S01.E02: Chapter Two: Lupus In Fabula

[Lisin]

Quote

When Bishop Egan denies Tomas permission to perform the exorcism on Angela's daughter, Father Marcus breaks out of Saint Aquinas and joins forces with Tomas, though he urges him to get his ex, Jessica, out of his life and heart.  The Rance family's relationship with the demon deepens and when Marcus catches Angela stealing holy water, he instructs her on how to use it.  On Chicago's south side, a series of bizarre ritual killings begin taking place.

[CelticBlackCat]

This is gonna be a good show.

[starri]

19 hours ago, Lisin said:

On Chicago's south side, a series of bizarre ritual killings begin taking place.

If this is inspired by the vastly underrated Exorcist III, I'm very impressed.  The movie has a very bad exorcism scene that was tacked on at studio demands (the actor playing the priest never actually shares the screen with any of the other actors), but 3/4ths of it is a fantastic thriller with great performances from George C Scott and Brad Dourif.

[ennui]

11 hours ago, starri said:

If this is inspired by the vastly underrated Exorcist III, I'm very impressed.  The movie has a very bad exorcism scene that was tacked on at studio demands (the actor playing the priest never actually shares the screen with any of the other actors), but 3/4ths of it is a fantastic thriller with great performances from George C Scott and Brad Dourif.

I haven't seen Exorcist III, but I looked it up. The ritual killings in the film were loosely based on the Zodiac killer, who apparently was a fan of the first Exorcist film.

[starri]

It's worth seeing.  There's a new Blu-Ray coming out next month that contains the original cut of the film under its original title Legion.  The footage was supposedly lost, so I'm not sure where they found it, but I'm glad they did.

It's really more of a thriller than a horror movie, but there's this one great scene...I'm not going to describe it, but you'll know it when/if you see it.

[Madding crowd]

This is a scary show and I love it! I would think the killers walking around with coolers full of body parts would get a huge amount of attention. People are out and about at all hours in Englewood. Who is the creepy guy who was invisibly talking to the daughter towards the end. Lots of creepy people in this episode. 

[pezgirl7]

The second episode definitely had a different tone than the first. This one felt more like a TV show, while the pilot was much more cinematic. I could have done without the bugs and green vomit. Ick. The murders at the end were pretty brutal as well. I like the subtle creepiness more than the in-your-face blood and gore. I'm guessing the invisible guy Casey was talking to is a demon, or THE demon. Apparently there are multiple ones in Chicago? The priests are going to have their hands full! Maybe killing the head demon will vanquish all of them? I haven't seen the third Exorcist movie, so I'm not sure what some of you are talking about, but if the story line is from the film, I'd rather be unspoiled.

I feel bad for Tomas. If only the Catholic Church allowed their priests to marry, he wouldn't have to chose between God and his ex. Although she's still married, so that's an extra layer of complication. Does anyone else get the vibe from Marcus that he's gay? The way he was with Tomas seemed a bit flirty, but that would be kinda hypocritical since he was chastising Tomas for still talking to his ex, so he seems like someone who thinks priests should follow all the rules. Which doesn't really make sense, since we've seen that he doesn't. I haven't quite figured Marcus out yet.

[Gin and Tonic]

I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this show. Some parts I find engrossing, others eye-roll worthy.

But honestly, as long as they give me Fathers Marcus and Tomas interacting each episode, I'll keep watching. Those two are very compelling together.

[CelticBlackCat]

2 hours ago, pezgirl7 said:

The second episode definitely had a different tone than the first. This one felt more like a TV show, while the pilot was much more cinematic. I could have done without the bugs and green vomit. Ick. The murders at the end were pretty brutal as well. I like the subtle creepiness more than the in-your-face blood and gore. I'm guessing the invisible guy Casey was talking to is a demon, or THE demon. Apparently there are multiple ones in Chicago? The priests are going to have their hands full! Maybe killing the head demon will vanquish all of them? I haven't seen the third Exorcist movie, so I'm not sure what some of you are talking about, but if the story line is from the film, I'd rather be unspoiled.

