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
I”ve read several reviews in the blogosphere so far, and yours is the best so far. I thoroughly agree with your take.
Thanks. I have been surprised that, with all the blog reviews, most people miss the quality of the writing and get stuck on the moral issue (as though the networks didn”t BANK on that).
Peace,
Jamie
I wonder what would happen if they did a satire style show about a Muslim holy man and his screwed up life which shows disregard for the teachings of the Koran? He could have conversations with Mohammad where both come across as weak and hypocritical….
Somehow I don”t think ANYONE would find that funny, worth watching, or profitable to advertise on.
Hope this show is a washout, as predicted.
Kerri,
While I think this show deeply misses the point, I am glad we have a faith that has enough grace to a sense of humour about ourselves. Sadly, the writers of this show hae (thus far) shown a lack of deep enough thinking to see that happen here. Alas…
Peace,
Jamie
I haven”t watched the show, but all I keep hearing about is how bad the show is rather than how controversial it is. Needless to say, I need to watch!
Is it trainwreck bad?
I”m glad you wrote this review, Jamie. After all the hullabaloo, we were anxious to watch it. Living here in the Bible belt, our local NBC affiliate was being pressured not to air the show.
The main things that struck me are:
1- We know and are close to A LOT of pastors. Though noone I know has ALL of those problems, there are pastors and priests all over who do face some those of real life problems. So, I have to argue that the "bad" things represented are not nearly as scandalous as the CC claimed. To elevate our pastors and priests as somehow being above having a teenager who gets arrested, or a wife who drinks martinis (I”d probably drink a lot of martinis if I had those kids too)is foolish and possibly even unfair. Maybe why so many pastors burn out in the first 5 years.
2- It astounds me when Christians get up in arms that Hollywood has portrayed Christianity in a less than perfect light. It”s Hollywood, for goodness” sake. They aren”t, nor should they be, our fallback evangelical tool. If folks get turned off from Christianity by something Hollywood puts out, it”s we who have failed not Hollywood. And frankly, if the Christian Coalition, et al. thinks that I/we can”t tell that The Book of Daniel is a fictional story, then I”m just plain offended by their low regard for us. That said, our local station aired some viewer comments immediately following the show. One for, one against. The woman who didn”t think the show should be aired for religious reasons couldn”t put together a complete sentence even once during the interview.
3- The character of Jesus was just pitiful. However, I would say that the portrayal a priest, however faltering, as having regular, casual conversations with Jesus througout the day is something that could actually be of some value. Sort of a "practicing the presence" kind to thing (in pathetic sort of way). I”ll probably watch the show one or two more times out of curiosity.
I like the description, Jamie, of the show being a kind of cross between Joan of Arcadia and Desperate Housewives. I think if it were more like Joan of Arcadia – with Jesus doing more than just offering the occasional shrug of his shoulders and the excruciating examination of his fingernails – and if the show were less weighed down with a major problem/issue in every corner of this poor man”s world (is it any wonder he”s addicted to Vicodin?), than the show might offer viewers some value.
I have to agree with you, therefore, that the show”s poor writing is, by far, its most offensive feature. Of course, some Christians wouldn”t know if good fiction bit them in the butt, but that”s another blog.
Perhaps a miracle is out there for The Book of Daniel. Here”s to hope.
(Hey, how do I key apostrophes, instead of quotation marks, in your comments?)
Jamie, I meant to tape it and the tape ran out before the show was finished. I did see enough to concur with what you”re saying. Thanks for your good and thoughtful review of it.
Ted
good review, jamie. i don”t watch network TV so i didn”t see the pilot. what is so funny to me though is the idea that all of those family dysfunctions happen to one guy. and that guy is a priest! wow. it reminds me of an old david allen coe song (country and western, for you canadians!) that talks about the perfect country and western song. he refers to going to pick his mom up in his pick-up truck the day she gets out of prison. it is raining and he is grieving from his dog dying earlier in the week. if i am not mistaken he also has a hangover from the night before.
hmmmmmm…..i guess that the networks think a show like this is the "perfect christian show" with a touch of ”jesus is my homeboy” humor.
sounds like a flop. not because the writing is bad but maybe because people want to see clergy as having better and less complex lives than themselves. just an idea.
drew.
I only saw a few minutes of it. Like Jamie, I start my decision about a show/book/music/whatever based first on its quality, then on its content. There are some cases where bad content overrides good quality and avoidence is necessary- I”m sure there are many pornographic films that are artfully shot and skillfully directed, but content overrides quality. The reverse is also true – I figure that there are many christian novels that have great messages, lost in the sheer crappiness of their writing. I know; I”ve read some of them.
I watched most of it, and it’s one of the poorest-written shows I’ve ever had to endure.
