# Ron Perlman's "Hand of God" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 5, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011 "2015-09-05T14:19:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011/1 "2015-09-05T14:19:30Z")
So the hype has been pretty high for the new all-at-once series “Hand of God,” starring Hellboy Morrow aka Ron Perlman. Since Perlman is one of those actors I’d pretty much watch reading a laundry list, we tuned in to the pilot last night. (ETA: It’s on Amazon, free with Prime.) Um. Okay. First overall thought is that the production values could use a little improvement. Writing’s a little shaky, editing was noticeably bad in spots. Pacing was erratic. Just maybe a little too much control in showrunner/star Perlman’s hands… one more artfully-lit shot of him being moody and I think we might have turned it off. One or two casting clunkers - Andre Royo is kind of a thin, annoying type and has been handed too big and influential a role, sort of like Gilbert Gottfried playing the President. Dana Delaney just comes off as a mid-to-late stage Gemma at the “I’m getting bitchy” point. Story, etc.? Pretty seriously WTF. Anyone know if this is meant to be a one-shot series, or continue? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011/2 "2015-09-05T18:17:06Z")
So, what’s it about? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011/3 "2015-09-05T20:41:53Z")
A powerful judge whose family has owned the Southern California city (“San Vincente”) since it was sagebrush starts hallucinating/getting instructions from God after a double family tragedy. Very mild spoiler: His daughter-in-law was raped while his son was forced to watch; the crime is unsolved after seven months. The son has just shot himself in the head and is probably brain-dead, party as a result of grief and shock from the rape. God is directing Perlman’s character on how to get justice. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011/4 "2015-09-06T00:37:31Z")
Agree about Royo. He was excellent as “Bubbles” in _The Wire_, but he’s not up to this. We struggled through the first episode, and that’s enough for us. I used to have the hots for Dana Delaney, but she’s not bringing it. Unengaging, goofy premise, and when I look at Perlman, I can’t help but think that not only are scientists right about Homo Sapiens mingling with Neanderthals and others, the genes still survive in the persons of Perlman, [Charlie Watts](http://getnetworth.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/charlie-watts-net-worth.jpg), and [Neville Brand](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Neville_Brand_in_Kansas_City_Confidential.jpg), among others. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011/5 "2015-09-06T19:55:52Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Since Perlman is one of those actors I’d pretty much watch reading a laundry list Watch _The King’s Guard_, then see if you still feel that way. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011/6 "2015-09-06T20:02:14Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Watch _The King’s Guard_, then see if you still feel that way. Oh, I suppose every actor I admire has a stinker somewhere. I just like Perlman… and one of my favorite hoots is to watch him in what’s almost the only movie from his early career where he wore his own face, _The Ice Pirates_. We’re going to give it a few more episodes, but I really can’t figure out who thought Royo was right for that role. Such a mismatch. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-perlmans-hand-of-god/730011/7 "2015-09-06T20:54:05Z")
_Hand of God_ was one of two pilots for competing shows that Amazon had produced. Viewers at the time watched both and selected which went one to get produced as a series. We’ve watched 4 or 5 now. Hubby says it reminds him of _Frailty_ with Matthew McCaunaghey (I am sure I mis-spelled his name). It’s dark. With just enough WTF to leave you wondering if he is getting messages or?? Did I mention it’s dark? Very disturbing at times. If God’s in the mix, he’s Old Testament.