‘Evil’ 4×08 Review: “How to Save a Life”

There’s a moment in Evil 4×08 “How to Save a Life” that manages to sum up…everything, really. It comes when Adina, visited by the trio as they search for clues about the mysterious Tyler, admits being saved by the Black angel ruined her career. “I mean, I’m glad that she saved me,” she tells them, “but sometimes I wonder if God’s just stingy. He gives with one hand and takes with the other.” Like, this is it. It’s the perfect line of dialogue that explains…life, really, but also what happens in this episode.

No, we’re not saying the hour is both good on one hand and bad on the other — quite the opposite, really. Instead…it’s just that every small win seems to be followed by a much bigger loss, both in the real world and on this show. For a prime example, look at what happens with Timothy. On one hand, Sheryl “saves” him by getting him baptized; on the other, it looks like Leland’s not done with him yet. If it’s at all possible to nullify a baptism, The Manager, Leland, and the gaggle of old white dudes certainly did it.

Then, we have David’s abilities. They’re a gift, sure. But should we be wary of the potential costs? And does this small win, of saving Tyler and his family, take away from David’s ability to complete the over-arching mission of stopping the great evil from coming to New York? Put another way, if he hadn’t taken this detour, could he have stopped the ritual at Leland’s? And now that he didn’t, is it already too late to stop whatever The 60 have planned? Just saying, we have a lot of questions here…which is a good thing because it means we really, really want to see — want to know — more. But…there’s not enough time.

And, well that brings us to the obvious: Check out the TV gods. They give us a series like Evil, give us all these outstanding performances and episodes that are as wildly entertaining and purely nonsensical as they are thought-provoking and, oftentimes, gutting. But then, what do they do with the other hand? Just like Adina said: They take it all away, via a way-too-early cancellation. And no, giving us four “bonus” episodes (as a treat!) doesn’t make up for that last part.

We’ll do the demon ritual thingy with Leland if it means actually getting more. Just saying. Whatever it takes, really. (Yes, we’re going to keep tying a demand to save the show into every single review from here on out. It’s what they deserve.) Anyway. Enough finding far too much meaning in a single line. Let’s get to it.

The heavenly chord

Evil 4×08 is nothing if not proof that David Acosta’s journey alone could go on for years and years beyond these final 14 7 episodes and still never run out of stories to tell. By the end of the hour, we’re led to believe he was just slightly off on his coordinates, that Father Dominic wanted him to find Leland, see what he’s doing with baby Timothy and The 60, and report back on…whatever’s in the image we don’t see at the end. After all, if we take a careful look at the final scene, we can even spot all the objects Father Dominic places on the table in the white room to get David started. But…notably, we…fail to see the one thing Dominic asked David to describe.

But…does that really mean saving a family that lives in the same building as our favorite villain from a tragic fate, especially when the person who needs David’s help the most shares a birthday with him, is…a mistake? And, while we’re at it, does that mean Kristen’s initial theory on why David sees Tyler’s birthday party has no weight whatsoever? That last bit might just be far too large of a coincidence for us to buy.

“So. This is about you wondering…what life would’ve been like if you made different choices?”

(Side note: What even with that look on Kristen’s face when she walks her rolly chair over and asks David this question? Girl, how much canned margarita did you drink???)

Instead, for us, Evil 4×08 opens up a world of possibilities. Possibilities that, at the end of the day, point us toward a complicated answer: all of the above. David probably does wonder “what if,” so that probably does alter the course of his remote viewing experience. But maybe it’s also where he needs to be, even though it’s neither the only place he needs to be nor where Father Dominic intended to send him.

In general, this series doesn’t tend to produce much waste. So, we have to ask ourselves: What does David choosing to save this family, against all odds and no matter the potential cost, mean? Especially in the context of Father Ignatius warning David/us about Father Dominic? Forget this massive idea of good versus evil, or even the equally-dominant one (for this series) about science versus faith. Is it possible to work for some longterm greater good if it means turning away from the possibility of preventing a tragedy right now?

