The first episode of THE LAST EVANGELIST is well made, with lots of action and engaging dialogue. David Heavener’s performance as the lead actor is particularly powerful. David also wrote and directed the first episode. THE LAST EVANGELIST has a strong Christian, biblical worldview. Multiple characters boldly proclaim their faith, no matter the consequences. They also take comfort in their Bibles. The first episode of THE LAST EVANGELIST also encourages viewers not to be afraid to question the government’s rules. It does have some violence and tense, scary scenes, however. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children.
CONTENT:
Very strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview, with multiple characters boldly proclaiming their faith, no matter the consequences, many Christians are shown taking comfort in their Bibles, and another Christian speaks about having “freedom in Christ,” and program encourages viewers to not be afraid to question the government’s rules if they don’t align with their own beliefs;
No foul language;
A man is shot and killed, the hero knocks a doctor out to escape the hospital, and hero runs through the city trying to avoid being seen after his escape while his police partner and girlfriend speed through the city, runs into his apartment and knocks down his door to capture him;
No sex;
No nudity;
No alcohol use;
No smoking or drugs; and,
One detective lies to another detective about the unarmed suspect who was shot for being dangerous, and the same detective threatens another character to give up the names of his organization so that he can go free.
MORE DETAIL:
The first episode of THE LAST EVANGELIST on David Heavener TV explores an alternate world where religion is regulated, and churchgoers are forced to register with the government. After a hostage situation goes awry, and an unarmed man is killed, Sergeant John Rhodes starts to question the government’s rules about faith, as well as their vaccine mandates.
The first episode begins with Sergeant John Rhodes being called to an ongoing hostage situation. A group of “radicals” have barricaded themselves in a building after a SWAT team tried to break up their religious meeting. Most of the hostages eventually come out, but Robert Shaw, a “nonconformist,” is still barricaded inside, along with his children.
Rhodes goes to Shaw to negotiate. Shaw makes it clear that all he wants is freedom of worship, without having to register with the government. Rhodes connects with Shaw by sharing memories of his grandmother’s faith and gets him to put down his gun.
The group comes out, and Rhodes tells the SWAT team that Shaw is unarmed. However, Shaw gets agitated when he sees the police and grabs Rhodes. A SWAT officer shoots and kills Shaw, while Rhodes and Shaw’s children look on in horror.
Later, Rhodes goes to church and talks to the bishop, who tells him he shouldn’t feel guilty, as he was simply upholding the law, and Shaw was armed. Rhodes reveals that Shaw’s gun was never loaded.
Rhodes revisits the scene of the crime. Suddenly, he hears a voice calling his name and asking why Rhodes is persecuting him. Rhodes asks who he is, and the voice replies “Si-een.” Rhodes then sees a vision of the group of hostages before they were attacked by the police. Shaw’s children demand to know why Rhodes killed their father. Rhodes trips and falls on the ground, next to Shaw’s body. Suddenly, he wakes up in his own bed and realizes he can’t see.
Rhodes wakes up in the hospital. His coworker, Detective Angela Bookman, visits him and tells him he’s been in a coma for the last two days. Doctors think it was a negative reaction to his latest vaccination. A nurse enters and tries to give him the “insertion,” a new vaccine. She is interrupted before she can administer it.
Rhodes and Bookman continue talking, and it’s revealed that they are in a relationship. Rhodes questions her about the insertion, and she tells him the only people not getting it are “conspiracy theorists” who are unable to find jobs due to their questioning of the vaccine.
The scene cuts to the police department, where Detective Schulman is questioning Paul Revere, an unvaccinated Christian spreading his faith. She tells him he will go to jail unless he gives her names of other people in his organization. He refuses, saying, “I’m already free. My freedom is in Christ.”
Cut to Rhodes watching TV in the hospital, including a PSA about people needing to register their religion with the government, as well as another commercial telling people to get the insertion. A doctor enters, and Rhodes fakes chest pain. When the doctor checks on him, Rhodes knocks him out, steals his clothes and escapes.
The police are informed that Rhodes has fled and are ordered to arrest him. Angela speeds to his place as Rhodes also runs home. He gets there first and suits up, grabbing his gun belt, pistols, ammo and his Bible. Bookman gets to the apartment too late, as Rhodes has already escaped out the window.
THE LAST EVANGELIST’s first episode, titled “Legalize Jesus,” is full of dramatic, action-filled scenes. It also features dialogue that encourages viewers to think about doing the right thing versus just following rules. David Heavener’s performance is particularly powerful, as his character, Rhodes, grapples with his job, his belief about governmental power, and his own faith.
THE LAST EVANGELIST pilot episode a strong Christian, moral worldview. The episode shows multiple characters standing up for their faith, no matter the consequences. The first episode also encourages viewers to not be afraid to question the government’s rules if they don’t align with God’s rules. There are some scenes that feature violence, so Movieguide® advises caution for younger children.