"A.D. The Bible Continues" Ep. 5 Review (5/3/15)

Hi, I'm the Whatsoever Critic. I review just about anything.

Final exams are over for me, and graduation is just around the corner.

So until then... let's get down to talking about episode five of A.D. The Bible Continues.

We start in Simon Peter's secret community outside of Jerusalem, where Peter feels guilty for what happened to the couple that "bet against God" in the previous episode.
-The Lord works in mysterious ways... anyone?

Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Pilate acts like a bigger asshole by issuing a statement that 10 women will be executed every day that his assassin is loose.
-It's like he's hating his wife more and more after each episode... That's just wrong.
He decides to target a high-profiled wedding to take the women from.

Back at Peter's secret community, the disciples want to help the people of Jerusalem, because of the horrendous executions issued by Pilate. While that's going on, Maya is introduced to a young girl who lost her family... somehow.
-Um, they don't go further on the girl's situation. They just label her an orphan then and there.

Later, Leah goes to Boaz's wife to try and convince her to confess and turn in her husband to face his crime. The wife doesn't say much, but only says that she doesn't know where he is.
-This is starting to become the CSI or Law and Order of A.D.

The next scene shows Peter meeting a guy named Philip, who says that he wants to lead people to the secret community.

-Hmm... I don't know. Simon Peter's been cheated once already...

Now that the wedding was tipped off by Claudia secretly, and the centurion confronts her for it, the executions still continue. Leah assures Caiaphas that Boaz's wife will cave in eventually, because she's holding something back.
-Of course, she is.

While tensions rise in the Pilate household, Simon Peter tells Steven to help build Jesus' ministry.

Later, Boaz's wife finally goes to Leah to expose Boaz. But at the same time, the wife is kept in a room, until Boaz is captured. This leads to Caiaphas going straight to Peter's camp to search for Boaz. Peter himself learns why Boaz is on the run, and he confronts the guy for murdering someone.
Simon Peter: "You cannot justify a murder... All I can do is forgive you." Eventually, Boaz comes to his senses and turns himself into Caiaphas. After viewing a two-minute sit-down between Boaz and Caiaphas, Boaz's wife is notified by Leah that Boaz had turned himself in.

Then there's a scene with Maya and the girl. Maya wants to be a mother to this orphan girl...
-(sarcasm) Well... why not? It's like we've learned so much about the girl and her growing friendship with Maya already.

Then we get a scene with Claudia and Leah. Claudia gets mad and slaps Leah for talking back to her.
-Well, come on. It's bad enough that Claudia has to deal with an abusive ruler husband... But still, why strike one of the people that you would meet in secret?

Speaking of abusive, Pilate finally confronts Boaz as Caiaphas hands over the assassin. Pilate takes the opportunity to stab Boaz with a small dagger...
-Why?
...and then he orders that Boaz be tortured. However, this torture session is cut short when an arrow strikes Boaz's chest... by that same guy that told him to "disappear." After the incident, Pilate slams the centurion for failing to execute Boaz correctly, but letting someone else kill him.

Meanwhile, as Simon Peter and Caiaphas look over the dead corpse of Boaz, they both share a song together (a hymn?). Then suddenly, as soon as Peter mentions Jesus' name, he gets thrown in prison, along with his fellow disciples.

While that's going on, we see that Boaz's wife had sent the mysterious archer to kill her husband. We learned that the guy was Boaz's mentor. Now, with that said, Boaz's wife begs the guy to "teach [her] how to kill."
-So, does this mean that she going to go Carmen Elektra or Lara Croft on us? We'll soon find out...

But on the bright side, Peter and the disciples are able to break out of prison with the help of an armed hooded angel.

-Cool!

Then the disciples decide to go to the temple to keep preaching about Jesus... which gets them arrested again. Thus, we get another trial scene; but this time, before Caiaphas can order them to be executed, one of the elders stops him and says that they don't be punished with death, because they'll either fade away or they'll come out with the truth.

Therefore, the disciples are taken in public and whipped and tortured.

Seeing that her father is going through so many changes ever since he committed himself to Christ, Maya tells her father that she wants to return home, in order to reserve the old memory of her father- him being a regular fisherman. This hits home for Peter.

The episode ends with Steven going to the temple and challenging Caiaphas and the chief elders.

As a result, Steven is taken outside of the city and stoned.

