The Monastery: Five Men Struggle To Find Their Way
Episode 1 Recap by Logan Huffman
October 30, 2006
Welcome to the series premiere of 'The Monastery'! Five men struggling to find their way must leave behind the outside world in order to find the truth inside them. The five men are:
Tom, a recovering alcoholic, who knows he is as good as dead if he doesn't stay sober, Will, the ex-con, who says that if they learn just a little bit, they'll be better people, Alex, the battle scarred marine, who says that God made us all for a reason, Jon, the cynic, who thinks that they may have some good answers, but will fall short in the end, and the best issue of all comes with Warren, a former Satanist, who says he heard a voice and stopped in his tracks. All of the men must go head-to-head and heart-to-heart with thirty Benedictine monks. But the question is, who will change the most, the men or the monks?
Deep in the remote canyons of New Mexico lays the monastery of Christ in the desert. Here, thirty Catholic monks have dedicated their lives to the service of God. To devote themselves to prayer, they've lived isolated from the outside world…until now. As part of an unprecedented experiment for TLC, the monks are allowing five outsiders to live with them for forty days and forty nights. The monks believe that their ancient way of life has transformed them, and the five men that have been chosen to take part hope that the monastery will transform them, too.
Will, a youth worker who is practicing Catholic, says that he guesses that he came to experience God the night that his brother died. He came to his knees and prayed for his brother's life. Unfortunately, his brother did die that night, but something happened to him.
Alex, the Iraqi war veteran who has no religious background, says that everything in life happens for a reason, and that there is a reason he went to Iraq, there's a reason he got messed up, and a reason he lived through it.
Warren, a student who is Episcopalian, says that he was a Satanist, and it was in that phase that God showed up in his life again.
Jon, a paramedic and fireman who is a lapsed Catholic, says that he has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, which he never uses, and he's getting another one in Fire Science. He adds that he has no idea why he keeps taking all of these stupid classes, but he just needs to learn where he is going.
Tom, a comedy writer who is also a lapsed Catholic, says that he is a recovering alcoholic who is remaining sober through the help of a 12-step program. He adds that he is told that he can't stay sober unless he believes that he can turn his will and life over to God, so he can understand him. He finishes by saying that he doesn't understand God. He seems to be obnoxious, but we'll see.
The head monk, Abbot Philip Lawrence, tells us that when he meets people when he is outside of the monastery, they will often tell him that there is something missing. He says that the present day culture across the board seems to value three things: power, sex, and money. Yep, pretty much. He adds there their life offers an antidote to all of that, and even though it's not an easy solution to go to the monastery and get "fixed", but a way of life that actually insists that there are deep human values that make good human beings when they are lived out.
The monastery is regimented and strict. The newcomers will live by the same rules as the monks during their time at the monastery, and by the same routine. The guys move into their bedrooms and take a look at their schedule. The first prayer of the morning takes place at 4 AM. FOUR AM? That makes me tired typing that. Tom has to hear it repeated, and he is told that they start their day at 3:40 AM. Wow!
We get a little more background on Tom, who is from Los Angeles, California. Tom was once a successful TV writer who lost everything through drug and alcohol abuse. His addictions nearly killed him. Tom tells us that he was involved in an accident which occurred nearly a month after he was released from the hospital for alcoholism. Before they released him, they had a psychiatrist come in and talk to him. He says that he told them the whole story of working in Hollywood and his early success, and after talking to the psychiatrist for two hours, the psychiatrist's response was that he had been working on a screenplay, and he wanted Tom to take a look at it for him. What an assh*le!
Tom adds that you cannot not do drugs when you are an addict of his caliber. They arrive at a building, and we learn that Tom has been in and out of rehab for twenty-five years, but only sober for three years. He is convinced that unless he accepts God, he will relapse and die. Tom says that they have a term in Alcoholics Anonymous which is "God shot", which means a sign from God. He thinks that this opportunity to go to the monastery is as clear as you can get to a God shot.
One of the monks named Brother Andre tells us that when God called him to the monastery, he didn't call him for only a few days or weeks, he called him for life. He adds that sometimes he thinks it would be nice to be out in the world, to have a car and be able to go where he wants and have money, but you can still have all of that and be unhappy.
