As Tomas and Marcus try to save Cindy, things start to escalate at Andy’s house, and the Integrated make their move…

If you’d thought that the opening episode of this season meant that the conspiracy at the Vatican had been brushed aside for this year, think again – it comes to the fore, as Kurt Egyiawan’s Father Bennett realises the strength of the opposition against him. The Morning Star may have failed in his attempt against the Pope, but that’s not the only way in which he can affect the church – and the return of Cardinal Guillot does not bode well for the future. At least one house (that of God) is certainly not safe.

While all of those power plays are going, Tomas and Marcus have to help Cindy, and Zibby Allen gets the chance to go all out as the possessed girl, with a perverted form of the eucharistic rite, as well as some truly stomach-turning moments. Exigencies of storytelling demand that the two priests (which is how I will describe Marcus and Tomas even if that’s not strictly accurate in one case!) are brought in quickly, but it does feel as if Cindy’s husband changes his mind pretty quickly. The tensions between the two priests has by no means dissipated at the end of the episode as much as it might seem…

There’s not as clear a link with what’s going on with Andy’s family on the island as last week, but the situation there is turning nastier, with Caleb’s unexplained behaviour, and Grace managing to be there to hear every time that the future of the house is discussed as being at risk. Add in something in the wood, a birth and immediate execution – all in front of one of the kids – and you can’t wait for Marcus and Tomas to arrive in another house that certainly doesn’t feel like the safe place the children need.

Verdict: There’s a feel of pieces being moved around on the chessboard with this episode but the intensive care ward scenes should more than satisfy those who want the gore of exorcism at the heart of this show. 8/10

Paul Simpson