David’s work for the Entity bears fruit but Kristen’s life is getting more and more complicated.

In many ways this has to be the nastiest episode of Evil yet. I have a horrible feeling that things are going to get even darker before we reach the end of the season, but there are some real stomach-turning moments in this that are as dark as a Shudder movie of the week.

The lightest plotline, ironically, involves the Church trying to get a Human Subject out of a Chinese labour camp, and the way in which David becomes the vessel through which this is done (and there’s a little mirroring going on in this with the scenes between Leland, Sheryl and Lexis in various combinations – David’s not the only one who’s being used by the human agents of a higher power). It’s good to have an unabashed happy outcome – although the cynic in me expects there to be some negative side to be revealed with regard to Grace.

Ben is spooked by the case of the week – the apparent possession of a number of toy – but, if I’ve understood correctly, it seems as if this has actually been completely set up to tie in with the plot described last paragraph. And if that’s the case, is this the first time the assessors have been used this way? Another uncomfortable question to add to the list.

Kurt Boggs is getting trapped within Leland’s orbit and if ever there was a case of be careful what you wish for – which often feels like theme of the entire series – then it’s what’s happening to him. (We have to hope none of these cures for writers’ block come from the experience of the show writers…)

But it’s Kristen who’s put through the mill. It’s Kristen who starts the episode feeling betrayed by someone that she loves, unable to put her faith where she wants to be able to do so. It’s Kristen who discovers that she was right about her missing egg – and then ends up with a nightmare of one of the creepiest demons the show has done (and that’s after a very unsettling return of George with his new assistant, Lexis!). And it’s Kristen who discovers what’s happened to the woman who is carrying the child that came from that egg… Katja Herbers is on fire in this episode and you simply can’t tear your eyes away.

There are two more episodes of this season to go. At this point, I really don’t know how far Evil is going to triumph. Not whether it will, but how far…

Verdict: Did I mention this one is nasty? The darkest the show has gone makes for a powerful instalment. 9/10

Paul Simpson