I never intended this blog to become the place where I tell you what shows to watch, but I’ve been watching more ‘television’ than usual. I put those haughty little ‘ marks around television, because I don’t want anything on an actual TV. Hulu strikes again.

This time I’m going to blather on about Kings, a show that’s only on its 4thd episode. Yep, you can get in on the ground level of this one, ladies and gents. I’m not telling you about a series that’s 15+ episodes deep already for a change. The fourth episode aired just this week, so you don’t have too much to watch to catch up should you decide to watch it.

Kings is a TV series based on the Biblical story of King David. Sounds corny, right? Nope! The series itself takes place in a modern day alternate universe, the story of King David unfolding in a world very much like our own. King Silas (aka Saul) rules over the newly formed Kingdom of Gilboa (which greatly resembles the modern United States) which is at war with Gath, a neighboring nation.

That’s all I really care to tell you about the plot. If you’re familiar with the story of David, I think you’ll be pleased with the modern adaptation. If you have no idea who King David is, you might find this series a little preachy,  but rest assured: It’s preachy because it’s from the freaking Bible. There’s going to be a lot of God this-and-that in it, and God will be an actual force in it. That might turn some people off, but don’t let it do that. Just go in expecting it and it won’ t be a problem.

Let’s talk cast here, shall we? First up is Ian McShane. The guy is the perfect picture of what a modern American King would be. If you don’t understand what that means, just take a look at this picture of him as King Silas.

If you’re a TV fanatic, you might recognize him from various things going from the present all the way back to the 70s. Deadwood is the most recent, and probably the one you would recognize most easily. He was also the lead of Lovejoy for many years. His performance in Kings is amazing. The way he speaks, his expressions, his demeanor are all wonderfully well done. He is a troubled king. He is not an actor playing a troubled king, he just is one.

Next up is Christopher Egan, who plays David Shepherd. He pretty much looks like Matt Damon and Heath Ledger had a horribly beautiful bastard son. He, like McShane, plays his role beautifully. He’s the definition of a small town boy lost in a big city. He’s in over his head, being used and abused, pulled into the twisted politics of the Monarchy. David Shepherd, obviously, fills the role of the Biblical David in this little story if you didn’t figure that out already. If you haven’t, I feel sorry for you.

One of my favorite performances so far is from Sebastian Stan who plays Jack Benjamin, the son of King Silas. His character is intentionally unlikable, but there are moments of vulnerability that absolutely pull you in. Every revelation regarding his character makes you care about him, despite how much of a dick he is. That’s really, really impressive to me.

That’s all that I care to tell you! It’s really, really good. Whereas my other recommendations are good despite their terribly bad qualities, Kings is legitimately good. Give it a shot. You can watch it all on Hulu, and I’ve embedded the first episode at the top of this post.