The thrilling opening of "Evil" Season 4, Episode 12, titled "Fear of the Other," commences with a striking, inverted camera pan gliding through a hotel corridor, gradually righting itself to reveal Sister Andrea (Andrea Martin) seated at the hallway's terminus, a tire iron clenched in her hand. A shadowy figure lurking at the corridor's edge fleetingly peers forth, only to retreat upon Sister Andrea's query. Suddenly, in a jarring jump scare that nearly jolted me from my seat, the figure lies sprawled on the floor, drenched in crimson, as a man beside Sister Andrea points and screams in horror.
Kristen (Katja Herbers), David (Mike Colter), and Ben (Aasif) stand huddled in David's office, confronted by mountains of unfinished assessments, grappling with the daunting task of prioritizing within the looming two-week deadline before the assessor program's abrupt termination—a poignant parallel to "Evil's" own precarious cancellation, fighting against the clock to conclude its narrative. Sister Andrea interjects, presenting an assessment that she insists shall be their next case.
This case entwines them with Paul (Nate Corddry), the bloodied figure from the prologue, who shares a haunting video of himself sampling various coffees. Yet, the enigma lies in the fact that the man in the video is an eerie doppelganger, not Paul himself. Through additional footage, they uncover the doppelganger's identity as Gregory, who met a gruesome end by immolating himself. Paul is convinced that Gregory's spirit now possesses him, adding another layer of complexity to the mystery. Moreover, we learn that Paul's father, Paul Sr., held a deep affection for Sister Andrea, ultimately taking his own life, further entangling their fates.
In the courtroom drama, Leland's lawyer, Mr. Stick, unexpectedly summons Dr. Kurt (Kurt Fuller) to the witness stand, eliciting a mixture of shock and dismay from Kristen. As Dr. Kurt prepares his testimony, his gaze flickers upwards, revealing Stick's true form—a menacing demonic hulk. Discombobulated, Dr. Kurt reluctantly declares Leland insane, echoing Leland's previous threat. However, just as Kristen storms out in frustration, Dr. Kurt adds a chilling caveat, stating that Leland's mental state poses a grave threat to society, advocating for his confinement. Leland turns to Stick with a sinister grin. "Oh, he's already dead," Stick says, introducing a new and ominous "Kurt Alert," leaving us to fear for the good doctor's safety.
Sister Andrea makes a startling revelation, recounting how every midnight hour at 2 AM, Gregory awakens within Paul's slumbering form, unleashing a nocturnal wandering that transcends the boundaries of dreams. Inviting them all to the hotel where Paul now resides, the group anxiously awaits the uncanny occurrence. Amidst this tense anticipation, Kristen breaks the silence with jubilant news – a billionaire climber, having acquired the Bouchard climbing empire, has pledged a staggering $800,000 to her, a lifeline that would sustain her and her children until a new horizon arises.
Ben, however, is restless, fed up with the enigmatic escapades that feel all too reminiscent of a Scooby-Doo caper. He yearns for the solace of science, a realm far removed from the supernatural shenanigans. The trio's lighthearted banter fills the air with a warmth that the impending events threaten to dissipate.
Sister Andrea, ever the innovator, begins scattering candy along the hotel's corridors, a superstition rooted in the belief that demons harbor a sweet tooth. Returning to their quarters, they find Paul eerily positioned, facing the wall, a stranger in his own skin. He confesses, in a chilling tone, that he is not Paul but Gregory, a spirit who, though deceased, dwells within Paul's frame. Kristen's inquiry into the reasons behind his suicide elicits a haunting response: "He wanted me to." The enigmatic 'he' remains unsolved as Gregory silently turns, exits the room, and Paul collapses to the floor, leaving Gregory's ghostly form to continue its unsettling stroll.
As Kristen, David, and Ben rush to Paul's aid, Sister Andrea doggedly pursues Gregory down the hall. Her questioning of the doppelganger is met with a grotesque transformation – a blank visage contorting into a grin so twisted and inhuman, it borders on the terrifying, its sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. The scene is abruptly cut short by a thunderous clap and the appearance of the title card.
Yasmine's phone call shatters the moment, delivering devastating news – the promised fortune has been diverted, landing in Andy's lap at a mere fraction of its worth. Despite her disheartenment, Yasmine endeavors to maintain a cheerful facade when visiting David and Ben. Ben, meanwhile, shares his own good fortune – an offer of a highly lucrative job that promises to alter the course of their lives. Yet, her veiled distress does not escape their notice, and upon probing, she reluctantly unburdens herself.
