Original release date: July 4, 2021
* * *
“Mission District” by The Black Angels playing…
CHILD’S VOICE: Help!
♪ You only love yourself ♪
♪ You only care for you ♪
♪ I think I’ve hit the truth ♪
♪ Better days will come ♪
♪ Other scenes to get on ♪
♪ You watch your village cave in, kid… ♪
ANDREA: Okay.
What am I looking at?
DAVID: A sigil map. Symbols of demonic houses.
ANDREA: Where did you get it?
Three Vatican assessors showed it to us. Wait, what?
You’re not supposed to have that.
They asked us to investigate.
But they did not leave that with you.
Sister, that man in there? Leland Townsend? You saw something in him. This shows what he’s doing. Look at these. He had a copy of the sigil map, and made five notations on it. I-I can’t translate them. They’re not Greek, they’re not Latin. Do you recognize the alphabet?
ANDREA: No. No. No. What is this about?
We think it has something to do with the manipulating of embryonic implantations in a local fertility clinic in order to result in disturbed children. We think each of these sigils is connected to another child being born.
Have you checked the records of this fertility clinic?
They’ve been wiped clean. We can’t locate the mothers. What are you seeing?
He changes the alphabet with each letter. This is Assamese. This is Cyrillic. This is Syriac.
How do you know this?
And this is, I think, is Burmese.
What does it say?
M-O-W-B-R-A-Y. “Mowbray.”
What does that mean?
No idea.
M-A-T-H-I-L-D-A. “Mowbray, Mathilda.”
[doorbell rings]
So, any idea what we tell them?
That we’re from the Church, and there have been negative reports about RSM Fertility.
And we’re here to…?
[door opens]
DAVID: Mrs. Castle? Uh, we’re here from Saint Joseph’s about your foster child?
Mathilda?
Oh, you want my husband.
Brian, it’s the people from the Church.
You must be really backlogged. He called you two months ago.
W-We have been.
Yeah.
And you attend Saint John’s?
BRIAN: Uh, just me.
JANE: I attend Masjid Al-Hikmah.
And Mathilda? She attend services there?
We’re raising Mathilda to appreciate both faiths.
At this point, we feel the more guidance, the better.
So, uh, what’s been going on?
We’ve had Mathilda for almost a year, and she’s a great kid.
We wanted to adopt her.
It’s just there are issues.
What kind of issues?
Well, since Mathilda came into our home, there have been three fires.
JANE: She said she didn’t set them.
They were small.
The first was a dish towel on the stove.
JANE: And the second one was worse.
No one seems to have clear answers.
Not even her therapist.
That’s why we wanted some spiritual guidance.
I just don’t think the therapist can answer everything.
I didn’t say he could.
BRIAN: I just think
this might not be psychological.
Her biological mother was arrested for setting her room on fire.
You know that, right?
Mathilda was distraught.
Would it be possible for me to talk to Mathilda?
Hi, Mathilda. I’m Kristen.
How come they sent three psychologists this time?
Well, just one psychologist. Me.
Who are those other men?
They work with me.
What are you doing?
Aren’t you here to take me away because I’m bad?
Oh, no.
No, no. W-We don’t think you’re bad.
Just came to see how you were doing.
Hey.
My daughter has that same tea set.
MATHILDA: What’s her name?
Lexis.
How old is she?
She’s nine.
Me, too.
I’m not starting the fires.
I’m not saying you were.
But your parents are saying that there have been three fires.
They’re not my parents. They’re Brian and Jane.
Do you like them, Brian and Jane?
I like them a lot.
That’s good. They really like you, too.
Can I ask you a few questions?
Sure.
Fire away.
That was a joke.
Funny.
Mm…
I like it when the sun is shining and I can go outside.
It makes me happy. What makes you happy?
You don’t have to give an example for yourself.
You can just ask.
What makes you happy?
When I have pancakes and watch cartoons with Brian and Jane.
