Evil: “7 Swans a Singin’” (S1E10)
7 Swans a Singin’ is an episode of the supernatural drama series, Evil. The assessors investigate a case of mass hysteria.
Evil is a supernatural drama created by Michelle King and Robert King; this review covers “7 Swans a Singin’.” The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, and Christine Lahti. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors investigate a case of mass hysteria. Kristen (Katja Herbers) unintentionally brings her work home. David (Mike Colter) attempts to resolve his sinful lapse. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) finds the team hard of hearing. Sheryl (Christine Lahti) provides grandmotherly advice to a granddaughter in need.
What I Like about Evil: “7 Swans a Singin’”
Mass hysteria remains one of those psychological events that enthrall me, leaving plenty of room for “7 Swans a Singin’” to explore and develop a plot. The episode dives into these elements to create an unsettling but enjoyable viewing experience. In fact, the procedural plot creates that interest to allow some setup to go unnoticed.
Bishop Marx (Peter Scolaris) and the previous Monsignor Korecki (Boris McGiver) hold drastically different approaches. Bishop Marx seems more direct and concerned with the image of the Catholic church, while Monsignor Korecki cares more about the truth and takes a hands-off approach. It’s nice to see a variety of depictions.
Kristen’s daughter, Lexis (Maddy Crocco), receives an individual plot away from the other girls. Her relationship with Sheryl becomes increasingly important. The later events of this episode certainly display elements of Sheryl’s character.
There’s an animation that feels like a different era of YouTube in the best of ways. The attention given to the video certainly doesn’t need to evoke such memorability, but the effort deserves respect.
While there have been fake YouTuber apologies before this episode’s mockery of the concept, it does seem to capture the falsehood that makes these moments so viral.
“7 Swans a Singin’” provides a procedural plot that dominates the episode and earns the titular namesake. While the overarching plot does take a dramatic turn in “7 Swans a Singin’,” the execution of the procedural focuses the viewer and allows that climactic conclusion to hit harder.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
The episode includes examples of self-harm. “7 Swans a Singin’” does display these moments and their aftermath. To clarify, these aren’t suicide attempts, but that might seem a moot point to viewers sensitive to such material.
“7 Swans a Singin’” discusses stuck song syndrome and other aspects of the mass hysteria. While I don’t particularly find this an issue, it’s technically a discussion of mental health and deserves a mention for viewer consideration.
What I Dislike about Evil: “7 Swans a Singin’”
David’s accusations against Renée (Renée Elise Goldsberry) seem poorly thought out and irrational. One might suggest this as expressing his guilt over the last episode. While this take certainly has merit, it doesn’t make the issue any more sensible from a character who seems composed.
While the animation does seem like a bizarre song that thrives in online communities, Malindaz (Taylor Louderman) seems like a harder sell. While one certainly has examples of such successful influencers, there’s a blatant fakeness in the character that distracts me and makes her success harder to believe. If this persona only affected her child-focused and marketed caricature, fine. However, she acts this way without putting on a persona. “7 Swans a Singin’” makes her an idiot with little complexity.
Final Thoughts
“7 Swans a Singin’” shows the merit of the procedural structure of the show, allowing the case to grab viewers’ attention as it builds to a climax. While not the most haunting episode, it certainly lingers in the mind and accomplishes much more than it needs. If you are this deep in Evil already, “7 Swans a Singin’” will hardly disappoint.
(4 / 5)
Movies n TV
Evil: “A is for Angel” (S2E2)
“A is for Angel” is an episode of the supernatural drama, Evil. The assessors investigate a potential angelic possession.
“A is for Angel” is an episode of the supernatural drama, Evil, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Christine Lahti, and Andrea Martin. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors investigate a potential angelic possession. David (Mike Colter) meets a helpful nun (Andrea Martin as Sister Andrea). Kristen (Katja Herbers) talks to the police. Sheryl (Christine Lahti) takes out her frustration on someone who deserves it. Leland (Michael Emerson) makes a haunting confession.
What I Like about Evil: “A is for Angel”
While “A is for Angel” fears depicting a biblically accurate angel, it still evokes a haunting terror such angels evoke. Brandon J. Dirden’s Raymond/Archangel Michael provides an unsettling performance that directly comments or alludes to actions that angels take in the bible.
