Ep 4. The Rival
- TV-14
- July 18, 2010
- 28 min
-
7.6 (58)
Rev. is a British sitcom that depicts the challenges that a reverend faces in his personal and professional life. It airs on BBC Two and has three seasons.
Season 1 episode 4 of Rev. is called "The Rival." In this episode, Rev. Adam Smallbone (played by Tom Hollander) is faced with a new challenge when a rival church in the area begins to attract his congregation. The rival church, led by a charismatic preacher named Jolene (played by Olivia Colman), offers a more unconventional approach to worship and appeals to younger crowds.
Adam initially dismisses Jolene's influence, but he soon realizes that his own approach to ministry may not be enough to keep his congregation engaged. He seeks advice from his mentor, Bishop Osgood (played by Simon McBurney), who encourages him to find his own unique voice.
Meanwhile, Adam's wife, Alex (played by Olivia Colman), is dealing with her own challenges at work. She is tasked with planning a wedding for a difficult client and struggles to balance her work life with her role as a mother.
As the episode progresses, Adam and Jolene find themselves competing for the attention of their congregations. They both try different tactics to appeal to their audiences, but in doing so, they also risk compromising their own beliefs.
Ultimately, Adam realizes that he needs to find a way to connect with his congregation on a deeper level. He decides to write a sermon that is more personal and honest than anything he has done before. He shares his own struggles and doubts with his congregation and encourages them to do the same.
The episode ends with Adam delivering his new sermon, which is met with a positive response from his congregation. Jolene attends the service and the two pastors exchange a brief, friendly conversation after the service concludes.
Overall, "The Rival" is a poignant episode that explores the challenges of leadership and the importance of staying true to oneself. It also emphasizes the value of community and the power of vulnerability in building strong relationships.
