Can the Antichrist save ‘Evil’? The co-creators and star explain the show’s finale and future

As a writer and producer who has been deeply involved in creating the world of Evil for the past few years, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as we approach the final season. The dynamic between David and Kristen has always been one of the most intriguing aspects of our show, and it’s fascinating to see how fans have reacted to their relationship.

This article contains spoilers for the series finale of “Evil” on Paramount+.

The story reached a close on Thursday, similar to how it started; the main character found herself facing the mystery of wickedness head-on.

Four years ago, audiences were introduced to Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers), a forensic psychologist based in New York, who was evaluating the sanity of a serial killer. His lawyer claimed he was possessed by a demon after murdering three families but had no recollection of the crimes. Now, she and her family, including her son Timothy, who is believed to be the Antichrist, have moved to Rome. As the series comes to an end in the finale titled “Fear the End”, Kristen is taken aback when her baby’s eyes turn white and tiny fangs briefly emerge from his gums, hinting at something suspicious. However, she decides to carry on with her day-to-day activities, choosing to disregard this troubling incident.

As a longtime fan of supernatural-themed shows, I must say that “Evil” is one of the most captivating series I’ve ever watched. Watching Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) evolve from an unassuming lawyer to a seasoned assessor of potential demonic possession and other supernatural occurrences for the Catholic Church has been nothing short of remarkable.

During a video chat involving Robert and Michelle King (the duo behind “Evil”) in New York City and Herbers, who was in Amsterdam, The Times had a conversation with this creative trio about the show’s finale, the Antichrist twist, and the slightly unexpected happily-ever-after for Kristen and David. Below are some highlights from their discussion. (Edited for clarity)

“Endings in stories can be challenging because the audience becomes emotionally attached to the characters and has strong expectations for them. What did you envision for the conclusion of ‘Evil’?”

Michelle King expressed a desire to conclude the narrative in a manner that was gratifying to the audience, giving the impression of an ending, but at the same time left room open for potential continuation of further tales, should such an opportunity arise.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say our overall perspective on endings leans more towards witty skepticism. They should leave you with a grin, but also be truthful enough to acknowledge that in this story, evil doesn’t just vanish. It lingers. Yet, at least the characters we care about, Kristen and David, are now within the same realm. All significant characters from the audience’s perspective remain alive, and this conclusion aligns with the reality of what’s unfolding right now.

If you had already planned the final outcome of the series when you started, or did it become clearer as the story progressed?

Robert: I believe there’s a connection between the concept of the Antichrist and the debate over nature versus nurture in our show. The series often leaves us questioning whether it’s nature or nurture, and I feel that this question evolved significantly due to Katja’s input on set. In the original script, when she looked at the baby, she wasn’t certain if she had really seen a demonic appearance – perhaps just a change in the eyes, a red tint, and an unusual jawline. However, as the light shifted, it seemed like maybe it was just a trick of the light. Katja’s intriguing suggestion was that she perceived the baby as demonic but chose to cover it up, which ties into the theme of motherhood that has been central to her character since the beginning.

Katja Herbers: Kristen’s maternal instinct is quite strong. In Season 3, she has a terrifying dream where she finds a monster in her home, yet she still feels the urge to care for it. She even begins nursing that demon. This moment with the Antichrist sparked an idea for potential future episodes. I found appealing the concept of concluding the series in a manner similar to the first season, leaving viewers wondering, “Is Kristen possessed or not?” The enigmatic expression from the initial season, which we discussed via email with Robert and Michelle, was something they were looking to incorporate more – an amusement amidst the horror that Kristen often explores. I believed that ending would blend well with this idea of, “I can possibly love this child enough for it to turn out alright; I can love the demon away,” along with a sense of curiosity about, “What will this lead to?”

Could you share with me your feelings upon discovering Kristen’s decision, Katja? I’m curious to know if you were taken aback by the fact that, despite initially opposing it, she chose to relocate her entire family to Rome?

Katja: It seems to me that if Andy were still around, the event might not have transpired. I wasn’t taken aback by her decision, as she has shown a strong affinity for her job and her coworker, which could have led her to consider such a move. As David puts it, in six months, I can make my choice. I find it intriguing how Robert and Michelle portray her as following her Dutch counterpart’s lead. Why miss out on that chance? She’s familiar with life in Queens, which is likely sound advice: seize opportunities when they present themselves.

As a passionate cinephile, I find myself pondering over the enigmatic figure of Leland Townsend, masterfully portrayed by Michael Emerson. Unlike other characters who meet their end on screen, Leland’s fate remains ambiguous. We are left questioning whether he truly met his demise or if there’s a chance for him to resurface in some form, adding an extra layer of suspense and intrigue to the show.

Michelle: Initially, Michael Emerson is just fantastic – unlike any other actor I’ve collaborated with, he couldn’t be more different from the role he plays. He’s an absolute gem in real life while his character, Leland, is truly loathsome. However, when it comes to the enjoyment of watching him, he’s always a powerhouse. By the end, they make sure he pays for what he’s done. If we look at things positively, we can say he’s been permanently defeated. They didn’t resort to murder, so they’ve maintained their ethical high ground as well. But remember, even though someone is locked away, they can still find a way out.