Now, so far, we're five episodes in, and already things are getting real with our characters. Two characters die this time, which was unexpected. Now I'm wondering what'll happen to Peter and the other disciples. How long will they be able to be bailed out by God from tough situations? Will we be introduced to more characters and more storyline? We'll find out in the next episode.

Whatsoever Critic
Source: A.D. The Bible Continues

Courtesy: NBC/Lightworkers Media

WC's Graduation Video

We did it guys! I'm graduating soon!

"A.D. The Bible Continues" Ep. 4 Review (4/26/15)

Hi, I'm the Whatsoever Critic. I review just about anything.

Sorry for the huge delay. With graduation coming, there was a lot to be done. However, I did manage to view episode 4 of A.D. The Bible Continues.

So let's get started.
Oh, and... something I may or may not have mentioned in my previous reviews of this show...
WARNING: SPOILERS!
Now we can start.

Pilate is hell-bent on finding his assassin, so he makes a delegation that 10 Jews are crucified every day until the assassin is captured. Team Caiaphas are shocked to find that the governor has made such a decree.

While Simon Peter and John are sitting in prison, the rest of the disciples are baptizing people. Maya wants to go back to Jerusalem to find out about her imprisoned father Simon Peter, and a man named Steven gets acquainted with her... because apparently he and Simon Peter knew each other.
-It seems that Peter has connections with people. First, the rebel guy called Boaz, and now this Steven guy.

While Caiaphas prays for the crucified Jews at the execution site, a rebel is tortured in the prison where Simon Peter and John are at.
Simon Peter: "We're going to die today, John."
-That seemed nonchalant.

Meanwhile, Pilate learns about the assassin Boaz, and orders the soldiers to find him. His wife Claudia suggests handing Boaz over to Caiaphas, but Pilate thinks she's an idiot.
-He doesn't say that she's an idiot, but he makes it clear to her that she should mind her own business.

Caiaphas' wife Leah secretly tries to bribe a beggar to falsely testify against Simon Peter and John. Now this is the beggar from the previous episode, the one that was healed by Simon Peter.
-How much you want to bet that this felt like a reference to Judas' conspiring with authority to hand over and/or betray someone like Jesus?

During their trial, Caiaphas degrades Simon Peter and John by telling the audience that the miracle with the beggar was staged, and that it was theatrics. But when the beggar himself is called to testify, he defends Simon and John.
-So... Judas symbolism is out the window at this point.
So, seeing that he has inefficient evidence, he's forced to release Simon and John, but not without having them swear to never talk or preach about Jesus...
-Don't count on it, Caiaphas...

So Simon Peter and John are welcomed back with open arms, having Simon give a really good motivational speech, and people donating for the cause. One couple claimed to have sold their house to help the cause.

Next, Peter is called to heal a girl. At first, it doesn't seem to work, but it worked anyway. Steven sees this miracle and wants to spread the word, but Peter says that they need to wait for the right time.

But Steven doesn't have time to ponder this, because he runs into the guards. When refusing to stand aside, he's beaten down by the captain of the guards.
-Oooooo-kay...

Meanwhile, Peter ponders about everything around him changing quickly. But with the helpful guidance of Jesus' mother Mary, Peter gets back his confidence to continue the mission.

However, if the killing of 10 more Jews weren't bad enough for you, wait until you see Pilate mess around with cremated ashes.
Pilate: "...now I'm building a mountain of their ashes." (in response to the executed Jews)
-(pause) WTF?

One night, Boaz is stopped by a shady guy who tells him to "disappear" in order to avoid getting arrested for murder.
And on that same night, John has a vision of being in town and finding a small crack on the town grounds. John finds this cracked stone, which leads him to a generous man who wants to join the cause.

We keep going back to the execution of the Jews, and when Claudia confronts Pilate about the executions, Pilate stands by his actions:
Pilate: "I am an instrument of Roman power. My actions are an expression and a reminder of that power. And that power sustains Rome. It is paramount."
And then he forbids his wife to never question his motives.
-Wow. That's pretty harsh. Talk about domestic abuse...

So Simon Peter is given a piece of land that the guy (John ran into) offers, and the disciples create their ministry there.

Back in Jerusalem, the execution takes its toll on Team Caiaphas. While that's going on, Boaz leaves his wife to flee. Meanwhile, the secret community is thriving, and Peter meets up with the generous donors from earlier.

