The team investigate a very unusual sort of possession; Leland makes a decision he might regret…

There’s still some clear COVID-protocol blocking going on in this second episode (conversations between two characters in two differing locations; our central trio seated a conspicuous distance apart) but the nearest that the real life plague actually impinges on the plot is in one of very well put together visions that David experiences. I think there’s a real case of be careful what you wish for as he gets insight courtesy of a very unpleasant guest in his room.

This is linked to the possession he, Ben and Kirsten are investigating – where it’s an archangel responsible, apparently. Once again the series walks the fine line between belief and scepticism, with a rational explanation brought up – but I’m not sure how it can deal with the tragic events toward the end of the episode.

There’s no doubt over Kirsten’s guilt, and this is a really interesting plotline for what was intended as a network show – one of the three leads is a murderer, albeit for all the right reasons (if such things exist), and it’s clearly preying on her mind. And not just her – Ben isn’t an idiot and the pieces are going to come together soon.

We don’t have the kids in this episode, but instead Christine Lahti is back – I’d say “with a vengeance” but that’s very definitely the way she becomes as the episode goes on, and Leland shows his true colours. The scenes between Lahti and Michael Emerson are both great fun and suitably menacing – and couple that with Leland’s admissions during his confession to David, and he’s becoming even more of a menace than he was before.

Michael Colter, Katja Herbers and Aasif Mandvi are being given plenty to get their teeth into – the COVID-forced more personal storylines look like they’re going to play to their strengths.

Verdict: A bizarre case of the week coupled with movement on the ongoing plotlines makes for another strong episode. 9/10

Paul Simpson