Something astonishing happened on TV last Sunday – Easter Sunday ironically enough. One of the leading characters on a primetime TV action-drama show walked into a church and had a religious experience. More specifically than that, he “renounced his sins” and “accepted Jesus – with all my heart.”
One of the great parts about this story is that this development was completely unexpected, while at the same time plausibly and powerfully written, and with nuances and ambiguities left delightfully unresolved.
Mack Gerhardt is a member of The Unit. The Unit is a US Military special forces group. With the call sign, “Dirt Diver,” Mack is part of a squad led by Sgt. Jonas Blane (who’s the real reason that 24 used to be worth watching, and who’s probably responsible for Barack Obama being elected president – but that’s another story.)
Mack is not a boy scout. He has always seemed tightly wound. He’s married, with two daughters, but he and his wife Tiffy have been through more than their share of rough spots. Tiffy felt alone and abandoned during Mack’s long deployments and began (but then ended) an affair with the commanding officer of The Unit. Mack had at least one one-night-stand of his own, and when he found out about Tiffy’s affair, he nearly killed the Colonel. Last season, it looked as though Tiffy and Mack were getting a divorce, with Tiffy actually drawing up papers and delivering them to Mack.
They’ve since reconciled – thanks in no small measure to strong support from the wives of other Unit members. One of the strengths of the show is the blending and weaving of action plot lines with the domestic back-stories of the Unit members’ wives and families. Yet another strength of the show is the ensemble writing and acting.
This past Sunday’s episode was written by Dan Hindmarch, about whom I know very little. From the wiki entries, it appears that he’s been a writer on the show for several years now and that this script is the second time he’s received credit as the writer.
I don’t want to give too much away for those who have the time to watch at least part of the episode (or better yet, ALL of the episode, which is available online at the CBS website.
In an attempt to hook more viewers for The Unit, and to show you a remarkable bit of television from Easter Sunday, I’ve extracted Mack’s conversion from the hour-long show as a ten minute video:
Why is this significant?
Several reasons: The Unit is mainstream network TV. One of CBS’ best shows. There has been a concerted effort to develop the characters as 3-dimensional human beings – not just superheroes. And the treatment of religion as a natural part of their lives as husbands, fathers, & friends has been seamlessly integrated into the show. This is quite rare. The popular culture usually dismisses religion by ignoring it. This is not necessarily malicious – perhaps it is just a reflection of the culture of those who produce network TV. Perhaps writers have been afraid to introduce real faith because it seemed un-natural. The role of religion in the story of The Unit is significant because it seems so natural and un-remarkable. THAT is remarkable!
I think this plotline is about as close to perfect as television can get. It is sparse but deep. The full story line is 14 minutes. All but about 30 seconds occurs in the sanctuary of the church. The interplay between the characters reveals the back-story, like peeling an onion. The visuals underscore and deepen the development. Even the music cues integrate to move the audience along. Of course we’re being played with, but it’s a great ride!
Mack starts out proclaiming that God sent him to speak to Nora. Ironically, Nora turns the tables on him. It appears that God may have sent Nora to speak to Mack. Don’t be too quick to dismiss Nora as a messenger of God. Her own sins do not necessarily invalidate the truth of what she says to Mack. Mack tells Nora God sent him to speak to her. She asks if he is without sin. When he quickly says no, she questions then whether God could have sent him. His answer is, “Who else would have sent me?”
Mack’s conversion at the surface level may appear to be simply an act – contrived to get Nora to reveal where she has placed the baby she has kidnapped from the hospital. But it feels more real than just an act. Mack is someone truly in need of, and searching for, forgiveness and redemption. Previous episodes have already established this development. Mack blames himself for the death of another Unit member, killed by a sniper while Mack was with him. Mack feels both anger and guilt for the breakdown of his marriage – now seemingly being restored. Mack wants to be a father to his daughters, but they resent his absences while missing him terribly.
If Mack has had a conversion, a renunciation of his sins, an acceptance of Jesus, it’s already clear that this is not going to immediately and magically resolve all of his problems. But the opportunity to see how he applies his new commitments in the context of his mission responsibilities suggests all sorts of interesting possibilities.
“I told her God sent me to help her. Could it be true?”
My commendation and kudos to Hindmarch, Mamet, and the cast and crew of The Unit.
footnote on David Mamet:
David Mamet created The Unit. He’s a noted American writer and director, best-known for his intense, staccato, heavily weighted, sparring dialogue. His hand, influence & voice (without taking anything away from the episode writer, Dan Hindmarch) are the reason The Unit remains such a compelling show.
Mamet is from Chicago, and has shown an increasing interest in his Jewish roots. He is apolitical, but wrote a remarkable piece in the Village Voice in March of 2008 titled, “Why I am no longer a Brain-dead Liberal.” It may have something to do with why The Unit no longer partakes of the casual dismissal of religion – but rather takes it and treats it seriously.