Now, while Caiaphas prays while dumping ashes all over him, we cut to Boaz arriving at Peter's community. Seeing Boaz's presence as a breach to the community, Peter asks him to repent; but Boaz doesn't recognize Jesus in the Scriptures, but only the "warriors" of the Scriptures.

Later, Peter has a vision that the generous donors from earlier weren't being honest with God ("betting" against God).

So they each bleed to death for their impure intentions.

Finally, we cut to Caiaphas (still covered in ashes) going to Pilate and begging for the executions to stop, but Pilate refuses to stop. In fact, Pilate is such an asshole, that he makes Caiaphas eat some of the cremated ashes that he was playing with.
The episode ends with Claudia meeting with Leah in secret, saying that the assassin Boaz must be found.

Consensus:
Now, from what I could gather from this episode is that...
If this Boaz guy is captured, then the executions would stop.
If Boaz remains free, the killings would continue.
So,,, how will this be resolved? We'll have to find out in the next episode.
So far, it's a race to catch a guy that's involved in a rebellion against the Rome empire. The Jesus part of this series was lacking in this episode, but this isn't over, guys. There are more episodes to come.

Whatsoever Critic
Source: A.D. The Bible Continues

Courtesy: NBC/LightworkersMedia

"A.D. The Bible Continues" Ep. 3 Review (4/19/15)

Hi, I'm the Whatsoever Critic. I review just about anything.

Let's jump right into episode 3 of A.D. The Bible Continues.

Pilate is already sick and tired of the rebels being a threat, but he still keeps the city heavily guarded. This, of course, brings the attention of the Herod family, as they pay a visit to Pilate, despite having to pass harsh security clearance. Herod himself begins to question Caiaphas about his own safety, because apparently Herod was assured by Caiaphas that the Jesus incident was done and over with. With that being said, Herod questions Caiaphas' loyalty to him.
-As if Caiaphas hasn't already gotten bashed by Pilate for going over him that one time...

Later on, during an indoor gathering, Herod requests to Pilate that there would be less guards in "his city." But Pilate refuses, but only increases the number of guards, along with saying that he'll attend the Pentecost festivities.

Meanwhile, Simon Peter's daughter comes to visit. She wonders why her father won't come home. Peter tells her that he has a mission- to be Jesus' successor and to spread the word of Christ. All they have to do is wait for the Holy Spirit to embrace them.

Now, while rebels are planning to assassinate Pilate, Pilate's wife meets the head guard in secret and has him promise to protect her husband.

Meanwhile, Caiaphas hears word that Pilate is planning to attend the Pentecost celebration. This shocks him, because of the growing threat of the rebels in the city.

Back at the disciples,' Simon Peter continues to try to get his daughter to understand the importance of being Jesus' ministry. This leads to Peter finally realizing that they need to pray the Lord's Prayer over and over to conjure the Holy Spirit.

Thus, the Holy Spirit finally comes to the disciples with it's glorious lighting.

On the day of the Pentecost celebration, Caiaphas publicly welcomes Pilate, along with thunderous praise. Suddenly, one of the rebels makes a move to assassinate Pilate, but is chased away by the guards. But the rebel did kill one of the pursuing guards.
-It's like the guy said: Well, if I can't kill the big guy in rule, I might as well kill one of his guards. Ooooh... big deal!

Later on, the disciples finally come out of hiding.

One of the first things they do is go up to a homeless man and heal him by having him walk again, courtesy of their Lord and Savior Jesus.

This creates a spectacle, causing Simon Peter and John to be beaten and taken away by the guards.

While that's going on, three rebels are executed under Pilate on the steps of the Temple. This comes to the shock of Caiaphas.
-This would be the second time in this series that Caiaphas has witnessed executions of people. First it were the guards, and now three rebels... Geez! Cut this guy a break! He doesn't need to see anymore bloodshed made by Pilate.

The episode ends with Caiaphas coming face-to-face with Simon Peter and John in their prison cell.

Consensus:
We're already three episodes in, and the story is becoming more and more intense as the series progresses. It's like Five Nights at Freddy's: it becoming more and more intense every night. In fact, I'm not ashamed to put FNaF logic into this review of a Christian TV series, but that's just how it feels for me.
Anyway, I'm still looking forward to the next episode. According to the teaser trailer for next time, things get more aggressive for everyone.

Whatsoever Critic
Source: A.D. The Bible Continues

Courtesy: NBC/Lightworkers Media