exorcist-1-10His Will be done?

Chances are you’re not going to get much chance to take a breath during this final episode of The Exorcist’s first season. Jeremy Slater’s script and Jason Ensler’s direction ratchet up the tension throughout the entire hour leading to a confrontation on three separate fronts – on the streets of Chicago, within the Rance household, and in the minds of those battling the demon. You don’t want to leave the scene each time it cuts away to one of the other sections but then you become instantly caught up in the new dynamic and almost resent being taken away from that! Pretty much every element of the battle has been foreshadowed in one way or other – some subtly, going back to the very first episode; some very obviously – but that doesn’t meant there isn’t room for surprises. We’ve been promised deaths, and there are – but who, where and how remain open for question for a very long time.

Geena Davis is simply brilliant as the integrated Regan/Angela – and as stunning as the human Regan, determined not to let this demon destroy her family. Hannah Kasulka gives a very different and powerful performance as the unpossessed Casey, and I really did genuinely fear for the character when she turned back to re-enter the battle at Tomas’ side. Brianne Howey and Alan Ruck are both given strong moments – both during the “family council” and then in the penultimate scene of the episode – and are heartrending in their performances. Kirsten Fitzgerald’s Maria Walters doesn’t do what I expected at all – but I’m delighted that the character will hopefully be back: throughout the season, Fitzgerald has kept the scenes she’s been in grounded when they could easily have gone over the top. Kurt Egyiawan’s Brother Bennett is back, and demonstrates a wonderfully dry sense of humour which we need to see more of in future years. And Robert Emmett Lunney’s demon finally gets the makeover we’ve wanted to see – and is skin crawlingly effective.

However, it’s the two exorcists who dominate the episode, from Ben Daniels’ Marcus standing up to Simon and doing what has to be done to save the Pope in the real world, and being a frighteningly effective conscience for Tomas within the demon-induced illusion, to Alfonso Herrera’s ownership of the younger priest, both within that illusion, and fighting against the possessed Angela.

But it’s actually the final scene that will remain with me for some time – Marcus and Tomas walking down the road, their future uncertain but only sure that God has a plan for them. (A close second in terms of powerful scenes is the one between Marcus and Casey on the doorstep…) The heart of this series has been the relationship between the two men and between them (separately and together) with God, and it comes together perfectly. We need to know where they go next.

Verdict: The perfect end to one of the best pieces of television this year. 10/10

Paul Simpson

Don’t miss our interview with Hannah Kusalka (Casey) talking about the finale here…