The Buzz

The Book of Daniel - a revelation

Buzz is about to do a 180 degree turn in its opinion of "The Book of Daniel." We were sceptical for the first few weeks - and then pow, a wonderful show emerged for one episode and then, it was cancelled.

Fie on the network and the creators of the show for such poor marketing and for not scrapping the first few episodes, when clearly the show changed direction after they aired. How dare they present us with cartoons for the first few episodes, and then turn them into extraordinary characters in later episodes when people had stopped watching. And fie on NBC for not sticking by the show for at least a few more episodes - because the episodes that have not yet aired are wonderful! The characters in "The Book of Daniel" have evolved into fully complete, and fully flawed, people that we all know, or wish we did.

"How does Buzz know this?" I can hear you asking.

NBC, in a very good move, has made the unaired episodes of Daniel available for free viewing online. Although the first few episodes of Daniel were interesting, they did not begin to forshadow what direction the show's writers were heading - into a show that was thoughtful, funny, full of faith -- and questions about faith -- including an exploration of how do we live a life of belief in such as world as the one we live in.

For example, the episode currently available online deals with Peter and his twin brother Jimmy, who died of leukemia several years ago. Peter and his brother Adam were mistaken for a gay couple and while Adam got away, Peter was beaten half to death. What happens to a family who has lost one son when another becomes critically injured? Switching back and forth in time from Jimmy's illness to Peter's injury, we see what happens and at times it almost takes ones breath away. And, what would you do if you had five minutes with one of the neanderthals who almost killed your son?

To our eyes, "Daniel" was mismanaged by everyone from the beginning and it's a shame. We can only pray that Daniel gets another chance someplace.

Acceptance

Where is the line between acceptance and giving in; between acceptance and approval? Interesting questions, which unfortunately had little light shed on them in the third episode of the "Book of Daniel," despite it's being titled "Acceptance."

The third episode of "The Book of Daniel" was light on Jesus and heavy on soap -- soap opera that is.

In the further adventures of Episcopal priest Danie Webster and his family, Daniel led his church further into bed with the mob and tried to reconcile a family whose father unknowingly married his son's ex-wife. Son Adam's girlfriend's family decided to send her away to school to keep them apart, mostly because Adam is Asian. And Daniel's sister-in-law's lover stole all of her jewelry but left her a message saying she'd be back. In between, his wife Judith had a run-in with her mother who gave them their house for a wedding present but never actually signed over the deed to them - and isn't about to now.

Jesus showed up a few times - once to commiserate with Daniel and another time to chide him about his pill popping.

The stereotyping continued with mob guys being confused for a gay couple until the properly flouncy gay guys showed up. Silly!!! It would have been much more interesting to have the reverse happen.

There were moments of acceptance - such as Judith not drinking a whole quart of vodka after the flare up with her mother. Judith's housekeeper explained how kind, if condescending, her mother had been 50 years ago when the housekeeper was a pregnant, unwed teenager. After listening to the story, Judith actually poured the vodka down the drain.

The characters in this show are interesting (although unfortunately Ellen Burstyn's bishop seems unnecessary) and the actors are excellent. Some sharper writing, particulary for Daniel's sermons, and more compelling storylines with less stereotyping would make this a much better show.

Although this may not matter much since the ratings for Daniel have not been great, according to Media Daily News

Favorite line from this episode:

Judith to her sister (after rummaging through her sister's liquor stores trying to find some decent vodka after her visit with her mother): "People who own their own homes should always have top shelf vodka for guests!"

The Book of Daniel

Five stations (out of 232) refused to run it; according to the New York Times, advertisers are backing away from it; and consumers are calling to complain about it.

"It" is the new NBC television series called "The Book of Daniel" starring Aidan Quinn and Ellen Burstyn. Is it sex or violence that is generating such a big reaction? Nope, it's God and religion that people are so upset about. Or rather, the show's handling of them.

Aidan Quinn stars as Daniel Webster, an Episcopal priest who takes pills a little too frequently. His wife drinks a bit too much, his daughter is arrested for selling marijuana, one son is gay and the other son is having sex with the daughter of his church's largest donor. As if that wasn't enough, Daniel's mother has Alzheimer's, and his father, an Episcopal bishop, is having an affair with Daniel's bishop (played by Ellen Burstyn). His sister-in-law is having a relatioship with the woman he thinks her husband was having an affair with and this same guy has absconded with more then $3 million from the church building fund. Oh, and Jesus appears to Daniel and has regular conversations with him. Often in Daniel's car although he never mentions a thing about the car so we get no clues about "what would jesus drive?"

Confused yet?

Jesus is portrayed as an ever-present observer and comforter, who from time to time reminds Daniel of what he should not be doing. He takes the pills away from him at times and at others simply suggests he not use them. He makes no effort to fix any of the situations, but offers encouragement and comfort as Daniel tries. But, at least in the "Book of Daniel," Jesus does not seem overly concerned with right or wrong, sin or morality.

The worst part of the show was when Daniel went to a Catholic priest, and friend, who had pull with "organized crime" to try to find the stolen money. When they find it, the only way Daniel can get it back is agree to use a mob-approved construction company to do the work at the church. This horrible stereotyping added nothing to the show and points up one of the big problems - the show isn't out there enough to be parody (in which case the priest gag might be more acceptable) but too much out there to be straight drama.

The show certainly shows how Daniel strives to do the right thing but often falls short. And it shows Jesus always there, always listening, always forgiving. And, maybe, even thought it's flawed, the "Book of Daniel" conveys one of the greatest truths of Christianity in a way that is very accessible to all.

The best lines from the first show:

Daniel: "God damn him (referring to his sister-in-law's husband who took church funds). No I'm not cursing, I really want God to damn him."

Later, Daniel apologizes to Jesus, saying he would never really want God to damn anyone.

Jesus: "Don't worry, you don't have that much power."