Hi, I'm the Whatsoever Critic. I review just about anything.
This past Father's Day was the season finale of A.D. The Bible Continues.
This should be where the rumored abomination should come to pass- the statue of Caligula going to the Temple, and people trying to stop the abomination from happening. However, how the abomination is handled is not the way that many of us had anticipated. So today, I will go through this episode in this review.
This is the season finale of A.D. The Bible Continues.
The episode begins with word spreading that the statue of Caligula has arrived. And Pilate orders that the statue be put into the Temple, whether Caiaphas wishes it or not. Pilate also tells Caiaphas that Leah was the one that told him about how the Ethiopians were helping the rebels that are wanting to kill Romans. Caiaphas immediately lies that he knew about Leah having info about the Ethiopians, despite not being amused by her actions.
So Pilate and Caiaphas have already drawn a line between them... What about everyone else?
The disciples debate on whether or not to flee from Jerusalem. Simon refuses to abandon the Temple, but John and the others say otherwise, saying that Jesus had warned them about this day, saying that it was to bring destruction and havoc.
Just then, James is called to come see Caiaphas. Some of the disciples still question Caiaphas offering them sanctuary of religious freedom, but James doesn't want to jump to conclusions just yet.
-Yeah, remember Caiaphas' public speech to band together as allies against the abomination that was to come? That speech was made in the previous episode. Therefore, I can understand that there's so much urgency to bring everyone together at a time like this.
Meanwhile, at a large house (somewhere), we learn that Pilate's centurion Cornelius (I wasn't too sure of this guy's name at first) lives here, as he kneels in front of his altar. And then he recalls what Johanna had said to him before he was ordered by Pilate to execute her:
Johanna: "In the name of Christ, I forgive you."
Just then, an angel appears to Cornelius, knowing of his repentance, and then saying to have Peter come to his house. And on that same day, Peter is given word that three men are to escort him to Cornelius. And of course, three of Cornelius' men arrive for Peter.
So we then cut back to Cornelius' house, where Peter and Mary Magdelene are escorted, and they meet with their host.
Cornelius tells them about the vision, and that he wants to repent from his sins, even though he had killed Johanna. Peter and Mary find it in their hearts to forgive him.
Peter: "Stand up. Don't kneel before me. I'm just a man like you."
-Now I will admit that this scene got me to tears, because you can tell by this episode, and the previous one where Cornelius breaks down after killing Johanna, that he wants to change and to not kill anymore. So I feel the emotional part of all this.
James is called to Caiaphas again, but only this time, James says that he and the other followers are staying away from the Temple, because they are following Jesus. Caiaphas, now betrayed that he had offered them safety and entrance into the Temple, is outraged, and vows, once again, to have them destroyed. And after accusing them of being selfish, Caiaphas has James sent away...
-...in the most angry form possible (Sheesh.)...
...and then later, he confronts Leah about going behind his back, disobeying his direct order to keep quiet. But Leah defends that she had to tell Pilate. Despite Caiaphas' theory that he has no control over his wife, Leah still persists.
Leah: "I did it for us..."
Caiaphas: "And you broke my heart in the process."
Then Leah is ordered to return to her family and stay there, which she, in turn, scolds Caiaphas for sending her away.
Leah: "Without me, you would never be High Priest."
But Caiaphas gives her a verbal equivalent to an "F--- you," and she leaves.
Back at Cornelius', the Holy Spirit arrives, confirming that Cornelius be baptized through Jesus.
Then, Cornelius is baptized.
So Leah is sent back home to her father and this other guy (his right hand man or brother or relative? I still don't know). Leah tries to lie about Caiaphas, but her father and the other guy think she's plotting to remove him from High Priest. They say that he's trying to unite a city, not ruin it, and they see nothing wrong with him. So, with Leah now failed to lie about her husband, is sent back to him. When she leaves, her father and the relative begin to question what they should do, since Leah has became out of control for anyone.
-Now, if these two are going to plot to kill her, then that would be something worthy of a Lifetime movie. Just saying. I mean, think about it:
A young woman was living a lavish lifestyle as the wife of a High Priest... but her husband wants to tighten her leash. What's a girl to do... but plot his destruction, and let nothing stop her. But will her own family betray her? And how far will she go to get her way?
High Priest's Deviant Wife
Coming this winter on Lifetime Movie Channel. (It'll be a cold day in hell for this woman.)
Things aren't going too well for Claudia either, as her husband comes into her room and lectures her about having responsibilities as governor. It turns out that Claudia is still mad about the execution of Johanna, of which Pilate sees nothing wrong with, other than to show her that she needs to respect him more.
-Now, I've mentioned before that Pilate seems abusive to his wife. So this next scene is the real candle on the cake:
Claudia refuses to be his wife, and she slaps him... only for him to strike her back and tell her that they're in this together no matter what.
-And I'm lying about him being abusive?
Anyway, on a lighter note, Cornelius feels well, since he has turned to Christ. But then, he is called to lead the march to the Temple with the statue of Caligula. Despite Mary's uncertainty, he says that he'll go, and that he prays that the Holy Spirit would look after him.
-This is just to not rouse any suspicion that he's a changed man. I get it. In fact, the thing kind-of, sort-of, was the case for Saul. By the way, Saul is NOT in this episode. Sorry, guys. (Spoilers.)
As Cornelius returns to his duties, Leah visits Eva, but only this time, Eva has her at knife-point. Leah explains that her husband doesn't care about the rebels, and that he only wants to save the Temple.
-So, she can't lie about her husband to her family... but she can lie about him to the rebels. This'll be interesting.
