The New Pope Review: Season 1 Episode 6
The New Pope Season 1 Episode 6 is spooky from start to finish.
It is horror done in the way only The New Pope can—strange and subversive, luxuriously chilling. The imagery is still so gorgeous even when it evokes fear or disgust.
And that happens right out of the gate as they introduce a new character, the threatening Fr. Leopold Essence played eerily and effectively by J. David Hinze. He is so creepy in every way—his slow, measured speech; his pale, ghostly pallor; his stiff movements that seem to be modeled after Dr. Frankenstein’s monster; and let’s not forget the giant cockroach that accompanies him when giving slimy, ominous warnings.
Poor Sofia (Cécile de France) is very unsettled by him and rightly so. From his first ghoulish approach to the cryptic message to the spoon tapping menacingly on the flan—I keep expecting Sofia to awake from a nightmare. Although, that would be too easy and The New Pope rarely gives in to that kind of storytelling. This is really happening in this universe and that adds to the appeal of the show and its unique aesthetic.
As peripheral as Ester’s story has been so far, I enjoy the focus on her in this episode. This plot is spooky, too, with the rich old lady and her recluse son. Their cliffside home is opulent and lush, but there is something so dark about it as well—I’d even go so far as to say it’s sinister.
It brings out the darkness in Ester (Ludivine Sagnier), not just for what she has chosen to do but that it can be taken away from her. Her options were limited because of circumstance, but she made the arrangement work for her. It was not an easy choice for her to make, but it is easily taken from her and quite coldly from the woman who tells her that she is a saint with “the gift of human warmth.”
It is just the kind of thing that makes a woman like Ester, who has been dealt a cruel hand, snap.
And she does—almost strangling the old woman to death. The way they edit this storyline into the rest of the episode makes us think that she did kill her, giving us suspense and elements of a thriller. But perhaps, Pius XIII did save her or perhaps she saves herself with the strength of her belief in him.
The image of the red-hooded woman hugging Ester and her child as they hold vigil for Pius XIII (Jude Law) is powerful, and beautiful, too, like an 18th-century piece of art of the Madonna and child with an angel. I think the rage in Ester is going to manifest into something awesome, and also that the woman in the red hoodie might be some sort of religious superhero. This brief scene speaks volumes and shows so much potential for the story.
There are some non-horror bits that still elicit a general uneasiness. The way John Paul III (John Malkovich) walks out of his live interview is chilling and gives a real sense of foreboding. And the ousting of Voiello (Silvio Orlando) is difficult to take. I know he’s fictional and I’m not at all religious, but he’s the Vatican’s longest-running Secretary of State and knows everything.
What will happen in his absence? I am both intrigued and scared to find out.
Voiello’s final act of mercy on the nuns before he leaves is fantastic. The sisters deserve a win and this is a big one. He encourages Sister Lisette (Nora von Waldstätten) to continue her fight.
The Abbess: What would you advise us to do, Eminence?
Voiello: To carry on with your battle. You have not one but a thousand reasons to.
The Abbess: Thank you, Eminence.
Voiello: Do you know what is so awful about these endless battles over rights? There is no room left for poetry.
I would love to see these nuns revolt and for Sofia to regain her power and for the Red-Hooded Enigma to team up with Ester to fight against the evils in the world. All these men have been making the decisions for centuries, it would be awe-inspiring to see the women of The New Pope turn that notion on its head.
Now that would be poetic justice.
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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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.