‘Evil’ 4×01 Review: “How to Split an Atom”

Evil 4×01 “How to Split an Atom” picks up right where we left off at the end of last season, yet most definitely feels more like the beginning of an entirely new chapter than “only” a continuation of what we saw in Season 3. The stakes are much higher. Some characters’ adventures seem to finally be beginning — or at least going to much deeper places than ever before. And our days are (quite literally) numbered at 38.

What happens at the end of that 38 days? Well, to borrow a line from the episode itself: “That’s the question.” Whatever the answer might be, this premiere does an excellent job of making us more eager than ever to find out what comes next for these characters. That, in turn, makes us more WTF than ever that this is the final season. How can we fix this? Sell our souls to the demon of the competition? We’ll try just about anything…

How to start a season with something old…that’s kinda new

Evil 4×01 returns us to that powerful moment at the end of Season 3 (the only flaw being there’s no circle of demons this time around). We don’t stick around at the party for very long, though, and Kristen is nothing if not on a mission to GTFO. In fact, she barely pays any attention to her own mother — only the slightest recognition in Katja Herbers’ eyes lets us know Kristen even notices that Sheryl’s trying to speak to her — and is almost bored in the way she finds an obvious opening in the crowd and makes her way to the elevator.

So, of course, Leland has to follow. Because he lives for pushing Kristen’s buttons and just can’t stop himself from rubbing it in. However, things do not go as planned. When he tries to fall back on his old tricks — that odd combination of taunting and seductive that Michael Emerson has always played so well as this character. He wants Kristen there, wants to revel in his victory and her discomfort. But it doesn’t work. No, not this time. Herbers stands there, unflinching as Leland talks his latest B.S. And, when Leland is visibly frustrated he’s not getting the attention he craves, he tries to be the devil whispering on Kristen’s other shoulder. That…doesn’t exactly go his way either.

Here, it’s just the subtlest of smirks off Herbers that says, yes, Kristen hears Leland. No, Kristen doesn’t care what Leland has to say. But yes, she’s enjoying seeing him try so very hard. As Leland pulls out all the stops, rambling on and on about mother’s milk and the living antichrist, Kristen just stands there. Just…patiently waiting for her elevator. When the patience breaks and Kristen goes all-out with her entire brilliantly written and performed — just assume we love every single line because we do. Ok? Ok — tirade about torturing Leland with “a baby. a crying, sh*tting baby,” it’s truly a thing of glory.

“Oh, Leland. Good. Job. You just f*cked yourself more than you know.”

Throw in that oh, so condescending way Kristen congratulates Leland on a job well done, all while gently cradling his face — before returning to condescension with that lovely little pat on the cheek — as her arch rival actually looks a little afraid, and we already have a fabulous start to the season. In only three minutes of screen time. Amazing.

Ok, but our heading for this section indicates that we’re discussing a new twist on an old fave. Well, now, this is where it gets extra compelling. Because here’s where things take on a little bit of a new twist: First off, Kristen really seems to have the upper hand this time. But, perhaps more importantly, when the score picks up in a way that usually says, “your girl’s about to do something unhinged,” nothing unhinged really occurs. Not on the surface, at least.

Disclaimer: No sh*t was smashed in the making of this season premiere.

In fact, Kristen makes a series of seemingly-rational choices: Get rid of all the superstitious nonsense. Replace some religious texts with a How Things Work book. Take out all the trash. Ban a bad influence from the premises. Make a pledge to get back to normal. Ah, normal! Bowling! …if only normal was at all possible for this family. (Dear reader: It is not.)

Kristen is too emotionless in her conversation with Sheryl. Then, there’s the overly-determined way she, essentially, stalks Andy as prey before her whole, “this is cooking,” casual knife toss, “we’re gonna educate them” approach to initiating sex. (Which, ok: The knife toss is the real red flag, so to speak, since it’s the Unhinged!Kristen we’re usually here for.) And, not for nothing, but…it takes her practically no time at all to go back to work.

So, uh. Yeah. If this were the 90s and we were still kids, we’d be like “sike!” right about now. Because, you know, still unhinged. Just…with a twist.

The particle accelerator

If you’re not too busy celebrating and being all, “we’re back, baby!” after the first (not even) seven minutes of Evil 4×01, there’s still…pretty much an entire episode left to discuss. The bulk of the story centers around David, Ben, and Kristen investigating whether or not a particle accelerator is going to open the gates of Hell. They need to know before it opens in — [checks notes] — 38 days. (There’s the magic number again.) This whole setup, much like the premiere’s first seven minutes, feels familiar enough. But, also much like the opening scenes, it is decidedly not just another day at the (metaphorical) office.