I feel bad for Tomas. If only the Catholic Church allowed their priests to marry, he wouldn't have to chose between God and his ex. Although she's still married, so that's an extra layer of complication. Does anyone else get the vibe from Marcus that he's gay? The way he was with Tomas seemed a bit flirty, but that would be kinda hypocritical since he was chastising Tomas for still talking to his ex, so he seems like someone who thinks priests should follow all the rules. Which doesn't really make sense, since we've seen that he doesn't. I haven't quite figured Marcus out yet.

Ben Daniels is openly gay IRL.  I'm not sure if that is how he acts all his characters.  I've only seen him in the L&O: UK and can't remember because I only saw it once or twice.

[CelticBlackCat]

I thought the opening credits montage was different than the pilot's opening.  We finally got pea soup, or whatever the green vomit was.  I enjoyed this episode and will continue watching.  Fr. Marcus and Fr. Thomas are great in their parts.

[Epeolatrix]

Quote

so he seems like someone who thinks priests should follow all the rules. Which doesn't really make sense, since we've seen that he doesn't.

The Church wouldn't approve of Fr Tomas's relationship with Jessica, but he does it anyway. He knows that the daughter needs an exorcism, but now he's concerned about disobeying the Church. If he's going to be selective about his rule-breaking, it really ought to be on the side of saving a life / soul and not on his barely sublimated romantic feelings, and I think that's part of what irritates Fr Marcus. He wants Fr Tomas to commit to the Cause, because he knows all too well that emotional and spiritual weakness will get someone killed. Again. Neither of them are at top form right now, true, but that's what makes for drama.

[janeta]

6 hours ago, CelticBlackCat said:

I thought the opening credits montage was different than the pilot's opening.  We finally got pea soup, or whatever the green vomit was.  I enjoyed this episode and will continue watching.  Fr. Marcus and Fr. Thomas are great in their parts.

If i remember correctly, pilots can often be shot months before the next episodes; they shoot it, shop it around, and if it gets picked up they often make changes to the subsequent episodes.  Sort of, "oh goodie! Now we have some money, and we can afford to do this, and this, and this...."

[patty1h]

Was it ever explained what is wrong with Alan Ruck's character?  I thought I was paying attention, but I don't remember hearing his diagnosis.  I thought about what could be going on and I presumed early dementia or the after effects of head trauma.  Am I close?

EDIT:  I just watched episode 2 and I heard Fr Tomas say the dad is recovering from a brain injury.

Edited October 1, 2016 by patty1h
Watched the new episode - got the info

[jenh526]

I've watched the last couple of episodes and to me they are pretty much standard horror fare. I have a deep and abiding love for the original movie so nothing else can really compare for me. There was a real depth to the movie that I believe came from the Catholicism of the writer (Blatty) and Friedkin's accurate vision of it on the screen. I was raised in the Catholic atmosphere of the 70's, my mom was a former nun, and so the symbolism and religiosity of the film resonated with me (still does). I find that aspect of it lacking in the tv series, although the Catholic church itself has changed since the 70's.

Here's an interesting article about it: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/09/exorcist-tv-show-reboot-catholic-storytelling/500597/

[Mu Shu]

6 hours ago, Violet Impulse said:

The Church wouldn't approve of Fr Tomas's relationship with Jessica, but he does it anyway. He knows that the daughter needs an exorcism, but now he's concerned about disobeying the Church. If he's going to be selective about his rule-breaking, it really ought to be on the side of saving a life / soul and not on his barely sublimated romantic feelings, and I think that's part of what irritates Fr Marcus. He wants Fr Tomas to commit to the Cause, because he knows all too well that emotional and spiritual weakness will get someone killed. Again. Neither of them are at top form right now, true, but that's what makes for drama.

The Jessica stuff pisses me off.   But they need it as a plot device to show a weakness for the demon or whatever to latch onto.  

