Based on a series of novels (D.A. Mishani), NYPD Detective Avraham Avraham as an orthodox Jew is guided by a personal sense of spiritualism and religious principles. His unusual approach to his work (and results) wins him the respect of colleagues.
An eight part launch season, The Calling builds the relationship between Avraham (Jeff Wilbusch) and new partner Janine (Juliana Canfield) in tandem with their investigations into cases. Her fascination with Avraham’s religion in its influence on his work is as much detective work as is any assigned police case.
Season one is essentially three narratives with the first four episodes devoted to one storyline of Vincent Conte (Charlie Besso), a missing 16 year-old boy: episodes five to eight follow two interlinked plots unconnected to the first with the exception that all three unfold in the same Brooklyn neighbourhood. It is the investigation into the disappearence of Vincent that is particularly strong with many intense, character-driven, dialogue-heavy moments as the young couple living in the same apartment block are each placed under scutiny for their behaviour. Sadly, whilst remaining engaging, the level of intensity is lost in the second ‘half’ of the season as the narrative evolves into something of a more run-of-the-mill American cop story as a local childcare centre becomes a target for acts of terror.
Overriding all is Avraham’s deep sense of emunah (אמונה) – his innate conviction, a perception of truth that transcends reason – and his responsibilities as a Jew and a police detective to respond to his ‘calling’ in that search for truth. As a child, he lost his father in mysterious circumstances – with the occasional flashbacks already presented, its a narrative that will undoubtedly form the subplot of any season two. And then, of course, there is the blooming partnership between Avraham and Janine – a development, at least on the professional side, encouraged by the supportive unit captain, Kathleen Davies (Karen Robinson)
The Calling: it’s gritty, it’s broody, it’s intense with plenty of soul-searching for Avraham Avraham. Let’s hope season two is commissioned.
Rating: 70%
Interesting fact: Jeff Wilbusch is the eldest of 14 children of an ultra-orthodox family bought up in the Jerusalem religious neighbourhood of Me’a Sharim.
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