The Bourchard daughters, sensing their mother's distress, spring into action, devising a plan to alleviate her financial woes. They launch a GoFundMe campaign for Laura, utilizing digital magic to portray her in a state of dire need. The ruse proves surprisingly successful, attracting a deluge of donations and an avalanche of floral arrangements that threaten to overrun their humble abode. Though Kristen initially disapproves of their methods, inspiration strikes, and she contemplates establishing her own practice, leveraging Dr. Kurt's esteemed referrals as a springboard for her new venture.
Ben stumbled upon an intriguing website, a portal where users could submit their portrait and embark on a quest for their digital doppelganger across the vast expanse of the internet. In a bid to alleviate Paul's depression, they stumbled upon another mirrored soul, a Paul who basked in the glow of a contented existence, offering a glimmer of hope that Gregory's influence might be overcome. Witnessing this joyous alternative, Paul felt a surge of longing and resolved to reach out to his wife. Was their mission finally fulfilled? Even Sister Andrea couldn't help but share a glimmer of optimism.
Ben, too, ventured into this realm, and his search yielded a heartwarming discovery: a doppelganger, a man blissfully entwined with a wife and child, their union a testament to domestic bliss. Kristen hesitated, refraining from uploading her own image but instead opting for David's. Her curiosity led her to a fitness enthusiast, a man who exuded passion and happiness. The reason for her choice became all too clear as she indulged in a steamy dream, her fantasies weaving around David's doppelganger.
It was only at the episode's twilight that Kristen summoned the courage to upload her portrait, and her search revealed a doppelganger who embodied carefree joy, strumming a guitar amidst the bustle of a village street.
Yet, the fleeting moment of optimism for Paul's doppelganger soon unraveled into a nightmare. Horrified, he discovered that his virtual visit had triggered a terrifying response from his wife. She revealed that he had already haunted her dreams the previous night, his voice twisted with sinister instructions to harm their children. A recording of this macabre call now served as evidence in a restraining order against him. Overwhelmed by Gregory's manipulations, Paul succumbed to despair, swallowing a bottle of sleeping pills in a desperate act. He survived, but the battle had left him battered and bruised.
Sister Andrea, once more, encountered that ominous figure at the corridor's end. Driven by curiosity, she followed its shadowy path to a chamber where Paul Sr. lay, a gaping hole in his skull, a haunting reminder of his suicide. With a somber air, he beckoned her deeper, into an adjacent room that held a chilling revelation: her own doppelganger, kneeling in the corner, eyes blazing with fury. As Doppelganger Sister Andrea rose, shovel in hand, she denounced the real Sister Andrea as an "unholy demon," her swing aimed straight for Andrea's skull, threatening to shatter the fragile peace of the moment.
My heart raced with dread, anticipating the next scene might unfold with Sister Andrea lying in the ER, heralding yet another devastating loss among our main characters. But to my profound relief, no physical harm befell her. Nevertheless, the haunting apparitions of Paul Sr. and her own doppelganger had wreaked havoc on her psyche. David's surprise was palpable as Sister Andrea sought him out for confession, tears streaming down her face. In a heartrending confession, she revealed that her piety had inadvertently driven Paul Sr. away from God's embrace, that she bore the weight of his tragic suicide, and now envisioned him trapped in the depths of hell. David, with tenderness, assured her that even the act of suicide could find forgiveness in God's merciful heart. Sister Andrea recited the Act of Contrition with fervor, then hastened from the confessional booth, her spirit heavy.
As Leland mounted the witness stand in his trial, Stick (John Carroll Lynch) probed into the enigmatic 'People Juice Room' and its inhabitants. Leland deftly twisted the narrative, portraying it as a benevolent intravenous therapy for his patients. When confronted with the deaths of these so-called 'patients,' he cunningly shifted the blame onto Sheryl and her selfish quest for eternal youth through the People Juice. Just then, Sister Andrea entered the courtroom, her nostrils flaring as she scented the demonic aura emanating from Stick. With a steely resolve, she confronted him, stripping away his veil of deceit, and declared to Kristen that Stick was indeed the darkness looming over New York.
Kristen's testimony in Leland's court hearing was a masterclass in exposing lies. She meticulously dissected Leland's defense of feigned insanity and demonic possession, producing a dossier of evidence like a seasoned prosecutor. Each time Stick objected, Kristen had another file ready—a restraining order, a photograph of Leland stalking Lexis at school, and chilling details of the Bumblee Valley incident. Each revelation was a triumphant blow, landing with satisfying weight. Her closing remarks, a poignant, emotionally charged monologue about her mother's legacy, climaxed with a triumphant glare through tear-streaked fingers at Leland, leaving no doubt of her victory.
