Ep 1. Like a Hunger Striker

Rev. is a British sitcom about a vicar who has a motley crew of parishioners and church staff surrounding him. The show is a mix of comedy and drama, with a touch of spirituality. The first season has six episodes, and the first episode is titled Like a Hunger Striker.

The episode starts with Rev Adam Smallbone (Tom Hollander) waking up early in the morning and getting ready for a busy day. He’s the vicar of St. Saviour in the Marshes, a small Anglican church in East London. He chats with his wife, Alex (Olivia Colman), and gets ready to head out.

At the church, Adam finds Mick (Steve Evets), the church warden, waiting for him outside. Mick tells him that the church has been vandalized and that they need to call the police. While waiting for the police, Adam meets Colin (Jimmy Akingbola), a former prisoner who’s been helping out at the church. Adam shows Colin around, and they talk about the different programs that the church runs.

After the police arrive, Adam goes for a walk through the park and meets a group of artists who are painting portraits. They ask him if they can paint his portrait, and he agrees. While he’s getting painted, he talks to them about the importance of art and the church’s role in supporting artists.

Later that day, Adam meets with a potential donor, Alex’s father. He’s hoping to get some money to renovate the church, but the meeting doesn’t go as planned. Alex’s father is skeptical of the church’s relevance and tells Adam that he’s wasting his life.

As the day continues, Adam meets with a young mother who’s struggling with depression and a couple who are unsure about getting married in the church because they’re not religious. He also has to deal with a funeral for a homeless man who no one knew.

Throughout the episode, we see Adam struggling to balance his responsibilities as a vicar with his personal life. He’s constantly on the go, trying to help everyone in the community, but he neglects his wife and his own spiritual needs. As he goes about his day, we see him grappling with questions of faith and doubt.

The episode ends with Adam returning home and collapsing on the couch, exhausted. His wife tries to encourage him, but he’s too tired to listen. In the final scene, we see him in bed, reading the Bible, trying to find solace.

Overall, Like a Hunger Striker is a thoughtful and engaging episode. It sets up the themes and characters of the show well, and it’s clear that Adam is going to have his work cut out for him as he tries to balance his personal and professional life. The show has an excellent cast, with standout performances from Tom Hollander and Olivia Colman, and the writing is sharp and funny. Anyone looking for a smart and entertaining sitcom with a spiritual twist should definitely check out Rev.