The New Pope Review: Season 1 Episode 4

On The New Pope Season 1 Episode 4, the visual, eccentric beauty of the show comes in handy when the plots and subplots multiply and become even more complex. 

Take, for example, the flashback scene (at least, I think it’s a flashback) of Brannox and his parents watching his brother demonstrate skiing on the gravel in front of their palatial home. Cut to someone slalom skiing down a snowy slope around crosses instead of poles, then to an insert shot of that mysterious bedside box being shut.

What does it all mean?

I have lots of ideas and I also have no idea, but that is the fun of this show. Your brain can go wild with theories and come up with all sorts of connections—you may turn out to be right or very wrong, either way, the process is enjoyable and extremely easy on the eyes. The aforementioned scenes are so breathtakingly beautiful, it’s hard to be bothered, even a little, by the ambiguity. 

The story picks up its pace quite a bit on this episode—there are many developments, and big things are happening. So if, or more likely when, the plot lines get muddled, you can just sit back and enjoy the scenery.

John Paul III (John Malkovich) continues to deal with being second fiddle, now living in the shadow of the comatose Pius XIII (Jude Law) along with the one his dead brother still casts on him. Marilyn Manson doesn’t even know who he is, for Christ’s sake! This cameo is not only delightful but useful in plot as it is Manson’s suggestion that John Paul III go visit “the pope in a coma.”

This is the perfect way to include what was starting to feel like a tertiary character. And now there is a secretive whisper from the hooded leader of the Pius defense squad to the new pope to add more to the mystery.

Pope John Paul III: I will never tell you what the woman whispered in my ear.

The unrevealed whisper is one of the most provoking plot devices out there (looking at you, Lost in Translation and The X-Files Season 11 Episode 9, “Nothing Lasts Forever”), and while it can be maddening, I love that they use it here. 

This episode directs a lot of focus onto Secretary of State Voiello (Silvio Orlando). It seems his reputation precedes him. Cardinal Spalletta (Massimo Ghini), who is now John Paul III’s personal secretary in charge of creativity, gives his boss an ominous warning not to mess with Voiello. 

Also, is that a real job? Because I think I’d make an awesome personal secretary in charge of creativity. I’m gonna look into it. 

Aside from Spalletta’s warning, Voiello displays his shrewdness with his handling of the nun strike. His scenes with Sister Lisette (Nora von Waldstätten) and The Abbess (Kiruna Stamell) are excellent. I can’t help but be frustrated on behalf of the nuns, but also impressed with Voiello’s cool-headedness.

They really aren’t asking for much besides respect and that he says such a request puts them at war-like odds shows how tightly he is holding onto his power. 

Voiello: This will be a long war, though it will end, as they all do, with my victory. But you, Sister Lisette, will make a formidable adversary. 
Sister Lisette: You can bet on that.

Disabling the Wi-Fi almost breaks their resolve, but I don’t think this is the last Voiello will hear from the nuns led by the fierce Sister Lisette.

The intrigue around Voiello and what he might be capable of is a rich storyline and made so by Orlando’s brilliant and consistent performance. He is the most important bridge between The Young Pope and The New Pope, both the series and the titular characters. I hope it is true what he says, that he never goes out of fashion, “like Kinder chocolate bars.”

What did you think of this episode of The New Pope? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The New Pope airs Mondays at 9/8c on HBO.

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