The Chosen: The Last Supper – Part One, Episode 2 (Recap/Review)

The second episode may not maintain the energy and brisk pace set by the season’s premiere, but it boasts some emotionally rich scenes and an explosive climax.   

Recap/Review  

The second episode in the theatrically released Part One may not maintain the energy and brisk pace set by the season’s premiere, but it contains more emotionally rich scenes and finishes with an explosive climax. (if you missed our review of episode one, you can read it here).      

A Tense Supper   

Once again, the episode begins with a flash forward to the Last Supper. Jesus asks the penetrating question, “Will you lay down your life for me?” It’s a gripping opening that immediately infuses the episode with a sense of urgency. I’m not sure how long these flash forwards will maintain their potency, but it has proven to be an inspired creative decision so far.    

The interaction between Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) and Peter (Shahar Isaac) during the episode’s opening showcases The Chosen at its best. Within the church, the narrative of Peter declaring his loyalty to Jesus is often framed as “boastful Peter,” characteristic of a brash disciple who tends to speak like an armchair quarterback. The Chosen lends much more emotional energy to the exchange. Peter is hurt by Jesus’ apparent lack of trust in him, and Jesus’ sorrow over Peter’s eventual betrayal is unmistakable. It is such a poignant, well-acted moment that one can’t help but imagine how heart wrenching the eventual fallout will be.     

The opening sequence ends with a vivid summation of the gospel. Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this, then someone lay down his life for his friends.” When Peter replies, “Then that’s what we’ll do,” Jesus corrects him, “That is what I will do.” It’s a perfect start to the episode.   

Doubting Thomas    

The flash forward opening is followed by a flashback to a scene set just prior to Thomas’ departure for the site of Jesus’ first miracle. The decision makes narrative and thematic sense, although it’s a bit cumbersome to begin the episode with two tone-setting non-linear sequences. I’m not sure that the scene is necessary, as it mostly serves as a reminder of better days between Thomas and Ramah’s parents. Yet it does provide an effective backdrop for some excellent moments later in the episode.   

The episode transitions back to the main timeline with a brief shot of a wheat field, a jarring cut that interrupts a tender moment between Ramah’s parents. It is a powerful tie-in to Jesus’ sermon in the previous episode about “losing one’s life to find it,” and it’s the type of subtle visual storytelling that elevates The Chosen to a higher level than many other faith-based stories.  

Actor Joey Vahedi gives a moving performance as Thomas. One of the show’s strengths thus far has been the way it humanizes the disciples. The “doubting Thomas” moniker has always been a bit unfair, as it defines the disciple by a single act. The show has gone to great lengths to add nuance to that eventual moment. Yes, it could be argued that the decision to invent entire storylines and characters to explain that one defining exchange is excessive (akin to Star Wars creating a whole prequel movie to explain the existence of the exhaust port weakness in the Death Star). But the internal conflict feels earned and believable. The Bible may not give a backstory, but there was a backstory. The interactions between Thomas and Ramah’s parents are some of the best moments of the episode, and the encounter between Thomas and his mother is particularly tragic and well-acted.     

A Less-Than-Inspiring Sermon  

After demonstrating dramatic range at the start of the episode, Peter also provides some comic relief during a sermon-gone-wrong. It is a hilarious moment, but also an important one. Those familiar with the Bible know that he is not far removed from preaching one of the most impactful sermons of all time. Showing his bumbling first attempts at preaching will pay off in future seasons when it is contrasted with how powerfully he preaches when he is filled with the Holy Spirit. Also, Andrew’s enthusiastic brotherly support and encouragement that “I’ve never been more proud of you,” is one of the episode’s most heartwarming moments.  

Jesus Cleanses the Temple   

What takes this mostly solid episode to an even higher level is its climax (which the previous episode foreshadowed). After being central to the opening episode, Jesus is largely absent in the second. His eventual appearance results in one of the show’s most dramatic moments. The “Cleansing the Temple” narrative has become a popular proof text for Christians in recent years to justify their anger. Many cinematic depictions of the event have presented Jesus’ actions as a knee-jerk reaction. For example, in The Last Supper (a film released earlier this month), the moment comes off almost like Jesus throwing a tantrum.   

The Chosen takes a much more level approach. By building toward the moment at the end of the previous episode, the scene plays out as an intentional decision on Jesus’ part rather than a spontaneous reaction. The Bible gives no details about the lead up to the outburst, but The Chosen’s interpretation feels true to Christ’s character. Even in anger, Jesus is in control.   

The show doesn’t hold back. Roumie captures a righteous anger barely kept at bay. The scene is uncomfortable to watch. The decision to introduce a generous bird vendor earlier in the episode and then to have Jesus turn his wrath upon that vendor too adds to that unease. The Chosen is primarily told from the disciples’ perspectives, and the audience shares in the disciples’ shock at the unexpected and “out-of-character” moment. Jesus standing before the religious leaders wielding a whip as vendor tents burn in the background may be one of the most cinematic shots of the entire series.      

Conclusion  

By the end of Part One, the tables have turned—and not just the ones in the temple market. With Jesus unleashing his fury, the game has changed, as Judas acutely captures in his closing bewildered statement, “What have you done?” And with that, The Chosen has set up what is sure to be a dramatic Part Two.   

Miscellaneous Thoughts and Observations  

• The exchange, “These are sacred grounds,” and the response, “Yes, and you’re holding up the line,” is crisp dialogue that succinctly conveys the situation at the temple market.   

• Quick, somebody get Jesus a fedora, because he would give Indiana Jones a run for his money with his whip proficiency! Jesus whipping the table leg was epic, even if a bit silly.     
• Including exposition about Jewish customs has always been tricky. The Chosen often chooses to have a Jewish character explain the customs to Gentiles (or to less-informed Jews). The strategy works, but it’s a bit clunky. I wonder if there are other ways to convey the pertinent information without resorting to verbal lectures. 

Read our recap review of Episode One HERE.