Monday 28 April 2014

Rev (BBC) does Easter in 2014

Did you see BBCs Rev this Easter? 

Did you cry like a baby like I did? 

Did you sit in amazement as the BBC surpassed themselves? 

No?  Weren't you watching the same programme as me?


I sat down to be entertained as I always am by Rev but right from the outset it was clear this was going to be different.   

I started angry. 

So angry that the LLM (Reader) would report his ministerial colleague without so much as even talking to Rev Adam.  How could the BBC depict our ministry so badly (not that I hadn't thought that before).  What were they thinking?  They couldn't bring down Rev Adam.


And then he has to visit the Bishop and suddenly a penny drops. He's on trial.  He's being judged by the Emperor and he's been in investigated by Pilate.  And they're quoting old testament at him.  Did you see it? Or is it just me? 


And so the powers that be (the temple leaders so to speak) move in and they start the process of dismantling Rev Adam's Church.  Sound familiar?  


And Adam stands up for his church and it's congregation.  You get it now Yes? 


Rev Adam is not allowed in his church or to talk to his congregation (disciples by any other name).  He is removed from his work and his friends.  He is alone and everyone else seems to be against him.   Colin even denies their friendship; three times I believe. 


And Rev Adam breaks. He can't take anymore and so he takes the church cross to the neighbouring parish.   This is when the tears start to roll down my cheeks.  This is when the reality of Jesus' last day is shown in 21st century London loud and clear. 


He is brought down by the weight of his mistakes.  He almost buckles under the weight of the cross.  

He falls and he can't get up.  

He is jeered at 

          and spat at 

                    and abandoned.  

Yet he's also offered help by a stranger although he doesn't accept it.  

It's the stations of the cross on the screen in all its sadness. 


Eventually Jesus (I mean Rev Adam) reaches the top of the hill and he is done.  

It is done.  

He can do no more. 

He sings and dances and is joyful or mad or both. 


And suddenly he's not alone.  

There's a bloke in a shell suit (I know but let's not go there) and he's singing and dancing as well and they know each other and they talk together and it hits me between the eyes

"It's God!"

And God is full of these trite motivational statements and I silently pray that He'd never do that. He wouldn't would He?  

But then God utters these words

"We all have our crosses to bear. I understand Adam. I'll always be here."

And I cry. 

I weep. 

I let go so much of my own sadness knowing that those words are so true.  Especially true because Jesus did all this for us. 


But it didn't end there. 

No. 

Jesus comes back and he meets his friends again and he helps them start his Church and the rest is history (or Acts anyway) right?  

No. Wrong.  He resigns. 


This is not how easter ends and it can't be how Rev ends can it?  

He can't just give up.  

He can't just go.  

Can he?  

I'm hoping the next episode sorts it out. 


But come what may this episode has done something I've never seen before. It's brought Jesus' death on the cross into the 21st century on TV.


You did get it didn't you?


21 comments:

Ratryn said...

Yes - I did get it and it made me weep. I am very worried about what will happen next.......

Nonnie USA said...

I had not heard of Rev Adams. I do understand from your synopsis how you compare Jesus and Rev Adams. I will investigate if this program is offered on my TV programs.

LLM Calling said...

Me too. I'm not sure how I'll cope if he loses faith in the church.

LLM Calling said...

I hope you manage to find it. I'm not sure if you can watch bbc programs on the iplayer from abroad. Or perhaps they'll go onto you tube soon. Well worth a watch

Anonymous said...

I think I will have to watch Rev again because I had no clue what was going on. My RE lessons are in the dim and distant past but reading your review makes me want to find out more. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Anon Rev here. It would be closer to real life if he does have a crisis of faith. As you share on your blog so many ministers have huge pressure and suffer with their mental health.

LLM Calling said...

Hello anonymous. I know a lot of ministers do struggle but I hope most find themselves well supported in their ministry. I know that my mental health isn't helped by my ministry but I also know that I would find life much harder if I didn't follow my calling. God bless

LLM Calling said...

Let me know how you find it on second watching; I'd love to know.

John said...

I did get it yes, but now I get it more. Thanks Emma

Anonymous said...

Are you sure you're not seeing to much into the episode? OK he carried a cross and met God but I don't think it will be quite as religious as you think.

LLM Calling said...

Perhaps we can agree to disagree. There have been lots of church advisors working on the programme so I think they really did mean to have all the imagery and reference to Easter. I'd love to see an interview with the writers about it.

kate said...

A fabulous article, it felt like having a chat with you whilst watching the programme.

LLM Calling said...

Thanks Kate.
Perhaps one day I'll actually watch progs live and be able to tweet my thoughts.

EmmaG said...

I was talking to a ministerial colleague today about this and they thought I'd lost the plot seeing all these references. Perhaps I have but it's great to know I'm in good company.

LLM Calling said...

I'm not sure that thinking how I think helps your sanity but it's nice to have company :)

Unknown said...

I saw all points on last weeks show and cannot wait for the final episode tonight. It has been thoroughly researched and even with a little political licence, is so close to ministry in the CofE. It gives my colleagues and I pause for thought and an open door for questions from anyone we know, inside and out. That cannot be a bad thing. Thank you for your blog!

Unknown said...

I saw all points on last weeks show and cannot wait for the final episode tonight. It has been thoroughly researched and even with a little political licence, is so close to ministry in the CofE. It gives my colleagues and I pause for thought and an open door for questions from anyone we know, inside and out. That cannot be a bad thing. Thank you for your blog!

Eileen said...

We both understood the message . It was Holy Week and Peter's denial, the trail by Pilate, the stations of the cross. We await tonight's episode.
Closure of St Saviours as financially unable to pay it's way



Eileen said...

Yes it was a reenactment of tHoly Week , the trial, the stations of the Cross , Peter's denial ( Colin)in the present day . The closure of st saviours because of lack of finances

Anonymous said...

http://revmum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/rev-series-3-and-holy-week_27.html is my take on it!And in five minutes we'll find out if we are right :-)

LLM Calling said...

What did you think of the final episode Hazel? I was very disappointed after the amazing easter masterpiece.