The organ harvesting reminded me of the "Hush" episode of Buffy, which in itself was one of the greatest hours of TV of my life.   Not sure if I like it here.

overall pretty creepy.  That old lady demon was not having Fr Marcus.  Bitch, do I look compelled?  That was great.   I think both priests sort of suck, Marcus with his god complex and serial killer looking bible, and Fr Tomas, who is committing adultry with his emotional relationship with that annoying woman.   I'm in it for the demons to win it. 

[saber5055]

So is there only one demon that jumps around to whichever host is closest to whomever it wants to taunt? If not and there are multiple demons possessing all Chicago's homeless, we are basically screwed. The pilot was creepy scary, this one, not so much. I didn't realize demons could mind-control-hurt people, like making that soccer girl break her leg. But then, I'm not up much on demon technology.

[ennui]

6 hours ago, patty1h said:

Was it ever explained what is wrong with Alan Ruck's character?

EDIT:  I just watched episode 2 and I heard Fr Tomas say the dad is recovering from a brain injury.

And I thought he seemed remarkably improved in this episode, which is nice. 

1 hour ago, saber5055 said:

So is there only one demon that jumps around to whichever host is closest to whomever it wants to taunt? If not and there are multiple demons possessing all Chicago's homeless, we are basically screwed. The pilot was creepy scary, this one, not so much. I didn't realize demons could mind-control-hurt people, like making that soccer girl break her leg. But then, I'm not up much on demon technology.

I don't know about demon technology, but "Legion" is a group of demons referred to in the New Testament, in an incident in which Jesus performs an exorcism. I think there's more than one. Also, it's my understanding that evil and demons can harm the body; it's the soul that God protects.

Going back to the organ harvesting, I was distracted by the coolers. I have one like that in my garage, and I was thinking that old plastic Coleman style was hopelessly outdated. Apparently not! 

Edited October 1, 2016 by ennui

[SimoneS]

I enjoyed this second episode. I was surprised that the man was imaginary. Poor Casey. I think that the mother should tell the other daughter and father about the demon possession. 

I like the dynamic between Tomas and Marcus. Tomas' uncertainty and ambitions are realistic. Of course, Marcus is right that he needs to end this flirtation. However, it seems like Marcus has lost his faith and the power to preform exorcisms. Perhaps, this is why Tomas was given those dreams so they can use his faith with Marcus' knowledge.

Clearly, the demons congregating has something to do with the pope's arrival. Maybe they intend to possess him.

Edited October 1, 2016 by SimoneS

[ennui]

12 minutes ago, SimoneS said:

Clearly, the demons congregating has something to do with the pope's arrival. Maybe they intend to possess him.

I noticed the poster, too. I wonder which Pope, because Francis didn't visit Chicago, and John Paul II was there in 1979. It might be fun to have a fictional Pope who gets involved in the story.

[Mu Shu]

Wasn't one of the Coleman cooler guys the priest who came to Mexico City to stop Father Marcus?   I hope it doesn't get all convoluted with the church getting infiltrated by demons and such.    Sometimes smaller is better.

[starri]

18 hours ago, pezgirl7 said:

Does anyone else get the vibe from Marcus that he's gay?

Yes.  Although, as already mentioned, Ben Daniels is.  But I think it's a choice on his part.  An acting choice, obviously, not his actual orientation.

I do believe that they're hinting pretty strongly that Kat is a lesbian, in any case.

[SimoneS]

1 hour ago, ennui said:

I noticed the poster, too. I wonder which Pope, because Francis didn't visit Chicago, and John Paul II was there in 1979. It might be fun to have a fictional Pope who gets involved in the story.

The woman who was talking to Angela referred to Pope Sebastian so we will definitely be having fictional pope. 

[starri]

Sebastian is an interesting choice the name of the fictional Pope.  In addition to all of his iconography being homoerotic, Saint Sebastian is also the patron of archers, athletes, and dying in a holy state.  I wonder if there are any clues there.

[numbnut]

17 hours ago, CelticBlackCat said:

Ben Daniels is openly gay IRL.  I'm not sure if that is how he acts all his characters.  I've only seen him in the L&O: UK and can't remember because I only saw it once or twice.

