The series suffers badly from the defenestration of creator Robert Hewitt Wolfe in this episode. The Reverend Bug-Eyed Monster's theology was the most intellectually interesting creation in the original version of the series; among other things, it was one of the few religions, fictional or real, to tackle The Problem of Evil seriously.
To get actor Brent Stait back on the series, a Trivia item informs us, it was necessary to de-fur Rev Bem. (Future season spoiler: He only makes one more appearance, next season, also episode 15.) But those left after Wolfe's departure ruined the intellectual relevance of The Way by providing a miracle; this has been recognized as a mistake since at least classical Greek drama: "deus ex machina" is not a term of praise. It also reduces non-believers to cardboard characters, wilfully failing to believe merely to advance the plot. (Cp. Star Wars, medieval hagiographies, and Stranger in a Strange Land. Contrast The Bishop's Wife and Almost an Angel.)
There was no need for the heavy-handedness. If the actor could no longer wear yak hair, the character could have become bald for any number of reasons, ranging from hair-related religious inspiration (cp. More medieval hagiographies) to the mundane (cp. Sir Patrick). (Apologies for the miscapitalization; IMDb refuses to let me correct it.)
To get actor Brent Stait back on the series, a Trivia item informs us, it was necessary to de-fur Rev Bem. (Future season spoiler: He only makes one more appearance, next season, also episode 15.) But those left after Wolfe's departure ruined the intellectual relevance of The Way by providing a miracle; this has been recognized as a mistake since at least classical Greek drama: "deus ex machina" is not a term of praise. It also reduces non-believers to cardboard characters, wilfully failing to believe merely to advance the plot. (Cp. Star Wars, medieval hagiographies, and Stranger in a Strange Land. Contrast The Bishop's Wife and Almost an Angel.)
There was no need for the heavy-handedness. If the actor could no longer wear yak hair, the character could have become bald for any number of reasons, ranging from hair-related religious inspiration (cp. More medieval hagiographies) to the mundane (cp. Sir Patrick). (Apologies for the miscapitalization; IMDb refuses to let me correct it.)
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