User Reviews

Merrily Watkins (Anna Maxwell Martin,) a local Vicar is being taught the art of exorcism by the experienced Huw Owen (David Threlfall.) She is a single parent, with a young daughter Jane, we learn her dad had passed away. The Police call in Merrily to help with a local and harrowing murder, the victim Paul Sayer had been crucified. She's sceptical about helping, later she's called to a hospital to tend to dying man Denzil Joy, believed to be possessed by an evil spirit. Feeling like she's out of her depth she asks Huw for help. Her predecessor Canon Dobbs tells her she'll be unable to help, that he had tried and failed, when she goes to speak to him, she makes a grim discovery.

It's taken me a little while to catch up on this series, in truth it's the name that put me off, I paid no attention, it sounds a little similar to some of the Sunday teatime dramas, Where the heart is etc, but what a surprise. A truly gripping, dark and unique drama. I've not read the books, so I've nothing to compare with.

Really enjoyed it, with the plot and cast it was never going to fail, 10/10

I loved the first three episodes of this show called "Midwinter of the Spirit", but as I saw the shows title, at first, I nearly skipped over it. I am really attracted to shows that have a supernatural element, but especially those that triumph over evil. However, this title sounded a little like a drama, whereby someone was having a midlife crisis in their 40's-50's or something? But, not the case! I was glad that I had taken the time to read the little bit on the "couch tuners.com" website, which was sparse but enough to let me know it was far more than a show about a mid life crisis, but rather a series about a women in the role as a Catholic Priest, which is very rare in our country, indeed. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen it, here, in the states. Which brings up another point, it's made in another country, either the UK, Australian, or perhaps else where, as the accent is English but very hard to decipher for someone from the USA. I had a bit of trouble hearing every word, because of the accent, but it was very much worth going back to see what was being said, since the entire show and its writing is so good, that every thing said is important! I didn't want to miss a minute of the story. So far, this network, has broad casted only 3 episodes, and I have to assume, by the way the last episode ended, that we're not done, yet! At least, I hope not! The way the 3rd episode ended, watching a "very reputable priest" of this particular precinct, who's hidden an evil agenda has been revealed, by Merrily, then throws himself from the top of the cathedral once the female Vicar addresses his hidden agenda, out loud, after calling the police; the sirens sound in the background, as the Priest jumps! (Sorry for the spoiler if you did not see the warning on top.) The main character, Merrily, who is supposed to be a "female Vicar in training to become an exorcist", has a few flaws, in that she has a daughter who gets a bit lost in her own faith so Merrily has two people to watch out for spiritually, plus she has her own beginner's fears, and also she has been "unwilling to forgive" her dead ex-husband's abuse and selfishness towards her. Since the "need for exorcism has become extremely apparent not only in people, but in churches, nearby, in the community, Merrily's job will be even bigger then she signed up for. Thank goodness, she has a good teacher and he has been watching out for her, helping her out in the back ground; I feel that the writers are fantastic, have done their homework in historical roots of the church, as well as the duties and experiences of those in positions of exorcisms, and in the Christian faith and it's history. It's been a mighty good watch, with plenty of meat to sink your teeth into, and to keep you interested and intensely watching. Every bit as good as Brown's work in his supernatural historical pieces of work in many of his book/movie concerning the story of Mary Magdalen and the Knights Templars, as well as the CChristian Catholic church. Nonetheless, we are just getting into what type of demonic evil this story weaves its mini stories around, but it would appear to be satanic worship of some type, which involves the abuse of young little girls, so if you have no stomach for that sort of thing, here's your warning. It's a very difficult area of demonic worship to stomach, so no one would make you feel bad if you could not watch this, though the writers seem to keep visuals of this type to a very minimal amount' there's just enough to carry out the idea and no more. That's a good thing, because I'm very sensitive to the topic of child sexual abuse, myself! Another thing, i think they do a terrific job with use of sound affects and light bits of music, at just the right moments...that tells me the writing, scenes, acting, etc, are all so good they aren't using overdone sound affects to scare us! Great job on all fronts...television just gets better and better! We do not even have to pay for big theater prices to get the great acting arts right out of the cable or free streaming if you watch couch tuners or any other of the free Internet streaming. Lucky us for great television work and for free Internet streaming! By The Way, this streaming movies and television is not illegal; that's what's nice about keeping our Internet free! Make sure we keep fighting for our rights! We shouldn't have to pay ten different ways to see one show! Once a month is enough! Anyway, great show, this series "Midwinter of the Spirit" and this is on the right track for a 10 on the Internet Movie Database Site.