THE CHOSEN: Episode 2.1: Thunder
Living with Jesus the Man — heartfelt faith for the whole family.
Should You Watch It?
This episode offers a warm, thoughtful picture of daily life with Jesus and His apostles. It highlights Jesus’ perfect humanity, humor, compassion, and concern for the people He meets. It also shows the apostles’ flawed humanity as they complain, bicker, become confused, and struggle to understand their missions.
The episode’s Christian worldview is its greatest strength. Stories of the Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, and Jesus calling James and John “Sons of Thunder” point viewers toward Christ’s love, healing power, salvation, and divinity. The bonfire scenes also create a strong sense of community and worship.
The limitation is dramatic. “Thunder” lacks a major plot and instead unfolds through episodic moments. It also imagines details about how Scripture was written, so families should compare those creative choices with the Bible. For a heartfelt, family-friendly episode that invites reflection on Jesus, watch it together.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAn older Apostle John is writing his Gospel and interviews the other Apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. The episode then flashes back to Jesus’ life with His Apostles.
The story follows the rhythms of their daily life: traveling, shopping, sharing meals, telling stories, and trying to keep up with Jesus’ unexpected movements. Along the way, the episode weaves in several biblical stories and explores the relationship between Thomas and his wife.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a heartfelt, worthwhile episode with some clear limitations. The acting is excellent, the settings are realistic, and the scenes involving Jesus are personable and moving. The bonfire stories create a memorable sense of community and shared worship.
The episode’s opening and ending segments about John’s Gospel give it a satisfying structure. However, “Thunder” lacks a major plot and relies more on episodic moments. Its strongest dramatic movement comes from its portrait of Jesus’ humanity and its concluding theological emphasis.
The Worldview
“Thunder” presents a very strong Christian, biblical worldview focused on the love, healing power, and salvation that come from Jesus Christ. Jesus is shown as personable, humorous, attentive, and deeply concerned with every person He encounters. The episode includes prayer, a miracle, Jesus reading from Genesis, and stories such as the Good Samaritan and the Good Shepherd.
The episode also emphasizes the imperfect humanity of the Apostles. They complain about one another, struggle with confusion, and blame Jesus when His unpredictable movements disrupt their plans. Yet their life with Him becomes a picture of community, service, worship, and learning.
The episode takes creative liberties in imagining how Scripture was written. Mary dictates part of what John writes, and Jesus takes John into the Jewish Sanctuary, supposedly inspiring the Gospel that John would write years later. The source review notes that the historical details of how the Gospels were written are unclear, while Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would help His disciples remember the truth: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian, biblical worldview focuses on the love, heal-ing power and salvation that comes from Jesus Christ, shows Jesus reading from Genesis, and includes prayer, a miracle and the stories of the Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, Jesus giving James and John the name “Sons of Thunder,” and the relationship between the Apostle Thomas and his wife
Foul Language
No foul language
Violence
Some peo-ple throw rocks at Jesus and the Apostles
Sex
No sexual content
Nudity
No nu-dity
Alcohol Use
Wine is bought and served for dinner
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
The apostles some-times bicker with one another and Jews and Samaritans don’t get along.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Jesus takes time to care for the people He meets. What would it look like for your family to notice and love the people around you this week?
Mark 12:30–31 · Philippians 2:3–4The Apostles become frustrated because Jesus does not follow their schedule. When have you struggled to trust God’s timing?
Proverbs 3:5–6 · Psalm 27:14The episode includes the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Good Shepherd. How do those stories shape the way Jesus calls His people to treat others?
Luke 10:25–37 · John 10:11–15The Apostles bicker with one another, yet Jesus continues to teach and lead them. How can your family pursue unity when people disagree?
Ephesians 4:1–3 · Colossians 3:12–14The Final Word
“Thunder” is heartfelt, well acted, and centered on the love and salvation of Jesus Christ. Its episodic structure and creative liberties keep it from being stronger, but it gives families meaningful reasons to reflect on Scripture and life with Jesus. WORTH WATCHING.