On that last point, David’s answer appears to be a firm no. Loud and clear. And this is probably as good of a place as any to say something along the lines of, “holy f*ck, Mike Colter is a genius.” Like, the passion when David gets up out of his seat and is all, “THIS IS EVIL!!!!” before he storms out of that room on a mission??? What. A. Moment. We love so much of what he does in this hour (as usual), but we are so very much here for that one scene. That one line, even.

But Evil 4×08 also puts Colter in some fun personal scenes — we obviously adore seeing the trio celebrate David’s birthday and start a little singalong! — which brings us to another interesting point. (And, you know, gets us back on topic a bit.) When David is doing exactly as Father Dominic asks, when he is working toward solving problems that are too massive to combat head-on, he has to go it alone. Worse than that, really, when we think about all the secrecy and how it’s like pulling teeth for him to get any answers or guidance. Just…here are some objects and some coordinates; now, go do your thing.

But when he stops doing what others want from him and opts to do something more immediately tangible, to save this family of four, he’s able to rely on the people around him. No, that’s not quite right. He relies on the family he’s built up around him. Without Sister Andrea and her advice on how to go back into a vision, he’d have no hope of saving Tyler. Same goes for the overwhelming amount of help from Ben, Kristen, and even the very wise Adina. And, to go back to the little birthday celebration in David’s room for a second, that oh-so-brief moment of joy with friends is priceless. It’s such a small thing, when pitted against the Very Big Quest…but it’s also the type of thing a person can hold onto when everything gets too far out of control, too dark, to bear.

Regardless, a win is a win. And saving a family is a win.

…right?

“No child is beyond saving”

Ok, so. Now that we’re done asking far too many questions about David’s choices and what they mean…time to talk about the antichrist’s journey. (A weird thing to type.)

First off, let’s just be very clear on one thing: The opening scene of Evil 4×08 is nothing short of a masterclass from Christine Lahti and Mike Colter. Period, end of story. For Colter, it’s all about that way he always remains so very present in the scene and just…reacts. Like, how David is clearly very much at a loss when Sheryl says she just wants to talk. Or when he barely raises his eyebrows in a way that screams “WTAF is going on here” after his leading “with…” in response to Sheryl saying she needs his help. And his eyes, opening so very wide as he shakes his head, attempting to get the “John the Baptist to the antichrist” characterization to go somewhere, anywhere, that makes sense. (I say “his eyes” a lot, I think. But I mean…watch them.)

Throughout the not-confession, Lahti brilliantly portrays Sheryl’s anxiety, her desire to be literally anywhere but in a church, and her complete desperation. But, obviously, what hits most here is all that emotion, which she barely holds back, even though it builds and builds…right up until it comes pouring out of her. Something in this woman gets so horribly, agonizingly broken — not a descriptor we’d normally use for Evil Grandma, folks — when David presses her on the idea of forgiveness. And just…wow.

This is what it is to be at war with oneself, for our better angels to be battling our inner demons. All of this, even as we’re stubbornly fighting against even the idea that there can be anything at all redeemable about us…and all while bearing so much relief that there’s anyone out there who might see some good in us. Sheryl very clearly wishes she could see that in herself — but she can’t because she’s done too much. And there. Is. So. Much. Regret.

Remember: Kristen wouldn’t even listen when her mom said she’d earn her trust back, but here’s David, believing she’s worth saving. Even when she has, essentially, given up on herself. And yeah, that openness and support stings Sheryl just as much as it soothes her. We could go on and on here. Instead, we’ll just say, again, that Lahti and Colter put on a masterclass here. The way they play off each other, with his intensity building as hers does, is utter brilliance that (apparently) we’ve been robbed of all this time.

Kinda rude that we’re getting it just in time to lose the series completely, actually.

Anyway.

Now, the baptism itself…doesn’t go according to plan. It doesn’t even exist in the same universe as according to plan. But that just gives us this great sequence, of Sheryl rushing to get Timothy baptized in the middle of a thunderstorm, where each crash of thunder and/or flash of lightning flips us between her journey and the trio’s, all while Sister Andrea gets to be the hero yet again. She lets Sheryl in out of the storm and convinces Father Ignatius that there’s really some urgency here. And she gets water when the pipes are frozen — out there with the mop bucket in the thunderstorm itself, no less! All of this, as poor Father Ignatius is simply bewildered AF. No other way of putting that.

