The tagline for USA’s new miniseries Dig, “The deeper you dig, the further you get from the truth,” is starting to make sense. While this week Jerusalem is mostly a recap of last week’s events, the things taking place in New Mexico and Norway make very little sense. This is not a show that you can afford to blink during.
We pick up in Jerusalem right after Agent Peter Connelly is picked up by the authorities in Emma Wilson’s apartment. He is questioned by the always charming Detective Cohen about how Emma and Yusef, the man he was transporting who escaped, are connected. Peter dodges his questions and finally clues in Lynn about his connection to Emma. He asks her not to say anything so that he can continue to work both cases.
Cohen is hot onto Peter’s lies, but that’s only because he thinks that Peter had something to do with Emma’s death. We learn Peter was in the seminary at one point, so he did believe in God, and it’s safe to assume that when his daughter committed suicide it shook his faith. Not sure how big of a coincidence it is that he subsequently chose to work in the most holy city in the world.
Anyways, Peter goes off on his own back to the dig site to investigate what he and Emma saw that night, specifically why the restricted area they saw has been freshly bricked up. Cohen catches up to him and puts him in handcuffs, but later changes his mind when Peter tells him the whole confusing story. They work together long enough to go after Yusef, who ends up delivering the mysterious stolen artifact Emma had to none other than the American ambassador. Turns out the stone is one of twelve, and there is still one left to be found.
Back in the New Mexico compound, the pastor reveals Josh’s dead body to his nanny, going on and on about impurities and staying faithful. The creepy pastor ends up having better luck with Josh 2.0, who seems to be a more willing believer than his dead counterpart. The nanny considers running, but decides Josh 2.0 needs her that night at his Bar Mitzfah. Is slaughtering a calf traditional for this right of passage?
Circumstances in Norway are just as complicated and disturbing. The combination of murder, attempted murder, an “Essene,” and a red heifer make absolutely no sense. I can’t even attempt to explain because that’s how little sense it makes. All I can deduce is by the end a man and his calf are on their way to Croatia.
While Jason Isaacs is great in the role of Agent Connelly, I have to wonder if the amount of detail is losing people in the middle of viewing. What do you think?
[Photo via USA Network]
The lack of detail intrigues me therefore I will continue the watch!
DIG is intelligent television. It will appeal to people who enjoy thinking and solving puzzles. I am obsessed!
If everything was revealed at once, what fun would that be? All will be revealed in time. The story is primarily about bringing a bible prophesy to fruition. Certain elements are needed i.e. a pure child of Bar Mitzvah age, the unblemished red cow, the completed stone collection, and other details which will come to light. I’m sure it’s only going to get better. Very interesting and looking forward to the upcoming episodes.
A little knowledge of Christian dispensational eschatology is helpful. The red heifer relates to rebuilding of the Jewish Temple and the reinstitution of temple sacrifice, something some Jewish sects are thought to desperately desire. It signifies the beginning of the End of Days. The series is playing heavily on the syncretization of Jewish and Christian escatology.
OK – I just finished this episode and I’m growing very frustrated….Yes – it’s interesting to see all of these diverse storylines, but they’ve got to start connecting and relating them or giving some sort of plot to make it interesting – I mean, we’ve got the creepy southwestern cult and the mulitple Josh’s, and the Jerusalem crime/investigation, and then the Norway/Croatia Essenne/Teen/Calf drama. It’s getting a bit absurd.