Here, it’s Father Ignatius handing out the assignment, and he makes it clear from the beginning that he doesn’t “believe in all this.” There’s also a Mission: Impossible joke in there somewhere. (Which is actually rude because if we’re making pop culture references, “inconceivable” is kind of right there on the table.) Furthermore, the scientists at the research facility are eager to rush the investigation — and not in a way that seems like the rational, scientific folk just think the whole thing is foolish. No. It’s more like they have something to hide. Probably because they do, in fact, have multiple things to hide. And it’s not just all-too-human corruption or safety hazards — we got spooky sh*t down there in the dark.

Now, here’s yet another opportunity for things to take a newer, more interesting turn.. Just as David finds himself what very well could be a gateway to Hell — at the very least there’s something demonic in that hole. Not to mention, it goes down for miles, so…eh. Close enough! — something happens to Ben. Initially, he tries to joke off the quick flash of what we’re just going to call “uh, a lot, frankly.” Says he’s fine. All the usual. However, we later have this deliciously suspenseful and scary scene where we learn that not only has something happened to Ben, but something has also followed him home. And it is a killer scene from Aasif Mandvi.

Now, it’s not like Ben has never gotten in on the action. Nobody’s erasing any of his previous scares or any of Mandvi’s previous work. But this? Next level, especially considering we’re in the fourth season and can still be legitimately spooked by an episode of this series. That’s, primarily, down to what Mandvi himself does with Ben’s late-night wanderings, but really, all the technical elements are spot on, too.

…and after Ben and Kristen were both so sure they could explain everything away with a video app, too. Amazing.

“I don’t believe that, Sister.”

David Father Acosta remains just about the only priest we’ll ever fully trust. This is a man who truly believes — yet also isn’t afraid to question. Most importantly for us, he also refuses to pass judgement on others for not believing the same things he does. In fact, the brief scene in Evil 4×01 where he discusses his vision of Hell with Andrea is a true highlight. Sure, we could discuss how great Mike Colter is in the scene where David sees that…thing at the research facility — because, um, hi. He is great there — but the quieter moments are much more impressive. Especially when they have the added benefit of helping us to really think about what an actual true believer might look like.

In the scene with Sister Andrea, David expresses so many conflicting emotions simultaneously. For him, it’s all about awe and belief, blended with acceptance and doubt. And it’s about him speaking to someone whom he respects and trusts — looks up to, even — about this impactful moment, all while he disagrees so very strongly with her about where those friends of his who don’t share his faith are destined to end up. All of this, Colter does in so precious little time and while just barely changing anything at all or about that quiet, thoughtful, and reverent tone that David has become so known for.

For another example of how Colter does so much with so little, take a look at his first appearance in Evil 4×01 — all those micro-expressions as he responds to his visitation and starts researching what this message may be about. Or, not long after, as Father Ignatius makes that comment about not really believing in “all this” that we referenced above. David is very, very disturbed by that comment…but it’s not some big show of emotion. Or, well. It is. Just not in the way that “big” normally implies.

Speaking of big: a big soapy mess (inject it in our veins)

Of course, no discussion of this season premiere and all things David Acosta would be complete without us talking about…that scene with Andy and everything that comes out of it. First of all: If your head did not explode, I envy you. But second, David is so patient with Andy, yet also so very much giving “WTF is happening here” throughout. And there’s so much tension. It’s a total work of art that relies not just on “OMG HIS FACE” kinds of moments — and even those, again, have to be controlled — but heavily on how Colter occupies the space and holds his body.

But yes, there are definitely opportunities to be like “OMG HIS FACE,” too. See also: That reaction shot after Andy purposely bumps into David’s shoulder on the way out.

Things get worse for David, and better for us, from there. He is so very hesitant in how he tells Kristen about the confrontation. But as he stands there, listening to her go off about having feelings but being “fine” (k, sure), David lets go of that restraint of his a bit. By the end, David’s even raising his voice, desperately trying to get her to talk when she’s already on the move. In short, the personal mess David and Kristen have (once again) found themselves in gives Colter the opportunity to work through different layers of emotion — and nail the progression.

Herbers is also killer as she plays both a Kristen hearing the news from David and one who, later, tells her husband where he can shove it. Obviously. Because anything that deals with Kristen and David’s…whatever it is…elevates both actors’ already-incredible performances. Evil 4×01 may not have the element of “oh, finally” that last season’s premiere did, but it is still some very, very good content. And knowing Leland instigated all this makes it that much better…but also that much worse. (See also: Head exploded.)

