The ailing network NBC, whose cash cows consist of two hours of really bad hair and one hour of a 20-year-old repeated storyline (i.e., The Apprentice and Law & Order, respectively) debuted an entirely fresh and different series with Kings. The show retells the biblical story of David with a modern setting and the infusion of some ripped-from-the-headlines arcs.
I especially applaud Ian McShane's portrayal of King Silas/Saul. He brings a Sopranos and Louis XIV vibe to his character and adds just a pinch of insanity to Silas' psychology. He successfully delivers the man-of-the-people tone. Yet, McShane marvelously shifts his character into a heavy-handed despot who isn't above malice or shaky ethics to keep his power. The rest of the acting is good but not great. There were a few embarrassingly awkward and corny moments - most likely the fault of the writers.
The story is very engaging. If not for the familiar epic tale, than due to the fact that there is simply nothing like this on television. Relatable characters with relatable existents are all fine and dandy, but every now and then it's nice to escape to an equally complex, yet unreal world.
However, I do have one major qualm with the writers' depiction of this arcane tale. My problem stems from the obvious pandering to a right-wing evangelical audience. While the show does make Prince Jack gay - as his biblical counterpart, Jonathan, has been interpreted - it completely ignores the love story between David and Jonathan. In the Bible, David says of Jonathan, "Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women."
The writers chose to make David Shepherd (whose counterpart is David … obviously) entirely heterosexual. Undoubtedly, this is an attempt to appease the Christian viewers who would not take kindly to such an interpretation, because after all, there's no way David was gay because he was perfect and pious and such a person would never choose to be a heathen homosexual. Why can't a leading character be gay and have that detail not define the show? In addition, Jack is the show's obvious villain. Why are the gays always the bad guys?
Even though it doesn't go as far as I would like with this issue, the show does address some of the real-life aspects of being gay. First, the show does nod to the shear stupidity that is this country's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Jack's military finesse comes under question because of his sexual orientation even though he is entirely competent in this regard. There is also a question whether a homosexual can rule a country at all. This touches on the incredibly sensitive, though unsung issue of parental response to a gay child. Jack is left crying after his father, the King, rejects him by calling him a "disgrace" and says he would prefer a philandering straight heir over one that loves other men. Silas says, "… For a King it's not possible! Not possible! We give up what we want when we want power!"
If they are going to portray a biblical story then it should be in a manner that examines all facets of the story, not just arbitrarily omits the one detail that may upset viewers. It truly upsets me that everyone (the media and politicians) dances around this issue so they don't lose money or votes.
As I watched the show, I admittedly got goosebumps as I made the connections to my dreaded Sunday school classes of the past. All of the characters have a biblical inspiration. There were the tanks called "goliaths." And there was David playing the piano, which I predict will have a later significance (i.e., David notably played the harp to banish the evil spirits from Saul).
Even though I am a die-hard agnostic, I appreciated the clever allusions - borderline plagiarism, but for a purpose - to what is actually an engaging and wonderful story.
The basic story and potential evolution of the series are quite enticing.
The characters have a lot of wiggle-room for development and layering during the course of a few years if given the chance. It's also a fun getaway from the housewives and cops who rule American primetime. Yet, I cannot ignore the producers' convenient alteration of the only part of the tale that might piss people off. Piss them off already.
