This is going to be an interesting journey! Join Mateo as he watches THE CHOSEN TV series for the first time! Is this show worth the hype? We’re about to find out.
Get our Chosen Catholic Reflection guide HERE.
The Chosen: Catholic Reaction
The Chosen’s Artistic Interpretation and Historical Accuracy
I’ve heard that The Chosen isn’t 100% historically accurate, but that’s not a deal-breaker for me. If you truly want to learn about the life of Jesus, you should go straight to the scripture. This show is just an artistic interpretation. As long as they’re not altering the meaning of anything or pushing an agenda that wasn’t true to Jesus’ intentions, I’m okay with some artistic liberties here and there.
The Chosen: Initial Thoughts and Impressions
Without further ado, let’s get started! I’m excited to finally dive into this show and see what all the hype is about. The Chosen is based on the true stories of the Gospels of Jesus Christ. Some locations and timelines have been combined or condensed, and backstories and dialogues have been added. However, the Biblical and historical context, as well as any artistic imagination, are designed to support the truth and intention of the scriptures.
Opening Scenes: Powerful Storytelling and Production Value
Right off the bat, I noticed that the show doesn’t shy away from excellent production values. The storytelling is nonlinear, which is a refreshing approach. We start with scenes that cut back and forth, kind of like Tarantino’s style, which I think is pretty cool. It adds a dynamic element to the storytelling.
Meeting the Disciples: Portrayal and Context
It’s interesting to see how the disciples are portrayed; sometimes they’re older, sometimes they look like teenagers. This aspect has always intrigued me. For instance, Matthew is depicted as a tax collector, and it’s fascinating to see what tax collectors actually did—like going into people’s homes with Roman soldiers, probably to collect debts. It’s a visual that adds depth to my understanding.
Encountering Mary Magdalene: A Different Introduction
The character Mary of Magdala was also introduced in a unique way. I was initially confused but intrigued by her backstory. I had always thought that Jesus first encountered Mary Magdalene when she was about to be stoned, and he said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” So, it’s intriguing to see the show take a different approach with her introduction.
The Introduction of Jesus: A Powerful Moment
When Jesus finally appears, it’s a powerful moment. His introduction isn’t immediate, which kept me wondering when He would come into the story. The way they chose to bring Him in was unexpected, but I’m going to let them cook and see where they go with it.
Final Thoughts: A Strong Start to The Chosen
Overall, this first episode of The Chosen was intriguing and far from boring. As I’ve said about any piece of media, the one cardinal sin is to be boring, and this was definitely not that. Despite some historical inaccuracies or artistic liberties, the show kept me hooked, and I’m eager to see more. I can overlook things like a rough script or even some cosplay-like acting as long as the story is engaging.
Join the Conversation: What Are Your Thoughts on The Chosen?
I’m excited to continue watching the series, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What did you think of the episode? Would you like to see more reaction videos? And next time, I’ll make sure to have a bowl of grapes ready—those grapes in the scene with Peter and his wife looked so good! Until then, I’m Matto Rivera, The Cinematic Catholic. Thanks for watching!
