Rei Davi

     Rei Davi ( King David) is a Portuguese language (no English subtitles) Brazilian Christian TV mini-series consisting of thirty approximately 45 minute episodes shown earlier this year. Using the Biblical account (primarily 1 & 2 Samuel) as an outline, it recreates the story of David. However at least eighty percent is pure fabrication. Many characters, subplots and relationships between characters are complete invention. While this may make for good TV, it is one of the primary reasons why I would not recommend this series. For example, Paltiel, mentioned once in the Bible  as a subsequent husband for Michal after David has fled from the presence of King Saul,  becomes a major character appearing in almost every episode. Abigail, the heroine of  1 Samuel 25 (and 2nd wife of David) is reduced to a brief appearance as a midwife to Bathsheba. This list could go on and on.
    The acting is somewhat problematic. Gracindo Jr., playing King Saul steals the show in the first half of series, dominating his scenes whereas David comes across as tentative and diffident. The actual story takes place over at least five decades, and a number of characters appear in many of those. Some attempt is made to age the male characters usually with their beards- short and trim in their youth, full in maturity, sprinkled with gray, and finally white in old age. Little commensurate effort is made with the women, who, apparently, do not age over decades. The prime example is the actress playing Michal, the archvillainess of the piece, who looks exactly the same whether she is a young maiden at the court of King Saul, or a seductress of Absalom (totally unbiblical) at least thirty years later.
    The highlight of the entire series is the reception of Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth, who has lived as a beggar, by King David, and his subsequent invitation to live in the palace. Jonathan and his wife Selima (no Biblical mention) are the only healthy marital relationship portrayed, and she dies in childbirth. (Again, totally made up). We rarely see portrayal of David's relationship with God, which is why he is called a man after God's own heart. (Acts 13:22)
    The series was recommended to me by a friend as a way to help me understand Portuguese.