Saunders: Family the focus of 'Daniel'

Published January 5, 2006 at midnight

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What happens when producers mix 7th Heaven, Six Feet Under and Arrested Development?

The result is NBC's The Book of Daniel, an entertaining, irreverent family drama, which also offers something none of the above series featured - a white-robed supporting character named Jesus.

While designated as a family series featuring an Episcopal minister as the key character, The Book of Daniel might not draw enthusiastic support from organizations like Focus on the Family.

This family is, at times, almost as dysfunctional as the Fisher clan on Six Feet Under and as loopy as the Bluths on Arrested Development.

And fans of the soon-to-depart 7th Heaven will note only a few resemblances to the Camden clan, headed by Stephen Collins' minister character.

The Rev. Daniel Webster, played in marvelous, subdued style by Aidan Quinn, pops pills to keep his composure when bumping up against life's problems in the family home and in the Episcopal rectory.

The reverend's semi-rebellious teenage daughter, Grace (Alison Pill), has been caught peddling pot to finance an offbeat art project.

Peter (Christian Campbell), his 23-year-old son mourning the death of his twin brother, is gay, wondering how he can subtlely emerge from the closet.

Adam (Ivan Shaw), a 16-year-old adopted Chinese son, is a man-about- school who has trouble separating lust from love.

Even Webster's supportive wife Judith (Susanna Thompson) has a problem. She guzzles martinis during difficult situations.

That's life on the family front.

At the rectory, Webster must deal with a somewhat overbearing female bishop (Ellen Burstyn) who has her own peccadilloes, including a love of brandy and an occasional pill.

Then there are financial issues, like the missing $3.2 million church fund that vanished along with Webster's brother-in-law.

And there's more. A lot more.

So how does Rev. Webster cope with these challenges?

Not very well.

Enter Jesus (Garret Dillahunt) who shows up at unexpected times with spiritual advice and worldly help.

In sympathetic style, Jesus tells Daniel: "Boy, your life never stops getting interesting, does it?"

The Book of Daniel probably will not be on the must-see list of Focus on the Family members.

While such goings-on might indicate the series is an irreverent, almost slanderous attack on organized religion, the opposite is true.

The Book of Daniel is anything but sacrilegious.

The family support message, always tinged with a sense of black humor, flows through the first two hours.

And Daniel Webster is a moral man, coping daily with situations any father might face, regardless of profession.

Creator Jack Kenny believes that at its core, The Book of Daniel is a story of family members who deeply care for each other.

Basically a comedy writer, Kenny recently found himself in a world where few TV sitcoms were succeeding.

"So instead of pounding out another one, I decided to write a story that has been kicking around in my head," he says.

"Here's a priest - an essentially good man - trying to do the best he can while under the intense spotlight of having to be perfect.

"I wanted this guy to have to deal with the same issues that we all face as well as some problems many have - a nagging reliance on prescription painkillers to get over some of life's bigger humps."

Obviously, The Book of Daniel drifts far from everyday reality while mixing darkly comedic scenes with rich adult drama.

Still, the acting is superb and the writing offers a sardonic touch not regularly found in weekly television series.

And amid all the serious and comedic confrontations, Jesus shows up reminding Daniel - and viewers - "that life is hard."

"That's why there's such a nice reward at the end of it," Jesus says.

One reward for viewers is a stimulating series free of all the predictable, violent slash-and-crash dramas.

The Book of Daniel deserves to be opened on a weekly basis.

TODAY'S NOSTALGIA: Jan. 5, 1982, NBC sports personality Bryant Gumbel replaced Tom Brokaw as host of Today, teaming with Jane Pauley.

Dusty Saunders is the broadcasting critic. Saunders@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5137

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