CBS’ “Evil” Fights the Good Fight

Starring Katja Herbers Westworld as clinical psychologistskeptic Dr Kristen Bouchard and Mike Colter Luke Cage as priestintrainingbeliever David Acosta Evil follows these two as they investigate incidents that could either have some supernatural cause ie a demon possessing a man and using him to commit a murder or a more scientifically plausible one ie that man just likes murdering people and his demonic possession was just a ruse amp160Like a completely different show with a slightly similar approach to its storytelling CBSamp8217s God Friended Me this series exists right on top of the line that separates total adherence to either ideology amp160In other words Evil works best when it neither proves nor disproves either sideamp160 Herbers and Colter are pictured at topThe first episode rides that line pretty well amp160Bouchard an obviously skilled clinical psychologist works for the DAamp8217s office mainly to prove that defendants on the stand whomever they are arenamp8217t insane or possessed or anything elseamp160 Theyamp8217re just lying amp160Acosta is an assessor for the Vatican and he has been charged with the task of determining if any of the thousands of backlogged supposedly supernatural incidents theyamp8217ve been informed about are actual demonic occurrences real life miracles or something elseBouchard is many thingsamp160 a clinical psychologist an exmountain climber a kindof single mom amp160Sheamp8217s not divorced but apparently her husband is off mountain climbing while she raises their kidsamp160 In the first episode we learn that she has admitted to missing the freedom she had before she had her daughters amp160The first time we see her go home she just sits in her car for a moment amp160Itamp8217s a quick moment honestly but it was still just long enough for me to pick up on what she was doing amp160Bouchard was psyching herself up before having to deal with her four yes four adorable yet loud and energetic baby girlsI love the dynamic between Bouchard and Acosta who are very much opposites in the tradition of The XFilesamp8217 Scully and Mulder caught in the whole science vs supernatural thing but always respectful of each otheramp160 Just because people see things differently doesnamp8217t mean they canamp8217t work together and work toward common goals does itamp160 Whoopsamp160 Digressing againamp160 Too often both in real life and on television peopleamp8217s personal beliefs are scoffed at disregarded and intentionally disrespected amp160These days it seems like most people think thereamp8217s no way to disagree with something someone else believes even if they find that belief to be silly without stomping on itamp160 Bouchard however is openminded amp160She politely makes it clear to Acosta that sheamp8217s not a believer which works for himamp8220The problem with my job is that possession looks a lot like insanity and insanity looks a lot like possessionamp8221 he saysamp160 amp8220I need someone who can help me distinguish between the twoamp8221amp8220You donamp8217t care that I donamp8217t believeamp8221 she asksamp8220I do notamp8221 he repliesSure this mutual respect could be mistaken for professional courtesy theoretically freeing civilians from the responsibility of a similar level of decency but Iamp8217d argue this is how people should deal with one another amp160Either way thumbs upBesides all that I suspect Evilamp8217s big baddie will turn out to be none other than one Leland Townsend played by the fabulous Michael Emerson of Lost and Person of Interest amp160Townsend is apparently an old nemesis of Acostaamp8217s and now Bouchardamp8217s foe by association and even though the jury will undoubtedly remain out over whether heamp8217s definitely a demon or just your runofthemill psycho Iamp8217m certain that either way he will regularly show up ready to throw a monkey wrench into whatever our heroes happen to be trying to accomplishOverall this production is very well executed but that was pretty much a given considering whoamp8217s got the reigns here amp160The Kings have made sure that the music perfectly supports the tone of the show and the visuals from the color grading to the framing to the general movement of the camera all really help the viewer understand how Bouchard is feeling amp160I know technically this series is supposed to be about three people Bouchard Acosta and Acostaamp8217s other partner a contractornonbeliever named Ben Aasif Mandvi but letamp8217s get realamp160 This is all about BouchardIamp8217m anxious to know her betterEvil is telecast Thursday at 10 pm on CBSClick the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writersamp160amp160amp160

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CBS’ “Evil” Fights the Good Fight

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Ainsley Andrade

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CBS’ “Evil” Fights the Good Fight

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