Apparitions

The reviews and comments on this board are strange. I'm an atheist and I loved the series. I'm also a gay-rights activist, and I didn't see anything blatantly harmful. In fact, the story line was written to suggest that the reason the young priest lost faith was because the church had forsaken him because of his homosexuality, not because he was gay. Claiming this was akin to describing homosexuality as satanic is glib at best; the series is about the Catholic church, and it's a matter of fact that the Catholic church frowns on homosexuality. I think they did a good job of showing how that attitude hurts homosexuals, by making them doubt themselves and their instincts, and ultimately by shutting them out of the faith. Also, ONE atheist was portrayed in a negative light. (And he WAS an atheist, not a satanist, though I can see how he could be mistaken for a satanist, as he was possessed by a demon) How can one make a series about a religious war without defining 'good' and 'evil' and dealing with the resistance of non-believers. This series didn't define atheists and homosexuals as 'evil' anymore than it defined Christians as holy warriors who see possessed people around every corner.

Anyhow, of course it was unbelievable; it was about exorcism. But the story was compelling, the characters were fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would give it a 10, but there are only six episodes, and now i'm lonely.

This is an excellent show with superb writing. I just discovered it and was disappointed to find there only seem to be six episodes. I would have given it 10 stars if they had made more! It was probably an expensive show to shoot but is still much better than 90% of television on the air. Here's hoping that someone will want to make more. This is what the recent movie featuring Anthony Hopkins should have been had the writing and story line been stronger. I hope if someone buys it they don't try to re-do it in the US as it will probably be a weaker version. I would hate to see it watered down to the Sc-Fi "Being Human" equivalent.

A fan in Texas

I looked this up as have just watch the whole series back to back as totally gripped by the storyline, so wanted more. The cast was excellent. Now, it is necessary as a viewer for you to buy into the concept of an exorcist etc. and as someone from a non-Catholic background it was easy for me to just sit back accepting the plot. In my view if you accept that basic storyline of the concept of a Catholic Exorcist rather like the plotline of the movie, The Exorcist then this is amazing escape viewing as a piece of mild who done it/ horror cross over fiction viewing. If you are a deeply devote catholic then maybe you might emotionally fight the concept but if just viewed as a fiction story then very well done.

I watched this series as found by chance on Amazon Prime. What started as an 'oh I will watch one tonight' turned into staying up last and watching the whole series!

Happy to recommend to give this series a go if you enjoy the horror/detective cross over type plots.

I missed this one because I was out on the Thursday night, but I caught it on BBC's iplayer - and I'm glad I did. Another fantastic performance from Martin Shaw and another thoroughly believable character to add to his repertoire. Father Jacob is played with all the intensity and humanity we would all wish our religious leaders to have. Lots of excellent acting and an interesting - and slightly scary - storyline, keeps the attention. At one point, I actually had to stop the playback and go to make a cup of tea - an old trick to break the tension that I haven't used for several years when watching a TV programme... A good sign. Great start to what I hope will be a first rate series.

My only concern is that it might be a bit of a one trick pony and I wonder how we're going to get past that. But for the time being, thumbs up and all systems go! A success.

As some one else commented this could be a one trick pony but what a trick .You do not have to be religious or an atheist to enjoy it . This is not in the Linda Blair category of exorcism but subtle with a very dark underlying humour e.g when Father Jacob is listening to a radio ,which is switched off but still broadcasting,after being possessed the sister asks why is he listening to "Satan FM".

It might stretch it to far for another series but would still be one to watch.The plot twists still have you wondering at the end about at least one of the characters which for any series is good.

I think as a producer Martin Shaw would not let the plot lines get out of hand .so lets hope for another series or at least several longer one offs.