"I Have Called You by Name" is the first episode of season 1 of The Chosen.
Two brothers struggle with their tax debts to Rome while a woman in the Red Quarter wrestles with her demons.
This episode provides examples of:
- Dropping the Bombshell: Mary Magdalene is stopped dead in her tracks when Jesus, a complete stranger to her at this time, calls her by her real name. He then quotes Isaiah 43:1, which was part of a cherished memory of her father and was something of a Madness Mantra for her to try to stave off her demonic possession. He is not only revealing that He knows her, but that He gave those words to Isaiah.
- Establishing Character Moment: This is the first episode, so there are many, but especially:
- Mary Magdalene wakes up with blood on her hands. Then we see a young man running through the street crying for help, saying that she tried to kill him, and that demons live inside her.
- Matthew's home, wardrobe, grooming, and servants show his wealth. He is so squeamish that he carries a spare set of very expensive sandals so he can change soiled footwear. Yet he pays a man who doesn't want to be seen with him to hide him in the back of his cart and drive him to his destination.
- Simon is in a fistfight with a crowd wagering on the results, and Andrew is directing him to stretch out the fight a little longer. We learn that Simon is fighting his brother-in-law, and when Simon finally starts hitting back, he is ambushed by his other brother-in-law.
- Flashback:
- Mary Magdalene's childhood, when her father points out a bright new star to her, and when he comforts her fears by reminding her of the words of Isaiah 43:1. Also, her father's death.
- Mary Magdalene being assaulted by a Roman soldier in uniform.
- Forgotten First Meeting: As Mary Magdalene follows the bird back to town, she bumps into Simon and Andrew as they leave a tavern. But she is focused on following the bird, and they are focused on their own disagreement.
- Hollywood Exorcism: Nicodemus tries this on "Lilith." It doesn't work, and he is mocked by the Voice of the Legion for his efforts.
- Incurable Cough of Death: The opening flashback to Mary Magdalene's childhood, where her father is shown to have a nasty cough. About halfway through the episode, another flashback confirms to the audience that he died not long afterward.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: Mary Magdalene's response after her Interrupted Suicide. Jesus stops her and she leaves the tavern:Jesus: That's not for you.
- Insistent Terminology: The centurion mocks the pharisees' references to Nicodemus as "teacher of teachers":Centurion: Perhaps I wasn't clear, teacher of teachers. You'll accompany me to the Red Quarter, or we'll burn it down with our fire of fires.
- Interrupted Suicide: Mary Magdalene is on the verge of jumping from a cliff before she's startled by a bird and follows it back to town, where she meets Jesus and is healed of her possession.
- It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time: Simon's strange nickname for himself ("Wine Hands") sounded more clever in his head.
- Joke of the Butt: Matthew's driver addresses him as "Mr. Public Anus". Matthew corrects the pronunciation of his title (publicanus) as "publi-CAH-nus".
- Limited Wardrobe: Matthew's introduction shows him choosing from multiple copies of essentially the same outfit.
- Madness Mantra: The words of Isaiah 43:1 become this to Mary Magdalene as she fights to stave off her demonic possession.
- No-Sell: The response to Nicodemus' exorcism:Mary Magdalene (multiple voices): We are not afraid of you. You have no power here, teacher.
- Obnoxious In-Laws: Simon sees his brothers-in-law as this, and vice versa, getting in repeated fights both verbal and physical with each other.
- Red Light District: A centurion asks Nicodemus to come to the Red Quarter, to help a woman (Mary Magdalene) who needs a holy man. He replies that it is not the custom of men of God to frequent the Red Quarter.
- Spiteful Spit: A woman spits on Matthew as he walks down the street towards his tax booth.
- That Wasn't a Request: When Nicodemus tells the centurion that it is not the custom of men of God to frequent the Red Quarter, the centurion replies that Nicodemus will accompany him to the Red Quarter, or they will burn it down.
- Voice of the Legion: When Mary Magdalene is possessed by demons, she speaks with several voices at the same time.
