Review: CBS Evil ‘7 Swans a Singin”

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Warning: Post contains spoilers

In CBS “Evil” season 1 episode 10 “7 Swans a Singin’,” Catholic Church assessor David Acosta (Mike Colter), professional skeptic and contractor Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi), along with forensic psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) investigate a high school where its students begin singing a certain tune uncontrollably. The girls claim not to know what tune it is. And even when given a specific song to sing, they automatically revert to belting out the lyrics to this unknown tune. Bouchard suspects that it’s stuck song syndrome, a form of auditory OCD.

However, what initially manifests as an innocuous earworm turns grisly when the girls begin maiming themselves, shoving sharp objects such as pencils into their own ears. Ben suspects that it’s possibly pesticides in the school cafeteria lunches. But suspicion turns to Melindaz, a makeup influencer. The Malindaz Challenge is a 95-minute song that the influencer, Malinda, tasks viewers with watching in its entirety, then saying “Malindaz Challenge” three times. Sorta like Candyman. Kristen, Ben, and David each watch the video. While they remain unaffected, Kristen’s children begin humming the mysterious tune. David, Kristen, and Ben confront Melinda, explaining that there’s a vocal track embedded at a frequency low enough so that only children can hear, encouraging kids to hurt and kill themselves. Ultimately, Melinda announces a sabbatical from social media after consulting with her therapist, none other than the conniving forensic psychologist Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson)

Kristen’s mother Sheryl Luria (Christine Lahti) encourages her grandaughter Lexis (Maddy Crocco) to hit a bully at school with a rock. Lexis complies, and when her parents Kristen and Andy (Patrick Brammall) confront Lexi, she reveals that Sheryl encouraged the violence. But Sheryl lies, dismissing Lexi’s accusation as a scapegoat. David attends confession, revealing that he slept with a woman, Renee Harris. Finding a note on his pillow, David believes it’s that of his late fiancee, Julia, also Renee’s sister. The episode culminates with David leaving confession again, only to be stabbed outside of the Church and left for dead.

Observations:

Leland’s latest scheme is truly terrifying, an attack on the innocents, children. His network is vast, and while some accomplices may agree with his mission, others might unwittingly carry out Townsend’s work. It’s doubtful that David will actually die, though the cliffhanger sets up an epic next episode.

Once again, “Evil” scores a hit with “7 Swans a Singin’.” Relying, as usual, on Occam’s razor, David, Kristen, and Ben systematically eliminate possibilities until they must accept that, indeed, Melindaz Challenge does affect its listeners. But there’s nothing supernatural at play. Instead, it’s simply technology.

Grandma Sheryl is truly horrific, supposedly because of Leland’s influence. What’s more, her actions carry major ramifications for the Bouchard household. I enjoyed the catchy tune, which I kept humming long after the final credits rolled. Cinematography is top-notch, and several moments throughout the episode are tough to watch, shockingly grisly for network TV. With its delightful-as-ever mix of camp, horror, and intrigue, “Evil” S01E10″ “7 Swans a Singin'” is an excellent addition to “Evil” canon.