Epic David vs. Goliath Showdown: What’s Next for 'House of David' After Season 1 Finale?

Caution: Contains Spoilers! This narrative reveals key plot points from the final episode of “House of David,” currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

If your story is ancient and globally recognized as a classic, it’s not really a surprise when I tell you that in the first season finale of “House of David” on Amazon Prime Video, history didn’t change. In the end, young shepherd and musician David (played by Michael Iskander) successfully hit giant Goliath (Martyn Ford) with a stone from his sling, killing him.

Nevertheless, learning about the event’s end doesn’t diminish its emotional resonance during the April 3 finale, as following David’s biblical journey this season has been a unique adventure on its own. At first, an innocent shepherd with no leadership or combat experience was surprisingly chosen by Samuel (Stephen Lang) to be the future King of Israel, guided by divine instruction. As he honed his skills in playing the lyre and singing psalms, David became a source of solace for the potentially unstable King Saul (Ali Suliman) while also fostering a relationship with Saul’s daughter, Michal (Indy Lewis). These relationships were crucial in empowering David to take courageous action against the vengeful giant.

Is the iconic battle a key part of the final episode’s plot? How crucial are the visions that various characters like David have been experiencing all season long? And what can we expect next for the series, which attracted 22 million viewers within its first 17 days following its premiere? To shed light on these questions and more, a conversation was held between EbMaster and the executive producers of “House of David,” Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, who jointly directed the finale.

Once the series started airing, did you hear from people who were surprised they were liking a faith-based show like “House of David?”

Indeed, it’s quite accurate. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs or lack thereof, the tale of David and Goliath is universally recognized as a historical anecdote and a grand epic. There seems to be an element in this Old Testament hero’s journey that resonates beyond religious affiliations, which might explain why so many people are choosing to watch, even if they typically wouldn’t.

Jon Erwin: I’ve referred to it as David being the original hero’s journey. It truly serves as a wellspring from which many other heroic journeys are inspired, at least in part. There’s an exceptional resonance to the story and its themes, even if you lack a deep understanding of the Bible.

Was the framework of Season 1 always going to start with a David and Goliath tease and then the battle ending the season?

We ended up making several adjustments to the initial draft of the first episode. The idea of incorporating David and Goliath scenes wasn’t part of the original plan, but it seemed like a compelling hook for the season, considering we were planning to conclude the season with David vs. Goliath.

Erwin: The dilemma we faced was determining where to situate the climactic moment akin to Goliath within our narrative. During the planning phase for the first season, I received invaluable assistance from my talented friends such as Dallas Jenkins and Ryan Swanson, the lead writer of “The Chosen,” who is exceptionally skilled in story structure. It became evident that Season 1 should revolve around a young boy destined to become king in a kingdom already ruled by one, with an inevitable confrontation against the colossal Goliath at the end of the season. Additionally, the intriguing hook of: What’s next? David has slain the giant, but his actions have incited a tumultuous wave from which he is caught in the midst. It seemed like an ideal ending to set up the story and character for Season 2, where we could continue narrating the tale of this epic battle.

How did you technically make the giants’ size work, since visually it never felt like a trick or moments of heavy CGI? Pardon the past reference, but it’s not like Lily Tomlin sitting in a huge rocking chair to look like a child.

Erwin: Essentially, the oversized chair scene was a challenge since there aren’t any 11-foot-tall individuals around. We had to resort to visual effects. Martyn truly brings Goliath to life, making you feel for him and gaining a unique understanding of his character. “House of David” can be seen as a tribute to cinema, similar to the original “Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring”, where they went all out for authenticity. We made every effort to do things authentically. That’s why we filmed in Greece and chose breathtaking locations that added greatly to the epic feel of our production.

In our project with the colossal characters, our goal was to shoot as many scenes live-action as we could. I’d estimate around 50% or more of the Goliath shots employ forced perspective, meaning that whatever giant appears on screen, they are merely closer to the camera. It’s remarkable how effectively this technique works, and it enables us to have all elements in the scene authentic. We reserve visual effects for only essential uses.

On our production, we rarely used a green screen, instead focusing on utilizing the natural landscape and employing forced perspective for practical shooting. Subsequently, we relied on compositing and various other methods to bring everything together.>

In our filmmaking, we minimally employed a green screen; rather, we emphasized working with the environment and using practical force perspective in photography. Post-production techniques such as compositing and others were crucial for finalizing the visuals.>

The primary reason Goliath and the giants seek vengeance in the first place is because villainous Doeg (Ashraf Barhom) kills Orpah (Sian Webber), the giants’ mother. Is Doeg working on his own accord with this act? Why does he do it?

Erwin: In our story, Doeg is depicted as an arms dealer who seeks connections with powerful individuals. He’s not loyal to any one side, instead, he maintains relationships across the board. A key moment in Season 2 reveals that this character is even mentioned in the Bible. I aimed to create a character who has friends in high places, serves power, and skillfully navigates multiple sides of conflicts.

