Touched by an Angel

Episode 217: “Dear God”

Episode 217: “Dear God”
Original Air Date: March 9,1996
Written by: Glenn Berenbeim
Directed by: Tim Van Patten
Produced by:

Martha Williamson
Jon Andersen
Robert J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:
Max Elliott Gould
Tanya Brenner Kelsey Mulrooney
Pete Mel Winkler
Eddie Brenner Willie Garson
Ms. Raphael Patricia Belcher
   

Note: John Dye became a series lead starting with this episode.

While working at the post office, Monica meets Max, who is responsible for handling “dead” letters addressed to Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and God. A Holocaust survivor, Max answers children’s letters to God by telling them there is no God and not to place their faith in a fantasy. One little girl, Tanya Brenner, continues sending God letters, even though Max only answered the first one and ignored the rest. Andrew, who has met the child, and Monica entice Tess to ask God if they can read the letters. After receiving permission, they learn that Tanya’s father is very ill and that his girlfriend, Sandy has been abusing the girl. Monica is outraged and wants to help, but Tess reminds her that Max, not Tanya is her assignment.

Taking matters into her own hands, Monica arranges for Max to see a drunken Sandy hit the girl. Following this encounter, Max follows her home, where her dying father beseeches the postal worker to find Tanya a new home. Shaken, Max runs away. When he doesn’t show up for work the next day, Monica goes to visit him. Tanya has disappeared and Max is wracked with guilt. The angel reveals herself and gently persuades him to do something. He decides to look for the girl, finding her at her late father’s apartment. While treating Tanya to a meal at the diner, Max is spotted by policemen and arrested for suspicion of kidnapping. Monica visits a despondent Max in jail, informing him that men, not God were responsible for the Holocaust

When Andrew emerges on the scene, Max remembers seeing him at the Auschwitz barracks in 1944. The Angel of Death reminds Max of his father’s faith, revealing that he died on his feet praising God and asking Him to walk with his son. Overcome by memories, the postal worker weeps. Meanwhile, Tess persuades the diner owner to tell the police Max did not abduct Tanya but was trying to help her. Once that matter is cleared up, Max applies to be her foster father, so the two of them can become a family. As Monica, Tess, and Andrew watch unseen, Max opens a mysterious package that contains a pair of children’s shoes–his own–with the carved inscription “Lieber Gott,” German for “Dear God.”

(); ?>