Return to Gilead

The big game is here! Caleb Richter and Anthony Donner take center stage in this two-parter, and co-hosts Michael and Ryan are eager to explore the awesome chemistry between these two unlikely friends in the first part of a review of episodes 76 (6-5) and 77 (6-8) of Down Gilead Lane, “Hometown Heroes.” Along with the two star quarterbacks, topics brought out in this review are Anthony’s relations...

The puns are strong with this one! Ryan and Michael are ready to break down the morally-complicated plot of episode 75 (6-4) of Down Gilead Lane, “Just Desserts.” The two avid fans discuss Timmy’s unfortunate similarity to Tiffany, Caleb Richter’s ascent, Haley’s unaddressed behavior, and Maya’s deception for her sister. Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan...

We’ve had quite the discussion on the first three episodes in Season 6 of Down Gilead Lane, and things are wrapping up in this third and final part of Michael and Ryan’s review. The two co-hosts explore the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11, take a look at Justin’s side of the story, question the nervous quirk of Ned Shively, and reveal Ryan’s pun ratings for these episodes. Plus, some feedback... from Be...

Who are those who mourn? The discussion takes a deep turn in the second part of Ryan and Michael’s review of the Season 6 premiere of Down Gilead Lane, as the fallout from the last season with Luke’s coping mechanisms and Becca’s advice on the Beatitudes is up for consideration. The two hosts discuss how confronting grief is the best way out of it, who Jesus meant when He referred to “those who mo...

The end is in sight! The beginning of Season 6 of Down Gilead Lane brings not only the start of a new storyline but also an amazing arc for Michael Morrison in its first three episodes - episode 72 (6-1): “Deal With It,” episode 73 (6-2): “Hot-Head, Cold-Heart,” and episode 74 (6-3): “The Best Man Wins.” In this first part of three, intrepid Gilead reviewers Michael and Ryan make connections to pr...

Tom Casaletto, voice of Jeremiah Key, joins Michael and Ryan for a quick chat on Return to Gilead. Tom, alive and well at 88 years old, talks about the history of his acting career, different productions he remembers, and advice for aspiring actors. Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver Music post-product...

It’s been a long journey of emotions on Return to Gilead this season, and it all comes to a close in this extended second part of Ryan and Michael’s review of the Season 5 finale, joined by Hannah Matlock. Hannah gives insights on the season as a whole, Grace’s advice to both Brooke and Becca about dealing with grief (with Ryan’s analysis of the Taylors’ emotional reactions), and how we can rely o...

Another original Gilead fan joins Michael and Ryan as Brendon McFarland appears for a guest review of Down Gilead Lane episodes 70 (5-11) and 71 (5-12), “A Time To Mourn and a Time to Dance.” The three avid fans chat about the appearance of an oft-mentioned hymn, Grace’s role in the healing in Gilead, and the Richters’ persistence even in tragedy. Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts...

Joan Taylor’s story reaches its climax as Michael and Ryan review the characters, emotional beats, spiritual insights, humorous moments, and thematic elements of episode 69 (5-10) of Down Gilead Lane, “Home to Stay.” Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver Music post-production: Ryan Matlock and Israel Ownb...

As the plot takes a sudden turn between the Morrisons, Taylors, and Richters, Ryan and Michael are here to break down the character moments in this review of episode 68 (5-9) of Down Gilead Lane, “Springloaded.” With a perfect pun for a title, the episode sets the stage with its buildup to a change of heart for Becca, a brave moment for Joan, and a concerning twist on Tiffany’s cynicism, all of wh...

The recording of our review of “Brighter Days” went a little long, so we had to cut a few conversations out for this bonus episode. Enjoy these discussions on highlights, a strange DGL criticism, and Taylor family puns. Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver Music post-production: Ryan Matlock and Israel O...

The future is bright in Coleraine as Joan Taylor begins to open up to Mary Morrison... through an unlikely series of events. Michael and Ryan talk about what makes this episode’s dual storyline worth it in this review of episode 67 (5-8) of Down Gilead Lane, “Brighter Days.” The two hosts discuss the intricate interweaving of a seemingly frivolous plot about Haley, the story of Tom Richter post-Gr...

We’ve got more version differences as we cross the halfway point in Season 5! Ryan and Michael are ready to jump into episode 66 (5-7) of Down Gilead Lane, “Talk to Me,” by highlighting the well-done dual storyline, similarities to a Season 1 episode, Beth Culp’s refusal to show plot payoffs, and the true name of the Sunrise Grill waitress. Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: Micha...