And what makes you angry?
I get mad, I guess, after I talk to my mom on the phone.
Because I miss her.
Mathilda, do you like to look at fire?
How does looking at fire make you feel?
I don’t know.
Does it make you feel… happy and strong?
I didn’t do anything.
Okay.
So how did those fires happen?
[whispering]: I’m not supposed to tell you.
If I tell you, something bad will happen.
[whispering]: To you?
Mathilda, do you think that maybe you’d feel better if you tell me?
A man comes into my room when I sleep.
Ever since I was a kid.
What kind of a man?
I don’t know.
Big.
And his face, it doesn’t move.
It’s kind of like he doesn’t feel anything.
He has no eyes.
And the top of his head is busted open and fire comes out.
But it goes up like that.
When he’s angry with me, he sets things on fire.
Have you told your social worker about this monster?
Uh-huh.
Then she took me away from my mom.
But the man found me.
He always finds me.
And that’s why no one wants me, because wherever I go, the man sets fires.
[door closes]
So, what do you think?
KRISTEN: I think it could be denial about her pyromania or modeling behavior imitating her mom.
BEN: That’s only if her mom started the fire.
It could be that she was arrested for what her daughter did.
KRISTEN: She’s blaming somebody else for starting the fires.
A man with… a flaming head.
It’s her version of the boogeyman, I suppose.
Hmm.
[♪]
[rustling]
LYNN: You’re home early, Mom.
Yeah.
Just doing some cleaning.
LAURA: Why?
Just trying to be a better mom these days.
How are you guys?
LYNN [chuckles]: Good.
I don’t like school.
I want to go to Alaska and fish.
That’s a great idea. I’m gonna make some calls.
Yeah.
Where you going?
Just taking the trash out.
It’s not till Thursday.
I’m getting a jump.
Love you. Love you.
LAURA: I love you, too.
What was that about?
Mom being crazy.
Do you think she misses Dad?
Maybe. We should call him.
I thought he was gonna be gone just a month.
Yeah, I think the business isn’t going well.
[beeping]
[exhales]
[phone beeps]
RECEPTIONIST: Your 4:00 is here.
Got it. Uh, send her in.
Ah, Ms. Nielson. Hi.
Yes. Hello.
Hi. Dr. Kurt Boggs. Welcome.
Thank you.
Please sit down.
Thank you for seeing me so last minute, Doctor.
Oh, no problem. So who referred you?
Uh, no one. It was just a Google search.
I hope that isn’t a problem.
Not at all.
Now, on the phone you mentioned you were having problems with your daughter Jasmine?
Yes, Jasmine, my-my daughter.
Uh, do you have to take notes? I’m…
No, not if you don’t want me to.
Please. I…
So, tell me about your issues with Jasmine.
Well, we’re estranged, sadly.
She’s keeping me from my granddaughters.
And why do you think she’s doing that?
I was engaged to be married to someone she disapproved of, and she thought he was bad for my grandkids.
You said “was.” The status has changed?
Yes. We-we broke up.
Oh. Well, I’m sorry.
But have you told Jasmine you’re no longer with your fiancé?
I tried to, but she doesn’t want to talk to me.
And why is that?
I don’t know.
She’s basically a single mom now.
Her husband may as well be dead; he’s off climbing.
Social climbing.
I was the one who was helping her raise her kids.
And you’re looking for help in adjusting?
No. No, I want to get back with my daughter, and I thought you might have some insight.
Well, um…
why don’t we go a little deeper?
We’ll see what we can discover.
And anything you can share from your knowledge of women in similar situations would be very helpful.
Has Mathilda talked to you about the monster she sees?
Someone causing the fires?
JANE: Yes.
That’s one of the reasons we called the Church.
You called the Church because she was seeing a monster?
No.
Because of this.
We got a nanny-cam.
JANE: We removed every possible source for a fire.
Even covered and padlocked our stove, got rid of the microwave, the toaster.
