The Lord Giveth And The Lord Taketh Away

Clump, Queensland – The episode begins with a lizard snatching the minster (Gerry Connolly) off the beach during a wedding. Piper (Kylie Bracknell) asks Aidan (Jason Wilder) what happened. He tells her that the reverend was taken by a lizard. Lester (Russell Dykstra) says that makes three reverends in two years. Someone tells Peter (Wayne Blair) that he’ll need luck to find a replacement. A woman asks, “Where.”

Chicago, Illinois Three Months Later – Paulo/Mack (Colin Donnell) informs Michael (Andrew Buchanan) that Lorenzo will pay for a cease-fire. Michael asks if it means ending two of his boys. Paulo suggests he take the money to avoid another war in the city when Guido Montemurro (Charles Cottier)approaches. Guido shoots Michael and one of his men. Paulo assures Guido that he fix things with his dad. Guido describes him as the “great negotiator” before shooting him in the shoulder. After hitting him from behind, Paulo watches as a puddle of blood forms around him. He flees with the money.

Approaching an injured Michael on the floor, Farah (Robert Rabiah) asks who has the money. Michael says, “Paulo” before Farah shoots him.

Lewis (Marcus Johnson) treats Paulo’s gunshot wound. Paul informs him of his killing Guido. Lewis warns him that Lorenzo Montemurro (Steve Mouzakis) will surely look there first. Paulo tells him that he plans to get a flight from the O’Hare International Airport. Lewis asks what is in the bag. Paulo admits to having $1.6 million that belongs to Lorenzo. Lewis asks how he’ll manag to get that much money on the plane. Paulo assures him that he’ll figure it out.

Lester asks what is their biggest problem at the moment. Amy (Briallen Clarke) reminds him of their unable to keep a reverend for more than two months. He introduces them to “Clumpy Bay.” Piper says half of the workers at the sugar mill were just laid off. Lester asks if it’s wrong of him to want for the betterment of their town. Peter (Wayne Blair) tells them that their new reverend, MacKenzie “Mack” Boyd (P.J. Byrne), and his wife are due to arrive on Thursday from Chicago. The locals bet on how long the reverend will last.

Mack’s reading a letter when Paulo takes the seat next to him. A flight attendant (Winnie Mzembe) informs Paulo that his bag must be moved to the front. He says there’s medicine in the bag that he’ll need during the flight. Mack informs him that his wife, Charmaine, of 19 years ditched him for a used car salesman, Greg. Paulo admits to not being religious before saying he just wants some peace. After claiming his wife says he’s “too safe,” he says, “Manly me” before failing to open a mini bottle of alcohol. Paulo opens the bottle before putting on his headphone. Mack warns him of blood on his shirt.

Gold Coast Queensland – After informing Paulo of his new parish in Clump Queensland, Mack questions what he’ll say to his flock. Paulo asks the attendant to check on his room. Raising his voice, Paulo asks if anyone has seen God in the restroom. When the attendant tells Paulo his room number, Mack suggests the universe is trying to tell them something because his room is on the same floor. Paulo warns him that he’s in it alone as there is no God before ordering them a round of drinks. They toast to “new freedom.”

While assisting Paulo to his bed, Mack finds his bag suspicious.

After realizing his bag is missing, Paulo rushes to Mack’s room to find it empty. Mack’s cassock is hanging above the door leading to the balcony.

Paulo emerges from the elevator in Mack’s cassock. The desk clerk (Dailin Gabrielle) informs him of Mack requesting a taxi four hours ago. Paulo pickpockets a man’s wallet in the parking lot. The hotel clerk asks what Mack wanted to do with his vehicle. He tells her that he’s supposed to drive it to Clump.