One of the monks leads Alex to his room. Alex has only been a civilian for twelve months. His career in the military ended when his left leg was shot off below the knee during an ambush in Iraq. We are shown an actual, very intense photo of the incident, which shows his decimated leg.
Back in Alex's hometown of McKinleyville, California, his dad tells them that with the whole experience, he's sure that he's just happy to be alive, and who needs psychoanalysis? Maybe someone who sustained an injury like that may need it. While learning to cope, Alex is back to living with his parents while figuring out what to do with the rest of his life. Up in the mountains, Alex says that they can't go up there and do nothing, that they have to wreck their trucks or something. I have no idea what he's talking about. The announcer changes the subject, saying that although Alex survived the war with absolutely no faith at all, he now wonders what he has been missing. His dad says that his son went through war and is now maimed for life, and not everyone can deal with that.
We finally figure out what Alex was doing, as we see him shooting a 44 gun at the side of the hill. He says that he feels better now after doing that, as long as you hit what you're shooting at.
Jon is unpacking his things and says that he has packed something special, which he puts out on the desk. It is a Jesus bobble head, which he refers to as "Buddy Christ", because the bobble head always has a smile on his face (and a thumbs-up). Great. The announcer, who obviously doesn't think we just watched the last bobble head scene, tells us that John is cynical about religion. Really? Although Jon was raised Catholic, things that he sees everyday during his job as a paramedic makes him doubt the goodness of God…or man.
Jon is in a church in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, and says that he sort of feels let down, pointing out and repeating the two phrases on the stained-glass windows in the church. He reads them off: Feed the Hungry and Give Drink to the Thirsty. He says that everything about those sayings speak of charity, but he wonders how many people who attend the church actually do their share of charity work. The announcer says that Jon can't seem to live with or without faith, so he is going to the desert to give God one last chance.
One by one, the men join the Abbot in a private session, and it is time for an oath of sorts, as each man must promise to the Abbot to obey the rules of the monastery for the next forty days. The Abbot tells the men to promise that they will trust him for the next forty days, and that they will walk according to his decisions. They also must promise obedience for the next forty days.
The announcer gives us a little more background on Warren, saying that for him, the monastery is an answer to a call, since he is a committed Episcopalian who desires to become a priest. We are taken to his hometown is Worcester, Massachusetts, where we see Warren singing with a group of people. The announcer says that Warren was a martial arts instructor, and was hoping to return to college to study physics. But a dramatic experience changed his life plan. Warren tells us that while he was cleaning his room, he suddenly heard a voice in his head, which told him to be a priest. He adds that the voice was so clear and loud to him, he stopped in his tracks and froze, forced to immediately re-evaluate his entire existence.
The guys are gathered in a large room of the monastery, and we are told that Saint Benedict was a monk who lived fifteen centuries ago in Italy. Brother Andre shows them, Saint Benedict, their patron, on a giant mural in the room. Saint Benedict wrote a code for living in monasteries appropriately titled 'The Rule of Saint Benedict". Today in the U.S. alone, there are 45 monasteries with over a thousand monks who live by this rule. After the Bible, the rule is the monks' most important guide to life. The rule is short and simple, and is as follows: "Listen, child of God, to the guidance of your teacher."
Brother Andre sits down around a table with the men, giving them a quick introduction. He says that they will be doing everything that the monks do. He tells them that there are certain times during the day in which they are not allowed to talk, such as in the refectory, as their meals are eaten in silence, they can't talk in the cloister or their quarters, and he says that as common sense would tell them, they don't talk in church. OK, I'm confused. Where are they allowed to talk? Tom asks if they are allowed to talk in their rooms, but Brother Andre says that they aren't supposed to have visitors in their rooms, as their room is their cell, like a prison cell. What a nice way to describe it! The guys laugh.
