Season 4 of 'The Chosen' rises in energy

Feb. 9—Season 4 of "The Chosen" is out in theaters — and wow!

What better way than to enter the Lenten season than with Season 4, which starts with John the Baptist. I won't give away any of the scenes, but like the previous seasons of "The Chosen" it's incredibly well done.

Before we get into the review, first, let me tell you what I appreciate most about "The Chosen" — it is how human the series makes each person involved in the life of Jesus. Far too often I think we just read the Bible with our own tone and make each person flat — and we tend to read it from our own experience. "The Chosen" gives us a glimpse of each person's quirks and personalities and of the culture and traditions from which they come.

So back to the review. I only saw the first three episodes, but there was a marked difference in energy. Those episodes, sent to me by 130 Agency, the publicity arm for the series, were charged, tense and heavy.

I love the growing relationships between the disciples and how Jesus' mission is more obvious and pressing.

Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus, brings so much nuance to this role. The series has spent the past three seasons showing the humanness of Jesus, while also revealing the divine. But in Season 4, we feel his divinity and how he is separating himself as he prepares for why he was sent. The urgency to teach and reveal what the apostles need to know before he leaves is topped with confrontations with the Sanhedrin.

The 12 apostles — Simon Peter (Shahar Isaac), Matthew (Paras Patel), John (George Harrison Xanthis), Andrew (Noah James), Philip (Yoshi Barragas), Thomas (Joey Vahedi), Simon Z (Alaa Safi), Little James (Jordan Walker Ross), Nathaniel (Austin Reed Alleman), Thaddeus (Giavani Cairo), Big James (Abe Bueno Jallad) and Judas (Luke Dimyan) — don't always understand Jesus, who talks in parables, confronts the Pharisees, Sadducees and Sanhedrin and performs miracles. But they continue to follow him and grow in their faith — and they also squabble among themselves. It's really satisfying to watch what director Dallas Jenkins draws out of each of the actors such as Patel, who presents Matthew with gentleness and a bit on the autism scale.

They are not presented as caricatures. They are young Jewish men who had lives and families before they were called to follow Jesus, and they have to continue to exist in that same world though they have been radically changed during their journey with the Messiah.

Another bonus: the other disciples, including Mary Magdalene (Elizabeth Tabish), Tamar (Amber Shana Williams), Eden (Lara Silva), Shula (Anne Beyer), Zebedee (Nick Shakoour), travel with the 12 and Jesus. They count in "The Chosen," which is refreshing to see.

We know where this series is headed and the sacrifice that will be made. But we also know the ending — Jesus wins.

So, I encourage you to join me in watching Season 4 of "The Chosen," especially with Lent beginning Wednesday and Easter on March 31. Email me your thoughts: sheila.selman@goshennews.com.

Season 4 of "The Chosen" is being shown in theaters, including Linway Cinema 14 in Goshen. Tickets can be purchased at Linway or at www.thechosenriseup.com.

Episodes 4-6 begin Thursday and episodes 7-8 begin Feb. 29.

"The Chosen" will eventually debut across streaming and linear TV platforms as well as The Chosen TV and mobile app.

Sheila Selman can be reached at sheila.selman@goshennews.com or 574-533-2151, ext. 240311. Follow Sheila on Twitter @sselman_TGN.