It sounded interesting in black and white. An exorcist hunts down demons in a world where even his own church doubts whether people can be possessed.
Apparitions (BBC1) sees Father Jacob (actor Martin Shaw) play a Roman Catholic priest whose job is to promote candidates for sainthood.
In his work to canonise Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Jacob finds himself under attack from Satan. A 10-year-old girl, conceived on the night Mother Teresa died comes forward to claim her dad is possessed and begs for Jacob’s help.
There’s also Vimal, a trainee priest who was cured of leprosy after praying to Mother Teresa – living proof of her Sainthood. But the Vatican has rejected his miracle and he is taunted by demons who claim it was Satan and not God who cured him.
It all sounded soooo promising. The BBC called it “terrifying.” But in part one of a six part series everything just seemed terrifyingly bonkers.
Vimal, rejected by the Church, died bloodily in the world’s loveliest-furnished and lit sex sauna. The subsequent shot showed the victim’s skinned corpse on the sauna floor. Nice.
In another scene, the Chief Exorcist needed a second priest (Assistant Chief Exorcist?) in order to conduct an exorcism so he rang up another exorcist and put him on speakerphone. Whaaat?
Part two is being screened on November 20. I think I might just give it a miss…
Filed under: Reviews | Tagged: Apparitions, BBC, catholic church, exorcism, Martin Shaw, religion, TV
I agree, although I did stick it out for episode two. On paper it’s the kind of thing I should really enjoy, but it makes me feel a bit grubby. Have you read Phil Rickman’s fabulous Merrily Watkins series of books? She’s a far better exorcist than Martin Shaw!
I know exactly what you mean and I will confess to watching episode two despite everything I said above!
I’ve read one Phil Rickman – Wine of Angels. I heartily enjoyed it – although it took me a while to stop picturing Merrily as the Vicar of Dibley ( I hated that show).
Maybe I should order some more Rickman!
Phil Rickman is ace! I have read all his books, including the ones he wrote as Will Kingdom and Thom Madley. I recommend A Crown Of Lights (another Merrily Watkins one) and Crybbe. Do it, you won’t regret it! (although this comes from someone who really likes The Vicar of Dibley, so I don’t know if you can trust my judgment….)
I didn’t know he was also Thom Madley! I read Marco and the Blade of Night yonks ago after picking it up as a random purchase in a three-for-two at Borders!
I think I’ll take up your recommendation