family members and friends on the spectrum, and I like that they have a character that they can relate to. The actor who plays Matthew does a PHENOMENAL job in this role. I know I have given you a lot of videos to watch, but check out this interview with Paras Patel, the actor who plays Matthew. At some point, I'm going to have to do a post or two about the actors who portray these roles, because they are all AMAZING. I'm not just saying this because I like the show- I'm really blown away with the talent they all have. But I'll wait a while. I think after I finally recap all the episodes, y'all will want a break from me talking about the show. :)

Stay tuned for my next post where I wrap up season one with a recap of episodes 5-8. I mentioned before, each season has eight episodes. 

XOXO!
Rachel

Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney Concert Recap

Okay, so I'm only a MONTH late getting this recap up. Last month the BFF and I went to see Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in concert at Jonestown (AKA Cowboys Stadium). We have been talking about seeing Kenny Chesney for years, so I was excited we finally got to go! I had also never seen Tim McGraw in concert so it was "doubly awesome" (is that a phrase? If not, I'm making it one). Jake Owen and Grace Potter opened for them. I LOVE Jake Owen but Grace Potter, I wasn't as impressed with (just not my style).

Jake did a great job, I really like his voice. He interacted well with the crowd (which unfortunately was pretty light since he was the first opening act). He even signed autographs while he was singing. At one point he laid down on the stage, grabbed this lady's camera, and took a picture of the both of them. I thought that was pretty awesome.

Again, not many good things to say about Grace Potter, so I'll skip her part. 

Tim performed next and I have to say, I LOVED HIM! It's hard to believe I've been listening to him for almost 20 years! A lot of his songs take me back to high school and college. I loved that he did a lot of his "old stuff". He also signed a lot of autographs while on stage.

Kenny started his show on the "mini" stage that was set up a ways down from the "main" stage. Props to the BFF, she called it that he would start the show there. We kept wondering how he was going to get from that little stage to the main stage (there was no walkway). When he moved to the big stage, he got on this "ski-lift" type thing and "flew" over the crowd to the main stage. Pretty cool! I have to say, Kenny is probably one of the best concerts I've ever been to. After every song he would thank his fans and blow kisses. He also interacted a lot with the fans, signing autograph and taking pictures. (I have never been to a concert where the singers signed so many autographs while singing). At one point in the concert Cowboys tight end Jason Witten came on stage to sing along to Kenny's hit "Boys of Fall". 

Tim McGraw came back on for the encore and they both sang "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" (Kenny's song) and "Indian Outlaw" (Tim's song). 

At the end of the concert Kenny, Jake, Grace, and Tim all signed a guitar, and Kenny gave it to some kid on the front row. Very cool.

Kenny being lifted to the main stage. Picture stolen from the internet

Tim and Kenny during the encore. Picture stolen from the internet

My pictures aren't the best because I only had my phone (long story about what happened to my camera), but I wanted to share some! :)

Weehoo!!

Me and the BFF waiting on the concert to start

Our view of the stage

Our view of the "Jerry-tron"

Jake Owen

 

I liked that Jake's drummer was wearing a Bazinga shirt! :)

The guy who took this picture was having problem using my iPhone camera. Oh well, it's still cute! :)

Tim McGraw!

They opened the roof before Kenny took the stage

Kenny!

My summer concert series continues this weekend with Rascal Flatts on Friday. I'll try and not let a month go by before I give my recap on it!

XOXO!!

Did You Miss Me?

Thank you to everyone who has sent me emails or tweets letting me know that you miss my posts. I have truly missed blogging! And I have missed reading all of your blogs! Thanks for all the concerns, I'm fine (physically at least). Mentally I might be a little loopy! :) For about the past month my job has been absolutely brutal. I've been working a lot of overtime and to be honest, the last thing I wanted to do once I got home was get on my computer. And it seemed any time I was free on the weekends, I wasn't at home (I know you are all shocked that I was busy). :)

I won't overload you with a full recap of the past month in this one post, I'll spread it out some.

A few weekends ago my folks were in town to spend Father's Day weekend with me. My mom was very excited because she got to go to not one, not two, but THREE Rangers games that weekend (she usually just gets to go to about one a year). She was a little disappointed that Josh Hamilton was in the hospital so he couldn't play (he's her favorite player), BUT she was thrilled that they won all three games. My mom is now five-for-five when attending a Rangers game. They seem to like winning when she's there (we need to get her to more games!)

Game One

Game Two

Game Three (my dad is wearing his new Rangers cap he got for Father's Day!) :)

The Rangers provided excellent service. They picked us up at the parking lot in a golf cart, took us to the front gate, got my mom in a wheelchair, and took us all the way to our seats (my mom has to walk with a cane so they were nice enough to wheel her in). Then after the games they took us back to my car. We seriously couldn't have asked for better service!

On the golf cart from the parking lot to the Ballpark

This is Leland. He actually wheeled my mom out all three games from our seat to the cart pick up location outside the Ballpark. He was super nice! We felt like old friends by the third game!

