The Exorcist Finale Roundtable 2×10 “Unworthy”

Andy makes a sacrifice worth giving in order to save his family and keep (mostly) everyone together.

The finale of Season Two of The Exorcist was all we ever wanted and more. As we predicted last week, we knew that this week’s episode would destroy us. Immediately beginning where last week ended, we see Marcus meet Tomas. The two take Andy to the abandoned house to attempt an exorcism on him.  Wait, did we mention Marcus and Mouse reunite? Talk about an awkward reunion.  Mutually, all three agree that they are running out of time (Andy’s been willfully holding the demon back from truly hurting his kids.)

RELATED: The Exorcist 2×09 Roundtable “Ritual and Repetition”

Marcus, however, does everything in his power to stop time from running out. Mouse suggests killing Andy quickly because “killing the host will kill the demon,” and Tomas suggests offering himself to the demon in order to save Andy. Marcus – a character who we’ve seen struggle with his moral complex this season, does not support either option.

Despite Tomas’ offering, it is ultimately Andy who saves the day – asking Marcus to shoot him while he still has the chance as he needed to take responsibility for the deaths he caused. Before dying, Andy pens the sweetest message to each of the kids and wow, was it was sure a blessing to watch unfold on-screen. After Andy’s death, Tomas and Marcus have an emotional goodbye, and elsewhere, the kids are shown living happily in their new foster home and parent Rose.

Want to read more about the finale? Please welcome our final roundtable:

Sydney B. (@TrinityAnders99) – Exorcist Fan

Jessie (@andherewe_go) – Author, History Nerd, TV Fan, and Proud Member of the #ExorcistCongregation

Diana (@xoloitzcuintle) – TV Newbie

Candice (@d0wninunderland) – Writer, horror enthusiast, and occasional traveler

Mary (@mlp60) – Quality Television Viewer. Exorcist Congregation. Love The Exorcist.

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1. What thoughts ran through your head when Tomas offered to sacrifice himself to save Andy?

Sydney B. (@TrinityAnders99): I thought this was very typical of Tomas. Even though he has made more than a few self-admitted mistakes, he’s always owned up to them. From his initial errors with Casey’s exorcism, his infidelity with Jessica, to Andy’s escape, and most of all, not heeding Marcus’ warnings regarding the demon’s control. The sacrifice is Tomas’ way of making things right and ultimately living up to his true potential of becoming a full-fledged exorcist. He is willing to take it as far as it goes. It was heartbreaking to see Tomas and Andy both wanting to pay the ultimate price, both volunteering to give up their lives for the sake of the other at the same time knowing what either might lose in the process: Tomas’ soul vs. Andy being with his family. In the end, it was Tomas’ faith in God which helped him make the offer. Perhaps I’m biased, but I basically want to swim in the earnestness of Tomas’ eyes!

Jessie (@andherewe_go): Of course I was screaming at my TV, “NO!” It’s a difficult decision to make, but Tomas seemed to make it effortlessly. Can we appreciate how badass that is? Tomas was brave to do that, knowing that he’d put himself in the path of danger and possibly (more than likely) not make it out alive or with his soul still intact. He wanted to put Andy before himself. He saw it as his responsibility to do so, since he was the one to kind of slip up and make the mistake of letting the demon in before. And it’s really their only option left to fight the demon. To see Tomas go from arrogantly using his gift to prove himself in the beginning of the season to using it to potentially sacrifice himself for someone else was quite an arc. Tomas has come a long way this season and it’s been really interesting to watch him on his journey.

Diana (@xoloitzcuintle): It felt like a very organic conclusion to what Tomas’ story-line focused on throughout the season. He was always going to go for the sacrifice play, giving himself up to save a life was always Tomas’ trump card, he’s That Guy, he’s a hero, he’s gonna do whatever it takes to protect someone else and he’ll do it gladly. He has a lot of faith too, he believes God has a plan for him and if he gives himself up and ends up integrated it’s because God meant to. I thought there was a chance Andy would make it and a priest would end up integrated, and I feel that would’ve been a very interesting premise for a third season but I really appreciate Jeremy Slater’s hatred for cliffhangers and giving us a season ending that would not hurt us forever if it were to be also a series finale.