If Evil 4×08 answers any of our questions at all, it’s that…yes, there’s something demonic in Timothy — at least initially. And yes, baptism cleanses him (or whatever)…at least initially. Furthermore, yes, we can still heap even more praise on Christine Lahti. Because, well. Y’all. Look at what happens when Father Ignatius asks Sheryl to reject Satan “and all his empty promises.” Not only is this woman completely in a rush, but she’s so…put upon at the beginning of that. But then it’s like an “oh, I give up. Of course. Obviously” kind of dynamic. And when Father Ignatius completes the rite, and the storm ends, and the light comes back on, she is so full of awe and delight.

Does something change in her, or is that too much for us to hope for? Regardless, the smug satisfaction as she hammers the certificate of baptism and the photo on Leland’s door (“like Martin Luther, motherf*cker”) is, quite frankly, earned. She did it. Did it make a difference, though? Well, at least the kid’s not constantly screaming anymore. Come to think of it, Leland seems more terrified of him when he’s just a normal, happy baby than ever before. So, we’ll call that a win at this point. You can never go wrong with f*cking up Leland’s day, kids.

More on Evil 4×08

We probably skipped over the one obvious philosophical point here: Evil 4×08 features two different kinds of “saving” a life: the religious “saving” via the baptism and, you know, David literally saving four lives by stopping Tyler’s grief-fueled murder-suicide.
Am I the only loser who thought about this when they saw the title?
“There’s a good chance, in the next few weeks, I’m going to be murdered.” What if we #SaveEvil instead?
Real talk: The opening Colter/Lahti scene is so good, I watched it at least 10 times to get…nearly every line of dialogue, only to realize I can’t just paste them all here and go “!!!” if I want this post to be remotely coherent. Oops?
Is it weird to say David Acosta is adorable when he wakes himself up?
But! I am going to put this one here. Because Evil Grandma really said ACAB. “Father, The 60 have too many friends in the police.”
Ok. FML. This, too, because Lahti’s little bitter smile and the way she slightly shakes her head is everything. “I never believed in the power of God or Christ. All I see when I come here are a lot of sad people mumbling over their rosaries — people I wouldn’t want to spend 10 minutes with — but this is the one place that Leland is afraid of. The church. You keep him up at night. That’s why I’m here.”
Plus this, because Colter is so very much equal parts desperate and still holding back that voice of his. (~~And because Evil Grandma made me cry)~~: “Sheryl, why is it so hard to think you’re being good?” “Because your church is such a f*cking patriarchy. It molests altar boys. It treats women like sh*t.” “And yet. God forgives the worst in us.” “No. stop it, please. I’m not here for that — I don’t want your forgiveness. I f*cking hate you guys.”
Her. Relief. When. He. Says. Yes.
“Today is not a good day, Father.” “There are never good days.” Ok but Father Dominic gets me.
Not Father Acosta doing a remote viewing of Kristen on her way to get in the shower…If this show isn’t going to give me an endgame, they need to stop! And please tell me Father Dominic did not buy that faux-casual way he asked about blocking out AOLs…
“Prayer doesn’t silence my mind,” plus how hard he’s running…poor guy.
Hi, friends. This is the “OMG I LOVE THIS TRIO” segment. “Ohhh, look at youuu!!! All alone in here! I really thought that you would have some wild priestly orgy for your 40th!” “Nope. Praying for your souls, that’s all.”
The girls’ cake!
Kristen’s delight, Ben’s grand presentation of the cooler…I love them.
The singing? Together? And David’s little drumming? As much as I’m obviously garbage for…whatever’s between David and Kristen, this friendship — between all three of these people, or even if you take any combination of two of them — is the best freakin thing.
David trying everything to get Tyler to stop. The “what do I do, God” that’s so…lost right before the “WHAT,” the way he roars “NOOOO.” Phenomenal work from Colter.