With a shocking revelation about Joan Taylor comes a surprising reaction from Becca... one that Ryan finds not just misplaced, but genuinely antagonistic. In this extended review of episode 65 (5-6) of Down Gilead Lane, “Comeback, Mom,” Michael and Ryan explore the character of Rebecca Taylor, her neutral qualities, and an intriguing lack of sympathy for her. Also in this review, the two discuss a...

The Taylors’ troubles are starting to affect the Morrisons, just like dominoes! Or not. Ryan and Michael explore just how far the domino theme was taken in this review of episode 64 (5-5) of Down Gilead Lane, “The Domino Effect.” Along with a look at Brooke’s sudden turn and how her family mindfully reacts, the two reviewers discuss Justin’s frame of mind, each of the Taylors’ mindsets toward Joan...

To round out the first four episodes of Season 5, we’ve got a quick bonus episode with Ryan’s pun rating of “Chocolate Covered Promises” (spoilers: it’s 0/10) along with an attempt to understand an incredibly unintelligible line from John in “Snot Fair!” Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver Music post-pr...

The dual storylines continue as tensions build around Joan Taylor in episode 63 (5-4) of Down Gilead Lane, “Chocolate Covered Promises.” In this thorough review, Michael and Ryan bring up the ongoing question of characters learning the same lesson, Monica’s radical shift around Joan, examples of excellent music by John Campbell, and perfect acting from Tom Casaletto as Mr. Key. Our site: https://r...

The Taylors’ world has been shaken by Joan’s return to Coleraine, and Michael and Ryan are here to discuss the tumult that ensues in episode 62 (5-3) of Down Gilead Lane, “Snot Fair!” Besides some emotional scenes with Becca and Brooke and a breakdown of Tiffany’s psyche, the co-hosts look at Haley’s illness storyline’s peculiar parallel to Job (and cumbersome acronyms). Our site: https://returnto...

On the eve of the arrival of Joan Taylor, Ryan and Michael continue to explore the dual storylines of Season 5 in episode 61 (5-2) of Down Gilead Lane, “Justin Time.” The two reviewers talk about how the Taylors’ few scenes are crucial to the upcoming plot, Tom Richter’s new character moments, and the tragedy of Timmy getting snubbed by Justin. Our site: https://returntogilead.com Credits Hosts: M...

New season, new music! Era 2 is now in full swing as Michael and Ryan begin a review series of Season 5 of Down Gilead Lane, starting with episode 60 (5-1), “Spoiled Sport.” Along with a new pun-rating tradition from Ryan, the team discusses Beth Culp’s story potential post-Grace, parallel themes in the Morrison and Taylor families, John’s reaction to Michael’s heart issue, and the start of a long...

It’s Sara Osinsky’s last episode, and Michael and Ryan have plenty of praise for the last special episode before Beyond Gilead, episode 59 (S-9) of Down Gilead Lane, “Heart and Soldier.” The podcast hosts bring up the way this episode expands the character of Mr. Key, how Haley makes a great foil for everyone, showing emotions through writing and directing, and seeing a simple story from multiple...

In this second part of Ryan and Michael’s review of “Spring Broke,” the duo picks up where the conversation left off on the contrasts between the Morrison and Vaughn families. The discussion this part also includes thoughts on letting the audience come to their own conclusions, woes of six-year-olds, whether the receptionist did her job well or not, and the theme of making God the center of every...

The new era is here! Michael and Ryan are ready to go with the first special episode before Season 5, episodes 57 (S-8a) and 58 (S-8b) of Down Gilead Lane, “Spring Broke.” For this first part of the review, the two reviewers talk about a great collaboration between Beth Culp and Sara Osinsky, the messages of each part through Brooke and Justin, John’s effective way of teaching his kids about servi...

Era 2 of Return to Gilead will begin August 10 on Anchor.fm/ReturnToGilead or anywhere podcasts are found. For more information, visit ReturnToGilead.com .

Through a look at episodes 55 (4-11) and 56 (4-12) of Down Gilead Lane, “The Beginning of the End” and “The End of the Beginning,” a journey in reviews reaches its first finale as Michael and Ryan conclude with Part 3 in the finale of the Secrets of Grace. Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock Editing and music arrangement: Michael LaFaver Music po...