I was disappointed in the first scene at the apartment; BD's haughtiness made Marcus seem like too much like his Flesh & Bone character. Hopefully there's no more crossover.

I agree that this ep was less cinematic. I hate when shows do that -- the pilots lure us in with cinematic style then the subsequent eps get small (to suit a TV screen) and generic (head shots galore) as if we won't notice. The story is still interesting but had a few "huh?" moments, like when Casey got scared after the pea soup event but didn't tell her sister or mother. Also, no one on the block saw the demon band of brothers boldly walking down the street with ice chests on the night of the murders?

I wonder why they didn't keep Tubular Bells as the theme music (too costly?). The new theme is dull.

Edited October 1, 2016 by numbnut

[ennui]

6 minutes ago, numbnut said:

Also, no one on the block saw the demon band of brothers boldly walking down the street with ice chests on the night of the murders?

Well, no one knew about the murders at that moment, and maybe these guys were headed to work on the graveyard shift (pun intended). The living were inside, watching tv.

[starri]

I knew that shot of the delivery van in the pilot wasn't for nothing.

[SimoneS]

Thinking about it some more, I realize that the demons are maneuvering to get close to the pope. Angela is hosting the papal delegation which means that Casey might at some point be in the pope's presence. Tomas is on the pope's welcoming committee so he will definitely meet the pope. 

[ennui]

I wonder if this will turn into a crazy thriller where the Scooby Gang has to resolve the demon issue before the Pope's arrival, and he steps off the airplane oblivious to the danger he may have faced.

[Frozendiva]

I enjoyed the ep. One of the more interesting new shows so far. It would make for interesting viewing if a possession does deal with a major Catholic figure. Doubt the show will go there, though, or get it past network standards.

[queenanne]

7 hours ago, ennui said:

And I thought he seemed remarkably improved in this episode, which is nice. 

Bleh, I'm not liking that aspect, which was a major stumbling block for me and might in fact be the reason I give up after this episode.  It seems like an easy writer's cheat to, one second have the father portrayed as an idiot "who needs to have his ass checked after he wipes" and who literally can't remember the conversation he just had with someone; to a day/week later, and all of a sudden he's remembering his past life as an architect and interested in running outside errands with the family.  To some extent it's obvious that's what you're going to get with an actor of Alan Ruck's reputation; on the other hand I feel like they had might as well not throw "crippling brain injury" on the table as a plot point, if you're going to sleaze out of it a literal episode later.  

[ennui]

RE the brain injury, I would expect good days and bad days. Recovery is not linear.

[TobinAlbers]

4 hours ago, ennui said:

RE the brain injury, I would expect good days and bad days. Recovery is not linear.

Yep, and Angela even said that in the pilot so I expect Dad to be with it sometimes and not so great during others.

I did like that he had the best lines this episode.

'I'll call the bug guy!' (I laughed so hard at that; partly for the way he darted off but also because I was like bug guy?! Make sure he brings a flame thrower and a machete because poison ain't gonna be enough!)

And then later he admonishes Kat 'That's enough bitches, Kit Kat.'

Dad seems like the early contender to bite it as a display of strength by the demon. Hopefully he'll be a knowing sacrifice to save Kat and Angela.

And poor Marcus when that demon laughed in his face and strolled away. He's lost his mojo. Which is good so that he has an arc of regaining his faith while Tomas has to grow some balls so as not to be susceptible to manipulation.

I was waiting for Angela and Marcus to meet and it did not disappoint. She wants a badass priest. He appreciated her proactiveness and she appreciated his directness. Looking forward to more scenes between them.

The scene of that poor kid coming home and oblivious to the carnage of his family with his mom yelling for him in vain spooked me. I've come home plenty of times with my earbuds in apparently ripe for an ambush. 

[Mu Shu]

I don't like the Fr Marcus character at all.  The uncompelled demon is probably my favorite so far.   Fr Tomas is a cheating punk ass who needs to be sent to Mexico City to do some hard work.   I'd just as soon his emotional gf and her boring ass get gutted in the next round of sacrifices.  

Dont care about the Geena Davis fam, but their house is creepy as shit.  