The prison cell quote gives the announcer a perfect chance for a segway, as he says that a prison cell is a concept Will knows all too well, as he served ten years in prison for drug trafficking. But it's the violent death of his brother that Will cannot get over, and ever since, Will has been searching for peace. We are taken to his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. The announcer tells us that Will was a former gang member, but now works tirelessly to steer kids away from his former life. But his compulsive dedication to his job has already cost him one marriage, and is threatening to ruin his new family as well.
As Will sits around the table with his family, he says that everything was fine yesterday, as he was washing the car and not even thinking about work, until he heard about a shooting on Draper Street. He says the he was hoping that the guy would come running down the street so he could tackle him. His wife loudly interrupts him, saying that he wanted to be like Superman and save the day. He says that it's not about that, that it's about confronting violence in the community. His wife mutters under her breath that he can't fix everything.
It's the first night back at the monastery, and all of the monks have gathered for a party to welcome the men into their home. For the next forty days, the monks and men will be living as one community. Alex says that his first impression was that there was no escape from the place, and it was like two worlds colliding, and it will be interesting to see what happens. Alex asks if he can question things, and the Abbot says that of course he can question things, as he can't grow if he doesn't question, but in the end, he must still listen to him, unless he can really convince him that his point of view is better. Alex jokingly says that they should talk about getting up at 3 AM. The Abbot laughs, and tells him that he will lose that argument right away. Will says that it feels like you have a stone in your mouth, as every time you turn a corner, someone is telling you to be quiet. That would be hard for me. I talk constantly and always sucked at the quiet game.
It's the guy's first official day at the monastery, and it's beginning at 3:40 AM as expected, signified by the ringing of a church bell. The men will attend eight church services today, beginning with vigils at 4 AM. The monks believe that the first words to pass their lips each morning should be in praise of God. The monks and men are all gathered in the service, and Andre begins to sing a spiritual hymn. Most of the guys either look exhausted or are yawning. One of the monks begins to speak at the service. The Abbot tells us that part of their tradition deals with testing monks.
It is now 4:45 AM, which means it is time for breakfast. The Abbot continues, telling us that the life may be difficult, and he supposes that they could do the first prayer at 6 AM instead of 4 AM, but he believes that they would lose a part that causes them to continue to grow.
It's 5:45 AM, and it is time for the second church service of the day. It coincides with the rising of the sun, representing God on the Earth. Immediately after, the monks hold Mass. Alex says that it is all pretty strange and that he has no idea what is going on, except that there is a lot of singing. By 7 AM, the men have already spent two hours at church, and there's another three hours to go. Jon says that he has gone to church more this morning then he has in the past ten years, and he'll never need to go to church again after this, because they will owe him time. The Abbot does admit to us that it is relentless, as it goes on from the time they get up, as there is never enough time for sleep and they are being bombarded with new emotions and feelings, but the idea is to learn and pray continually.
The Rule of St. Benedict is one of the oldest guides to community living. One of its fundamental principles is silence. We get another snip it from the Rule of St. Benedict, which says: "There are times when good words are to be left unsaid." Brother Joseph Gabriel says that silence is important because it is a way of creating inner space, where another dialogue takes place, the dialogue between a monk and God. He adds that God is always communicating, but unless they listen with their heart, they will not hear it. He continues by saying the only true reason they are there is to seek God, and their entire lifestyle must support that, and silence is one of the major supports, which will help them to create a union with God.
Will says that he learned from one of the Abbots today, who spent three years with a stone in his mouth until he learned to be silent, and Will says that it definitely feels like that, as someone is always turning around a corner and telling them to be quiet. Oh my God. Three years with a stone in his mouth!?
It's day two, and on top of the eight daily church services, there is also a period of silent prayer each day. The Abbot is gathered in a room with the men, and he wants to take them to a deeper level of meditation. He tells them that at 5:20, they have a half-hour of silent prayer, and he recommends that each of them just try to stay still. Alex says that he can't do it, as he is always fidgeting and racing with thoughts. He tells them to not feel like they have to do that tonight, as for example, if he has been dealing with problems within the monastery all day, it is inhuman to go straight into church and do that. He adds that they shouldn't feel as if they have to do it perfectly, but when they find their thoughts wandering, collect them and bring them back again. He says that God is there, and they can tell themselves to be still in his presence.
