Ep 17. The Man Upstairs

The episode entitled "The Man Upstairs" is the seventeenth episode of the fifth season of the American television series Touched by an Angel. The show follows a group of angels who are sent by "the boss," aka God, to Earth to help people who are struggling with various challenges in their lives.

In this particular episode, the angels are sent to San Francisco to help a man named Thomas, who is struggling with guilt and regret over the death of his wife and child in a car accident ten years prior. Thomas is consumed by his grief and has been living alone in a small apartment ever since, refusing to leave or interact with anyone outside of his job as a volunteer at a local church.

The angels, Monica, Tess, and Andrew, arrive in the city disguised as homeless people and quickly learn about Thomas from the other volunteers at the church. At first, Thomas is resistant to their efforts to help him, but eventually, they manage to break through his walls and get him to open up about his pain.

As Thomas shares his story with the angels, it becomes clear that he blames himself for the accident that claimed his family's lives. He was driving the car when a truck ran a red light and collided with them, but he was only following his wife's instructions and was not technically at fault. Despite this, Thomas feels that he failed to protect his family and has been punishing himself ever since.

The angels try to show Thomas that he is not responsible for what happened and that he needs to forgive himself in order to move on. They also reveal that his wife and daughter are in Heaven and are watching over him, which brings him some comfort.

Throughout the episode, there are also several interactions between the angels and other characters, including a homeless man named Charlie and a young girl named Cindy who is at the church to receive a free meal. These interactions serve to highlight the theme of the episode, which is the idea that everyone is connected and that we are all part of a larger plan.

As the angels continue to work with Thomas, they are eventually able to help him find peace and closure. He visits the site of the accident and offers a prayer for his family, finally able to let them go. He also begins to interact with people more and even goes on a date with a woman he meets at the church.

The episode ends with the angels revealing their true identities to Thomas and reminding him that he is never alone. They share a moment of connection before disappearing, leaving Thomas to continue on his journey of healing.

Overall, "The Man Upstairs" is a poignant and emotional episode that deals with themes of grief, guilt, and forgiveness. It showcases the power of faith and the importance of human connection, and leaves viewers with a sense of hope and optimism.