Looks like Chicago is in need of some charismatic hillbilly preachers to save the day.  Preferably by handling serpents.

[ennui]

1 hour ago, TobinAlbers said:

The scene of that poor kid coming home and oblivious to the carnage of his family with his mom yelling for him in vain spooked me. I've come home plenty of times with my earbuds in apparently ripe for an ambush. 

Apparently, you have never seen The Terminator and the demise of Sarah Connor's roommate.

[TobinAlbers]

1 hour ago, ennui said:

Apparently, you have never seen The Terminator and the demise of Sarah Connor's roommate.

Actually, I have. But back then I lived in the suburbs and drove everywhere so no ear buds. Now I live in the city so I walk/subway commute so earbuds are a regular daily thing. Also didn't help that I was watching this alone so it upped the creep factor for me!

Edited October 3, 2016 by TobinAlbers

[Netfoot]

On 9/30/2016 at 11:51 PM, Gin and Tonic said:

Those two are very compelling together.

They compelled me to terminate the episode early.  In what universe does the one guy just ensconce himself in the home, and the other guy doesn't thump him hard in the face with a blunt object, and escort his bleeding ass to the curb?

I was about done anyway.  There are real-real demons, and the RC church will pray us to safety?  Not while I watch.

Done.

[sugarbaker design]

1 hour ago, Netfoot said:

They compelled me to terminate the episode early.  In what universe does the one guy just ensconce himself in the home, and the other guy doesn't thump him hard in the face with a blunt object, and escort his bleeding ass to the curb?

But Fr Tomas and Fr Marcus are friends, right.  And Fr Tomas knows Fr Marcus is on the lam from the priest rehab, so it makes sense to me.

[Gin and Tonic]

7 hours ago, Netfoot said:

They compelled me to terminate the episode early.  In what universe does the one guy just ensconce himself in the home, and the other guy doesn't thump him hard in the face with a blunt object, and escort his bleeding ass to the curb?

The universe where demons are literally real and the first guy needs the second guy's help to exorcist it. Television universe, basically.

[Fable]

I wanted to check this show out about a week ago, but at the time, it was after dark, and I was home alone, so I decided not to.  Now that I have actually been able to watch, I don’t think I’ll be too afraid to watch alone, even at night, but it is still creepy enough to hold my interest.  It does seem like a one season wonder though.  I just can’t see how wading through exorcism after exorcism would be interesting for too long. 

[Neurochick]

On October 1, 2016 at 1:50 AM, CelticBlackCat said:

Ben Daniels is openly gay IRL.  I'm not sure if that is how he acts all his characters.  I've only seen him in the L&O: UK and can't remember because I only saw it once or twice.

Oh yes, you are correct.  He was in Law and Order UK.

I live in the city and have never been able to understand why the heck people wear earbuds when they are walking in the street; it's important to be aware of what's going on around you.

Edited October 9, 2016 by Neurochick

[starri]

1 hour ago, Neurochick said:

I live in the city and have never been able to understand why the heck people wear earbuds when they are walking in the street; it's important to be aware of what's going on around you.

Music/podcast/audio book playing loud, head in your phone.  It's a good way the thin the herd.

Note:  I am as guilty of this as anyone.

[millennium]

Wow, it only took two episodes for this show to swerve into unrepentant idiocy.

I hoped to see a fresh take on The Exorcist; instead, we get snarky, body-hopping demons, a plot device as old as that awful Denzel Washington film, The Fallen and still employed almost every week on Supernatural.   The final scene, with the demons dispatched en masse to carve up a neighborhood, reeked of The Following.   Nothing new here.   Nothing good.

I wonder why they went after Geena Davis for this series.   Why pay a higher salary for a name actor?  The role is so puny -- an afterthought, really --  that an unknown could have done an equal or even better job for far less money.

Enjoy these episodes while they last.   I'll be surprised if this series isn't pulled before the season's over.

[tardistravler]

I found the last couple scenes very creepy. Especially, with the kid so unaware of what was going on around him. 

I find father Marcus to be super hot too.