Friends and Heroes

"Friends and Heroes" is a Christian children's program that currently airs on TBN, Smile of a Child, and CBBC. The show is both traditionally animated (for the story) and computer animated (for the Bible stories). It takes place from 69 AD - 71 AD. The second season is currently being shown in England. There are no US premiere dates yet. The series was created by Brian D. Brown and Eric J. Danenberg.

Format

The show starts with a recap of last week's episode, relevant or not. Then the theme song plays. Act 1 begins with the name of the episode. There's usually about ten minutes of story and then a Bible story, followed by Act 2. There's more story and then another Bible story. Unless it is a two-part episode, the problem is resolved after the second Bible story. There are, however, three bible stories in one episode.

Story

Season One

The time is 69 A.D. The place is Alexandria. There is a rebellion going in nearby Judea by the Jews and Christians. In response, the Governor, Tiberius, orders his men, led by Brutacus and Tobias, to crack down on the Jews and Christians.

In the first episode, we are introduced to the family of Samuel, Diana, their son Macky, and their rarely-seen parrot, Pontius, who live in Delta Quarter on the port of Alexandria. They are rebels who hide other rebels in their house. Samuel's friend, a commander for the rebels in Judea, sends his daughters, Leah and Rebecca, to live witb Samuel's family.

In episode two, Macky and Rebecca have an encounter with Portia while riding horses. after talking, they find out that she is the Governor's niece. She becomes fast friends with Samuel's family, but they never tell her that they are rebels.

In episode three, we are introduced to Miriam and Nathan, Samuel and Diana's friends, as well as fellow rebels. We are also introduced to their adopted African son, Sollie.

The entire first season is one journey after another of trying to protect rebels without the Governor or his cronies find out. In the third-to-last episode, however, Tobias finds out the truth and the are all forced to flee Alexandria.

Season Two

It's been a year since they escaped the wrath of the Governor. Macky and Portia are now in Jerusalem along with Governor Tiberius, Toadie and Brutacus.

Season Three

In production.

Final season.

They are now living in Rome.

Trivia

*Starting with the second season, the show is produced in HD.
*Brian D. Brown and Eric J. Danenberg, creators of the show, were both writers for another animated series that takes place in Biblical times, "The Storykeepers".
*Gary Kurtz, the producer for season one, has produced many hit films such as "American Graffiti", "Star Wars", and "The Empire Strikes Back".

External links

* [http://usa.friendsandheroes.com/ USA & Canada official site]
* [http://www.friendsandheroes.tv/ Kids' Site]
* [http://uk.friendsandheroes.com/ UK official site]
* [http://ukstore.friendsandheroes.com/ Online Store]
* [http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/848.html Friends and Heroes TV Listing] on TBN
* [http://www.smileofachild.tv/watch/schedule_programs.php?p=93 Friends and Heroes TV Listing] on Smile of a Child
* [http://christiancartoons.blogspot.com/2007/05/friends-and-heroes-christian-animation.html Friends and Heroes] at [http://christiancartoons.blogspot.com Christian Cartoons Online]