<p id=”par-1_49″>The new <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tv/”>TV</a> show <em>House of David</em> has sparked more buzz than any sword-and-sandal drama in a long time. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/michael-jacksons-man-in-the-mirror-similar-bible-passage.html/”>It brings the Bible to life</a> for the religious and non-religious alike. However, compared another show with similar themes, <em>House of David</em> falls short in terms of edginess and provocation.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-house-of-david-isn-t-as-good-as-1-of-the-forgotten-shows-of-the-2000s”>‘House of David’ isn’t as good as 1 of the forgotten shows of the 2000s</h2>
<p id=”par-2_91″>NBC’s <em>Kings</em>, which aired in 2009, used biblical themes in a way that was daring and politically charged. It retold the story of <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/house-of-david-season-2-of-prime-video-biblical-epic.html/”>King Saul and King David</a>, but set in a modern, fictional kingdom, giving biblical characters different names. The show offered a potent mix of power struggles, corruption, and moral dilemmas. Each episode kept viewers on the edge of their seats, questioning the choices of its characters and the blurred lines between good and evil. The drama was high-stakes, and the series didn’t shy away from dark, thought-provoking topics.</p>
<p id=”par-3_84″><em>House of David</em>, while tackling similar themes, doesn’t pack the same punch. The series tries to explore faith, leadership, and betrayal, but it often plays things too safely. In <em>Kings</em>, the characters’ actions had weight, and their decisions felt provocative. Viewers were usually left questioning the ethics of those in power, a tactic that made the show more impactful. It brought attention to important issues in a way that made audiences uncomfortable, which is one of the reasons why it gained a cult following.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-1″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”House of David – Official Trailer | Prime Video” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/GrGfIHBIVL4?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-house-of-david-isn-t-anything-we-haven-t-seen-before”>‘House of David’ isn’t anything we haven’t seen before</h2>
<p id=”par-4_47″><em>House of David</em>, on the other hand, tends to focus more on the personal drama of its characters, without delving deeply into the broader societal issues. While this approach may make the show more accessible, it doesn’t push boundaries in the same way that <em>Kings</em> did. </p>
<p id=”par-5_41″><em>Kings</em> was filled with sharp commentary on politics, power, and religion, often drawing parallels to real-world issues. The show didn’t shy away from portraying the darker side of humanity. It was challenging and sometimes uncomfortable, yet these qualities made it unforgettable.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-2″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”Samuel Realizes David is The One | House of David | Prime Video” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/CuQz5oEzPow?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/5-classic-rock-songs-based-bible.html/”>
5 Classic Rock Songs Based on the Bible </a>
</p>
</div>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-kings-had-a-gay-character-a-rarity-for-biblical-shows”>‘Kings’ had a gay character, a rarity for biblical shows</h2>
<p id=”par-6_81″>One key difference between the two shows is their treatment of characters. In <em>Kings</em>, characters were morally complex and often conflicted. Saul’s struggles with his leadership and David’s rise to power were intense and layered. This made the audience question who was right and who was wrong. <em>House of David</em>, while it has some well-written characters, doesn’t provide the same level of complexity or internal conflict. The characters’ motivations are often clearer, but less challenging, making the show feel less gripping.</p>
<p id=”par-7_98″>In contrast, <em>House of David</em> feels more like a traditional drama, with religious overtones but fewer risks. While it explores power dynamics, it lacks the boldness that made <em>Kings</em> stand out. <em>Kings</em> wasn’t afraid to challenge traditional depictions of biblical figures. For example, Jonathan is often interpreted as David’s closest friend. In <em>Kings</em>, his equivalent is explicitly gay. That stands out as a gutsy choice now, but it was even gutsier back in 2009, when gay marriage was one of the most divisive issues in the world. Maybe <em>House of David</em> will go there <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/house-of-david-season-2-filming.html/”>in its second season</a>.</p>
<p id=”par-8_31″>In conclusion, while <em>House of David</em> and <em>Kings</em> share similar themes, <em>Kings</em> stands out as the more satisfying show. If only it was allowed to last for more than one season.</p>