And still, this.
MATHILDA: No.
No. Go away!
Stop!
I won’t.
I won’t!
Stop!
Stop it!
[combustion whoosh]
[Mathilda screams]
That’s why we think this isn’t just psychological.
[screaming]
[scroller clicking]
Don’t even think about it.
[stomps foot] Way to take the fun out of it.
[Ben chuckles]
Turn on some lights in here.
You’ll make yourself blind.
Wow, it’s like you’re channeling Mom right there.
KARIMA: Doesn’t it get cold in here?
What do you need?
Do you remember a story that Mom used to tell us about a figure with its head on fire, and it had no eyes?
Yeah. Why?
What is it?
I’m working with this kid that describes the exact same thing.
Is this kid Muslim?
No, but her foster mom is.
What is it?
Okay, please, help yourself.
The Ifrit.
The what?
Ifrit. It’s a jinn.
Oh, my God, that’s right.
Mom used to scare the crap out of me.
You remember she used to tell us those stories right before bedtime?
Yeah. We asked her to.
Yeah, what did we know? We were six.
Yes. There it is.
An Ifrit.
KARIMA: The most powerful of all jinn.
Remember, Mom used to warn us to never talk or play with an Ifrit, because no weapon could defeat it.
Only Allah.
Yeah.
I can see why you’re still a believer.
It makes so much sense.
Not like your Catholics, huh?
And their demons. Ooh…
KRISTEN: So, what is a jinn?
A demon?
BEN: It can be.
Though some jinns can be benevolent.
Or they can be both.
Yeah, what about this jinn?
It’s unclear.
Jinns can be one thing to one person and another to another.
What, so it’s more like a psychological condition?
Well, it depends who you ask.
Me, yes.
My mother, no. Very real to her.
What about you, David? You believe in demons.
Do you believe in jinns?
She’s trying to get us to argue over religion.
No, it was an innocent question.
BEN: I’ll answer for him.
Demons are real, jinns are not.
Because jinns are not in the Bible.
DAVID: And they’re not evil. You said so yourself.
Sometimes they’re good.
And why is that wrong?
Because anything not of God is evil.
Which is kind of why I like ’em.
Christianity is too black-and-white for me.
Wait, isn’t all religion too black-and-white for you?
Yeah, but at least Islam leaves room for some gray.
I mean, jinns can be good or bad.
I mean, good ones can do bad things, bad ones can do good things.
Unlike the Devil and demons, where they all just do the same thing.
Benny… you sound like you’re starting to believe.
No, no, I am just…
I’m protective.
It’s probably some religious version of nationalism.
Just so you know, I wasn’t trying to criticize Islam.
So, I found in Mathilda’s chemistry set these two things.
What are they?
Chlorine tabs from the pool and brake fluid.
What? How did you get brake fluid?
I-I didn’t. That’s not my stuff.
Why does it matter?
You pour the brake fluid on the chlorine, you let it sit for a few minutes.
It’ll smoke and then eventually combust.
I think that is what you saw on the nanny-cam.
MATHILDA: I didn’t do that.
Mathilda… do you like science?
Uh-huh.
And fire?
I like to watch fire, but I didn’t use that to make anything.
The monster did.
Mathilda, you need to tell us the truth.
I am.
The monster told me it won’t let me alone until it has somewhere else to go.
Till the jinn has somewhere else to go?
Uh-huh.
To someone else.
It needs to grow, like a fire.
Mathilda,
you don’t have to lie anymore. It’s okay.
I’m not lying!
Mathilda.
Speaking Arabic…
Is that Arabic?
Do you understand?
Mm-hmm.
Continues speaking Arabic…
“A fire will burn whoever is close and jump to one of you.”
“Mission District” by The Black Angels playing…
[gasps]
[breathing rapidly]
♪ You only love yourself… ♪
What the fuck?
[tires screeching]
♪ I think I hit the truth ♪
♪ Better days will come. ♪
[quiet whooshing]
[door creaking]
BEN: What do you want?
