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<\/a><\/div>\nLast night\u2019s episode of \u201cV\u201d continued the theme of human identity and human emotion, with a more directly religious angle. The first hint of this aspect is when we see Ryan, a visitor in human skin, looking thoughtfully at the crucifix on the wall in\u00a0Father Jack\u2019s\u00a0church.\u00a0Soon after we get to watch parallel discussions\u00a0between Jack and Ryan, and Anna and her mother (played by Jane Badler<\/a>, the actress who played Diana in the original TV series \u201cV\u201d), about the soul<\/a>.<\/p>\n The soul is not treated as a \u201cspiritual substance\u201d but as those intangible yet real aspects of human existence that are so distinctive and powerful \u2013 appreciation of beauty in music, sorrow at loss of a loved one, anger at those who harm those we love.<\/p>\n As Ryan seeks to explore his soul and pray with Jack, he also finds himself open to Anna\u2019s offer of bliss and comfort. And so he stops trying to pray, and when Jack says that the soul is a blessing, Ryan responds by saying that it is also a curse.<\/p>\n I think the show is really on to something here. These essential components of human existence are the things that make life living. They also make us vulnerable to pain and manipulation. Vulnerability \u2013 is that the essence of the soul?<\/p>\n