It is 5:20 PM, which means it is time for the guys to be still and silent for their prayer. Alex says that it was difficult for him, as anybody who knows him knows that it is difficult for him to be still for even two minutes. Warren says that the God who created everything thinks that he is worth something, and who is he to tell him that he is wrong. Will says that he misses his kids, and he thought about them in church, but you still feel a little helpless.
It's 9 Am on day 3 at the monastery, and the monks and men have been up for over five hours, most of the time spent at church. Now, it's time for work. We get another small part of the Rule of St. Benedict, which says: "Idleness is the enemy of the soul." The men are beginning to get to know each other, and Alex and Jon have something in common, as they were both Marines. Jon tells Alex that he doesn't seem too taken with the whole church thing, and Alex tells him that he hasn't bought into it yet. Jon asks him if he used to be forced in the Marines to go to boot camp, but Alex says it was optional for him, and he never went. Jon says that even though they were supposed to go all of the time, he got out of all but three of them. He adds that it was "F**king crazy!" Alex says that he doesn't know how eight hours a day in church is going to make him religious, and even though they were told to find their own God, Alex says that his God doesn't think he needs to be in there for eight hours a day chanting. Jon asks Alex if he is going to start singing along, but Alex quickly says no. Jon says that he doesn't think that he can stay there for forty days without buying into it at least a little.
The Abbot is saying that Alex had problems with quiet prayer yesterday, but Alex denies that he had any problems, except that he fell asleep. The Abbot says that is one of the things that happens when you get really relaxed, and that if you try to catch it and focus before you go to sleep.
Warren says that meditation has always been a part of his personal practice, especially with being a martial artist, and as he was sitting there, he kept thinking how much he had been missing meditation. Jon says that Warren never ceases to surprise him, and normally, he would ridicule people like Warren until they shut up, but he can't do that here, which puts him in a bit of a quandary. Well, we at least know he will be candid with his feelings.
It's only three days in, but Jon is already struggling with controlling his cynicism. Jon tells Will that he used to think Warren was trying to be like Jesus, but he's actually trying to be like Chuck Norris. Wow. Jon continues bashing Warren, saying that even though he acts all Tai Chi and like he knows everything, the only person who is in the church of Chuck Norris is Chuck Norris.
The Abbot says that one of the first things a monk must learn is to live with his brothers, and when monks come in, the first thing they find out is that their brothers are simply human beings, and they are almost inevitably disappointed. He adds that at the heart of their way of life, and he thinks it rings extremely true with the participants, is learning to live with forgiveness, and they can only begin to see the reality of the other person once they have learned to forgive.
Tom comes and joins the other guys outside, and Tom asks them how work is going, and Jon says that while it is rough, they have Professor Doolittle (a reference to Warren), so everything will be alright. The announcer tells us that Jon has a label for everyone, as we have just seen. Tom says that people think he looks like a crazy old man, and Alex says that he does, coming in looking like he just drank a fifth of Jack (Wow, that's offensive!), and dragging his feet with his hair all screwed up, and Alex says that he can't help but to laugh every time he sees Tom walk into a room. Tom interrupts Alex and tells him that he hasn't had a drink in over three-and-a-half years, so he is insulted by his comment. Alex laughs it off and says that it doesn't mean that's not what he looks like, whereas most people would have apologized profusely after learning of the difficult battle Tom has faced. They continue insulting each other, with Tom telling Alex that he doesn't think that he has genuinely reflected yet, and missing a leg isn't an excuse. Ouch! Alex says that it is an excuse for him, and he uses it all of the time. The camera zooms in on his metal leg, and I get flashbacks of Sarah for 'The Amazing Race 10'.
Tom and Alex continue to talk, and Tom begins to tell a shortened story of his life. He says that he moved back to St. Louis, and he was driving in the middle of the night, still inebriated after passing out and coming back to, and he passed out once again where the road took a right turn, causing him to run into a tree. He went through the windshield, which tore off his face, paralyzed his arms, broke both legs in eight different places, his ribs, lungs, and heart were all bruised, and he was unable to yell for help due to his lung injury, and no one found him for eight hours. Alex is in shock, saying that the experience sounds brutal. He says that it took him a year to learn how to walk again, and that he was drinking that entire year, and just falling down stairs didn't teach him a lesson. He says that he didn't want to live, at only twenty-three. Tom asks Alex how old he is now, and ironically, he is twenty-three.
