Reyes

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?

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.

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

Finally something intelligent and well done that does a network proud. When was the last time anyone in charge of a network production could say that? I was amazed that a TV production was permitted to adapt a biblical story to commercial television and not make it a travesty. The writing, acting and casting are first rate and the ingenious production that sets the story in a modern setting easily identifiable to not only American but World audiences is outstanding. How power corrupts and becomes the guiding principle of a regime (whether its elected or hereditary) and how human failings overshadow all the events they contrive and no matter what they orchestrate, realize that they are really never in control.

Ian McShane steals the show as the King and is perfectly cast. The writers have even managed to depict the proper tone of a man falling from the pinnacle knowing that his path is taking him to ultimate failure after he's abandoned his principles.

Kudos to Christopher Egan and Allison Miller. Egan as the 'David' and reluctant hero and Allison as the love interest and King's daughter who wants to be more than just another pretty face.

Th writing is first rate and I'm amazed that it survived the usual story development process as well as it did.

It's a do not miss and will be talked about for years.

So much potential in this show. From the amazing writing to beautiful cinematography and perfect casting. Re-imagining stories from the bible in this fashion is a phenomenal idea. I've been dreaming about a series like this ever since I was a kid in Jewish school. These stories are bloody, gruesome, and filled with drama and turmoil with epic resolutions. You can easily turn many tales into modern-day epics. Kings is obviously the story with the most character intrigue, but imagine a long epic of Joshua, recanting the bloody wars and killing in the name of creating a nation and identity. Or the story of Purim as a several season arc.

It's a shame this show is now lost in history. NBC should have at least given the series another season to prove it had an audience. Instead, it was a victim of the early TV streaming days, where Hulu viewership would not count for NBC's ad revenue (even though it was one of the most popular shows on the streaming site). It deserved to at least have a grand conclusion.