We then cut to Cornelius meeting up with Claudia, saying that he had found Christ, and that he understands the disciples now. Claudia is confused by this, but then he tells her that the faith can be their escape. But she wants to think about this, since Pilate has already become mad with power.
-Really? What is there to think about, Claudia? Your husband's abusive- verbally and physically. He offers nothing, but abuse. How can you stay with a man like that? Just because he's governor and all, doesn't mean that he's stay in power for long. I can totally sense his downfall, lady! It's that obvious!
Meanwhile, the disciples continue to have their debate on whether to stick around or leave as the abomination approaches. Then another theory slips in: abandoning the Temple would mean abandoning the building that Jesus called his Father's house. The debate moves towards the idea that they shouldn't leave, but to try and take a stand to defend the Temple.
While that's going on, Simon is choosing his weaponry. Also, Caiaphas receives word that the Nazoreans will help out. Plus, Pilate trusts that Cornelius will make sure that the statue makes its safe voyage to the Temple, not knowing about the centurion's conversion to Christ. Pilate orders that Cornelius kill anyone that tries to stop them.
After the commercial, we see Leah open the door to someone.
-We don't see who she meets at the door. How come?
Well, we don't see what happens to Leah, because we then cut to people crowding to see the statue make its journey to the Temple. The rebels, including Simon, make their way into the crowd with concealed weapons, as well as Eva and her mentor.
As the statue finally arrives at the Temple, Caiaphas and the priests stay where they are, the crowd hushes, the rebels wait for their signal, and the soldiers don't budge. Cornelius asks for the priests to move aside, but they don't budge.
-Now, remember, Cornelius doesn't want to hurt anyone, even though he has his orders.
Just then, Peter steps in and kneels down. Then James joins him, and then the other disciples.
And then Caiaphas and the other priests join in, with Caiaphas warning the centurion, saying that a high priest can be replaced no matter what happens.
Caiaphas: "Do what you have to, centurion."
And even Simon drops his dagger and joins in.
-Ooooookay. At this point, I can really care less on whose side Simon is on.
But before anyone can react, the rebels strike, all hell breaking loose. But among the chaos, the priests and the disciples start chanting prayers: the Lord's prayer coming from the disciples, and the priests' prayer. Cornelius, seeing the bloodshed around him, puts away his sword, kneels down, and says the Lord's prayer. We see many people die, including Eva.
Afterwards, one soldier sees that Cornelius is alive and well. Cornelius orders that no more killings should take place today, but the statue (now in ruins) be taken back.
The disciples and the priests are unscaved as they collect themselves. As the disciples leave, Caiaphas sees that one of his servants didn't survive the attack- with two arrows to his body.
-That was a downer.
We then see the rebels' leader had survived the attack by playing dead.
-Well... that's a shame, because that means more rebellion.
As the disciples survey the damage, they see that Jesus didn't come, as some of them thought he would.
Peter: "The prophecy would not be fulfilled today."
They then talk about the centurion who didn't fight but knelt before them amidst the chaos. Peter tells them that he baptized him, which was a shock to the rest of the disciples.
Pilate, on the other hand, isn't happy with the outcome of the statue, but Claudia doesn't want to put up with him anymore. But Pilate keeps making plans to control Jerusalem's people. Claudia is disgusted by his ignorance.
Claudia: "Were you not listening?"
-Yeah, were you not listening to your wife, Pilate?
Claudia threatens to leave him, and she walks out of his chamber. Pilate sees that he's now losing his wife.
Outside in the lobby, Claudia meets up with Cornelius, who tells her that he didn't kill anyone, and that he risks being executed for disobeying an order. He then asks her to leave with him, and to join him in his new faith. But Claudia starts to have second thoughts, because she realizes that leaving Jerusalem would meet leaving her lifestyle. So as soon as Pilate screams her name, she leaves.
-(pause) What a bitch.
We then see a few of the guards looking at Cornelius.
-I don't get it. Did they overhear the conversation between Cornelius and Claudia? Do they now know about Cornelius not killing anyone? Do they now know about his conversion?
But we suddenly cut to Caiaphas, who finds his wife Leah dead, because apparently the someone (that was at her door earlier) had slit her throat.
-I have a couple of theories on who killed her. (Expect an editorial about this in the future.)
But we don't get to stick around there either, because we jump to Peter and the disciples, who get confronted by the soldiers, and then... the episode stops there.
-WTF?!
-See? I told you this episode was worth the WTF? bumper.
Now let me explain. This is supposed to be the season finale. And apparently, the season decides to end with a cliffhanger. What does this mean, other than we're in for a second season?
And plus, so far, there are still so unanswered questions:
1. Will Cornelius the centurion be punished?
2. How far will Pilate go to control all of Jerusalem and place Caligula's statue inside the Temple?
3. Who killed Leah?
4. What will the rebels' leader do now that his followers have been killed?
5. What will the soldiers do to Peter, since they confronted him at the end of this episode?
6. How is Claudia going to keep putting up with her abusive husband?
7. BTW, How is Saul doing?
You know what? There's so much to talk about in this series, even though season one just ended this past Sunday! There's so much to talk about, that I'm willing to take any requests, regarding this series, whether you want me to give any theories or do Top 10 list, etc., I will do it.
-Besides, I'm still here all summer.
So, again, feel free to suggest any ideas for a blog post in the comments section below, because Season 1 may be over, but there's still a lot to discuss.
Whatsoever Critic
Source: A.D. The Bible Continues
Courtesy: Lightworkers Media
