Chances are you haven’t heard of this show, because NBC moved it to Saturday nights, following four dismally rated airings.  The whole shebang has already been shown…and been shelved…never to return.  Season 2 has been canceled.

It’s a shame, because the show is mesmerizing.  [I found it after the fact.]

Based loosely on the David and Saul confrontations in the Old Testament, the show seeks to update the story for modern times.  And it does so superbly.  Shiloh is the city, although it looks like a bustling Manhattan–complete with an aerial view of acreage that looks suspiciously like Central Park.  You have all the modern stuff going on (cell phones, night clubs, taxis, peace summits, ongoing war, petitions), but somehow it’s different.  Instead of a democracy, you have a monarchy.  King Silas (Saul, played by Ian McShane–remember him from Deadwood?) knows he’s favored by God (in a time that God is not much admired) because in one sacred moment, he was covered with monarch butterflies.  Impressed by this surreal experience, he continually recounts the tale for his people–in speeches, in conversations.

Enter David Shepherd (Christopher Egan), a soldier on the front lines who, unwittingly, saves the king’s son Jack (Jonathan from the Bible) from behind enemy lines.  [David throws a wrench (almost literally) into one of their tanks–all of them are labeled GOLIATH–and escapes to tell the tale.]

King Silas brings David home to a hero’s welcome.  And this is when King Silas’s favor with God takes a downward turn.  Who knew, right?

I’m fully aware of the critics’ views, and knowing all that, I’m here to say that I land, with both feet planted, on the “raving” side.  The dialogue is deliciously good.  Unique.  Unlike TV dialogue.  Which is good, because it places us outside our modern realm, yet convinces us that something is still being said that we should be listening to…and heeding.

David (Egan) has been criticized as being the bumbling country boy who has erratic, non sequitur moments.  I heartily disagree.  His tender performance makes me believe that he’s still an idealist at heart.  His frequent mistakes make me believe that he hasn’t the foggiest idea of how to run with the big boys, and who would, coming from a rural existence?

And Ian McShane.  Need I say more?

I’m only sad that my viewing is about to come to a close.  I’m stalling, just to have a few more episodes to look forward to.

Check it out.  I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

If you want a teaser that doesn’t tell you too much, you can view this one-minute trailer, or go to iTunes where you can view a free, much better seven-minute exclusive season preview.

Please, NBC, bring Kings back.

I’m a fan.

[Post image: Scene from NBC’s Kings]