Originally from Edom, Doeg has a long-standing grudge against the nation of Saul. His complex feelings towards the Saul empire will become clearer in Season 2. Despite his personal animosity, he manages to amass significant power by associating closely with Saul’s kingdom.

Several characters like David, Saul and Jonathan have visions throughout Season 1. Should viewers read those as premonitions, or are they more of a window inside each character’s respective fears or thoughts?

Me as a Movie Reviewer: Delving into the biblical narrative, I found myself captivated by the innovative use of visual poetry to portray prophetic visions and divine conversations in this production. The recurring vision experienced by David, our protagonist, serves as a silent whisper from God, guiding him towards his destiny and purpose. This intriguing exploration is intertwined with the story of Joshua before the Battle of Jericho, providing an enticing parallel that I found particularly engaging.

Regarding Saul and Jonathan, it’s as if they have forebodings about their impending deaths due to Saul’s unwillingness to relinquish his throne. Throughout the series, Saul has been portrayed as a tragic figure – a righteous man, a strong leader, and a long-standing ruler. However, power can be corrupting, and he finds it difficult to let go of something that he is no longer meant to govern – the throne. This stubbornness is destructive not only for him but also for his entire family. The characters’ visions, premonitions, and spiritual experiences are crucial to the show as they serve to depict a divine connection that is reminiscent of the Bible.

Do you see Queen Ahinoam (Ayelet Zurer) as a villain, or is she really just trying to do the right thing given King Saul’s state of mind? For example, she makes the bold choice of placing the crown on Eshbaal’s (Sam Otto) head in the final moments of the season.

The show revolves around families and households, with a triangular structure that emphasizes God, family, and nation as its key aspects. We frequently place characters in situations where they must sacrifice one for the sake of another. Ahinoam is a loving family woman, and throughout her journey, she grapples with power’s effects on an ordinary person, the temptation to maintain it, and the necessity of compromise that often follows.

As a movie enthusiast, I wouldn’t say she’s fond of tackling challenging tasks, but when the situation calls for it, she’s ready to dive in. The thin line between lives, where one might seem less significant or more disposable than another, is something she grapples with, yet never fully accepts. She’s not a villain in my eyes, but rather a character who fiercely protects her family. Her journey, however, takes some twisted turns as she navigates through dark paths to preserve what she holds dear.

Speaking of mothers, there’s a strong moment when Goliath says before he throws his last spear, “This is for you, mother.” Can you talk about shaping him as a character?

Gunn: It’s truly heartening for me to know you appreciate the effort we put into developing Goliath’s family, as it was quite a challenge to establish their background. When we initially conceptualized this show, I was eager to portray David and Goliath in a way that allows viewers to empathize with both characters, understanding their motivations and origins. The subtle reference to his mother – I hadn’t been certain if it would resonate with the audience.

Erwin: You seem to have genuine empathy towards Goliath, yet your support lies with David. This emotional connection surprises me, as it’s not typical for a character like Goliath, often portrayed as a one-dimensional villain. Instead, you find yourself sympathizing with both sides of the conflict.

We see a very confident David, who is so sure he can fight and defeat Goliath, even though people laugh at him and say, “Don’t do this.” What would you say inevitably gives him that strength?

Erwin: Clearly, when David takes on the giant, there’s a lot of detail about it in the Bible. We need to explain and make these events believable and moving, so we had to address some questions like why King Saul would let this young boy go into battle, especially since he was unarmed. Moreover, Michael, our actor who plays David, wanted to recite that speech directly from the Bible before Saul. So, what sort of confidence or determination did David exhibit that made Saul decide to let him face the giant?

This boy had been offering solace through his music and voice, which is captivating and potent. His unwavering belief, a quality that others lacked, was striking. David possesses a unique spirit, much like Michael who hasn’t appeared on camera yet but radiates passion and determination that leaves you thinking, “He might just pull this off.” In a moment of despair, defying all odds, the King decided to let this boy bring his spirit to the fight. That’s how we feel about David and Michael in the show – they’re going to make it work.

Erwin: What we sought for when we chose Michael was his conviction – a strong, fervent belief that this event should occur. People who exude such certainty are captivating; we feel compelled to follow them, as they embody the qualities of great leaders who lead into battle. Therefore, David, since he shares the same power or ‘Force’ as Saul in our story (comparable to the Force in “Star Wars”), and Saul recognizes something unique about him.

A common query among Christian viewers of the show is, “Wasn’t David fearful in that situation?” The Bible doesn’t explicitly state that he was afraid, but given that Martyn is towering at 6 feet 8 inches, and considering the dramatic nature of the scene, it would have been an incredibly frightening ordeal. However, we portray David as being consumed by God’s spirit and a righteous anger to correct this grave injustice, yet still, he was terrified.

