One of the things with this series that I somewhat object to is how they portray the women...and the men sometimes.
Women were one half step above property...and they weren't nagging wives or prostitutes or little girl virgins and that's all. Male dominated, caste-based society... so they do get parts right in that. The men could and would divorce a wife, put away a wife, and get remarried at the drop of a hat. It was tantamount to wife swapping at times.
And people weren't that dirty as a general rule. Especially John the Baptist.
Now I understand that they can't exactly shoot the series in Israel proper....but things aren't that green in Israel. It's a rather dry area. And the Sea of Galilee is small...a small lake you can see two shores of from any point on the banks.
And the fuss between the Jews and the Roman's wasn't exactly just taxes....it was the proliferation of their "wicked ways" that caused the most uproar. The Roman's put up Idols at every spring and water source. They had co-ed bathing everywhere. (Which had the prostitutes as well) They had huge cities full of gymnasiums and Theaters.
And they had pagan temples to their gods.
Entrance to the marketplace often required a pinch of incense (that you purchased) offered to one of their gods. Also many jews frequented these things..."abandoning their faith" for worldly pleasures. The Roman's really favored taking over an area with the whole "carrot&stick" approach. Except the carrot was all sinful things for the Jews. Violators were routinely killed.
There are many things that they get right...the unity of the jews against the romans...
Matthew/Levi was a bit sissy...
Nicodemus was highly respected and above most Rabbi. He wasn't exactly a schmeekah Rabbi....but the next level under one. Which is why he was a member of the Sanhidrin.
The desperation of some of the people is really well portrayed...so I do like that. The miracles as so much "candy in his pocket" that Jesus hands out to very desperate people is exactly right.
So....it's got bennies and detractors. It is interesting to watch.