Then, the prosecution unveiled its final witness, and Leland's face contorted with realization—Leslie (Molly Brown) was about to turn the tables on him, sealing his fate.
Leslie enters the courtroom, her gaze fleetingly meeting Stick's, and a look of utter horror contorts her features as she beholds him, the embodiment of evil. Judge Jeter, sensing the moment, summons her to his chambers. Within the confines of privacy, he inquires gently yet sternly if Leland's presence is intimidating her. Leslie shakes her head, a steely resolve etched on her face, acknowledging his prowess but unfazed. When asked if she stands firm in her decision to testify, Leslie's smile is a beacon of confidence as she affirms her commitment.
"Excellent," Judge Jeter remarks, offering her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, only to swiftly turn and, with a chilling swiftness, unsheathe a sword from its wall mount, slicing through the air and severing Leslie's life in an instant. The shockwave reverberates, leaving me reeling, this unexpected twist a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of 'Evil.'
The judge, unperturbed, proceeds to meticulously wrap Leslie's lifeless body and severed head in a sheet, discarding her into the abyss of a dumpster below, the grim act underscored by a haunting musical crescendo.
Returning to the courtroom, Judge Jeter announces Leslie's absence, dismissing the case with a stroke of his gavel, freeing Leland from the shackles of justice. Leland, bewildered, seeks Stick's counsel, who simply states, "All souls have their price," a cryptic remark that echoes ominously.
Meanwhile, David embarks on a desperate crusade to salvage the assessor program, only to encounter a double blow from the Archdiocese: not only is the program being axed, but the church itself is being liquidated, revealing a financial crisis far graver than anticipated. David's parish, among the five doomed to be deconsecrated, forces him and his fellow clergy to abandon their sacred ground, their futures uncertain.
The trio, accompanied by Sister Andrea, arrive at Paul's exorcism, the ritual already in full swing. As the demon takes hold, Paul's voice morphs into that of his father, lashing out at Sister Andrea, accusing her of abandonment that led to his demise. Sister Andrea stands unwavering, her voice firm as she commands the demon's departure.
Undeterred, the demon adopts Paul's innocent childhood tone, pleading for answers, seeking validation for his father's abandonment. In a heart-wrenching display, Sister Andrea reaches for Paul's hand, her eyes filled with empathy, whispering that though she may not comprehend the reasons, she knows for certain that no one desires their followers' demise. Paul's body convulses, vomiting forth the darkness within, and the demon is banished, leaving behind a sense of triumph amidst the chaos.
I contemplate that the doppelgängers of Paul and Sister Andrea embody a sinister force of guilt. Contrastingly, the genuine doppelgängers of our central trio lead virtuous lives, basking in the joy of existence, underscoring that not all doppelgängers are nefarious. Rather, the demonic counterparts of Paul and Sister Andrea manifest as the dark reflections of their individual remorse, stemming from the tragic loss of their beloved ones through suicide.
A deeply despondent David stumbles upon Sister Andrea, her fingers dancing across the keys of the piano in the chamber that once echoed with the solemnity of their assessments. The walls are stripped bare, pictures and trinkets long gone, replaced by the looming presence of moving boxes, signaling the impending end of an era. David confides in Sister Andrea, lamenting that he had believed righteousness would be his compass, yet he finds himself more adrift than ever.
Moved by his sorrow, Sister Andrea beckons David to join her on the piano bench, her gentle touch guiding his hand to the keys. Together, they harmonize in the celestial melody of the Heavenly Chord, the room suddenly illuminated by an ethereal glow. "Behold," Sister Andrea whispers, her voice laced with solace, "He is among us, in this very sanctuary."
This week, 'Evil' delves deeper into the eerie realm of doppelgängers, weaving a tapestry of suspense that, despite the predictability of Leland's acquittal, remained compelling. However, Judge Jeter's shocking murder of Leslie came as a stark surprise, shattering the veil of expectation. A sense of poignant nostalgia permeates the air as the series inches towards its conclusion, mirroring the characters' own reflections on the demise of the Assessor Program. Yet, amidst the melancholy, I find solace in the heartwarming denouement, a fleeting moment of warmth amidst the impending storm.
But the journey is not yet at its finale, and there are still myriad threads to be neatly tied. The stage is set for a grand conclusion that promises to resonate long after the credits roll.