ABBEY: I want what you want.
You see that iPhone over there?
The lucid dreaming books said to set for voice-activated so I can tell when I’m talking in my dream.
Why do your friends criticize Allah so much?
What are you talking about?
You heard them.
They don’t care about what you believe.
They make fun of it.
What does it matter to me?
Or you?
I don’t believe in it either.
Because they don’t treat you with respect.
They think your religion is a joke.
You’re trying to create divisions.
[chuckles]
Oh, please. There are divisions.
I’m just on your side.
Here’s the problem you have.
I’ll wake up and realize that you don’t exist, and everything you’re planting in my head right now,
it’ll disappear.
Aw, baby, I’m more real than your friends.
What is that?
My retainer.
Why do you have a retainer?
Just lie back.
[screams]
[gasps]
[panting]
[beeps]
BEN [over phone]: Testing, one, two, three.
[beeps]
[beeps]
BEN: Testing, one, two, three.
[beeps]
I am so sorry, Jasmine.
You and I… our relationship… Is so important to me.
Uh… so how do we fix this between us?
Keep going.
Because let’s face it, we both did some stupid things, so…
No, no. You don’t get to bring up the other person’s slights when you’re apologizing.
Look, it won’t matter.
She won’t meet with me or hear from me, so I’ll never get far enough to apologize.
Is there anyone you know who can act as an intermediary?
Someone Jasmine trusts?
Someone who can facilitate getting the two of you in a room together?
[school bell rings]
Lexi?
You have exactly two seconds to come over here!
BRIAN: Have you ever conducted an exorcism of a child?
Yes.
Have they been safe?
Yes.
Okay. What do I have to do?
You need to request one.
I request one.
Do you want to talk to Jane first?
No. That’s why I’m here.
She knows this isn’t psychological.
But she’s Muslim. Does she want to check with her imam?
BRIAN: I don’t understand.
Ben.
I’m just saying, she’s seeing a jinn, not a demon.
It’s not Catholic.
Yes, but we agreed the issue is about diabolical possession.
We haven’t agreed on anything.
A jinn is from Islam.
[phone vibrating]
Mr. Castle, I am sorry.
Obviously there’s a disagreement.
Hello?
Uh, you are Catholic, and you’ve requested an exorcism.
What?
Okay, I’ll be, I’ll be right home.
Yeah, no, I’m-I’m coming right now.
SHERYL: How is it?
LEXIS: Good.
Hey, kiddo. You all right?
How are you feeling? Better, just tired.
Okay. Why don’t you go upstairs to your room and lay down?
I’ll be up in a minute.
Okay. Bye, G-Ma. Love you.
I love you, too, honey.
The school called. Um, she had the sniffles.
They couldn’t get a hold of you, and I guess I’m still on the emergency call list, so…
Thank you for being there for her.
Yeah. Family.
Excuse me…
Kristen, let me say something to you.
[exhales]
I’m so…
I’m so sorry.
You and I… our relationship is so important to me.
Uh, so how do we fix this between us?
I can’t have Leland anywhere near my children.
We broke up.
You did?
Yes.
When?
Last week.
We weren’t right for each other.
You had his number, and I’m just… sorry for not seeing it sooner.
Please.
I can’t be without my family. I can’t…
I can’t be without you.
[crying]
[♪]
[♪]
[wind whooshing]
[tapping]
“Mission District” by The Black Angels playing…
[exhales]
[door opens]
Mom? You okay?
Yeah, I’m fine.
I just need to go out for a minute.
You’re in charge, okay?
Seriously?
“Mission District” by The Black Angels playing…
I’ll have tequila, chilled, silver.
COLIN: Can I buy you a drink?
Sure.
You can buy this one.
Same for me, please.
I’m Colin.
Hi, Colin.
Who’s that?
That’s Lance.
Just ignore him.
Mind if I sit?
