Man Of God – As the episode opens, Callum “Cal” Quinn (Richard Roxburgh) celebrates when the big screen behind him comes on. Seconds later, he orders it turned off.

Taz Quinn (Ming Zhu Hii) gets frustrated with Dion Quinn (Ewen Leslie) when he denies any memory of him helping her pick up Carmen red invitations for Cal and Abi’s anniversary. She asks him to explain to them why she chose a red velvet cake. He sarcastically says he is losing the will to live when they see their designated parking space taken.

Issy Kalani (Haley McCarthy) and Benji Kalani (Jordi Webber) practice singing when they receive a meeting request from Cal. Dion asks Slowik (Jacek Koman) when will parking spaces be ready. Eli assumes she took his parking space again. They enter the auditorium to see Cal on the big screen. Excited, Issy suggests getting “bro-tox” for Father’s Day. Abi Quinn (Rebecca Gibney) warns of what people will think. Eli assures them that everyone will be putting in their orders. Cal informs them of his plan to partner with Pastor Kasey Leeway (Nikki Shiels) and Pastor Mitch Leeway (Christopher James Baker) to establish the U Star Church in the City of Angels. Mitch and Kasey pop up on the big screen. Realizing the announcement is streaming live, Abi joins Cal on stage. Later, she scolds him for not telling her at breakfast. He says she would not have let him do it. She reminds him of the theater costing more than planned. Taz informs him that his books arrived and 2,000 copies need his signature before Sunday. He suggests she do it because she has gotten so good at forging his name. Abi asks how the invitations are going. Taz says only Jed Quinn (Ewen Leslie) has not responded.

Jed is pushing a potted plant across the sidewalk when he looks up to see Abi. He instantly tells her that he will not change his mind about going. JC Central triggers a memory about their first church, Scout Hall when they begged and borrowed to make ends meet. He sarcastically says they started stealing later. She gives him a suit for their anniversary party on Saturday and a donation.

Eli warns Cal that the theater in Los Angeles will cost three times more than what was planned. Eli says he worries too much. Eli warns against taking on too much debt with the charity tax bill. Cal brushes off his concern. Later, Dan Gascoigne (James Saunders) picks them up at the airport. He asks if the private jet was from a criminal DJ, Maddox (Alex Fitzalan). Cal tells him that the Deputy PM helped boost his ticket sales.

Dan attributes his and Jackie’s (Renee Lim) daughter through IVF to his mentor and friend, Cal. Jonathan Malik (Matthew Backer) believes Dan doesn’t have a chance at getting elected the next prime minister of Australia. Eli asks about the charity tax bill. Jonathan urges him to be patient.

Dion is preparing to get dressed when he a news report about Maddox returning to Australia after previously being denied a visa for drug convictions in the United States. Maddox holds a press conference thanking Australian officials and God. Later, he appears in the kitchen with a new outfit. Tayla (Emma Horn) says it is interesting. He questions why they agreed to attend Maddox’s concert. Tax says because they need his 25 million followers to fill Cal’s U Star.

At the concert, Benji tells Taz that Maddox is considering baptism and becoming a member of the church on his salvation journey. Maddox and a girl can be seen dirty dancing. Elsewhere, Cal receives a call from a distraught Rosa Adebayo (Brigid Zengeni) which is cut short. Later. Cal finds her and Jake (Julian Garner) in a scuffle. When Cal offers his help, Jake tells him to stop sucking them dry because there will never be a miracle. Cal convinces him to let Rosa go with him. Jake says it’s a miracle crooks like the Quinns aren’t in jail. He claims Rosa gave the Quinns 23 grand. Cal assures him that he has God on his side. Jake punches him. A man intervenes. Cal returns the punch before taking Rosa to his place. After freshening up, he emerges from the bathroom to find Rosa had used drugs and alcohol. Rosa catches him snorting drugs.

Taz rags Maddox about pelvic thrusting the girl. After hugging her, he says she is right, he is beyond salvation. Benji assures him that God wants him in the church. Maddox declines his offer to be baptized on Sunday. Believing he is ready, Taz suggests Dion to baptize him. Dion suggests he will prefer Benji when he offers them a ride. During the drive, Dion and Taz convince Maddox to be baptized now. Dion baptizes him in a public fountain.

