Evil Season 3 Episode 6 Review: The Demon of Algorithms

One of the selling points for Evil has always been the dynamic of the team. This dynamic is what really brings out the truth on most of their cases, none more so than the latest one — possession via social media?

Evil Season 3 Episode 6, “The Demon of Algorithms” works extra hard to show there are three sides to the assessor team without giving the appearance of trying at all. 

So far this season, the show has been steadily turning the tide on how they tell stories about demonology and catholicism vs scientific answers. There really is only so much story you can tell about possessions and hauntings and the like before it becomes contrived.

However, this season, and especially during “The Demon of Algorithms” the goal has been to modernize these typical demon types — all while trying to ultimately eliminate the real demons that do pop up.

Three Different Algorithms vs. Three Different Perspectives

Like we said, this show aims to prove there is a logical answer to most demon related “stories” out there. And most of the time Evil manages to dive into the logical more than the theological when coming up with answers to the world’s most evil situations.

The great thing about this episode is that through the use of Vidtap the audience gets to see a different, yet predictable side to each of the assessors. This Tik-Tok like app is used as a secondary character to really drive the investigation forward.

Of course it comes as no surprise that Kristen’s videos start off being about mom’s who drink but quickly turn into videos about mom’s who yell or get frustrated with their kids. While neither of those personas are ones she is willing to admit to being, Kristen is both of them and has become increasingly as the show progresses.

The most interesting one is David’s Vidtap algorithm. Sure, the priests angle isn’t surprising, but him ending up on the suicidal priest side of the app certainly is. This speaks to a deeper trouble within him that we should definitely keep an eye on in the future.

Ben’s interaction with the app comes as no surprise to anyone and actually comes as a relief to most of us who are big fans of him. By interacting through conspiracy theory and shooting down videos through logic, Ben is proving even more that he is finally getting back on the right track to who he’s always been — the skeptic.

All of this is the perfect way to show that this app drives the investigation and the case overall. What starts off seeming very believable ends up proving to just be another attempt at clout chasing.

The Bouchard Girls Take Leland Down

One of the biggest agonizers of the whole series has been Leland Townsend. And much to the chagrin of Kristen nothing she tries to do ever makes a lasting dent in the quest to discredit him.

However, Kristen has definitely done one thing right as a mom and that is to raise four amazing, cunning, and bright young girls. They know that Leland is trying to get to them through the game and so they finally take him down through that.

I mean, it’s genius if you ask me. Who would’ve thought that the dialogue on an Animal Crossing-esque game would be the take-down Leland deserves?

This just proves once and for all that Kristen isn’t the Bouchard to look out for — Lynn, Lila, Lexis, and Laura are. They truly make an average episode slightly better just by using their collective brains to outsmart a diabolical man.

The Truth Comes Out

The biggest shock of Evil Season 3 Episode 6, “The Demon of Algorithms” is hands down finding out that Leland and Cheryl have Andy in capitivity. Not only that they have him in some sort of vegetative state in order to manipulate him and his family.

While the ultimate endgame with this plot hasn’t revealed itself yet, the basic reason behind it is clear. Andy is something that stands in the way of Cheryl getting what she wants — her family at her mercy — and of Leland finally defeating Kristen.

While the first few episodes this season start to seem a bit suspect when it comes to Andy’s video calls. The truth behind them is even more sinister. 

If Leland is holding his strings there is no way Andy is ever going to walk away from this because Kristen has yet to get one over on him. What would be cool is if the Bouchard daughters figure out something is up and manage to get the drop on Leland because let’s face it — they’re the only ones cunning enough to do it.

Either way, when Kristen does find out about Andy it’s going to devistate her, but not as much as finding out her mom is behind it will. This B-Plot is going to drive the rest of the season moving forward and we can’t wait to see where the show takes it. 

 

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

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Evil airs Sundays on Paramount+.

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