Ep 3. Megachurch

Bordertown season 1, episode 3 "Megachurch" centers on the theme of religious corruption behind the popular institution of the Megachurch. The episode offers a satirical yet insightful look at the megachurch scene, which has become a booming industry in some parts of the world.

The episode begins with the Church of Mexico's founder, Reverend White (voiced by Hank Azaria) announcing an upcoming visit to Mexifornia to help establish a megachurch franchise. The news of the Reverend's planned visit, which would bring international attention to Mexifornia and potentially boost the local economy, excites the mayor of the town, Bud Buckwald (voiced by Hank Azaria).

However, not everyone is convinced that bringing a megachurch to Mexifornia is a good idea. Bud's neighbor and friend, Ernesto Gonzalez (voiced by Nicholas Gonzalez), a devout Catholic, expresses his skepticism about megachurches, warning that such institutions often have ulterior motives behind their religious preaching. Ernesto, who is portrayed as a thoughtful and well-read character, cites historical examples ranging from the Crusades to televangelists to substantiate his claim.

As Reverend White arrives in Mexifornia accompanied by his wife Tammy (voiced by Judith Light), Bud and Ernesto attend his sermon, where they meet other prominent local personalities such as Border Patrol agent, El Coyote (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui), and Greg Buckwald (voiced by Judah Friedlander), Bud's liberal-minded son. The scene also features a musical number in which Reverend White sings a parody of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head" themed around divine intervention.

Throughout the episode, the megachurch's true motivations are called into question as the institution's followers grow increasingly fanatical. Despite Ernesto's warnings, Bud sees the megachurch as a solution to Mexifornia's poverty and unemployment, and decides to invest in the church's franchise, which in turn benefits his construction company.

However, as the megachurch's activities become questionable, Bud's conscience is troubled by the revelation that he may have played a role in aiding and abetting religious corruption. Meanwhile, Maria (voiced by Missi Pyle), Bud's wife, attends the church's women's group where she becomes increasingly disturbed by the group's teachings on gender roles and submission.

In the climax of the episode, the megachurch's facade of piety is stripped away as it is revealed that the church has been engaged in shady dealings ranging from illegal immigration operations to money laundering. Bud and Ernesto team up to expose the megachurch, which leads to a hilarious and action-packed showdown at the church's headquarters.

Overall, "Megachurch" is a thought-provoking episode that highlights the dangers of blindly accepting any religious institution without scrutiny. The episode's satirical humor and portrayal of larger than life characters add a layer of wit and entertainment value to what could otherwise be a dry subject matter. In a world where religious institutions continue to be a powerful influence on society, the episode offers a timely reminder that vigilance and critical thinking are key to maintaining ethical standards.