Gunn: What’s truly relatable is this aspect. It was crucial for us not to portray it as something magical. The individuals who emerge as heroes, or those who stand firm in their beliefs despite the odds, if they don’t experience fear at all, that’s not our objective. Instead, it’s about acknowledging his fear and making the act more heroic, a stronger demonstration of obedience. We found it compelling to emphasize this human-like quality.

Plus, he has that big sweeping romantic kiss with Michal (Indy Lewis) just before he goes to battle, which always helps. It just gives him that extra nudge.

Erwin: I thought it was an old-school classic movie kiss. That was a proper cinema moment.

Gunn: You know, we held off on that kiss for the whole season just to make it pay off.

How long did it take to shoot the actual David and Goliath battle?

Erwin: One aspect I’ve enjoyed tremendously about this project is teaming up with Gunn on directing an episode. Frequently, our filming location was a rock quarry in Greece, and we aimed to set the battle scene during sunset. This implies having roughly an hour of matching light each day. Frequently, we were working on other aspects while Jon was leading the main unit. As the day progressed towards sunset, I would dash down to the quarry and make incremental adjustments.

Over a span of two weeks, we took turns capturing key moments and scenes, including the dramatic battle charges. After that initial week, we returned to the same location for another week. Each day during this time, we delved into filming close-ups, character interactions, and my personal favorites – intricate details such as Goliath’s final fall.

How many times did Martyn have to fall when he dies? It’s a beautiful fall!

Erwin: Only one time he had to do it.

He executed it flawlessly. Incidentally, tumbling headfirst with outstretched hands isn’t an easy feat without getting hurt. We had a large cushion for him, and we encouraged him by saying, “Just give it your best.” He was wearing a helmet that could have struck his brow.

Erwin: Another point is that he didn’t collapse onto the ground; instead, he was positioned on a platform about 18 inches above it. There was also dust scattered on the mats. Despite all the props for stunts, we anticipated this would still hurt Martyn. I had an image of a massive tree falling in mind. We set up three cameras and filmed him in slow motion. The fall took place as planned. Upon reviewing it, I exclaimed to Martyn, “It turned out fantastic!

And the Season 2 news was just announced. Will the new season be a direct pick up or jump ahead?

As soon as we resume after wrapping up Season 1, we dive right into the thick of it without missing a beat. The opening episode of Season 2 encompasses the entirety of that intense fight scene.

User: In Season 2, David transforms into a warrior, but soon discovers that every desire has its price. The burden of destiny can be heavy. Managing fame and success is a challenging puzzle, especially as this character climbs higher. The more he advances, the tighter the knots of tension and conflict become as truth approaches him, and a truth that could potentially undo everything. Season 1 serves as a strong foundation for Season 2, and I believe the suspense only grows stronger.

Gunn: We have a couple of new characters joining the family in Season 2, too, so that’s exciting.

Dallas Jenkins always had a clear vision of “The Chosen” being seven seasons to tell Jesus’ story. Do you have each season of “House of David” planned out as well?

Erwin: I’ve mapped out the entire series, something I’ve been longing to do for many years now. It’s a vision that has been brewing in my mind for decades. I have a very distinct idea of where this series should culminate. David’s life can be divided into three distinct phases: first, his beginnings or origin story; second, his rise and ascent, much like the journey of a character in a classic tale; third, the climax, where he experiences both triumphs and hardships, reminiscent of a great king’s reign. Combined, these phases create quite the epic adventure.

As a movie reviewer, I’m captivated by this cinematic exploration of an extraordinary life, one that’s far from perfect but remarkably human. The peaks of his triumphs are matched only by the depths of his setbacks, yet he consistently finds solace and purpose in his faith and the heart of his narrative. If only I could weave together the entire tapestry of David’s story – a tale that would truly be a cinematic masterpiece.

How many seasons you would like?

Erwin: It would be fantastic if we had six seasons. I’d like to point out something about the show’s themes. When you envision David stepping onto the field to face Goliath, and Saul risking everything by backing this young man, there’s a deeper meaning that has struck me in the series. Furthermore, the process of creating the show, with its focus on recognizing potential that others overlook, and even staking one’s farm on it or nurturing that potential to flourish, resonates strongly with me.

In our case, we had faith that Michael would excel as a newcomer on screen. I recall the moment when we witnessed his tryout, which was only possible because Amazon trusted us. Vernon Sanders, whom I admire, expressed doubt after we finalized the deal: “You know, Jon, you’ve never really done television. Are you guys ready for this?” By providing us the opportunity to produce our groundbreaking TV series, he recognized and supported our potential. This, in turn, enabled us to recognize and have faith in Michael’s talents as well. It played a significant role in the making of the show, and it’s a crucial aspect of the story behind its creation.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-04-04 01:18

Epic David vs. Goliath Showdown: What’s Next for ‘House of David’ After Season 1 Finale?