The Exorcist (Season One) Review


     With the new season of The Exorcist launched, I found it an appropriate time to release my review of the first season.  When I first heard there was a series in relation to the original film, I was hopeful that viewers would get to see an extended version of the original Exorcist story.  However when I heard more about the family surrounding the first season, I was originally disappointed that it didn’t seem relative to the original characters of the 1973 film.  That is until viewers later learn a twist in the story that connects the first season to the original film which then had me following the first season to the very end.  I wont spoil it for you...

     Alike the original film, season 1 of The Exorcist is a propulsive psychological thriller following two very different priests tackling one family’s case of horrifying demonic possession.  Father Tomas Ortega is the new face of the Catholic Church: progressive, ambitious and compassionate.  He runs a small, but loyal, parish in the suburbs of Chicago.  He has no idea that his quiet life is about to change forever.  Deep in the slums of Mexico City, another priest has found himself locked in a life-and-death struggle with evil.  Father Marcus Keane is a modern-day Templar Knight, an orphan raised since childhood by the Vatican to wage war against its enemies.  Father Marcus is everything Father Tomas is not: relentless, abrasive and utterly consumed by his mission and he constantly butts heads with his adversary within the church, Father Bennett.

     Caught in the middle of the two priests is the Rance family, who are members of Tomas’ parish.  On the surface, they are a normal American family, but all is not as it seems in their household.  The patriarch, Henry Rance, is recovering from a traumatic injury.  Eldest daughter Katherine has become a recluse who refuses to leave her room.  Her younger sister, Casey, thinks she’s hearing strange noises coming from inside the walls.  And mother Angela believes there is something in the house, a demonic presence, growing stronger by the day.  Desperate, she begs Father Tomas for help, unwittingly setting the naïve young priest on a collision course with Father Marcus.  Separately, each faces an insurmountable task, but together they become the Rances’ only hope against an evil force that has been mobilizing for centuries.

     The actors do a fine job of pulling off their characters and I personally felt that Geena Davis was a wonderful addition to the film as the mother, along with the father played by Alan Ruck.  The story surrounding Father Tomas was also thrilling because it shows a young priest struggling in the priesthood which leaves the viewers wondering if he’s strong enough in his faith to preside over the Rance family’s horrific spiritual matter, alike Father Karras in the original film.  While Father Marcus is similar to Father Merrin in his role as so source of certainty in his past exorcisms, although he proves himself to be more unorthodox than Father Merrin by not necessarily following the Roman Catholic Church’s protocol at all times.

     The viewers also get to see a very corrupt satanic side of the church in regards to the hierarchy and their wealthy affiliates who scheme against the good of the church for their own particular dark interests.  The story is delivered extremely well for a TV series and while the series respectively can’t compete with the original 1973 film, it exceeded my expectations.  I was surprised that FOX had produced such a wonderful first season and so far it appears that the 2nd season is off to a great start.  At first I was somewhat disappointed that FOX got the rights, because I thought A&E would likely give the best end result.  But FOX definitely delivered something that remains faithful to the original once viewers learn the twist.  The twist is what really intrigues people to keep watching because the plot truly thickens.  The special effects were better than average for a TV series and although the first season is isn’t as intense as the original 1973 film, it still provides a wonderful horror experience above par of today’s standards.  I generously give season 1 of The Exorcist 4 stars out of 5 for the wonderful story-line and my high praise for how the team at FOX delivered such a wonderful project.

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 Season 1 of The Exorcist is available on DVD and Netflix.

 Season 2 is currently airing on FOX, Mondays at 9PM ET and 8PM CT.

 If you live in the US, all up to date episodes are on HULU.

Source:

http://exorcist.wikia.com/wiki/The_Exorcist_(TV_Series)


Images:

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