The Chosen Season 2 Episode 6 Review: Unlawful

The Chosen Season 2 Episode 6, “Unlawful,” focuses on what it means to be good enough. When Mary is found backsliding into her old life, her shame prevents her from asking for forgiveness. Her journey shows that some things you don’t have to earn.

As the episode begins, Matthew and Simon are still on their mission to find and rescue Mary. The two can’t be further different from each other. Matthew is very calculated, while Simon seems to act first, and then ask questions later.

Even the other disciples question why Jesus would have paired the two together. Nonetheless, the scenes between them give the show a touch of much-needed comedy relief. 

While Matthew and Simon bicker, Mary is in the bar gambling. Her womanhood catches the drinking men off-guard allowing her to swindle them easily. It’s a decent hustle until she runs her mouth a little too much — angering one of the sore losers.

Whether in the right or in the wrong, it is easy to get caught up in ourselves. When we get cocky, our egos flare causing trouble even in the best circumstances. Needless to say, Mary feels she has nothing to lose so she uses tough words without fear of consequences.

A pattern of words sets off a flashback in Mary’s head, reminding her of what originally led her to this lifestyle. It isn’t a pretty sight. As with anyone who has suffered abuse, her memories invoke fear causing her to flee from the bar. 

When we go back to the things that make us ill, be it a lover, drugs, or a bad attitude, eventually, we have to face reality. What led us here? Why are we like this? 

Questions like these flood Mary’s mind as she finds herself drunk in the alley. She is distraught, pondering her existence. Jesus saved her once already, how could she throw it all away?

It isn’t long before Simon and Matthew stumble upon Mary, sick and sobbing. They have all the right to judge her, but Matthew refuses to.

Immediately, the two tell her that Jesus wishes for her to return to the group, but she refuses to believe it. She sees her wickedness and believes she has no place by Jesus’ side. 

With someone as pure as Jesus, it’s easy to believe that anyone with sinful intent would not be welcome in His presence. Mary’s feeling of unworthiness hardens her heart and causes her to lash out. 

It is truly a heartfelt moment when Matthew admits how much she means to his faith. Her actions have influenced him so much, causing him to feel the need to memorize scripture and live a better life. 

Matthew sees himself as a bad person. He was a tax collector, the most hated of men. But unlike Mary, his sins cause him to try harder and look to Jesus for salvation.

Matthew’s words rekindle the flame inside Mary’s heart, reminding her of what she just recently left behind. She is the prodigal daughter.

No matter how far you stray, real and unconditional love will always accept you back. The acceptance she receives from Matthew helps her to believe that Jesus can forgive her too.

Once back at camp, the other disciples welcome her back with open arms, relieved of their worries that Mary had fallen into harm’s way. She accepts their love but remains leery of seeing Jesus. 

What if He casts her away? What if He cannot forgive her a second time?

In a brave moment, Mary asks to see Him. 

Jesus, downtrodden in a tent, turns towards Mary. She believes it is her actions that brought Him to this.

She blames herself much like we do when a series of our actions start a wayward path. He admits she isn’t to blame for His demeanor. 

As Jesus goes on His ministry, He is well aware of how it will end. It’s enough to make anyone want to run in the other direction, but because of the love He has for His Father, Jesus remains in place. Unfortunately for His followers, they can’t know this at the current time.

Mary looks at Jesus with shame in her eyes, hoping for an ounce of pity. Surprising to her, He does not give it.  

When we are in the wrong, we pray for the ones we’ve hurt to have compassion on us. Maybe if they can see how truly pitiful we are, they can find it in their hearts to forgive us. 

Jesus refuses to look down on Mary. His comforting and benevolent love reaches out to her instead. How could she have believed that she would never fall off the path again? 

The beautiful thing is that Jesus knew from the start that she would fall away from His teachings — but He accepted her anyway. 

Similar to most of our relationships, when we let someone into our lives, we know they will do something to hurt us eventually. The key is to build bonds strong enough that moments like these won’t break you both.

In the presence of His love, Mary admits her shame. She doesn’t feel good enough to spread the gospel of Jesus. Her sins are too great for even Him to bear.

Jesus: I forgive you, it is over.

With a smile, Jesus tells her she will never have to be good enough. 

All our lives, we do all we can to measure up. We follow the coolest trends, apply for the highest-paying jobs, and spend too much money on things that will simply fade away. 

When we are presented with something or someone who doesn’t subscribe to these attributes, we have a hard time believing it. 

Ultimately, the forgiveness of Jesus mends Mary’s heart. His love purifies their relationship, and His goodness is more than enough to make up for her shortcomings. 

All of Jesus’ followers have similar relationships. They all fall short in one way or another, it’s just that Mary’s sins are more obvious than some of the others. That doesn’t mean they are any less hurtful or heavy-laden. 

The second half of the episode delves into Jesus performing a healing on the Shabbat. The Rabbis pounce on Him, but it all falls into familiar territory. 

It has its impactful moments, yet also seems to take away from Mary’s story. 

When Mary falls back into the ranks of the disciples, she fades into the background, rarely being seen for the rest of the episode. One believes maybe she’ll have a major influence in the last few minutes, but her narrative is sidelined for foreshadowing. 

If this episode was cut down to 30 minutes removing the trip to the temple for later use, the theme would come through more effectively, but being what it is, Mary’s journey feels like an anticlimactic footnote. There’s enough luggage to unpack but only at your leisure.

What did you think of this episode of The Chosen? Which one of Jesus’ followers will fall astray next? 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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