Review: Evil CBS ‘Vatican III’

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Warning: Post contains spoilers

“Evil” on CBS season 1 episode 7 “Vatican III” resumes where its predecessor, “Let X = 9” left off. A trio of the Vatican’s highest-ranking officials arrives to investigate the Poveglia Codex. Purported prophet Grace Ling (Li Jun Li) supposedly recited prophecy from the Poveglia Codex. Unfortunately, Grace was deported by ICE and is now missing. While interviewing professional skeptic Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi) and forensic psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers), the Vatican guests ask personal questions: about Ben’s religion (he’s Muslim), and Kristen’s relationship with Catholic Church assessor David Acosta (Mike Colter). David intervenes and explains to Monsignor Matthew Korecki (Boris McGiver) that the interviews won’t continue unless no personal questions are asked.
While probing the Poveglia Codex, Kristen notices that a symbol contained within was drawn in a journal given to one of her daughters by Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson). David identifies it as demonic. Later, David finds another similar symbol behind the baseboard where a serial killer keeps a stash of trophies from victims. Plus, Acosta realizes that his father’s artwork featured demonic sigils from the codex.

David, Kristen, and Ben are tasked with assessing a potential possession. Bridget Farrell (Annaleigh Ashford) claims to be Howard, and confesses to murdering three boys. Kristen asks her homicide detective friend Mira Byrd (Kristen Connolly) for assistance corroborating a bit of Howard/Bridget’s testimony. As such, Byrd urges Kristen to come forward with more information, but Bouchard plays the patient confidentiality card.

Meanwhile, Leland Townsend furthers his nefarious agenda. At the onset of the episode, he meets an impressionable young man, Jonathan (Stephen Cefalu) in a coffee shop. After witnessing Jonathan being rejected by a barista he asked out, Leland offers his services with the intent of using Jonathan as a pawn in his yet unclear game. Eventually, he introduces Jonathan to a group of incels on 8chan, a clear riff on 4chan, that’s planning an attack.

Observations:

Once again, “Evil” truly shines. S01E07 “Vatican III” provides the same ambiguous take as past episodes, suggesting supernatural happenings, but never confirming the spiritual. It’s yet unclear if Townsend is indeed a demon, or merely a psychopath hellbent on wreaking havoc. Nevertheless, Leland is a delightfully malevolent character. Michael Emerson truly crafts a nasty, despicable, smarmy villain.

The enigmatic David is poised to reveal more about his mysterious past. It’s still unclear what his visions mean, or who Julia is. But Acosta’s father, an artist, apparently dabbled in the occult or so his artwork seems to suggest.

There’s a solid mix of storyarc and possession-of-the-week. The codex hasn’t quite fully revealed itself, and it’s unclear what exactly its prophecies warn against. A neat twist satisfactorily finishes the murder case. While the killer is apprehended and brought to justice, the investigation ultimately offers more questions while providing answers.