The only reason I stayed with it was because of all of the pre-show controversy. Any other show — I would’ve given up pretty quickly.
While I agree with other commenters here that there ARE pastors and priests who have these same struggles/issues, what I found really annoying is that all of the issues that the various characters have — bar none — were treated as non-issues in the show. They’re not "struggling" with anything.
And the protrayal of Jesus (a 1967 "Summer of Love" hippy) wasn’t clever enough to be mocking. It was just pathetic.
This show will die a quick death — if only the religious right would quit giving it ratings boosts by all the hoopla they’re creating.
robbymac,
Bingo! I am planning a post on this very issue- of empowering people (and their messages) who do not deserve our attention. If only the religous right would realize how many films they have made box offices goldmines through their attacks.
Peace,
Jamie
Just browsing, great blog.
Thanks for this post. I have heard so much about
this new show, but haven’t had a chance to see it.
Sounds pretty much like a soap opera to me. I don’t
watch them. I did like "Joan of Arcadia", tho, so
maybe "Daniel" can be edited and improved somehow.
Blessings.
Bethie,
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you return frequently. Feel free to link to me if you like what you read.
I think there is a chance that the show will improve, but shaping up the writing requires a good writer. I am not sure they have any, so we’ll see.
Peace,
Jamie
Thanks for the blogging Jamie, I am once again and avid reader. I loved all the previous stuff (Homosexuality and the Church) as I am just now jumping back on the band wagon. As for "daniel"…when will Christians learn to just leave these things alone? Doesn’t anyone realize that all the hubub just makes people want to watch it more?! These kinds of things usually get exposed for the awful things they are by their own writers…oh wait…walker texas ranger was on for a long time…maybe we sould protest that show. Anyhoo, did you hear that Tinky Winky is gay?!
Chris,
Glad you liked it. Also glad to see you back here! You should really build a blogroll on your site so we can see who you are following these days.
Peace,
Jamie
…I thought it was just reality TV for Anglicans:^)
blessings
Joseph
…I thought it was just reality TV for Anglicans:^)
blessings
Joseph
..oops, I’m repeating myself…
I saw this premier and I too struggled with the flatness of the story at some points and then the overpacking at others. I can’t see if going much farther than one season. Who knows? It will need a miracle to survive – and I would bet that this is not God’s genre either.
<i>"I wonder what would happen if they did a satire style show about a Muslim holy man and his screwed up life which shows disregard for the teachings of the Koran? He could have conversations with Mohammad where both come across as weak and hypocritical….
Somehow I don”t think ANYONE would find that funny, worth watching, or profitable to advertise on."</i>
Ever hear of the movie <i>The Craft</i>? Or how about dozens of movies and shows that misinform the public about and/or mock witches and Pagans?
People find these things amusing, entertaining and profitable. That’s another religion. Why should Christianity or Islam be off limits?
Wanderer,
Excellent point. I have long argued for us to abandon the commercial, "Halloween" view of Wicca that the Church and culture has embraced. Worth a blog of its own…
Peace,
Jamie
Wanderer – I hear you. The reality of wicca in todays world is likely not something that would make for decent programming. Most folks would be happier to see people being turned into newts, which I think is just another example of the shallowness of our popular culture.
>>Excellent point. I have long argued for us to abandon the commercial, "Halloween" view of Wicca that the Church and culture has embraced. Worth a blog of its own…
<<
Is this a subtle hint to keep these opinions on mine?
Wanderer,
Not sure what you are asking, but I wasn’t intending to hint anything. I was leaving it open ended, as though I might post on this, or that perhaps you should. Sorry for the misinterpretation.
Peace,
Jamie
I find it interesting that I tend to agree with almost everything each of you has said. I approach the program with a typical conservative point of view. I have informed my children, over the years, that I didn’t approve of them associating with people who are rude. Either to themselves or others. Regardless of the religion this show is inconsiderate of the feelings of a large number of people both religiously and socially. I therefore will not watch it or encourage others to do so. I would hope that I would approach a show based on other religious beliefs the same way. On the other hand I won’t make it a point to advertise for the show by "condemning" it in a manner that makes it attractive.
May you all find happiness,
Al
As much outrage as has been expressed about this show, I’m actually pretty indifferent. Based on the reviews I’ve read and the previews I’ve seen, I’m relatively certain the show will be lucky to last an entire season. I tend to think that people will see the show for what it is and opt to watch something more interesting and better written (though shows like "Friends" and "Seinfeld" indicate that doesn’t always happen). Either way, my voice about these sorts of shows is expressed simply — by turning the television off.
Jamie – did you hear that “The Book of Daniel” has been pulled by NBC after only three episodes?
Ralph,
Thanks for the heads up. I am not surprised, but I hope it was for lack of quality and not because of Christian bullying. We’ll see.
Peace,
Jamie