Kings

This was a great show. Biblically based but not preachy. It was wonderful. I want more shows like this. Like the Chosen.

I caught this show by chance in the 4th episode, and had no idea it was based on the Biblical story of King David. I simply enjoyed it as a soap-opera in the court of an alternate-reality, present-day functioning monarchy. (One with royal decrees, cellphones, and young royals in the tabloids.) Then I watched the first 3 episodes on Hulu.com, and figured out the plot line reads directly out of the King David Wikipedia page.

But its brilliant, because it follows the exact story of David's ascension to the throne against the first King of Israel Saul (Silas), with all the characters and relationships from the Bible, with all the drama and intrigue of Shakespeare's Richard III. David saves the King's son in battle (vs. Goliath), and the King rewards him with a military position and the hand of his daughter (Michelle/Michal). Meanwhile the King's son (Jack/Jonathan) sees David as a threat to his own position. Soon, Silas realises David is the anointed successor, and plots to kill him.

All of this is done masterfully, as the writers cleverly (and transparently) work the plot and intrigue into the modern day setting. It plays like modern Shakespeare of a North American monarchy. The story is so engrossing, you forget you're watching science fiction / fantasy. It has all the elements of a classic story, and is extremely entertaining.

I think all of the episodes are already in the can, and I can guess all 13 episodes play out the entire story of David's reign, wife, son, etc. I never knew the story of David until now, and I'll probably read the Wikipedia page as I finish watching the series.

I was very pleased with the quality of the show. I caught up on the show - didn't watch the beginning show until this past Sunday so I caught the last one on NBC.com and then watched this week's one on my DVR.

The quality is very high, and while a couple of the characters seem to have dialogue written out of the standard Hollywood textbook, the show seems to be going for higher standards. I particularly like the effects that don't hit you over the head, but impress the gravity of the situation.

I had no idea it was Biblical based - though I'm not necessarily religious - but the marketing leaves mixed messages - its "America with a King", a "war series", and a "royalty show". I think they could retool some of the marketing for it.

I'm definitely going to keep watching! This show is carefully proving to be great!

I really enjoy watching this show. It's an odd, but wonderful, mixture of present day modernities and old world thoughts of kings and kingdoms. It's really unlike anything I've ever seen before and you really have to appreciate that kind of originality. I don't know so much about the biblical story behind the show, and I don't much care. I see the show as more of a kind of fantasy, with the historical definitions of kings being "gods" and "chosen by god". I guess what I'm trying to say is, you don't need to be religious to watch it, it's just a really good show whether you are or aren't, just don't expect the show to be fully realistic. I hope to see many more episodes and many more seasons if the show sticks to the quality of these first 3 episodes.

The quality of this show is something I have come to associate with HBO. Sopranos, Big Love, Generation Kill, and Trueblood to name a few.

Kings is the first network show in years that I cannot wait for the next episode. NBC has a series that, if the bean counter's don't get involved, could be the renaissance of network TV. The acting, writing and production is excellent and a joy to watch. Qualities that network TV has not had in recent years.

Hopefully NBC will also take HBO's lead and end it when the story has been told.

The more is questions I have about locations. Are the interior locations real, if so where? The cabinet room with the glass wall, the palace entry with the chandelier, and other rooms look to good to be sets. Is the exterior shots of the palace the Dakota building?