This episode introduces Sister Andrea, who will become a key character of the series, acting as a spiritual advisor and mentor to David specifically. She’s interesting enough to evoke lasting memorability, given more attention than debut characters in their introductory episodes.
Leland’s confession to David gets dark, revealing much of the personal relationship the two had before the series began. While nothing remains confirmed, and Leland clearly aims to antagonize David, David’s reaction suggests that some truthful admissions linger within the deception. However, it’s ultimately a viewer’s decision to weigh these claims.
“A is for Angel” creates a rather terrifying dynamic that evokes a haunting narrative. Where the previous episode focused more on what comes next, “A is for Angel” dives into the horrific implications of the procedural plot.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
As mentioned earlier, the procedural plot involves an angelic possession and some Old Testament godliness, which might upset some viewers. Some points suggest sexism and abuse, but little of this receives attention beyond the claim.
A character potentially murdered their wife, suggesting spousal abuse, but the reality of the situation seems blurred. Regardless, the victim tries to leave their abuser, which is a common source of abuse in domestic violence.
While nothing remains confirmed, a child molester apparently receives angelic punishment. The viewer takes the word of the angel’s supposed host on this claim, which hardly means an absolute confirmation.
Suicide, potentially assisted suicide, is another plot point alluded to in the episode. Little remains a proven fact, but the suggestion seems plausible considering what the viewer knows of the situation. As this remains the only confirmation, the claims seem interpretable.
What I Dislike about Evil: “A is for Angel”
Again, “A is for Angel” puts a lot of focus on the horrifying concept of an angel but doesn’t try to depict a biblically accurate angel. Frankly, it’s a wasted opportunity, considering the haunting nature of their descriptions. Such descriptions rival that of Lovecraftian abomination in horrifying potential. It seems like a perfect opportunity for a show or film like Evil. Even as “A is for Angel” challenges the depictions, it hesitates to open its’ trillions of eyes to the opportunities available.
Leland allows the assessors into his home and leaves valuable evidence for the team to find. For such an intelligent character, these oversights seem uncharacteristic. Viewers might assume this frantic response is a ploy, but his reactions suggest otherwise.
Final Thoughts
“A is for Angel” returns Evil to the horror roots that the previous episode hadn’t lingered on. The episode unravels some mysteries of the past that better contextualize relationships. If you’re eager for Old Testament godly intervention, this episode brings out a proper dose of it.
(3 / 5)
Welcome to Nightvale is an incredibly popular podcast created by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. It’s well-loved by horror and fantasy fans alike.
I think it’s, well, fine.
The book Welcome to Nightvale is the first of a series about the same nameless Midwestern town. And it was, well, not that great.
The story
We begin our tale with Jackie. She’s a nineteen-year-old who works at the pawn shop in Nightvale. She has been a nineteen-year-old for decades. Her life is simple. She works and she goes home. At home, she doesn’t do much but listen to the radio.
That is until a strange man comes to her shop.
Meanwhile, a mother named Diane is struggling with her son. He is a shapeshifter, and also a teenager. He appears to be struggling with both. Diane is trying to help him, but he doesn’t want her help. She’s feeling unloved and unappreciated. Which makes sense, because he is sure acting like he doesn’t love or appreciate her.
Then, his father returns to town.
What worked
The Nightvale world is, if nothing else, a creatively dark world full of illogical Eldridge horrors. There are simply dark things lurking, without any rhyme or reason. Fantastical and horrifying people live side by side with literal miracles. This is easily the most entertaining part of the whole book.
What didn’t work
That being said, all the lovely world-building in the world isn’t worth anything if there isn’t a decent story in place. It’s like a gorgeous set for a play that goes nowhere.
And it felt very much like this story went nowhere. Or, at least it took forever to go anywhere.
The story felt incredibly repetitive. For instance, we went over and over how Jackie was nineteen and had been nineteen for decades. We didn’t need to do that. It’s bad enough that she’s choosing to not move forward in her life. We don’t need to experience it with her.