Cal wakes up to find Rosa has overdosed. Frantic, he calls someone to help before cleaning up the drugs. Abi arrives a short time later. Elsewhere, Taz compliments Dion on baptizing Maddox. Alone, Dion dries while recalling the baptism.

Abi asks Cal if he did drugs with Rosa. He says no before telling her that Rosa called him. She asks why Rosa has his number. He reminds her that he was Rosa’s pastor. He asks what will happen if Rosa dies. She leaves to prepare for the party when Moses Quinn (Alexander D’Souza) arrives.

Juno Adebayo (Andrea Solonge) arrives to find Rosa talking to Eli. Abi informs Cal of Rosa being released from the hospital. Relieved, he thanks God and prays. Juno tells Rosa that the Quinns are stealing from her. Rosa assures her they are good people. Juno refuses to believe she wants to get better.

Jed arrives at the party. Issy asks how much Abi paid him to come. She tells him about Maddox being baptized. Cal is thrilled to see Jed. Dion comments on Cal’s response to seeing Jed after being estranged for three years. The Quinns gather for a family photo. Cal introduces Maddox to Dan and Jackie (Renee Lim). Rosa unexpectedly shows up at the party. She thanks Cal for saving her life while he pulls her away from the crowd. Dion asks Jed how he has the audacity to show up there after publically speaking out against the Quinn church. After a few insults, Jed walks away. Cal helps Rosa into a car. Eli urges him to cut ties with her. Cal suggests she start over somewhere else. Rosa pleads with him as Manny (Tommy Ropati) drives away. Abi watches from the upper deck.

Rosa sends Cal a video of him doing drugs. Abi speaks to their guests. Jed leaves with his belongings. Rosa’s lifeless body is lying on the beach. Later, Juno sobs while apologizing to Rosa. People, including Juno, file into U Star. As Issy and Benji perform on stage, Abi informs Cal of Rosa’s death. He looks shocked. He breaks down sobbing while talking to the congregation as the episode ends.

 

Proper Synopsis

The Quinn family’s humble beginning is long forgotten with the establishment of U Star. Cal turned from a drug addict to a respectable community member and U Star co-founder, along with his wife, Abi and their children. Seeing the church for what it really is, Jed goes public with his story. He runs a public center called JC Central.

Abi bribes Jed with a monetary to attend her and Cal’s anniversary party. Dion is none too thrilled when he sees him after a three-year hiatus. Cal, on the other hand, is elated to see him.

Cal intervenes when Rosa and Jake get into a dispute. Jake is fed up with Rosa giving their money to the Quinns. She had given them 23 grand. Cal takes her to his place where they end up doing drugs. He passes out only to wake up to find her unresponsive. He calls Abi to help him. Rosa survives the ordeal and makes an unexpected appearance at Cal and Abi’s party. Eli convinces him to wash his hands of her as they work to explain U Star to America. Feeling wronged, Rosa sends him a video of the two of them doing drugs. Her body is later found on the beach.

Maddox is a superstar with 25 million followers. While visiting the United States, he is convicted on drug charges. Australian officials approve his visa after several rejections. The Quinn family set out to get Maddox baptized to drive him and his followers to their church. After some doing, Dion baptizes Maddox in a public fountain.

Rosa’s daughter, Juno becomes interested in U Star. She joins the mass congregation to see Cal break down on stage when he hears about Rosa’s death.

 

Prosper Review

Being a big fan of Richard Roxburgh, I was expecting or at least hoping for a series similar to “Rake”. Unfortunately, it isn’t even remotely close. The plot is interesting enough but the series is plagued by weak writing and poor editing.

The show jumps right into the U Star expansion void of a backstory. Viewers are obviously expected to know everything with very little to go on. The dialogue is unrefined and frustratingly confusing.

Instead of building a story, the pilot episode shows the Quinn family desperately reining in Maddox and his 25 million followers. While Cal’s relationship with Rosa is probably meant to set the stage for the downfall of Quinn’s mega church, it is so far out in left field.

The story bounces around and at times gets a bit overwhelming trying to keep everything straight. It is still early in the series, so there is plenty of room for improvement but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

The episode deserves a 4.5 out of 10. Get more Prosper recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Ask about our onsite advertising to see if it can help build your brand. Join our newly established forum to discuss the newest movie and TV show releases, sports, scams, and celebrities.