Revelations

9-10 p.m.
Wednesday, April 13
NBC

In Mexico, a crowd gathers to see, for a brief moment, a shadow on a mountain in the shape of a crucifix. In a stormy Adriatic Sea, a ferry sinks and the sole survivor appears to be an unharmed infant. In Florida, a bolt of lightning strikes a girl walking through a golf course. To skeptics, this is just another slow news day, but to true believers in prophecies of Armageddon, it's last call at Tavern Earth.

NBC isn't marketing this six-episode religious doomsday extravaganza to the Rapture crowd, but, then again, that's not necessary. These days, any book, film or home video that promises absolute devastation and destruction sells briskly. In this case, though, the motive isn't to save your soul but to win your demo. That being the case, "Revelations," well-crafted by creator-writer David Seltzer and forcefully directed by David Semel, is influenced as much by "The X-Files" and Stephen King as by the New Testament.

The series, which might have been presented on consecutive nights as an event miniseries a couple of decades ago, pairs a doubting Harvard astrophysicist with a well-financed nun bent on collecting evidence that the end is near. While it might seem they have little in common, Dr. Richard Massey (Bill Pullman) and Sister Josepha Montifiore (Natascha McElhone) lost a close member of their family to a sicko possibly connected with Satan, though they were different sickos. In the premiere, Massey predictably rejects Sister Josepha's suggestion that biblical prophecies are coming to pass. That changes, of course, as the inexplicable evidence begins to mount.

The story of the Florida girl, considered brain dead by medical authorities eager to harvest her organs, is vaguely reminiscent of the Terri Schiavo case, with religious figures fighting against secular authorities. In this case, though, a judge sides with the religious side, allowing the girl to be smuggled out of the hospital and thus available for future episodes. The religious right can take as much satisfaction from this victory as liberals take from Josiah Bartlet's presidency on "The West Wing."

Based on the pilot, the only episode available for review, "Revelations" has water cooler potential. It's too early to tell whether anything like "The X-Files' " Fox Mulder-Dana Scully chemistry will develop between Dr. Massey and Sister Josepha, but, with Armageddon around the corner, anything could happen. The religious theme will resonate with some; the well-woven story of mystery, cults and a race against the clock will appeal to others. All of it is enhanced by excellent set design and lighting, convincing performances and director Semel's ability to create a cinematic atmosphere of danger and suspense.

REVELATIONS
NBC
Pariah

Credits:
Executive producers: Gavin Polone, David Seltzer
Producers: Jim Chory, Jessika Borsiczky
Co-producer: Anne Tabor
Creator-writer: David Seltzer
Director: David Semel
Director of photography: Brian Reynolds
Production designer: Philip Toolin
Editors: Gabriel Wyre, Jill Savitt, Sondra Watanabe
Composer: Joseph Vitarelli
Casting: John Papsidera, Suzanne Smith, John Buchan, Nancy Bishop
Cast:
Dr. Richard Massey: Bill Pullman
Sister Josepha Montifiore: Natascha McElhone
Isaiah Haden: Michael Massee
Nathan Volk: Tobin Bell
Hawk: Mark Rendall
Jonah Lampley: John Rhys-Davies