Clump, Queensland – Piper walks in as Cameron (Ed Oxenbould) welds his bike. She reminds him that Reverend Mack will be there tomorrow. He admits to not wanting to do the work in his caravan. She orders the workshop to be closed before asking where’s the door. He says it was possibly sold. She demands he replace it before informing Daisy (Tegan Stimson) that she can stay there. Daisy asks what is the Reverend like. Piper says, “a lightning rod American.”

Paulo drives down the road as Christian music plays in the background. When he can’t get the CD player to switch off, he pops some pills. He hits the CD player with a rock from the side of the road to change the channel.

After searching for a cellular signal, Paulo calls Lewis to inform him of his getting robbed. Lewis warns him that Lorenzo is tearing Chicago apart searching for him. Paulo assures him that he can get the money back if he tracks Reverend Mackenzie Boyd. Snickering, Lewis asks if a priest robbed him. Paulo tells him that Mack was suffering from a faith crisis. Lewis asks when he slept last. Paulo says he’ll sleep once he has the money.

The employees are on strike in front of the sugar mill. Piper accuses Amy of swallowing the key. Amy refuses to respond when Paulo falls asleep at the wheel. He wakes up just in time to get control of the car. As Piper climbs into her police cruiser, Amy hops in the passenger seat. She reminds her that she was going to arrest her anyway.

Helen (Anne Lise Phillips) and a group of children hold up welcome signs for the reverend. Peter points out that reverend is misspelled. Victor (Martin Sacks) assures him that they do other things well. Paulo nearly hits Peter before crashing into an electric pole. Piper pulls him out of the car. Amy tells her that she’ll gladly give him mouth-to-mouth. Piper asks him what day is it. Amy asks how can someone who looks like him become a reverend. Piper says he’s a married man. Paulo reminds them that he’s right there. Piper asks for his driver’s license. He claims they were lost with his luggage. She orders him to come with her as they all walk away. He asks if someone can help him get up.

Paulo admits to feeling like a criminal in the back of the cruiser. She assures him that it’s just protocol. He asks why they’re at the police station. She informs him that he’s going to be processed for reckless driving.

Behind bars, Paulo breaths into a breathalyzer. An inmate asks for forgiveness of his sins. Paula admits he isn’t a when he remembers Piper. He tells the man that he isn’t a Catholic priest. After saying he isn’t Catholic, the inmate says he just enjoys confessing. Piper gives him a copy of his mug shot. When he reminds her of his being a minister, she says he’s also an unlicensed driver who fell asleep. He claims it was jetlag after a long flight. She says Peter is waiting outside.

Peter says he repaired the CD player. Paulo mutters, “Great.” Peter informs him that he’s available 362 days a year. Paulo asks why just 362 days. Peter says for his wedding anniversary and the Wimbledon Final. Rushing into the parsonage, Paulo slams the door in Peter’s face. Chad (Rhys Mitchell) and Charlotte (Bridie McKim) startle him as he starts at Mack’s photo. They tell him that he’ll be officiating their wedding Saturday. He asks if they are rushing into marriage. She informs him that the last two reverends died tragically. He suggests they do it tomorrow.

Paulo’s celebrating his luck in finding Mack’s documents when Daisy informs him that she’s unofficially living there. He asks if she’s squatting before ordering her to find somewhere else to stay while he makes a call. She tells him that the only cellular signals are the jetty and bell tower.

Paulo calls Lewis to inform him of his finding Mack’s documents. Lewis sarcastically says he’s good. Paula says he’ll be heading back to civilization tomorrow. Lewis suggests he stay put if he wants to live before losing signal. Daisy finds a photo of Mack and Charmaine as Paulo heads to the jetty to call Mack.

Paulo warms Mack that he’s a dead man. Mack assures him that he didn’t plan to steal his money. Clump says if he comes to clump, he may forget everything. Mack points out that they’ve exchanged identities before suggesting it’s their opportunity to reinvent themselves. Paulo’s irate when he finds out about Mack’s new vehicle. Paulo tosses the phone into the ocean.

Paulo finds a clergy collar on the beach.