The Abbot says that he thinks in the United States that people are going to think of an image of a monk as something they wouldn't want to be. He adds that they would think of them as someone who is very serious, tough, and never smiles, but in his experience at the monastery, once people come to know monks, their whole vision changes. They begin to see that monks are humans just like them, and that they have arranged their lives around praying.
The announcer tells us that during the day, the monks and men have one hour of free time in the afternoon. Brother Rodrigo and Alex are spending their time playing ping-pong. Alex tells us that Rodrigo is "his boy" and his ping-pong partner. Alex says that Rodrigo is definitely different than the other monks, as he is the goofiest one of the bunch, but he likes him. Rodrigo is a great ping-pong player.
Tom is talking to one of the monks, and tells him that if he was dressed differently and told him that he was part of the crew, he would have believed him, as he just seems like a regular guy. Prior Christian tells him that they didn't know what to expect with the guys coming in from the outside, but it was a relief to see that they were normal as well. He adds that they had no clue what they would be like when they saw them pull up in the yellow cab.
Alex and Rodrigo are still playing ping-pong, and while they are both really good, Rodrigo wins in the end. Alex says that he wants a rematch tomorrow. Rodrigo says that he will be there.
Each of the men has been assigned a personal mentor, a spiritual guide for the duration of their stay. Will's mentor is Brother Luis. Brother Luis tells Will that Benedict asks when a candidate comes in if they are zealous in the quest for God and seeking God, and he thinks that is what they are really there for. Will says that he noticed when he was doing his work today, that his wife would have said that they were getting free labor out of him and he was doing it for the monks, but he said to himself today that he was doing it for God. Brother Luis says that is great, and that is part of the silence, because when they work in silence, they have an opportunity to reflect. He adds that silence in a cemetery is a dead silence, but the silence of a seed, planted in the ground, signifies that there is something going on and life is germinating.
Alex and Rodrigo are outside working, and Alex asks Rodrigo about the last lady he was with. Jon says that he will go down to Monterey and find her for him, to keep her honest. Jon says that once you lose your virginity, you don't have much else to live for. Alex tells Rodrigo that he knows he must miss the ladies, as he misses the ladies and it has only been five days. Rodrigo finally concedes that his lady's name was Monique. Alex says that they should go and make some more noise.
Will is still talking with Luis, and Will tells him that two of the individuals are questioning their faith, and Alex doesn't even know his faith. Will says that he tries to be tolerant, but they have been there a few days and they should at least try to make a respectful gesture. He says that they have been told to stand, sit, and bow, and it's time for them to show the world that they are not ignorant about what has been explained to them. He adds that they need to respect that the monks have made a commitment that they are unable to make, but they are existing in their world, depending on how each person has interpreted their relationship with God, they must respect it.
The other guys are gathered with Rodrigo, and he tells them that it is time to have espresso, which he calls his only drug. Jon asks Rodrigo how he can find the truth of religion. Rodrigo tells him that he asked a good question, and Jon continues that he means a truth so strong; it defines physical physics and logic. With the loaded question. Rodrigo says that he needs more espresso. Rodrigo asks if they can talk about other things. Jon says that Rodrigo's whole life is about religion, and asks if it is too much religion. Jon switches the topic Virgin Mary, and asks what if she wasn't a virgin, as he finds it hard to believe that she was married and never had sex. Rodrigo is clearly uncomfortable, as he says that everything is very dedicating, too much so to talk about that. He says that talking about that is very difficult with all of the other things he does, and you must be respectful, and when you say things about Virgin Mary like that, it become blasphemy, and after all, she is the mother, and that he, and all of them, love her, and he knows that she loves him as well, and he says that she is their mother, as the camera zooms in on a beautiful stained-glass depiction of the Virgin Mary with her child.
