It’s Christmas – a time for tunes to really get stuck in your head….

Rockne S. O’Bannon’s second script for Evil acts as the fall finale for the show (which is back for its final three episodes early January, something of a relief given the cliffhanger we’re left on), and moves the characterisation of all the regulars along. Leland gets some little victories vicariously over Kristen as well as continuing with another of his destabilising efforts, showing his clear understanding of human nature, and the way in which people react in the generations war.

The main plot involves a song that insidiously seems to get into the brains of a lot of children – even one of Kristen’s quartet – and while this starts as annoying, it becomes something a lot worse as the episode progresses. (And no, it isn’t the song that’s referenced in the title.) It’s another of those episodes of Evil where victories aren’t clear cut at all – Ben may get to the bottom of what’s causing the problem, but it will simply resurface.

Verdict: The exploitation of human weaknesses is at the heart of this strong episode. 8/10

Paul Simpson

Read our interview with Rockne S. O’Bannon here