More on Evil 4×01

• “I giggle at the thought of you waking up at 3:00 a.m. because the antichrist needs changing. Or dealing with diaper genies and bottles at 4:00 am?! And that’s just the beginning. I mean, have you thought about the terrible twos? In your apartment?!” 
• The climbing on the shelves: She gets me.
• Christine Lahti in that entire Kristen/Sheryl encounter…yes. She is 100% the desperate, pleading mother who has completely screwed up and knows it. One might even be inclined to believe she’s not “with” Leland when she begs one last time. But, well. So far, all evidence says Sheryl is just as convincing an actor as the woman who plays her.
• But hey! We are prepared to be hurt bad if we’re wrong!
• “What’s normal?” …not this. That part, where the girls come in being all chaotic AF? That is normal.
• “It actually splits the proton of the atom.” Ben the Magnificent, it’s not very magnificent of you to “well, actually” folks…
• Father Ignatius cackling over “you don’t get to choose,” when that’s kinda the whole Church’s thing…I hate it.
• “Ben Shakir: Head. Ghost. Hunter.” And then, “this is, uh, Kristen Bouchard: Skeptic. And Father Acosta: Believer.” That’s it — that’s the show!!!
• Um. The fake-out, where it looked like David was really going to…right there…rude.
• It’s Kristen’s head tilt after hearing “she’s no longer with us” for me.
• “Physicists are only human.” Someone, please tell some of them that.
• Love the shot of that dude’s wife in the window. Horror movie hours.
• The comedic timing when they get back in the car. A trio of legends. Never change.
• SKIP INTRO AND YOU WILL BE HAUNTED
• You know when you see that unhinged grin, “family fun day” is…not going to be fun. Also: Pretty harsh of Kristen to tell her daughters they’re not allowed to see Evil!Grandma anymore when they literally can not reply.
• “…with David?” Where’s Daniel Molloy from Interview with the Vampire to drop that soap opera theme when I need him?
• “Theoretically, anything can happen…”
• “Why is your wife f*cking a priest?” I—.
• …more like why isn’t she.
• Leland: “Trust me on this.” Me: Absolutely not.
• Sheryl just wanted to program Andy to let her back in the house. 🙁
• The awe all over Ben’s face.
• I…need a gif of that thumbs up.
• “Hey, Ben. Stop being funny. Take this seriously, please. Ok?” In case anyone forgot Kristen’s a mommy of four five…
• “Did you find Hell?” “…not this time.”
• Glad to see the sexy demon back!
• But also: “…ssssssshutup.”
• It’s the arm movement on “we are fine!” that proves we are…not, in fact, fine.
• “Do I have feelings for you? Yeah! But my h—husband, he needs to shut the f*ck up! He’s been out of town. He has absolutely no right.” Did I write this?
• “Maybe we should…” Yes. Talking would be good, actually. Yes.
• Lynn, girl…no.
• Very much need a gif of Kristen spitting her canned margarita at those photos.
• Ben Shakir has never seen a scary movie in his life: Confirmed. Otherwise, he would know better than to ask “who’s there” or investigate strange sh*t.
• But he is SCARED scared. Those eyes.
• “I believe in what I can see.” “Then, close your eyes.” Don’t.
• TELL HIM, KRISTEN. GO OFF.
• David yelling into that hole. Love when Colter gets to holler!
• “That is odd. I don’t think I understand it.” Again…rudely missed “inconceivable” reference.
• The laugh!
• “No, it’s just um…I’m having a son! In 38 days!”
• …awkward.
• Still refuse to believe this is the final season. Someone should fix that. (Not my refusal, the situation.)
• And you can take this series from my cold, dead hands.

Thoughts on Evil 4×01 “How to Split an Atom”? Leave us a comment!

New episodes of Evil stream Thursdays on Paramount+.

THIS SEASONS EVIL REVIEWS

• ‘Evil’ 4×01 Review: “How to Split an Atom”
• ‘Evil’ 4×02 Review: “How to Train a Dog”
• ‘Evil’ 4×03 Review: “How to Slaughter a Pig”
• ‘Evil’ 4×04 Review: “How to Build a Coffin”
• ‘Evil’ 4×05 Review: “How To Fly an Airplane”
• ‘Evil’ 4×06 Review: “How To Dance in Three Easy Steps”
• ‘Evil’ 4×07 Review: “How To Dress A Wound”