Revelations - Anyone watch it ? what did you think ?

[Mothernature]

This is what its all about:

Religion, it would seem, is the new black. World events have lifted its profile, and various media are finding an audience by using it as source material, be it Mel Gibson and his depiction of the life of Jesus in "The Passion of The Christ", the multi-million selling book "The Da Vinci Code", or the small onslaught of shows in America which include religion within their formats.

It features Bill Pullman, making his small screen starring debut as a sceptical professor, Richard Massey, who is on a quest for logical explanations for events that he believes lead to the apocalypse. Starring alongside him is fellow movie star Natascha McElhone ("Solaris", "FearDotCom"), who plays a nun. Together they travel the world, doing their best to save everyone in it.

It all sounds quite far fetched, and American reviews of the series suggest that it draws more from pop culture than religion, despite the title name reference to the book from The Bible.

The two main characters, Pullman and McElhone, team up as a Mulder-and-Scully type duo in their quest. It all has the scent of that very familiar relationship, but with the roles reversed. Pullman is the non-believer who needs to let go of his science and embrace his faith, much like Scully; whereas McElhone is the firm advocate in the show, maintaining throughout that the world is showing signs that it is going to end imminently. One such sign is a shadow of a cross appearing on a hillside where there is no cross to make it.

Amercian host network NBC believes that there is more than enough room for a good religious entertainment programme like this. Nearly eleven million Americans tuned in to the first episode on 13 April, to be greeted with biblical quotes being given to them at the end of each segment, and the presence of a killer who may well be Satan.

Of course, the emotional side comes through, with the fact that the killer is in fact someone far more directly related to our main characters. The nun, Sister Josepha Montafiore, attracts the attention of Massey by sending him a picture drawn by a comatose girl, who she believes is in contact with Massey's deceased daughter. It is this action that brings the unlikely partners together.

Writer David Selzer, who also wrote "The Omen", believes that the show is innovative at a time when religion is paramount in the world. "(There are) currently 35 wars going on in the world and at any moment any one of them can become a nuclear flash point". He acknowledges that he is on a personal journey with Revelations and that the show throws up more questions than answers.

The most important question must be: does a show like this have a place on UK screens? With the resonances to The X Files, it may well be the show will appeal to that established audience.

Revelations airs on Sky One, Tuesdays from 17 May at 9.00pm.

Laura Murphy (Cult TV)


I loved it, can't wait till next week...must be the R.C. in me

[yingers74]

Hello, u were not the only one to watch it, me and my dh did too. I enjoyed it but I find this sort of thing quite scary so am in two minds whether or not to carry on with it, probably will though!

[Mothernature]

Glad I'm not on my own then..was getting worried

[TwoIfBySea]

Definitely not on your own mothernature! Thought it was really good but are they changing the day they show it to Tuesdays? I've put a reminder on anyway so as not to miss what happens next.

I hate when they put certain programmes all over the schedule, I always miss episodes!

[lilibet]

We loved it but I thought that it was on on Tuesday?

[TwoIfBySea]

Looked in my tv guide and it is on Tuesday, then repeated Wednesday and Friday. Excellent, that means 3 chances to see it!

[Mothernature]

More twist than a rattle snake this plot, first of all they thought he was the christ child, now they think he maybe an evil cherub, one of may to be sent by the devil....

[yingers74]

yes that bit scared me at the end!