Sure.
So what do you do…
Sorry, you didn’t say your name.
I’m a climber.
Oh, really?
What kind of climbing?
Rock climbing, bouldering. A little Alpine.
Oh, you’re not joking.
[chuckles] I thought you were joking.
What do you do, Lance?
Uh… He’s Lance. I’m Colin.
What do you do, Colin?
I work in I.T.
at a data mining company.
Wow.
Well, you must be very smart.
Just smart enough to get in trouble.
I see you have a ring on your finger there.
I do, don’t I?
You divorced or something?
Something.
If I told you I was the mother of four children, what would you say?
I would say you don’t look like the mother of four children.
Really?
Yeah.
And what do I look like?
The sexiest woman in here.
And what makes me sexy?
The way our legs just touched.
Will you be offended if I ask you something?
Oh, wow, I really can’t answer that question, Lance.
[chuckles]
You’ll just have to go for it.
Would you like to get out of here?
Let me just go to the restroom first.
[♪]
Next time, stay.
[sizzles]
I am seeing hallucinatory imagery.
Imagery based on perceptual error?
No.
Vivid mental imagery?
No, it’s definitely a hallucination.
It had substance and it seemed to occupy physical space.
I’ve seen it twice now, both while driving.
Once it was inside the car, and the other time it was out.
And could you describe it?
It’s a spirit called a jinn.
It’s…
Yes. Oh, I know what a jinn is. Really?
Yes. This one, uh, represents fire.
We’ve been dealing with it during our work.
Your religious work?
Right.
And what were you doing just before you saw it?
Driving.
No, no, uh, before that.
I was in a bar with a man.
A man you were seeing?
No.
But both were moments of high stimulation?
Yes.
I think you should consider prescribing risperidone.
Five milligrams.
And I think you should consider coming in twice a week.
This is not a small matter.
And we could be treating the most superficial aspect and not the underlying trauma.
How’s your family?
Well, Andy is still out of town.
But your mom apologized?
Yes, Sheryl broke up with her fiancé.
She came to me and apologized and said she wanted to make things right.
Your mom’s name is Sheryl?
Yes, why?
I don’t think I knew that.
I’ve mentioned it before.
Is there a Jasmine in your family?
In my family? No.
Why?
[sighs]
[line beeps]
Judy?
The new patient, Sheryl… Nielson.
Please call her and tell her I need her to come in.
[doorbell rings]
Mr. Castle.
This is Father Mulvehill.
He’ll be performing the exorcism today.
Hello.
DAVID: Mr. Castle?
Is everything okay?
Sorry, yeah, of course.
Um… there’s just been a slight change of plans.
Come in.
Hi.
This is Sheikh Majed.
Hello. The Castles have called me in to perform a Muslim exorcism.
Don’t look at me. I didn’t call him.
BRIAN: Actually my wife called him.
I had no idea.
There must be some misunderstanding.
I was scheduled to perform an exorcism.
That’s why I am here.
But, surely, you will understand as a man of faith, the jinn is of Islamic origin, therefore I must perform it.
MULVEHILL: And surely you will understand that the head of the household has requested a Catholic exorcism.
You got to be kidding me.
“Head of the household”?
We agreed I would call my parish.
But then it turned out to be a jinn.
Really, Jane? A jinn? What is this, Aladdin?
MAJED: A Muslim exorcism is more detailed than a Catholic one.
I need to decide if the jinn is benevolent or evil.
Then I must negotiate with it to see if it should even be cast out.
With all due respect, you could do more damage leaving a demon in place, thinking it is benevolent.
The Devil is a liar.
And might impersonate a jinn to be left…
All jinn
are descendants of shaitan, but not all of them choose evil.
The Koran teaches that just as there are some jinn who are “surrendered to God, there are some who have abandoned themselves to wrongdoing.”
I’m sorry, David. I cannot work within the realms of this… mythology.
