Review – ‘The Book of Daniel’ NBC debut
There has been a fair amount of buzz surrounding this past weeks debut of the new NBC drama, “The Book of Daniel”. The show follows the ups and downs (more of the latter) of an Episcopal priest Daniel Webster (Aidan Quinn) in an upper-class New York City suburb. One knows something has struck a nerve when the American Family Association (AFA) comes out swinging before having seen even a single episode.
So what has so many people up in arms? Could it be that Daniel has an openly gay son who he (awkwardly) supports? That his adopted son is sleeping with the daughter of a rich parishioner? Maybe because his daughter is selling drugs to support her comic book venture? His wife walking around with a perpetual martini or his own frequent Vicodin popping? Would it be that the shows creator is also openly gay? No, no, it would have to be the adulterous bishops, right?
Probably all these things raise the hackles of the conservative Christian right, but what seems to top the list is Daniel’s frequent conversations with Jesus, in all his hippie glory. The AFA says the show “mocks Christianity”, despite the network’s insistence that its intention is not to offend. It’s not the first time that controversial religious fare has tried grab for ratings, with varying success (“Nothing Sacred”, which I rather liked, but got canceled quickly or “Touched By An Angel” which I could barely sit through). “The Book of Daniel” tries to shake things up by being more of a “Joan of Arcadia” meets “Desperate Housewives”.
Now, in reading all this, you might think I am describe all the hot plot lines in store for the first season, but alas, that isn’t so. In fact, all of this (plus a good deal more) lays itself out for viewers in first 2 hour, debut episode. Throw in the obligatory heart-warming scenes of connection with each of his kids, the melodrama of his mother fading into Alzheimer’s and the local Italian Catholic priest plucked right out of “The Sopranos”, and you’ll wonder what is left for next week, let alone a full season.
So, is “The Book of Daniel” as scandalous as some are saying? After watching the premiere, my answer is all too clear: Yes.
However, it is not scandalous for its provocative plotlines (it is par for the network TV course), no for its religious “liberalism”. No, the true scandal of this show is that such shallow writing, pat situationalism, over-packed crises- in short, the poor writing ever made it air. It’s representation of Jesus is hockey, showing up for one liners to add cheesy punchlines or sentimental schmaltz. Sure, every show needs the chance to warm up and find it’s “voice”, but “The Book of Daniel” will need a miracle to survive.
Tagged: The Book of Daniel
