This year's drama was based on the parable of the prodigal son. The theme was "Your Brother Was Dead and Came to Life". As some have probably heard, it is a modern day story based on that parable, so there are no fancy costumes or fake beards.
The drams itself was very emotional and clearly designed to tug at the heartstrings of the audience. Here is a brief synopsis:
The story centers around David who leaves the family business for a job with his friend Al. His father is confused as to why he would leave the family business and worries about how this might affect his goal to pioneer. His older brother James knows Al and thinks that he is bad association.
Early on David's new boss makes it clear that he is to work long hours and that the his job should always come first. When being introduced to his coworkers one young woman shamelessly flirts with David and it's clear that Al is purposely trying to set them up. Al also discourages David from mentioning anything having to do with religion around his coworkers and gives him advice for how to handle it when counseled by his elders or parents.
Eventually, David and Al move to an apartment in the city and David loses touch with his family. We see scenes where David is out partying with his friends while his family is spending time with a missionary couple discussing their new assignment. In one scene we see David's father up late at night waiting at the window hoping that his son will come home. David's mother is said to cry every night for months after he is gone. His brother James is so angry at him for what he has done to the family.
As they leave a nightclub one evening, David's friend Al insists on driving even though he has had too much to drink. After a terrible accident, Al begs David to take the blame. David refuses and is hauled off by the police along with Al. The girls that they are with survive, but are badly hurt
David eventually calls his father saying that he wants to come home and come back to Jehovah. Some time later we see that David is indeed back at home and taking steps to return to Jehovah. While on the phone he even thanks an elder and other members of a judicial committee that he was brought before.
James though is resentful at how David is being welcomed back. The drama ends with the father counseling James about being forgiving.
Unfortunately, I was unable to include all of the interesting details, funny quotes, and corny dialog, but I think the synopsis should give you a decent understanding of the drama as a whole.
One important thing I think should be mentioned is how much stereotypes of worldly people were reinforced, and extended. The worldly people were mere caricatures. David's boss is made to seem demanding and actually says, "Can you work all hours?" The girl that is interested in David, and who he ends up dating, eventually becomes interested only in his money. She berates David when he is worried about Al drinking and driving, but later lies to the police and says that she was the one who was concerned. Al gives David advice to avoid the scrutiny of his parents and the elders while at the same time plotting to set him up with a worldly girl. Al becomes verbally abusive to his girlfriend and to David and unabashedly says that he is only interested in getting ahead whatever the consequences might be.
Another important aspect of the drama was the way in which it seemed to play on emotion and in particular the ties to family. It seemed as if it was emphasizing avoiding worldly association and goals because of how you might hurt your family rather than anything else. David's father seemed hurt that he wanted to leave the family business. When David left home he told his father the very night he was leaving and gave no warning whatsoever and his parents were left distraught. David's father in particular gave David the benefit of the doubt even when it was clear that he didn't deserve it.
Interestingly, David never explicitly said that he didn't want to serve Jehovah and yet it was understood and even said that he had left Jehovah. Before it became clear that he was involved in any serious wrongdoing he was described as "leaving the truth" when he had been missing meetings and moved to the city. David does express doubt about the end coming soon and says that he doesn't feel comfortable coming to the meetings, but for the most part he seems to be "fading" not abandoning the truth altogether. It seems to me that the things that are involved in "fading" are being clearly described as "leaving the truth" and "leaving Jehovah".
When David decides to come back he makes the call and his family accepts him back willingly. An offstage judicial committee apparently has decided not disfellowship David as he warmly thanks one of the brothers from the committee on the phone for their encouragement. Old family friends come over to welcome him back. This seems to be an idealized version of how these things usually, or can potentially, unfold.
In fact, at one point David's worldly coworkers ask him about what happens when a Witness breaks the rules. His friend Al says you say your sorry and that is it, but David explains that unless you are truly repentant you will be disfellowshipped. The worldly friends think that is a little harsh. Of course, they represent the worldly way of looking at things. David has a similar attitude early on when he is upset with his brother and others for judging Al and later David himself. Again, we know that Al is a bad person and that David is merely feeling guilty about the bad things he is up to, so there is no need to be concerned about being judgmental. Only bad people think of that as a bad thing.
These are just a few of my observations. Let me know what you think, especially if you have seen the drama in person.
jabberwock