On Friday night of this week, NBC aired for the first time a new series called "The Book of Daniel". Daniel is an Episcopal clergyman who has a wife with an alcohol problem, a daughter with a drug problem, a son with a sexual identity problem, and another son with an over-active libido and a yen for younger girls. Add to the mix a mother with dementia, a father who is having an affair with Daniel's boss, a brother-in-law who has disappeared with church funds, and a dippy gay sister-in-law, and that was just the first episode. Essentially, we have "Desperate Housewives" with a clerical collar; but with one important distinction.
At strategic points in the unfolding of the story, Daniel is visited by a young man with long hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and wearing a flowing white robe. We are given to understand that this character is Jesus, who is visible and audible only to Daniel. Surprisingly, this plot device gives an element of detachment and mild ironic humor to what would otherwise be an unrelieved soap opera. The Jesus character appears to accept the foibles of Daniel and his family with wisdom, tolerance, and equanimity; inviting us to join him in judging not.
There are even moments of dramatic abiguity, something unheard of in prime time television. Daniel is told by a couple in pre-marital counseling that their sessions with Daniel have helped them to realize that they do not want to get married, but they do love each other, and want to continue to live together. They share with Daniel that this decision has relieved both of them of what had been almost unbearable stress, and that their relationship is much more loving and rewarding because they no longer plan to marry. As Daniel sits across from them struggling for an appropriate response, Jesus appears, leaning casually against the wall behind the couple.
"Good work, really good work.", he deadpans. (Fade to commercial)
The audience is left to decide whether this is (a) a sarcastic jibe, or (b) a sincere appreciation of the fact that Daniel has helped the couple solve a serious problem. When was the last time a TV program invited you to make up your own mind about something?
Alabama's chapter of the ironically named "Christian" Coalition has been quite exercised all week about the prospect of "The Book of Daniel" being aired in our state. The organization, whose goals and methods are anything but "christian", has been urging its members all week to call local NBC stations in an attempt to keep the program off the air. We have been told that the progam "slandered the Christian family", and was an outrage to the morals and sensitivities of decent people.
Those of you living in more enlightened parts of the world are probably asking "So what?" about now; but you need to understand that the radical religious conservatives wield real power in the deep South in general, and in Alabama in particular. We are the state, after all, that gave the world Roy Moore, and we have made him a candidate for governor with at least an outside shot at election. Public resistance to the thuggery of the "Christians" is a genuine act of courage in Alabama.
This is where WSFA-TV enters the picture. The Montgomery NBC outlet, known to everyone in south Alabama as "Channel 12", essentially ignored the threats and bullying of the Coalition. The broadcast went on as scheduled. During the two-hour time period, viewers were invited to call in their opinions to a phone line the TV station had provided; but the "Christians" were so afraid of allowing free expression of opinion that they organized their members to jam the phone lines, with the result that very few, if any, calls got through. Still, those of us in Montgomery owe a real debt of gratitude to Channel 12 for its courage in standing up to the Coalition. "Daniel" is certainly not great art, but its broadcast was one more meaningful challenge to the gangster tactics of the "religious" right.
Thomas R. Borden Montgomery, Alabama January 8, 2006