The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4 Review: The Perfect Opportunity

On The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4, “The Perfect Opportunity,” Jesus’ followers take a backseat to a more powerful narrative of two struggling brothers. The misguided Simon and his disabled brother, Jesse, have lost hope and are taking different journeys to regain it.

As the episode begins, we see a very young Jesse falling from a tree, injuring his spine and losing the ability to walk. No longer having the power of motion and mobility is tragic; there is no telling how this accident has formed Jesse’s young life.

Watching his brother and friends easily run across the field while being imprisoned to the dirty ground is enough to crush every one of his dreams. 

People travel in and out of their house breaking promises of good health and spouting empty prayers to lesser gods. Each one sparks just enough hope in Jesse’s heart that he looks forward to every new arrival. Although always left heartbroken, Simon is there to pick up his brother and include him in any activity possible. 

When something like health is taken from us, we do all within our power to restore it. We listen to advice we want to hear — no matter how absurd it is. What if they’re right? It’s worth a try, isn’t it?

Truthfully, no. Some advice is just plain bad  — no matter how well it is intended. If I took every acne remedy I heard back in high school, I’d probably have some pretty heinous scars on my face right now. 

Still, Jesse and his family refuse to give up hope. Simon and Jesse stick side-by-side long into their teenage years, developing a secret handshake and sleeping in adjacent beds. With very few words, their camaraderie shines through warming the viewer’s heart to its fullest.

But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

It isn’t mentioned in words, but it’s fairly clear that Jesse’s condition weighs heavily on Simon. Years of constantly checking in on Jesse bleeds Simon dry of any hope. Add in a Roman soldier attack on a nearby neighbor and Simon has had enough. 

Simon decides since hope was stolen from him, he must rebuild it.  

At first glance, this makes sense. Taking back what was taken from you doesn’t sound that bad — does it?

Well, that just depends on what direction it leads you. In Simon’s case, he leaves home and trains to be an assassin.  

Poor Jesse, not only is he disabled but now he no longer has a family, either. His constant companion has left him to do something less than glorifying, and his hope is nothing more than a frayed rope.

His last resort is to make his way to the pool of healing water. 

This magical pool is believed to be watched over by angels, and the first one into the water when it starts to boil shall be healed. Even in biblical times, this seemed far-fetched, but when you have nothing left, you will fall for just about anything. 

The sick gather here daily, waiting for that special moment and pushing anyone else out of the way to be the first one in. Jesse doesn’t have the strength to drag himself down the stairs and into the pool, much less attack anyone who gets in his way. 

It’s revealed later on that Jesse was never convinced that this pool would do anything for him, but since he could never make it in first, Jesse could feign belief. It’s an act of complete desperation.

Once you’re completely broken down, hope is hard to come by. Defeat rarely comes with one simple blow. It takes several attacks to chisel away your armor, self-esteem, and finally, hope. 

Jesse is at that breaking point. 

Through several montages, Simon is shown gaining strength while Jesse loses his. Sadness and anger take their turn filling the viewer’s hearts and minds. The plotting and pacing of this episode is spot-on with many Hollywood movies. 

As things on television typically work out, Simon’s first murder mission leads him back to his hometown. While further gathering intel, he comes across the pool where Jesse is waiting. 

While tears are expected, anger erupts between the two brothers. Jesse feels abandoned by his brother, and Simon is embarrassed by Jesse’s whereabouts. 

Although they are glad each other is still alive, they fear for the other’s future.

Family love is nothing less than complicated. No matter what happens in life, you are connected to these people. Yell, scream, and fight, but at the end of the day, they still care about you — even if it doesn’t feel that way. 

Neither Simon nor Jesse heed the other’s advice. They are both hard-headed individuals stuck in their ways. Simon leaves once again ready to accomplish his mission, and Jesse is left helpless. 

Finally, Jesus shows up with a couple of His followers and makes a beeline for Jesse. 

Jesus: Everyone has wandered through the wilderness at some point.

When confronted with Jesus’ words, Jesse is confused. Of course he wants to be healed; why else would he be down by this pool? 

Jesse fails to listen to the words Jesus is saying to him. Like us, he puts them into a different context and refuses to branch out from his narrow mindscape. 

Instead of getting upset, Jesus redirects him to the true meaning of His words. When Jesse finally understands, his legs are healed, and he can go in peace.

The beauty of this episode is that this isn’t where the story ends. 

Mere seconds before committing his first murder, Simon catches a glimpse of his healed brother. The callous hatred falls from Simon’s eyes, and all he wishes to do is celebrate with him. 

It’s a joyous moment when Jesse dances for his brother, and then they lovingly embrace. Sure, write it off as a Hallmark moment, but it works. 

One of my only complaints about this episode is the amount of artistic license taken. I’m no Bible scholar, but the whole assassin plot doesn’t ring any bells. Still, it works well enough and keeps at the heart of the story. 

This is by far the best episode up to this point, and if the momentum keeps up at this pace, the show might just win me over.

What did you think of this episode of The Chosen? Are you more like Simon or Jesse? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Chosen airs Sunday at 8/7c on The CW.

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