Review: Evil CBS ‘Exorcism Part 2’

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Warning: Post contains spoilers

“Evil” on CBS season 1 episode 9 “Exorcism Part 2” follows up on an exorcism during “October 31.” Catholic Church assessor David Acosta (Mike Colter) alongside his medical advisor, forensic psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) performed an exorcism on a parishioner, Caroline. Unfortunately, now Caroline is suing the Catholic Church. As such, David, Kristen, and contractor/professional skeptic Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi) are summoned to a deposition. Bishop Marx, David’s new superior, arrives and calls in a hotshot lawyer and Catholic Church fixer, Renee Harris. Coincidently, Harris is the late Julia’s sister.
Over the course of the deposition, Caroline reveals that post-exorcism, she was fine. But after about a week, she fell apart suffering from delusions, paranoia, and depression. The lawyer for the opposition, Judith Lemonhead, dominates. As Lemonhead uncovers, David hides under his priest-in-training shroud a shadowy past.

When it seems Lemonhead is about to win the case, Kristen turns the tables. Just as Lemonhead attacks the legitimacy of the Catholic Church’s exorcisms, Bouchard suggests targeting science. This unearths inconsistencies in how Dr. Phillip Lynch-Giles treated Caroline. As such, Caroline settles for the Church covering her medical expenses.

At home, Kristen adjusts to having her husband Andy Bouchard (Patrick Brammall) home from serving as a mountain guide on Everest. Andy and Kristen rekindle their relationship, although the sexual tension between David and Kristen remains. In a shocker, Andy suggests that Kristen take a turn as a mountain guide in his stead. When a cat shows up in the Bouchard pantry, the daughters Lila (Skylar Gray), Lexis (Maddy Crocco), Laura (Dalya Knapp), and Lynn (Brooklyn Shuck) insist on keeping it. But there’s something rather strange about the kitten which suggests it may be demonic.

Meanwhile, forensic psychologist Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson) continues mentoring, and manipulating, Sebastian. Townsend observed Sebastian being rejected in a coffee shop by a barista, and through therapy sessions, coerces Sebastian into spearheading what Leland refers to as the slaughter of the innocents. He tasks Sebastian with shooting up a church group, one led by Acosta. Leland introduces Sebastian to Adam, a security guard, marksman, and “One of the 59 people I trust in the world,” Townsend explains. So Adam and Leland are part of The Sixty. It’s still unclear of the 60 is demonic or simply a conglomerate of malicious humans. Looking in a mirror and brandishing guns, Sebastian recites “You talkin’ to me?” from “Taxi Driver,” and accidentally shoots himself in the head. Once again sans a mentee to carry out his nefarious bidding, Leland searches for “angry incel videos” to find a new malleable subject.

Observations:

The aftermath of an exorcism case was neat, particularly as most “Evil” episodes merely abandon the miracle-of-the-week or monster-of-the-week subject. Father Marx has potential. While talking with David, he picks up a copy of a Flannery O’Connor book commenting that he loves her works. Undoubtedly, the dynamic is slated to change with Marx as the new superior.

Leland provides fresh insight into The Sixty. We’ve met two members that we know of. I’m curious if Renee is in some way involved, since she attempts to seduce David and is wearing red when doing so. Everything in “Evil” is incredibly meticulous and intentional, thus it’s doubtfully a coincidence. Similarly, there’s assuredly more to the cat than its shrieks. Overall, a solid episode which shows where Kristen’s allegiances truly lie: to her work, David, or both.