That weekend was also fun because my folks and I got to have dinner with my high school piano teacher (he was also the piano player at the church I grew up in). We hadn't seen him in a number of years. He just happen to be at a conference in Dallas that weekend so he was able to meet up with us. I wish I had kept up playing the piano (I wasn't that great, but I enjoyed it). He is seriously one of the best piano players I've ever heard, no lie!

Me and Dr Hughston

I hope to blog again tomorrow!! It's time to get back in my habit of updating it at least 4 or 5 times a week! Love y'all!!

XOXO!

A Look Back at 2011

I know this isn't an original blog post at all (especially since I've already seen at least 5 bloggers I follow on Twitter mention doing a 2011 wrap up post). Feel free to check the side bar to the right and check out any posts that you might have missed over the past year (or years). I'm not going to bore you with EVERY little detail from 2011, but I will try and do a "Cliff Notes" version. Okay, a LONG Cliff Notes version.

Check out past posts over there -->

Evidently 2011 was a year where I posted embarrassing pictures from my past. No comments on my poor hair choices please. I am a child of the 80s and teenager of the 90s.

8th grade Pep Squad officer

Freshman soccer picture

Senior prom with my best friend Zach

I was able to go visit good friends who I don't get to see very often.

(L-R) With Mandy and Kristin, I've known them for like 23 years!

(L-R) With Jami (AKA, my little sister) and Kristal. We all grew up in church together

I got iced/snowed in my apartment for almost a week (resulting in Cabin Fever). After being stuck indoors for the week, I braved the roads and went to Whataburger on Day 5!

I attended Rangers FanFest. 

Waiting outside (in the cold) for over an hour waiting on the doors to open

Rangers manager Ron Washington

Me and outfielder Craig Gentry. Insert fan girl sigh here

I was an extra in a film being made about former Arlington mayor Tom Vandergriff.

With my friend Monica, in our best 60's costumes

With actor Mark Nutter, who is portraying Tom Vandergriff in the film

They gave out door prizes to the extras as a thank you for participating. I won a Washington Senators pennant. It was autographed by Ted Williams (this once belonged to Mr. Vandergriff himself). If you are a baseball fan, you will know how awesome a Ted Williams autograph is. If you aren't, Google him. :)

I finally got to meet Katie when she came to Texas in May for a visit! 

Now she's a true Texas cowgirl!

I finally went to Paris.... 



Okay, it was Paris, Texas.

I got a promotion at work (click here to read the funny story on how my boss told me about it).

I went to MANY Rangers games. Like about 40. I can't post pictures from all of them, here are a few.

I went to the New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys concert with my friends Mel and Monica. Thanks to my friend Trish, we were able to get into the NKOTB after party at the Ghost Bar.

Waiting on NKOTBSB!

The after party. Joey is in the center! :)

Taken right before Jordan Knight gave me a hug.

A very blurry picture of me and Donnie Wahlberg.

I was able to meet some of my Twitter peeps in person! I'm so glad I was able to meet them, they have become really good friends!

I donated almost 10 inches of my hair to Pink Heart Funds.

Before...

After!

I met some pretty famous people.

Actor Donald Faison

Actor Geoff Stults

Rangers pitcher Derek "the Dutch Oven" Holland

Former Dallas Cowboys player Nate Newton

Jeff "Skin" Wade and Ben Rogers from the Ben and Skin Show on ESPN Dallas (my favorite radio program). I am now one of their "peeps". Oh yes, I'm that cool! :)

Anthony Andro from Fox Sports Southwest. One of my favorite sports journalist in the Metroplex.

I admitted I had a Twitter addiction (click here for that post).

I saw Brad Paisley in concert (click here for that recap).

I attended a few Cowboys games.

With Leaneth at the Broncos/Cowboys preseason game.

Leaneth and I were able to get into a ground level suite for the Lions game. We could see Tony Romo's multiple interceptions up close and personal that way. **shaking my head**

I saw Dick Van Dyke perform live in person with his brother Jerry in The Sunshine Boys. Sadly I didn't get to meet him, but I was on the second row, so he was literally 15 feet in front of me! And everyone in our section got an autographed picture of both of the Van Dyke brothers!

A picture of the stage from my seat. Shhh, I wasn't supposed to take a picture.

My autograph!

I went to the State Fair of Texas (I went twice actually).

I celebrated when the Rangers won the American League pennant for the second year in a row. I still can't talk about the outcome of the World Series though, the wound is too fresh. :( I still need time.

I wrote about how my life would be if I were a celebrity (click here).

I became a Pinterest addict.

I spent time with my four adorable great-nephews.

C and Aunt Rachel taking a picture with her phone. Why yes, that is a Rangers iPhone cover!

Birthday boy E doesn't want to take a picture right now.

B and G loved being able to see the picture on my phone after we took it.

I saw Huey Lewis and the News in concert (front row!)

I spent time with my wonderful family during the holidays!

My folks with their six children.

Sorry this recap was longer than I was expecting. Sadly this doesn't cover half of the stuff I did in 2011, but it was fun going back over some of it. I'm looking forward to 2012 and I hope you continue to check out my blog. Thank you sweet friends for taking time to read my posts. It means so much to me!! Happy New Year and may God bless you and your family in the New Year!

XOXO!