Return to Gilead

Return to Gilead welcomes Beth Culp, the creator and showrunner of Down Gilead Lane, to the longest interview to date on this podcast! Beth shares about her tragedy early in life that led her to grace and the story of Down Gilead Lane, along with how she was approached by CBH Ministries to create the show and went about writing scripts and casting characters. She also gives insight into the hardes...

A look to the future – John Fornof’s continuation of Beth Culp’s story in episode 90 (7-6) of Beyond Gilead, “Unfinished Business, Part 1” – provides insight for the last scene of Season 4 in this bonus part 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 post-product...

The discussion of “Was Grace right?” reaches a conclusion in Part 2 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 post-production: Micah Touchet Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logos and artwork, and music produ...

The end of an era approaches with episode 54 (4-10) of Down Gilead Lane, “Sunrise, Upset,” Part 1 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 post-production: Micah Touchet Cover artwork: Bethany Burnett Return to Gilead is a review podcast based on episodes, logo...

Ms. Kopek’s arc comes to an end, as do Ryan and Michael’s thoughts on this two-parter, in this continued review of “Free for All.” The discussion picks up from the last episode with questions about keeping secrets in a harmful relationship, thoughts on Grace’s odd passive-agressiveness, how story structure shouldn’t shame the audience, and a look at a wonderful final scene for the main characters....

It’s the second two-parter of the series! In this review, Michael and Ryan begin a deep dive into episodes 52 and 53 (4-8 and 4-9) of Down Gilead Lane, “Free for All.” The first of two parts concerns an excellent roast by Ms. Kopek, how the passage of time is felt deceptively well, “vaccoons,” Timmy’s feelings toward the infant trash pandas, and the start of a discussion on Ms. Kopek’s new friends...

Is Coleraine trapped in the past? Monica Richter certainly thinks so, and Michael and Ryan are here to ask why in this review of episode 51 (4-7) of Down Gilead Lane, “Sneeze the Day.” With a triple storyline in this episode, the duo wonders whether the episode could have used more refining, how more opportunities to show rather than tell could have been used, where the source of Mr. Key’s emotion...

We’ve reached the big five-O! Michael and Ryan celebrate this milestone with a review of episode 50 (4-6) of Down Gilead Lane, “Can Do.” While both reviewers think Luke’s storyline could have been expanded, there’s much to say about Haley’s abysmal detective skills, can bug physics, the chemistry between Ben and Luke, and much more. Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead Credits Hosts: Michael La...

The plot progresses closer to a big reveal as Ryan and Michael continue Season 4 with a review of episode 49 (4-5) of Down Gilead Lane, “Insomni-Maniacs.” Both hosts are a tad iffy on this show, with questions about the source of and solution to Michael Morrison’s problems, the repurcussions to Brooke’s all-nighters, and the Morrison parents’ dismissiveness of their kids’ questions. Meanwhile, Mic...

It’s a great day for two avid Timmy fans as Michael and Ryan review episode 48 (4-4) of Down Gilead Lane, “Fish-n-Slips.” The podcasters showcase Timmy’s acting through Sarah Osinsky’s writing as a foundation for his relationship with Mr. Key, how the Michael and Haley subplot works as a misdirection rather than as its own story, and the dedication of the sound designers in getting accurate water...

Since Return to Gilead has been running long lately, we weren’t able to fit a feedback segment into any of the recent episodes. However, that won’t stop us from sharing our voice messages! This bonus episode includes a voice message from Emily with a thought on Grace’s motivations, half of a message from Charlotte, and (possibly!) the payoff of an inside joke months in the making. Links: https://l...

Is Sara Osinsky’s mainstream premiere a success? Find out in Ryan and Michael’s review of episode 47 (4-3) of Down Gilead Lane, “Aim Higher.” The two hosts try to find the differences between Sara’s and Beth Culp’s writing, bring up how a single scene highlights everything great about the episode, and break down the theme of the episode and how the three main characters exemplify it. Links: https:...

Cat! On this review of episode 46 (4-2) of Down Gilead Lane, “Raining Cats and Clues,” Michael and Ryan come to the conclusion that there is a cat. For Leah Gartner’s final episode, Becca Taylor saves a cat while avoiding a messy relationship with Brad Smith, who doesn’t like cats. There are also questions about dating that have nothing to do with the cat, so they’re probably not worth talking abo...

