"Thunder" is the first episode of Season 2 of The Chosen.
Tension builds among the disciples as they wrestle with the increasing fame of Jesus in Samaria. Jesus rebukes Big James and John for their prejudice and, after a near-violent encounter, gives them a new nickname.
This episode provides examples of:
- As You Know: When Thomas and Ramah arrive in Samaria, Matthew responds to their story of a tough journey by talking about the historical hatred between Jews and Samaritans. Thomas replies with a terse "I am aware".
- Because You Were Nice to Me: Ramah's father is skeptical about Jesus, and about Ramah leaving her home to follow him. But he feels indebted to Jesus for what he did at the wedding, preserving the reputations of his business, of Thomas, and of Ramah.
- Big Guy Fatality Syndrome: The flash forward indicates that, true to the source material, Big James is the first of the Twelve to be martyred.
- Brutal Honesty: Ramah's father shows this to Jesus.Kafni: I am an old man, I need to leave for my journey, and I do not have time to be unclear.
- Corrective Lecture: Jesus calls out John and Big James for their prejudice towards the Samaritans. The two brothers recognize their error and contritely pledge to do better.John: Let us do something.Jesus: And what would that achieve?James: Defending your honor. They reviled and humiliated you.John: They deserve to have bolts of lightning rain down and incinerate them.James: Yes, fire from the heavens.Jesus: Fire?John: You said we could do things like that. Say the word, and it will happen.James: Why not? We knew we couldn't trust these people; we shouldn't have come here in the first place. They don't deserve you!Jesus: Why do you think I had you work Melech's field? What was I trying to teach you?James: To help.Jesus: You think it was just to be more helpful, or to be better farmers? It was to show you that what we're doing here will last for generations. What I told Photina at the well, and what she then told so many others... it's sowing seeds that will have a lasting impact for lifetimes. Can you not see what's happening here? These people that you hate so much are believing in me without even seeing miracles. It's the message, the truth, that we're giving them. And you're going to get in the way of that, because a few people, from a region you don't like, were mean to you? That they're not worthy? What? You're so much better? You're more worthy? Well, let me tell you something: you're not. That's the whole point! It's why I'm here.James: I'm sorry.John: I'm sorry, rabbi.Jesus: As we gather others, I need you to help show the way, to be humble.James: We will.Jesus: You wanted to use the power of God to bring down fire to burn these people up?John: Well, it sounds a lot worse when you say it that way.[Jesus chuckles]
- Disproportionate Retribution: While throwing rocks and spitting at people is a serious offense, it doesn't exactly warrant being burned up by fire from Heaven. John and Big James clearly realize this when Jesus bemusedly questions them about it.
- Flash Forward: John interviewing the other disciples and the other followers after Big James's execution in Acts of the Apostles.
- Handy Man: Jesus left the crowds in Samaria to help fix a man's wagon axle.
- Hot-Blooded: James and John are given the nickname "the Sons of Thunder" after trying to get Jesus to smite some Samaritans they (almost) got in a fight with.
- Humble Pie: John and Big James express a superior attitude toward the Samaritans. Following a brief altercation with some Samaritans, Jesus serves the brothers a good helping of the trope with a firm but earnest rebuke.
- Kill It with Fire: John and Big James entreat Jesus to rain down fire on the Samaritans for their disrespect towards them.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Jesus outright tells John and Big James that they're not any better than the Samaritans, hence why he's come.
- Not What It Looks Like: John asks Mary Magdalene to describe her first meeting with Jesus, and she says he held her hand, then tells him that it isn't what it sounds like.Mary Magdalene: Maybe leave that part out, people will get confused.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Jesus doesn't hesitate to chastise Big James and John for their prejudice and egos. But he also forgives them when they express regret for their behavior and resolve to do better. He even ribs the pair a little for wanting to rain down fire on the Samaritans.
- Spiteful Spit: This from a Samaritan triggers the incident that gave Big James and John the nickname "the Sons of Thunder".
- Tempting Fate: After the opening flash forward, Big James and John are plowing a field in Samaria. They consider themselves lucky that they don't have to spend a night with the Samaritans and discuss numerous unpleasant tasks they'd rather do instead. Later, they learn that the field they plowed and planted is owned by a Samaritan, and that Jesus and his disciples are sharing dinner with the Samaritan's family.
- You Are Not Ready: Though Jesus forgives John and Big James, he tells the pair he's going to defer giving them the authority he spoke about giving them until they calm down.
