Ep 1. The Messages

In Messiah season 1 episode 1, titled "The Messages," viewers are introduced to a world that is witnessing a series of strange occurrences that are seemingly connected to a mysterious and charismatic man. This man quickly gains a large following of devoted believers who see him as a messiah, while others view him as a dangerous cult leader.

The episode begins in Syria, where a large group of refugees is trying to cross the border into Israel. As they are stopped by the military, they see a figure approaching from the distance. This figure is revealed to be the man who calls himself Al-Masih, and he raises his hand toward the soldiers, causing an explosive device to detonate. Everyone except Al-Masih is killed, and he is taken into custody as a suspect. While in custody, he reveals himself to be a healer, demonstrating an ability to heal a young boy's gunshot wound. News of this event spreads quickly, leading to a growing number of followers and skeptics around the world.

Meanwhile, in Texas, we meet a troubled CIA agent named Eva Geller who has been working on a case involving a possible terrorist threat. When she sees the news about Al-Masih, she becomes obsessed with figuring out who he is and what he wants. She teams up with a tech billionaire named Felix, who becomes intrigued with the possibility that Al-Masih could be the real deal. The two begin to investigate his background and try to track him down with the help of a former Mossad agent named Aviram who has a personal vendetta against Al-Masih.

As the episode progresses, we also see Al-Masih's influence growing, both through his own actions and those of his followers. One particularly powerful scene involves a spontaneous baptism that occurs in the reflecting pool in front of the Washington Monument. Thousands of people gather around Al-Masih as he blesses the water and then begins to baptize people one by one.

Throughout the episode, there is a sense of tension building as we wonder exactly what Al-Masih's motives are and what kind of danger he might pose. Is he truly a healer and a savior? Or is he something far more sinister? This tension is heightened by the fact that we also see glimpses of a mysterious figure watching Al-Masih's every move from the shadows.

Overall, the first episode of Messiah sets up a compelling premise that will leave viewers wanting more. The acting is solid across the board, with standout performances from Mehdi Dehbi as Al-Masih, Michelle Monaghan as Eva Geller, and Tomer Sisley as Aviram. The episode also benefits from strong production values, particularly in its depictions of the various global locations and the large-scale crowd scenes. The religious and political themes are handled with nuance, offering a thought-provoking exploration of faith and power in our modern world. All in all, "The Messages" is an intriguing start to what promises to be a fascinating and thrilling series.