Season 4 has begun... with a very thematically confusing episode! Ryan and Michael are ready to dive deep into the Bible verses used to justify the Morrisons’ stances in episode 45 (4-1) of Down Gilead Lane, “Eruptions.” For an extended review, much time is taken to discuss how exactly Proverbs 26:17 and 31:8 should have been used in the context of this episode. Afterward, the podcasting duo bring...

Michael and Ryan invite Rodney TeSlaa, voice of Tom Richter, onto the podcast for the third interview on Return to Gilead! Rodney played Tom for the entire run of the show, but he also had a hand in its creation before his first appearance in Season 2. In this interview, Rodney talks about Tom’s character development from a side antagonist to a well-developed mainstay, memories from the studio wor...

Not all of the banter in the review of “The Best Christmas on Record” could be included in that episode, but some of it was too good to throw away! In this bonus episode, Ryan gives his thoughts on Laffy Taffy jokes, Timmy’s jokes from “To Grandmother’s House We Go,” and John’s glorious antique joke... along with what exactly makes a good pun! Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead Credits Hosts:...

Settle in for an extended review of an extended episode of Down Gilead Lane! On this special review, Michael and Ryan are once again joined by Austin and Hannah, this time to discuss episode 44 (S-7), “The Best Christmas on Record.” The four hosts talk about the Morrisons’ graceful relationship with the Richters, Beth Culp’s backstories of the characters, a quirk in the chronology, several opinion...

Where is Coleraine? Where is Odyssey? What if the Morrisons had eaten a snack? What if Michael Morrison could time travel? And can little tiny mice actually talk? All these questions and more are answered in this bonus episode of topics cut from the review of “To Grandmother’s House We Go.” Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver, Ryan Matlock, Austin Peachey, and Ha...

Four hosts on a podcast! Austin Peachey and Hannah Matlock return to the show to join Michael and Ryan in reviewing the second special episode after Season 3, episode 43 (S-6) of Down Gilead Lane, “To Grandmother’s House We Go.” The group of reviewers discuss the storytelling feat of cramming all the Morrisons together, Timmy’s jokes and their merit as the main conflict, where this episode falls c...

Michael’s camp director Mikel Collins from South Mountain Christian Camp joins the podcast crew to re-review “Summer Camp Blues” from a different perspective in this bonus episode! Mikel gives the positives and negatives of Sarah Osinsky’s portrayal of camp, differences between sports camps and Christian camps, insights into children’s ministry, and thoughts on Camp Chumbawumba’s leadership. Links...

It’s summertime in Gilead (and in real life!) and the Morrisons are off to Camp Chumbawumba in episode 42 (S-5) of Down Gilead Lane, “Summer Camp Blues”! Ryan and Michael have a blast reviewing Sara Osinsky’s writing debut, bringing up conversations between the kids and the counselors, how Announcer Bob drives Ryan up a wall, the timeline of camp activities, and how character flaws are developed m...

A great finale comes to an enjoyable end as Ryan and Michael wrap up the review of the Season 3 finale of Down Gilead Lane. In this third part review of the last three episodes, the final confrontation between John Morrison is in the spotlight, showcasing perfect acting from Rodney TeSlaa (Tom) and excellent writing from Beth Culp. Following are discussions on curdled creamer and a waitress named...

As we near the reveal of the secrets of Grace, the question of “Was Grace right?” in keeping her story secret is still very relevant. In fact, some of the events of Season 3 are directly connected to the concealing. Michael and Ryan engage in the discussion in this cut segment from the Season 3 finale review. Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead Credits Hosts: Michael LaFaver and Ryan Matlock E...

The Season 3 finale continues! In this second part of the review of the final three episodes of the season, Michael and Ryan discuss the character of Llana and why she seemed pantheistic, the gradual reveal of the first episode’s theme, and how the Richters’ jealousy makes for an excellent contrast with the Morrison family for the finale’s overall theme. Links: https://linktr.ee/returntogilead Cre...

The end of Season 3 is here, with possibly the most compact and intense finale yet on Down Gilead Lane! Michael and Ryan begin the discussion of the final three episodes of the season – episode 39 (3-10): “Cosmic Confusion,” episode 40 (3-11): “A Story to Tell,” and episode 41 (3-12): “A Case Against Grace.” Things are a little flipped in this first part, as the podcasting duo focuses mostly on th...