Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

The Chosen: Season Four Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 16, 2024

'The Chosen' arrives on Blu-ray with this three-disc, eight episode, featureless season four release. The presentation is without special features, includes lossy audio, and adequate 1080p video. As a Blu-ray it is hardly noteworthy, but the show remains excellent, telling the story of Jesus and His disciples, focusing, this season, on the rising of Lazarus from the dead. Fans who have yet to check out the show, or check it out on Blu-ray, are encouraged to visit with seasons one, two, and three before exploring season four.

In season four, Jesus continues with his teachings on forgiveness, and there are a number of clashes and confrontations with the Pharisees and other religious leaders, building on established themes that will ultimately lead Him to the cross. Early episodes focus on one particular Roman official whose life is changed – and a family member is miraculously healed from afar – because he demonstrates incredible faith beyond even any Jewish person, follower of Jesus or otherwise.

However, most of the season moves towards, and follows the fallout from, Jesus’ raising of His close friend Lazarus from the dead. As much as any other event in the past three-plus seasons, this pushes Jesus into deep conflict with Jewish religious leaders, raises the interest of the governing Romans in Him even further, and propels Him to His crucifixion. The season ends with the Triumphal Entry, the moment that leads Jesus into Jerusalem and the week that He will be crucified. Season four also begins to reveal Judas for who he is, and what he will do.

As with previous seasons, there is a lot of embellishment and invention here, to fill space and for dramatic effect alike. Much of it may be extrabiblical, but most of it retains the spirit of the Bible, the story of Jesus, and the sociopolitical landscape of the day. However, there are some shocking moments that transform things in the season, especially pertaining to Thomas’ relationship with Ramah that paints Jesus’ sovereignty and the will of the Father in a new light, especially in the shadow of what happens with Lazarus. It seems to be also leading Thomas to his post-resurrection doubt, so it will be interesting to see where season five, and beyond, takes his character and his relationship with Jesus. As it is, it’s a powerful season that propels the series to even greater heights than ever before.

The following episodes comprise season four:

Disc One:

• Promises: Zebedee’s Olive Oil business gets a boost. John the Baptist’s fate is sealed.
• Confessions: At Caesarea Philippi, Simon makes a bold proclamation that changes the course of his life and legacy…and his relationship with the other disciples.
• Moon to Blood: Following Peter’s “promotion” from Jesus, arguments continue about roles, titles, names, and positions. Thomas and Ramah continue to build their relationship. Jesus heals a man blind from birth, which puts Jesus further at odds with the Pharisees. Rome attempts to arrest Jesus with disastrous results.

Disc Two:

• Calm Before: The disciples deal with the aftermath of a shocking loss. There is a shakeup in the Roman hierarchy. A gentile makes a bold proclamation. James and John desire to be elevated to Jesus' left and right in His kingdom.
• Sitting, Serving, Scheming: The disciples learn what it means to go the extra mile. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus host Jesus and the disciples. The Pharisees and Sadducees are at odds. Seeds are planted in Judas’ heart.
• Dedication: Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Feast of Dedication. Matthew begins to suspect that Judas is stealing from the money purse. Thomas continues to struggle with the aftermath of a tragic loss. Jewish religious leaders attempt to stone Jesus to death for blasphemy. Jesus and the disciples receive devastating news.

Disc Three:

• The Last Sign: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, and it is not a moment of joy, or understanding, for all involved.
• Humble: It is Passover. Jewish authorities deepen their plot to silence Jesus at all costs. Rabbi Shmuel approaches Jesus with a warning, and an open mind, until Mary anoints his feet with expensive oil. Roman authorities find themselves deeply interested in this particular Passover, because Jesus has created a buzz in the air in Jerusalem. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a Colt that has never before been ridden, fulfilling prophecy.

The Chosen: Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Season four of The Chosen is certainly not a choice Blu-ray presentation, but it is more than adequate for high definition viewing purposes. It appears to basically fall in line with the aesthetic, and the Blu-ray presentation, of previous seasons, meaning it offers a fundamentally solid viewing experience that captures solid enough textures on the garments of the day, for example, while showing fine clarity to beards, faces, and location specific details. Colors are good, with enough pop and richness to bright tones to please, but much of the show is comprised, unsurprisingly, of earthy tones that dominated 2,000 years ago. There are certainly some moments of struggle for the transfer. Look around the 8:40 mark of episode one, and through the whole dance training scene therein, to see some fairly obvious and significant background macroblocking at work. Still, the image is very watchable and should satisfy casual, and maybe even some advanced, viewers.

The Chosen: Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As with previous seasons, The Chosen's fourth season Blu-ray ships with a primary Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack; there is no lossless option included. That's a shame, but the track is certainly sufficient in delivering the basic sonic signature and essential atmosphere well enough. While the track could stand some added oomph and immersion and clarity in chaotic scenes, such as when there is a Roman effort to arrest Jesus toward the end of episode three, the track certainly delivers the basics in fine form, in pleasing depth, and in adequate richness to all elements. The opening title music is strongly defined, with quality width and nice overall room fill. Additionally, the track delivers nice ambient fill to outdoor scenes where buzzing insects, chirping birds, light winds, and background chatter, not to mention footfalls on dirt paths, do well to draw the listener into various locations. The show is largely dialogue intensive, however, and this lossy season four track delivers the spoken word from a front-center location, with good prioritization and suitably lifelike definition.

The Chosen: Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This three-disc Blu-ray set of The Chosen: Season Four contains no supplemental content. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

The Chosen: Season Four Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is another fine season of The Chosen that pushes the story of Jesus to the beginning of Passion Week, or Palm Sunday, leading to the crucifixion which will occur the following Friday. Where will season five end? With the crucifixion or the resurrection? Or beyond? Or before? Either way, it should prove to be another excellent season. This Blu-ray is disappointingly featureless, as have been the mainline releases (the seasons one, two, and three special editions notwithstanding). Audio is lossy, which is again disappointing but more than adequate. The 1080p video is solid, though certainly home to some problems. Despite being a far from perfect Blu-ray, the show itself is well worth watching and comes highly recommended.