This over-explanation kind of killed the one part of the story I liked. It took all the fantastical, unexplainable parts of the story and killed them with over-explanation.
Maybe this wouldn’t have mattered as much if I had been gripped by the characters. But I just wasn’t. Both Jackie and Diane felt boringly real, despite their fantastical lives. They seemed stuck in their ways and unwilling to do anything to change them. And that is just not a character that I want to read about.
In the end, this just isn’t Fink’s best work. If you’re looking for something great from him, read Alice Isn’t Dead.
Or maybe it’s just not for me. I, after all, appear to be the only person on the planet who doesn’t like this podcast. If you enjoy the Welcome to Nightvale podcast, you might enjoy this book. But if you’re just looking to start your Halloween reading, there are better options.
(2 / 5)
Movies n TV
Evil: “N is for Night Terrors” (S2E1)
“N is for Night Terrors” is an episode of the supernatural drama, Evil, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The assessors assess a friend of the Cardinal.
“N is for Night Terrors” is an episode of the supernatural drama, Evil, created by Michelle King and Robert King. The central cast includes Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, and Christine Lahti. It originally aired under CBS before moving to Paramount+. As of this review, it’s available through Netflix and Paramount+ and its add-ons.
The assessors assess a donor and personal friend to the Cardinal. Kristen (Katja Herbers) confesses to Dr. Boggs (Kurt Fuller). David (Mike Colter) struggles to balance his work and studies. Ben (Aasif Mandvi) meets a demon.
What I Like about Evil: “N is for Night Terrors”
Kristen returns from her season 1 finale with a strangely unreliable playfulness. With what the viewer knows, the performance creates an unnerving new norm for season 2 to unpack. While subtle, the trauma creates a domino effect across all her relationships. Everyone knows something’s off, even if they don’t understand what.
Leland receives the most material to execute, allowing him ample opportunity to build meaningful hostile relationships with all three assessors. The viewer sees a perfect example of this through his new interactions with Ben, with whom Leland had no previous direct interactions.
David further indulges in dangerous behaviors to evoke his visions, replacing his old habits with pain to access these visions with renewed clarity. David needs God’s attention, forcing him into unhealthy cycles. It’s a particularly unsettling pattern to witness.
As Ben is the least affected by the supernatural forces in the show so far, “N is for Night Terrors” sets season 2 as the correction of this grievous error. This dynamic creates a synergy between the first and second seasons, having already built Ben as the least tolerable to the supernatural shenanigans.
Of all the seasons, season 2 establishes my personal favorite title gimmick across the seasons. While some episodes of season 1 have great titles that tie in the episode’s procedural plot, season 2 achieves this standard while matching the tone and overarching plot.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Leland directly abuses the bureaucracy of the Catholic church to get what he wants. While season 1 explores potential corruption in the Catholic church, “N is for Night Terrors” shows this corruption in action.
As mentioned above, David uses pain to activate his visions. It’s clearly shown as a negative with real repercussions on the body, but it does work. This won’t be a lasting solution for David’s visions, but that doesn’t help “N is for Night Terrors” communicate the toxicity of this behavior. Aside from this claim, one moment shows the toxicity of this behavior as David misses a call from the person he’s attempting to help.
What I Dislike about Evil: “N is for Night Terrors”
The episode begins with a recap but also lingers on the ending of season 1 after this recap. It seems a strange point to linger on. The streaming era makes this a more exaggerated issue as a viewer gets bombarded with the same information three times.
Because of the personal relationship that all but one of the assessors have with the subject they are assessing, it seems inappropriate that they would continue assessing them. The more obvious their bias, the less sensible Bishop Marx seems when he keeps them on this assignment.
Lastly, the focused trajectory of season 1 takes a backseat to the procedural plot. While it’s an understandable writing decision, it does step back from the initial focus. In a structural sense, this deviation becomes an obstacle specifically placed in their way, but it does reduce tension.
Final Thoughts
“N is for Night Terrors” re-accompanies the viewer with the dynamics of the Evil series following season 1. It plays a little too safe, afraid of expanding too much beyond the refamiliarization, but it adds a few new dynamics for season 2 to follow.
(2.5 / 5)
