Evidently these are the words used by the Archbish of Canterbury to describe the series Rev which aired its last episode last night.

It was, I think, an important episode, expressing, albiet in a very over-the-top way, one of the real tensions of the ministerial life which, every now and then, affects all ministers who are honest enough to admit to it.  Upset by a bad review from the 'mystery worshipper' on a website that wasn't quite Ship of Fools but we all know it was really, assigning him -1 for his sermon, Adam Smallbones (the vicar) has a crisis of calling and of faith.  He goes off on a bender, stops being nice to people and voices the questions that plague him from time to time.  At the end he is dragged off, against his will, to administer last rites to a dying parishioner and in the act rediscovers who and what he is.  In conversation with a police officer, he quotes verses from Isaiah read at his (and any Methodist, Anglican or Catholic) ordination 'here I am, send me.'  In a rare moment of empathy between people whose work involves entering the dark places, the policeman offers him a drink from the flask hidden inside his uniform, which he declines because now he is 'all right.'

It seemed to me a good place for the series to end - and to remain as a six-weeker only.

Life here in Glasgow is great, I am enjoying my ministry greatly, and feeling affirmed and secure in my calling.  It isn't alway so.  All ministers have their 'dark nights', their crises of confidence and moments of doubt.  Watching the ending of the episode I found a sense of resonance... how often it is in the occasional offices, the moments of entering others' dark places, that our sense of vocation is renewed.

Whom shall we send, and who will go for us?

Here I am, Lord, send me...

Although I had reservations about this series, suspect it may be much misunderstood, and has annoyed and offended not a few along the way, I am minded to agree with Rowan Williams that actually, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear, it has been, in the end, 'really rather good.'