Ep 8. A Divine Madness

The episode titled "A Divine Madness" is part of the first season of the popular American television series Highway to Heaven. The show centers around an angel named Jonathan Smith, played by Michael Landon, who travels the country helping people in need and improving their lives. In this particular episode, Jonathan Smith finds himself in the midst of a crisis that he may not be able to solve.

The episode opens with Jonathan arriving in a small town where everyone seems to be acting strangely. As he wanders through the streets, he quickly realizes that something is not quite right. The townspeople are acting as if they are in some kind of religious cult, with everyone dressed in white and chanting about an impending apocalypse.

Jonathan soon discovers that the town's behavior is being driven by a charismatic preacher who has convinced them that the end of the world is near. The preacher, played by Hoyt Axton, is a former alcoholic who claims to have found his salvation through his newfound faith. He has convinced the townspeople to donate all of their money to his ministry and has even convinced them to sell their possessions and give the money to him.

Jonathan knows that this kind of behavior is not healthy and sets out to try and convince the townspeople that they are being taken advantage of. However, as he quickly discovers, the preacher's hold on the town is stronger than he ever imagined. The preacher has convinced the townspeople that Jonathan is there to lead them astray, and they chase him out of town.

Undeterred, Jonathan returns to the town and tries to reason with the preacher. He explains that while faith can be a powerful force for good, it cannot be used to manipulate people and profit financially from their fears. The preacher agrees to listen to Jonathan's words but ultimately becomes angry and violent when Jonathan tries to reason with him.

The episode ultimately ends with Jonathan realizing that he may not be able to reach the preacher or the townspeople, but he does what he can to help a few individuals by offering them comfort and guidance. In the end, he must leave the town and the preacher behind, knowing that he has done what he could to help those he could reach.

Throughout "A Divine Madness," the show explores themes of faith, trust, and manipulation. It highlights the importance of not blindly following others, especially when it comes to religion, and the potential dangers of those who use faith for their own personal gain. The episode serves as a reminder that true faith is about compassion, kindness, and giving, rather than fear and manipulation.