Back with Will, Luis advises him to just live it day by day and not to rush things, to think one thing at a time and be aware of what you are doing. He adds that most people have so much going on in their mind, it's no wonder that they are exhausted at the end of the day, and that if you give your entire presence to whatever you are doing at the moment, you can then learn to give your whole presence to prayer in church. As we watch one lone bird fly soar through the sky outside, a beautiful hymn is being sung in the background.
It's day six, and the men's first week in the monastery is drawing to a close, and as the novelty is beginning to wear off, everyone is feeling the strain. Abbot Philip says that last night in their evening meeting, he mentioned that they were beginning to lose the silence in the hallways. He adds that you can be patient with people to a certain point, but if the discipline is not kept, it is not only lost for the monks, but the participants as well. Prior Christian tells some of the guys that the kitchen is also one of the quiet places, as the monk who is cooking likes to cook alone and in silence. Philip adds that keeping the discipline enforced in their community is often the job Brother Joseph Gabriel. He comes over to two of the men while they are washing dishes and tells them that they wash dishes after their late meal in silence. Philip says that Joseph does it specifically so the Abbot doesn't have to. Alex says that there is one guy who does all of the silence discipline, and that he is always yelling at them- he stops and corrects himself, saying that he wasn't yelling, but just telling him to be quiet over and over again. As one of the monks walks down the hall, I see a black cat sitting on a bench. I had no idea they had a cat in the monastery!
Brother Joseph Gabriel says that he doesn't really like being in charge of the discipline, but he is doing it because the Abbot has asked him to do it, and he understands the reasons for doing it, since he does have the demeanor and personality to carry it off. He adds that most of the time, he doesn't even have to say anything, he just goes to the situation and stands there, and it usually resolves itself, because they know that he will make a correction if he has to, and once he gives a correction, he expects it to be carried out. He says that he thinks they have gotten the message.
Everyone, including the monks, has come to the monastery for a reason. The announcer says that Jon has come looking for answers. As a paramedic, Jon experiences tragedy on a daily basis, and has a difficult time believing in a God that would allow so much suffering.
Jon is with one Brother Joseph Gabriel, and says that he often deals with death, and sometimes, it is peaceful and expected, but other times, it is rather tragic and unexpected. He adds that it's hard enough to keep faith if you already have it, let alone starting from square one and accumulating faith when you are dealing with the deaths of teens and babies and other things of that nature. The monk asks him what the alternative is. Jon laughs, and concedes that no faith isn't really much of an alternative, but it comes down to whether you can believe in something that you can't see, feel, hear, or touch. Joseph says that it isn't scientific proof like E=MC squared, but who is going to give their life to a scientific principle. He adds that the really important things that speak to the human heart are on a completely different level, and in the end, it does require a huge leap of faith, which is why he always says that you have to be crazy to be a person of faith and to live their life, as it makes no sense without faith. He says that they are all a bunch of fools, but on a completely different level, they are at the heart of what it is to be a human person. Jon sits there, appearing to be deep in thought with what Joseph just said.
On day seven, the monks walk into the church for Eucharist, the Sunday Mass. The monks walk and sing a hymn. By chance (sure!), Alex has been assigned a seat next to the monastery enforcer, Brother Joseph Gabriel. Tom says that today during Eucharist, he thought that he may have to break up and fight between Alex and one of the monks. Tom elaborates, saying that it was during the procession when the priest carries the gospel around and the guy with the incense is with him as they walk around the altar. Tom continues, saying that everyone is supposed to stand, but Alex cannot stand for long due to his artificial leg meant for walking, but he is sitting next to Tom's mentor, Brother Joseph Gabriel, who also enforces the rules, so when Alex doesn't stand, Joseph nudges him and tells him to stand, which Alex ignores. Joseph tells him to stand again, but Alex just sits and doesn't respond. Tom says that if it escalated any further, he thought Alex was going to go down swinging and take the monk down with them, making Tom think he would have had to jump over the chairs to break them apart. After the Mass, Alex quickly gets up and walks away.