Does the Evil universe need to be in some kind of balance or something? Last time David really got involved in one of his viewings, he made a man kill himself; this time, he stops a suicide. In-ter-est-ing.
The Elder Millennials really won with Sean Patrick Thomas as a guest star. We’re out here saving the last dance, we’re out here having cruel intentions…we’re out here sobbing our eyes out because wow is he good in this.
“DON’T GO SWIMMING FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR AFTER SKIPPING AN INTRO.” 🫡
“You have a gift. A talent. Given to you from God. And you use it on magic tricks.” No but seriously, this comment about “magic tricks” from Sister Andrea alone makes me desperate for about eleventy more seasons. We need to explore this!
Also: Can’t believe David kinda talks back to her???? Like, he needed to. But wow??? “Sister, please have a little respect for me.” I…jaw on the floor.
Kristen, jumping into action and tossing those jackets at the boys to get them moving. Mother.
Love the ticking clock effect.
“Whoa! that sounded like a bomb!!!” “Yup. weather’s getting weirder these days. Deadlier.” “Global warming.” Shoutout to Katja Herbers for her unending effort to bring awareness to this cause, to the point where it’s even made it into this series. And shoutout to the writers for letting it get in here.
“I think God’s angry. I would be, too. That’s the kind of sound I’d make if I were God.” Same.
“Well, you need to work on your shading.” Is this where we say…THE SHADE???
“I know. Blasphemy. I need a job. God. Give me a job.” HER SASS BACK AT THAT THUNDER.
TL;DR Stan Adina forever! The entire scene with her is gold.
The thunder clap as David considers Ben’s suggestion that Tyler’s a trick of the mind, then the way he and Kristen look at each other…partners in crime! And she doesn’t even go here with the church stuff! We love supportive…whatever they are.
Another episode of Evil where Father Ignatius is 100% out of his depth…another wasted opportunity for an “inconceivable.” Is there a copyright issue or what.
Andrea Martin, folks: The sniffing when Sheryl says the baby’s the antichrist, the way she jumps into action, the “you will not beat us!!” as she hoists that bucket above her head…a genius. And the “no” in unison with Lahti — another pairing we’ve been robbed off all this time.
“What do you think about all this?” “I think we’re all entitled to one wild goose chase, and this is David’s.” “Look at you! All philosophical…” Love how…thoughtful Aasif Mandvi plays Ben here. Especially when you put it opposite how light and fun Herbers makes Kristen and Colter’s intensity every time David visits — or even tries to visit — Tyler.
“It was a very odd baptism. There was a blackout. And the pipes froze…it was like someone was trying to prevent it.” Indeed. 10/10 recap, no notes.
Dr. Boggs to the rescue?!!!!
Nothing quite like Leland getting home to see what Sheryl left on his door, lipstick kiss and all. Love Michael Emerson’s approach here, with the disbelief, the little laugh, the shock…and the defeated shriek. And Leland is so totally impotent in the face of a normal, happy baby. Hilarious.
“I wake up every day thinking about what I could’ve done differently. I don’t blame myself; I just…wish there was a reset button.” Relatable.
Kurt Boggs was out here, writing with the help of some kind of demonic force, and he’s still one of the best onscreen therapists I’ve ever seen. I said what I said. Like, the way he instantly puts two and two together when his patient mentions Tyler, then calls in the trio without crossing the line??? Sure, he walks right up to said line, but he doesn’t go over it. Unlike…far too many TV shrinks, to be honest.
The way Emerson’s face drops when Leland tries convincing Timothy he’s the antichrist, only to still get that itty-bitty baby laugh as a response.
“Wait. Has that always been in there?” Her giggle! Then: “Yeah. You never know when you’re gonna need it.” “What? To get out of parking tickets?” And his little look that’s like, “yes but also how dare.” Them. 🖤🖤🖤
“A teacher. Of advanced science. I love the school. And… science.” Aasif Mandvi, comedy king.
“That presence you felt in the room? That was God.” …it was you but ok.
The way Tyler breaks.
David’s relieved grin…
….before.
All hail, I guess? Can I get some pastry?