Having characterized Jesus' use of parables in Mark as his attempt to accommodate the public's need for pedagogical assistance in season two's opening episode, Dr. Proctor examines Mark's characterization of the twelve disciples in episode two. Whereas the public appears to have no problem discerning the meaning of his stories,  those closest to Jesus in Mark are by way of contrast least likely to understand his instruction. As a consequence of their collective dimwittedness, the disciples routinely require clarification in order to make sense of what Jesus says.