The Exorcist Episodes 1-7 Reviews: Why Arent More People Watching This Show?

"The Exorcist" currently airs on Fox at 9 PM. This is the same time slot as "Z Nation". Sorry, "Exorcist". Nothing trumps (I REALLY need to find a different word!) the zombie apocalypse and Mr Murphy. Not even the Devil. Luckily all the episodes are viewable on the Fox website for those that missed them.

There doesnt seem to be much buzz about the show (on the internet or elsewhere). Has Fox actively marketed it? I must admit that I wasnt particularly thrilled after viewing the first two episodes. Luckily I went back for a second look (watching all seven episodes at once) and liked it much better.

The series begins when a woman visits Father Tomas Ortega. She says "there's something inside my house". Angela Rance is the matriarch of the Rance family which includes her husband Henry (who has some type of brain injury) and daughters Katherine and Casey. I must confess that I had a hard time telling them apart initially. Katherine is despondent after a car crash which killed bestie/girlfriend and ruined her dancing career. Katherine might be possessed. Nope...psych! It's younger sister Casey instead. The demon appears to Casey in the form of a creepy older man who whispers in her ear. He is simply referred to as the "salesman". At first he's very attentive and caring. We know that wont last long.

Father Tomas is supposed to be a rising start in the Catholic church but it's not looking so much like it these days. He's having a secret relationship with a woman. Tomas is also ill equipped to deal with the Rance's demon. He calls in reinforcements in the form of Father Marcus Keane. Marcus has an interesting background. He was an orphan raised by the Catholic Church to fight demons. Marcus has some unorthodox practices. He is ex-communicated for going against the Church's orders-- drawing a gun on a priest, doing an unauthorized exorcism which resulted in the death of a child, etc.

In other plot points, someone/someones has killed nine people in South Chicago (Inglewood) and taken their eyes, genitals, and other organs. Apparently they're using them in a ritual to summon a demon. Those "in the know" recognize the surge in demon possessions. Is this meant to coincide with the Pope's visit?

We learn that that Maria Walters (one of the church's biggest donors) and some other folks are trying to resurrect a demon via the "ash ceremony". The entity materializes and inhabits some dude. He ends up with two irises/retinas in each eye. Creepy! Maria is sad and sheds a tear. She wanted her own demon. How sad... NOT! She also has her claws into Father Tomas. He doesnt seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed. He confides in Maria after he beats an innocent guy at a drug store. Tomas has a really nasty bite from Casey that is seriously infected. Will he become possessed as well? Is that he's behaving so strangely?

Poor Brother/Father Bennett is last seen being attacked by two demon dudes (after he discovers a room filled with spare body parts). I fear he's not long for this world. He has some pretty mad fighting skillz so could he be an undercover demon warrior? Or maybe even an angel? That one is from AV Club so I cant take credit.

Meanwhile Casey is being secretly held by Father Marcus at a convent. Mother Bernadette (who has previous demon experience) thinks Casey is too far gone and needs to be mercifully killed. This way, her soul can be saved. Marcus almost does the deed but stops. He believes God has other plans. We'll see how that works out next week.

In conclusion, sure there are things that could be improved but "The Exorcist" still has more positive than negative. Below are a few items in each category.

Pros:

Source Material- I voted the movie "The Exorcist" the scariest film E-V-E-R. See Top 10 Horror Movies Of All Time for details.
Cast- Gena Davis as Angela and Ben Daniels as Father Marcus. They both have some serious acting chops. I'm enjoying their performances.
Music- I absolutely LOVE "Tubular Bells" from the original movie. I was so happy to hear it used at the end of episode 1.
Cinematography- the camera angles and shots definitely add to the show's creepiness.
Scares- Casey attacking that jerk on the subway was great! He got what he deserved. Those creepy people collecting body parts gave me the willies.
Big Twist- I initially wondered how this show was related to the original movie. I assumed it was named "The Exorcist" because it deals with another possessed girl. Nope, I was very wrong. It turns out Angela changed her name. She is ACTUALLY a grown up Regan MacNeil (from the original movie). When the demon tells Casey to "bring her to me". He means Regan. He hasnt forgotten about her after all these years. Regan's estranged mother Chris (Sharon Glass) arrives. Back in the 1970s Chris (who is an actress) tried to cash in on Regan's situation by doing the book and talk show circuit. Interesting. This will provide a new layer to the mother daughter dynamics of the show.

Cons:

Pacing- The first several episodes were a bit slow. There are MANY good shows on TV currently. If you dont grab the audience in the premiere, you may have lost them for good.
Who Is Who- I initially had time telling the sisters Casey and Katherine apart. Now, it's much easier. It also helps that one is covered in slime due to demon possession.
Henry- What's up with Henry? First he's catatonic, then he's fine. Then he's catatonic again. Make up your mind!
TV vs Movies- Having "The Exorcist" air as a TV series is both a negative and a positive. A television show allows you to send much more time with the characters. However long series have filler episodes that can act as a major buzzkill for horror shows.
Closed Captioning- This has nothing to do with the show but WHY Fox do you continue to not add subtitles? It peeves me off when watching "Gotham" too. Some of us like the subtitles because it adds to the viewing experience.

Grade: 3 3/4 Monsters (out of 50). The show got off to slow start by after a second viewing I'm digging it. It's not perfect but it has some good stuff going for it. I definitely didnt see the Angela/Regan twist coming. Due to low viewership numbers, "The Exorcist" might not make it to a second season. I believe there are only three episodes left? I hope they are able to save poor Casey before the end. That girl has been through A LOT.