Hail, Satan! What Made ‘Evil’ So Wickedly Good: TV Review

As a lifelong aficionado of the macabre and the supernatural, I found “Evil” to be a captivating, albeit unsettling, addition to my ever-growing roster of favorite shows. This series, much like its protagonists’ lives, is a complex tapestry of faith, doubt, and the inexplicable. It’s akin to stumbling upon a dusty old book in a forgotten library – you never quite know what you’ll find, but you’re eager to see where the pages will take you.

⚠️ Caution: This critique discloses details from the final episode, “The Fear of the End,” of the TV show “Evil,” currently available on Paramount+.

In the unique twist of the series “Evil”, a seemingly positive conclusion might involve releasing the Antichrist in the Vatican. As the final moments unfold, characters Kristen Bouchard (played by Katja Herbers) and Father David Acosta (Mike Colter) are relocated to Rome, where they’ll carry on their work examining suspected demonic possessions, despite having to move from their former base in New York. However, there are a few conditions. Initially, the team is now reduced to two, as scientist Ben (Aasif Mandvi) chooses to stay behind in the United States. Additionally, the baptism of Kristen’s baby son Timothy, who may be the Antichrist’s prophet, appears not to have been completely effective, placing a harbinger of the end times very close to the Vatican.

Over the course of four seasons, plus a shortened fourth season instead of the traditional fifth, “Evil” appeared to have a distaste for clear-cut conclusions. Creators Robert and Michelle King, known for their complex tone in legal dramas like “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” where morality was intricately balanced with absurdity, took this approach to new heights with “Evil.” Instead of political matters, they explored existential themes such as eternal souls. Despite the show’s title suggesting it deals in certainties, “Evil” rarely took a firm stand on issues. The last four episodes might not have had enough time to wrap up every plot point neatly, but this ambiguity fits well with a world filled with nuns, djinn, doppelgängers, telepathic priests, and numerous other enigmas. The finale also offers a mix of optimism and foreboding, with no clear indication which side will ultimately prevail.

“The show I’m thinking of is somewhat reminiscent of Damon Lindelof’s ‘The Leftovers’, where discussing plot points out of context can make one sound like a Dr. Bouchard patient. For example, in the last pseudo-season premiere, Anna Chlumsky from ‘Veep’ portrays a woman who convincingly claims to be Kristen’s time-traveled daughter, but she is actually having an affair with Kristen’s husband while wearing an animal mask at the mental hospital where they are both patients.

The investigation conducted by Kristen, David, and Ben centers less around the existence of cosmic evil, but rather on finding a way to lead a virtuous life amidst its persistent presence in our world. Numerous instances serve as examples for this exploration, even though the crew’s files are casually destroyed in a fire during preparations for wrapping up their work. The show is unique because it presents “Evil” as both critical and sympathetic towards the protagonists’ chosen paths. Ben, skeptical to the core, even wears a tin foil hat as a remedy for his migraines, regardless of its scientific validity. David, on the other hand, is a devout Catholic, who struggles with choosing the priesthood over his feelings for Kristen, who acts as a mediator between them. Although she identifies as agnostic, not an atheist, Kristen explores both David and Ben’s religious views throughout the series. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Ben’s departure might be more ominous than Timothy’s apparent vampiric traits. In addition, David’s closest friend and ally, who is far from home, poses a significant temptation for him. How long can such a situation last?

Apart from their own dark impulses, such as Kristen’s chilling act of murder with an ax, “Evil” introduces a more sinister antagonist in Leland Townsend (played by Michael Emerson). Unlike some of the show’s usual threats, Leland is not just menacing but downright terrifying. Although Kristen’s sleep paralysis demon wearing her mother’s wig was certainly effective, Leland stands out. Emerson skillfully navigates between the mundane aspects of the title theme and its chilling, maniacal extremes. It is Leland who took one of Kristen’s eggs to father Timothy biologically, and it is Leland whom Kristen nearly strangled in the finale when he breaks into her home. However, it is only the influence of Ben and David, serving as her guardian angels, that prevents Kristen from slipping further into darkness again.

The disdain for absolutes, often referred to as “Evil,” significantly impacted the show’s overall mood. Skilled in utilizing the serial structure typical of network television (originally airing on CBS before moving to streaming), “Evil” cleverly employed the consistent case-based format like a Trojan horse. Similar to its predecessors, “Evil” tackled a wide range of topics, such as social media, oligopoly, and workplace misogyny. This versatility extended to the show’s genre, allowing it to be humorous, terrifying, and emotionally resonant within the same scene. For instance, Sister Andrea, portrayed brilliantly by Andrea Martin, would entice demons with marshmallows in one moment, only to express remorse over a lost love the next. The unpredictability of “Evil” kept viewers guessing, making every twist and turn a delightful surprise, even when it came to unexpected moments like Richard Kind’s beloved character beheading a young woman with a sword.

Showcasing a eerie tone and a range of belief-disbelief perspectives, “Evil” followed in the path of “The X-Files,” yet distinguished itself with its recurring criticism towards the Catholic Church as an institution. Characters like Kristen were particularly vocal about its oppressive patriarchal structure. The series, however, did not dismiss faith altogether; rather, it championed it as a valuable lens through which to comprehend our increasingly complex world. We may struggle to grasp or combat the enigmatic forces that seem to worsen life for many while benefiting only a select few. Our only hope lies in trusting our loved ones and, perhaps, a higher authority, believing that ultimately, things will turn out for the better.

All four seasons of “Evil” are now streaming on Paramount+.

2024-08-22 21:17

Hail, Satan! What Made ‘Evil’ So Wickedly Good: TV Review

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