Apparitions (2008)

Apparitions (2008)

Dirs: Joe Ahearne [1,2,5,6] / John Strickland [3,4] | 6 episodes, approx 56 mins each.

Father Jacob Myers (Martin Shaw) examines evidence of miracles for an institution that considers itself earthly protectors and purveyors of the word and will of God, i.e., the Catholic Church. His findings help determine who does or doesn't get canonised as a Christian Saint.

While investigating the claims of a young trainee [pre-ordination] priest (Elyes Gabel), Father Jacob discovers what he believes to be an actual demonic possession. His actions thereafter lead him to uncover something even more troubling, which may affect his own future role.

I watched Apparitions solely because it starred Martin Shaw, who played the titular inspector in the George Gently TV Series (2007–17) that I'd finished and thoroughly enjoyed a few nights before. Shaw was excellent as Gently, and he was good as Father Myers, too, but the miniseries didn't come close to satisfying my 'evening viewing' time in the way that Gently had.

The first episode is generally very good, though, with decent characterisation, presenting Myers as a man who remains calm under pressure and strong in belief. Not a mere sheep of the Church, he's an individual of conscience who strives to see the truth in all things, which is probably why he was chosen for his particular role in the Priesthood in the first place.

The acting from the supporting cast was great, too, from the youngest to the eldest.

The larger story arc develops alongside the individual episode story. We learn that Myers' future path will affect not just his own future, but that of his loved ones and the wider world.

The episodes that follow explore some sensitive themes and visit locations that may be upsetting to some viewers, as the saying goes, but what upset me most was how the miniseries as a whole went from being engaging at the start to bullshit by the end. It started out as a British TV drama that was just about grounded in a believable semi-realism, but along the way decided that it wanted to be an American one instead, with a level of sensationalist, demonic cliché bullshit that felt as if it was disrespecting its original intent - while still on a British TV budget.

"Relax, Sister, sniffing old books is not a sinful act."