Lorenzo describes Guido as a “spoiled idiot” before suggesting Paulo wasn’t to blame. Aidan (Jason Wilder) warns him that Paulo probably left the country. Margie (Roz Hammond) assures him that he’ll be there to chop off Paulo’s head when he surfaces as the episode comes to an end.

 

Irreverent Synopsis

The protagonist, Paulo is hired by mob boss, Lorenzo to settle deals with Michael. Lorenzo’s son, Guido alters the transaction, shooting Michael and one of his men. After an unsuccessful plea to fix things with Lorenzo, Paulo’s shot in the shoulder. An attack from behind leaves Guido lying in a puddle of blood. Frantic, Paulo grabs the bag with Lorenzo’s $1.6 million and heads to Lewis’s place.

Lewis treats Paulo’s wound and gives him a word of advice, get out of Chicago before Lorenzo finds him.

Paulo lands in an airplane at O’Hare Airport where he encounters Reverend Mack.

The Clump community has just lost its third minister in just a few months. A local named Peter hired Mack as Clump’s new reverend.

When Paulo meets Mack, he was just dumped by his wife of 19 years. The two depart but unexpectedly reunite at a hotel. Mack assists a drunken Paulo to his room where he discovers Lorenzo’s bag of money.

Paulo wakes up to discover the money and Mack missing. Wearing Mack’s cassock, he pickpockets a man in the parking garage. He hops in Mack’s hearse and heads to Clump.

Paulo makes quite an entrance in Clump. High on pills and no sleep, he barely misses a group of strikers in front of the sugar mill. After crashing into an electric pole, Clump Police Officer Piper escorts him to the station. He’s charged with reckless driving and not having a driver’s license on his person.

Peter transports him to the church parsonage where he discovers Mack’s belongings. Daisy tells them that the former reverend permitted her to live in the parsonage. He demands she find another place to stay while he makes a call. As he leaves to make the call, she discovers a photo of Reverend Mack and his wife Charmaine in Mack’s belongings.

Paulo climbs the church bell tower to obtain a cellular signal. Lewis warns him that Lorenzo’s tearing Chicago apart trying to find him. He promises to send over Mack’s documents so he can assist in finding him when the signal goes dead.

Paulo rushes to the jetty to reach out to Mack who tries to convince him that this is their opportunity to reinvent themselves. Mack tosses his phone into the ocean. Paulo discovers a clergy collar on the beach.

Irreverent Review

The pilot episode was far from perfect but intriguing, nonetheless. The show is more of a comedy than a crime drama. The dialogue is witty and concise with jokes that are ha-ha funny.

Arrow actor, Colin Donnell is the perfect fit for Paulo. His acting is consistently on target. Onscreen relationships are slow to develop but with so much going on, it’s understandable.

The cinematography, editing, and lighting are above par. The show will be a success if nothing drastic changes. My biggest qualm is the 10-part season. I could see viewers getting bored and tapping out before the finale.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more Irreverent recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.

 

Irreverent Cast

• Clump Police Officer Piper – Kylie Bracknell
• Reverend Mackenzie “Mack” Boyd – P.J. Byrne
• Peter – Wayne Blair
• Amy – Briallen Clark
• Paulo/Reverend Mack – Colin Donnell
• Lester – Russell Dykstra
• Margie – Roz Hammond
• Lewis – Marcus Johnson
• Charlotte – Bridie McKim
• Lorenzo – Steve Mouzakis
• Lucy – Loretta Kung
• Cameron – Ed Oxenbould
• Daisy – Tegan Taggart
• Farah – Robert Rabiah
• Victor – Martin Sacks

Where Was Irreverent Filmed

The filming for Irreverent, written by Paddy Macrae, took place at Mission Beach in Queensland.

Where To Watch Irreverent

Irreverent, produced by Alastair McKinnon and Paddy Macrae, premiered on November 30, 2022, on Peacock. The season has 10 episodes.