Robert: One challenge in creating a series that spans multiple seasons is maintaining the status quo while still allowing for character development. Since Katja’s character had already committed a murder and been forgiven or ignored by the police, it was tough to revisit that plotline again. So, we decided to delve deeper into the supernatural aspect of the show. If there are supernatural elements, this cabinet is an ideal hiding place for him. As we saw in the second season, containers aren’t always secure.

We know the decision to end the show was not your own. How many more seasons would you have gone?

Robert: Let’s add two more episodes to the list. The fifth season, with its compressed four episodes, is definitely one of them. And we have one more to go. This structure seems fitting for our storyline. Additionally, just like other shows, ours reflects the culture it’s part of. The world can change so drastically in an instant and then keep changing. We live in a fast-paced world, and I believe that rapid transformation will be a central theme in the fifth season.

In this series, I’ve enjoyed how it’s delved into the mysterious and supernatural, creating a sense of unease about the darkness within us. Compared to some of my other works, real-world events might have taken a backseat in this one, but they still served as powerful metaphors. As I step away from these characters and their world, I’ll miss using them as a lens to examine the complexities and mysteries of our own reality.

Robert: This upcoming election will undoubtedly be intriguing, as it may shed light on certain malevolent aspects. A supposed assassination attempt, which appears to have been primarily self-serving for the former President Trump rather than serving a political purpose, exemplifies this. It harks back to the initial episode where David, played by Mike, says, “Evil communicates with itself and that’s why it’s getting worse.” While it may not be getting significantly worse in the grand scheme of things, with no modern-day Stalin slaughtering millions, there seems to be a subtle increase in evil on every street corner.

I do think artificial intelligence, especially generative, we only scratched the surface because it was written [into the series] so much more before it started taking over our economy. But a gen AI would be much more played, either through those characters who were very interesting in that ninth episode or in creating new versions of it, but to be in communication with your dead loved ones or with people you miss is just both frightening and almost like something out of Homer. You wish you could go deeper into that. The other thing is, the doppelgangers, which we thought would be taking over more of a season, but then we decided, “Well, it’s a way to ease our leads back into their real lives.” Because Aasif’s real wife and child in that doppelganger story, and then Katja, obviously, is Dutch.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve always found myself intrigued by the captivating dynamic between David and Kristen on-screen. The passion that their fictional relationship sparks among fans is truly remarkable – they ardently root for them, often expressing it as ‘shipping’. What has fascinated me most about this cinematic duo is the intense debate within the fandom regarding their characters’ connection. This discourse not only reflects the depth of emotion that their performances evoke but also offers a unique insight into the diverse perspectives of fellow moviegoers.

Katja exclaimed, “I’m truly amazed by individuals who create these edits. I believe people are incredibly gifted. The choices they make in their creations are just wonderful. It’s those little surprises that you discover. Sometimes, people attempt to disassociate me with David, but they’re actually cheering for… a genuine friendship. These individuals genuinely care for each other and communicate in a very authentic way. We have that scene in the finale where we burn our old cases in the fire, and we discuss what we’ll miss or something. David mentions talking about real things—and I think that’s a really beautiful thing to witness on TV.”

Michelle: In our previous scenario – the “will they, won’t they” – it was depicted in “The Good Wife” where Alicia was contemplating whether to stay in a compromised marriage or follow her heart with someone she loved. This time around, we’ve made the situation more grounded by acknowledging their real-life responsibilities. It’s not as simple as leaving a husband who has publicly cheated on you. David has taken vows and sticking to those commitments is challenging for him. I find it refreshing and unusual in television that he stands up to Ben at the end and declares, “I made this commitment. This commitment is difficult, but I’m going to honor it.” I believe this portrayal is quite remarkable.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but question the logic behind wrapping up such an engaging show. It seems almost ironic, like the closure of a thriving assessors program within a church this season, despite its success. The industry trends and the fate of our beloved series share eerie parallels.

Michelle: I believe you’ve nailed it, and quite frankly, there’s nothing more to add. All that needed to be expressed was already conveyed in the performance.

As a movie enthusiast, speaking from my own perspective: It seemed to me that the creators intentionally wove the backstage happenings into the narrative flow. Even during Mike’s initial scene, he repeatedly mentioned CBS or Paramount+, hinting at the production company. This was likely an expression of their shared relief that there were four more cases to explore. Yet, it also conveyed a sense of uncertainty: “Hold on, weren’t we doing well?” It’s fascinating how showrunners, regardless of the subject matter of the show, often find ways to reflect their professional experiences in their storytelling.

As a movie enthusiast, one aspect I truly appreciate about well-crafted TV shows is the ability to visualize where the characters’ stories might lead next. In fact, I find myself eagerly hoping that the band will reunite in the future. Now, I wonder if you share this sentiment, Katja? Could we possibly see them getting back together at some point?

Katja: It seems they’ve formed a bond that will last a lifetime, much like Aasif, Mike, and myself in reality. Through the course of the series, this has become increasingly evident. In the latest season, particularly, there was a significant amount of conversation centered around deep friendships. Towards the end, Kristin tells Ben over the phone, “I love you,” and he has to respond with the same sentiment. I can’t imagine they won’t continue to be part of each other’s lives.

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2024-08-22 16:32