I’ve gotten hooked on the CW’s Ringer, a ridiculous show about twins, changing identity, and the attempt to change one’s life.  As TV, it is pure pulp, threads the line, not between plausible and implausible, but between implausible and ludicrous.  However, as study of human chaos and redemption, there is nothing like it on broadcast television.

There is no point in explaining the plot, for it is far too convoluted.  Instead, think of identical twins: one is the good, responsible girl and the other is bad, irresponsible one, just like the brothers in the Parable of the Lost Sons (i.e. Prodigal Son).  And just like that parable, the irresponsible one attempts to make amends while the responsible one throws it all away.

Despite its high concept premise, where the show is most interesting is in its fundamental concept: a young woman seeking not only personal redemption, but making amends for the responsible sister’s destruction.  She takes on her sister’s burdens and becomes a better wife and mother and friend than her sister could ever be.

The catch?  She does it by pretending to be her sister.

It raises an incredibly important faith question: Is honesty required for making the world a better place?

And for Christians, is honesty more important than reconciliation?