Outcast Season 1 Episode 6 Review: “From the Shadows It Watches”

From the beginning, one of the most intriguing aspects of Outcast has been Reverend Anderson. Who is he? What happened in his past? It’s time to finally get some answers, so let’s take a look at what happened in the newest episode, “From the Shadows It Watches.”

The episode opens with the good reverend watching old tapes of his exorcism attempts, seemingly trying to reconcile these exorcisms of the past with the true evil that he has witnessed ever since crossing paths once again with Kyle Barnes. His personal life also begins to suffer, and we get to see this firsthand through his budding relationship. When the woman expresses hesitation at not knowing what Anderson is really up to, he decides to bring her into the fold firsthand. Nothing seems to be working, though, leading him to the slow realization that Kyle is really what he needs in order to succeed in his work. Unfortunately, that working relationship has taken a turn for the worse, so Anderson is on his own. Patricia, the woman, ends up going to find Kyle herself (against the reverend’s wishes), and it allows for further development of Kyle’s journey into becoming a hero. Overall, the depiction of this journey is one of Outcast‘s greatest accomplishments so far, and I am absolutely loving this unique exploration of the classic hero’s path.

Meanwhile, Mark’s investigation (now with the cooperation of Chief Giles) continues, and it’s becoming increasingly more interesting with each week. The only problem with it is that it very much feels like a secondary story to the main plot. It is secondary, but the writers need to do a bit of a better job blending it in with the main action. The best thing about the episode, though, is further development with Brent Spiner’s Sidney. He’s always one of the best things about an episode, but this is the most time we’ve gotten to spend with him at once. Luckily, it doesn’t at all disappoint. Each time he appears on-screen, I am always left wanting more and more, and that’s the highest praise possible. While the secondary stories aren’t working quite as well as they should, the underlying mythology-building that’s happening is doing wonders for the series.

In the end, Kyle and Reverend Anderson are brought back together in a big way that will allow them to continue “the Lord’s work” while still developing as characters. The episode’s conclusion also gives us a really great action/exorcism scene, and the effects, once again, are absolutely on-point. The show’s use of exorcisms continues to be one of my favorite things about the series.

“From the Shadows It Watches” furthers the story in a huge way, and this is mostly done with an exploration of Kyle’s journey into becoming a hero. The secondary stories aren’t working quite as well as I would hope just yet, but the mythology being built around Kyle and Reverend Anderson (particularly through Sidney) makes up for that almost completely.

What did you think about “From the Shadows It Watches?” Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!

[Photo Credit: Cinemax]