Abbot Philip says that if you were joining the Peace Corps, you would have to sign a contract for three years and go to jail if you break it, and the men made a commitment to come to the monastery for forty days, and he asks what it says about the men if they don't honor the commitment they promised to do.
The Abbot and Alex's mentor meet, and they discuss what to do about Alex's behavior. Compassionate and understanding is the traditional approach. Abbot Philip says that he wants to know why Alex is sitting more than being involved and standing, but says that his prosthetic leg may make it too difficult. Alex's mentor says that it also may be that he isn't interested, or that he may be bored or bashful. The Abbot acknowledges that Alex has no Christian background, and Alex's mentor says that may make Alex feel awkward towards the situation. The Abbot asks Alex's mentor if he is comfortable asking about some of those issues, and he says that he will.
Alex and his mentor go for a walk. His mentor tells him that maybe he would get more out of the experience if he sang with the group. Alex says that he isn't going to sing until he figures out what and who he's singing to and about. He adds that he isn't going to do stuff that he doesn't understand, and he says that this whole church thing is new to him. His mentor tells him that sometimes, going through the motions is all you can and should do at the moment. He adds that eventually, he will be brought to another space. Alex pulls up his pant leg and shows the mentor his prosthetic leg.
Back inside, Brother Joseph Gabriel says that he saw Alex out jogging, so he knows it isn't his leg, and even if it is his leg and he wants to sit, that's fine, but he needs to show interest, instead of lounging back and checking his watch and pruning himself, and he says that a part of him wants to get on that level on duke it out, but he is really resisting, because that's exactly what Alex wants, and he refuses to give him that. The other monks are laughing at Joseph's confession, which is pretty funny to see a monk talk about the situation with such humor.
The moment the service ends, Alex can't wait to leave. Joseph says that this morning, he went after Alex for the way he bolted out of church, and he told him that wasn't the way they leave the church, and he knows that. He tells Alex that they all walk two-by-two out in order. He asks Alex if he understands, and he quickly says "Yep" and walks away. Abbot Philip is cracking up as Joseph is telling him this, and he says that Alex is always deliberately trying to do things like that, and that Alex is like an obstacle that everyone has to dance around to make it be okay, but Joseph says that they somehow have to let Alex know that it is not okay, as he is a participant, but he isn't participating, and that can't go on. Joseph says that it is time for them to make a decision, and they need to be strong.
For 1500 years, the monks' way of life has remained unchanged, and after just a week, Alex has decided that he doesn't want to change, either. Alex tells us that they need to explain what everything means and why he should be doing it, instead of just saying that he needs to be doing it because everyone in the church is doing it, and that even people who don't believe in God have come to the church and that everyone before has come to this church and participated, but he says that he's not one of the f**king people that came to the church before. But the monastery has humbled tougher men than Alex.
And the credits roll on the series premiere of 'The Monastery'! Wow, I had no idea what to expect when I volunteered to recap this show, as I hadn't seen any previews nor really heard that much about the series, but it is a great show! I learned a lot about the monks' way of life, while still being entertained by all of the men and monks' personalities. I think the producers have definitely assembled a great cast, and I'm very interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
Next time, the men have trouble with daily life, and as personalities collide, some of the men start to question the experience, as we see Alex not participating in the church sessions with the others and Jon saying that they didn't have the good answers at the monastery he was looking for, leaving him with a thirty day prison sentence. Warren says that he wouldn't run a day like this, as we see even some of the monks looking bored and sleepy during a service, while Abbot Philip says that a main part is just getting up. Tom says that it can't be that fun getting up at 3:30 AM after getting drunk the night before, as we see Alex and Jon with beers. Alex is told to be honest with the Abbot, and later says that he finally realizes that they are trying to help him. Joseph tells Jon that he believes the monastery life can help him find what he is looking for, and Tom says that if Jon can't hack it being a former Marine, firefighter, and a paramedic, then he doesn't have a chance. Sounds like another great episode, and I'll be back to recap it for you. Until next time, everyone!
Logan is a North Carolina native whose hobbies include a passion for reality shows, hiking, and Mocha Frappucinos. He can be contacted at Logan@RealityTVCalendar.com
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