“Mythology”? You’re the one who will try to perform an exorcism not by invoking the name of Allah, but a man, Jesus.
Look, might I suggest, uh, Father Mulvehill, uh, Sheikh Majed, you work together?
There is nothing of either faith that prevents both of you from doing your jobs.
For the sake of Mathilda.
[birds squawking]
Are there any musical instruments in the house?
BRIAN: Uh, just Mathilda’s keyboard.
It needs to be removed. Jinn are tricksters and will use music to disturb the exorcism.
Any TVs or music-playing devices must also be removed.
I’m ready to go.
Chanting in Arabic…
We’re in the middle of Queens with a sheikh and a priest, exorcising a nine-year-old girl.
Who doesn’t think God has a sense of humor?
Tell me your name, jinn.
[hissing]
Chanting in Arabic…
Chanting in Latin…
[shrieks]
[laughing]
[deep voice]: Adnan is gone.
And who are you?
Dan.
I got this.
Who are you now?
God of heaven,
God of earth, God of angels,
God of archangels, God of patriarchs,
God who has power to give life after death and rest after work…
[normal voice]: Mom! Make him stop, Mom, please, I’m burning.
It’s okay.
That’s not her.
[deep voice]: How dare you?
I can bring down hellfire.
From the snares of the Devil.
Deliver us, O Lord.
That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty.
DAVID: We beseech Thee to hear us.
I’m coming for you.
The Father below will embrace you in his warm hellfire.
MULVEHILL: That Thou may crush down all enemies of Thy Church.
DAVID: We beseech Thee to hear us.
Well, Doctor, you did it.
My daughter and I are talking again.
Your daughter Jasmine?
That’s right.
Something wrong?
Sheryl… her name is Kristen.
What are you talking about?
You’ve been lying to me.
Your daughter’s real name is Kristen Bouchard.
And you’ve chosen me as your therapist under false pretenses.
That’s… no.
No.
No, that’s…
[Sheryl sobbing]
[crying]: Oh, my God, oh, my…
I’m so, so sorry.
Please…
please don’t, don’t judge me.
Please don’t.
Mrs… Sheryl, please.
[stammers] It’s okay. I-I-I just can’t…
I need this, please!
I confess that…
I came to you because Kristen was here, but then when I heard from you, I just, oh…
I am so, uh, sorry, Sheryl, but you cannot be my patient.
It’s-it’s unethical.
I’m desperate.
Please show some compassion, please.
All right, look, I-I…
I suppose that I, I could… uh, refer you to another doctor.
But I cannot talk about Kristen.
No, I know, I know. It’s okay.
Well, come back next week, and we’ll… discuss what you need in a therapist.
[laughs]: Thank you.
Oh!
Okay.
Oh, thank you.
Okay.
Let the enemy have no power over her.
DAVID: And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm her.
MULVEHILL: Lord, send her aid from your holy place.
And watch over her from Zion.
BRIAN: Is it finished?
MAJED: Wait.
Majed speaking Arabic…
I’m sorry.
It’s okay, sweetheart, shh.
It’s okay.
[sobbing]
JANE: It’s okay, sweetheart.
BRIAN: It’s all right.
LYNN: Mom?
If you ever need to go out again, I can watch them.
I’m old enough now.
I know you are.
When is Dad coming back?
I don’t know. The set-up for the climb is taking longer this year.
Uh-huh.
Don’t be sad.
I’m not.
[sighs]
Come here.
[chuckles] You don’t need to tuck me in.
I can tuck myself in.
[floorboards creaking]
[sighs]
Hey.
Hey.
How’s it going?
“Mission District” by The Black Angels playing…
[♪]
♪ You only love yourself ♪
♪ You only care for you ♪
♪ I think I hit the truth ♪
♪ Better days will come ♪
[muttering]: Make it stop.
♪ Other scenes to get on ♪
[sighs]
♪ You watch your village cave in, kid ♪
♪ You only see one way. ♪