Candice (@d0wninunderland): I was thinking, Shit. If Tomas gets possessed, he won’t come back. Even if he’s saved, such evil is going to stain him in ways he probably hasn’t even imagined. Also, That’s all well and good, but, uh, have you forgotten the repercussions Andy is going to have to face once he’s saved? It’ll be another death sentence for him. No kids. No healing. Just a haunted man who’ll have to deal with his trauma in an unwelcoming place: a jail cell. Andy’s death wrecked me; the performance given by John Cho had me weeping (he’s amazing), but part of me thinks that my heart would have broken further for him if he had lived. There was really no coming back for him, I’m afraid. I hate saying so, but ugh. Poor guy.

Mary (@mlp60): After I uttered one of my first sobs of the evening, I knew he had to do it. It is his gift, and as he reminds Marcus, his life and soul is God’s. I love to see the growth in Tomás-both spiritual and personal. He grew from a self-absorbed, arrogant young priest to an unselfish, godly son of Christ. The thought that stayed in my mind was that Tomás had finally accepted his “gift” and that he was truly willing to sacrifice himself for Andy. No greater gift….

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2. On tonight’s episode, we saw a lovely scene between Verity and Shelby. Did you have a favorite sibling pair this season? They were all so incredible.

Sydney: I have a soft spot for each of the Kim kids. Tonight’s scene between Verity and Shelby was just as moving as their campfire confessions. I really can’t choose, but it was endearing to see how throughout the season both Shelby and Verity tried to protect their siblings, each in their own way. All the kids grew strength from each other, a strength rooted in Nicole and Andy’s great parenting. But Andy was right; Truck and Caleb do need to take their comedy act on the road!

Jessie: How can you choose between siblings? I loved them all, of course. Verity and Shelby were fantastic in their scenes together just because they held such opposing views. But somehow, Verity found herself opening up to him (and Shelby to her) and I think it really helped her healing process. Seeing Shelby become that guiding force in Verity’s journey, in part, was so sweet. Even at the end, when she doesn’t necessarily believe, it doesn’t matter. Shelby offers her something to hang onto because she just needs something in that moment to get her through. Whereas before she wouldn’t give a second thought to prayer having an influence on anything, this small but beautiful scene showed some wonderful character development.

Diana: They’re all good children brent. We didn’t get to spend enough time with the kids, but with the snapshots we got of their interactions, I really loved Caleb and Truck, and Verity and Harper; Verity is the best big sister ever! We also got a little bit of Caleb and Harper when demon!Andy kidnapped them and that was also very sweet. They’re a very sweet family and I love that we got glimpses of the sibling dynamics despite the time constraints. And I also love that they got a happy ending.

Candice: Oh, I LOVED that scene!!! The actors really nailed that moment. It’s difficult to choose, but I’m gonna have to go with Verity and Harper. Harper hadn’t been in the family for very long, but Verity made her feel safe and welcomed from the moment she walked into their home. Verity really looked out for Harper, providing her with an ally and some much needed love. Verity chose to be the person who she herself needed when she was younger, prior to Andy and Nikki. There’s a precious thread linking her and Harper together: both were raised by people who only saw them as something evil, unclean, and shameful; Verity was there from the start showing Harper that she absolutely was not any of those things that her mother made her believe she was, and that is beautiful. Harper having Verity as her new older sister is invaluable.

Mary: This is difficult because they were all so perfect. While I adored Truck with Caleb, ultimately Verity and Shelby are my favorite sibling couple. Verity is the prickly doubter, while Shelby is bound in his faith. The common ground is that they both cling to this family and their love for Andy is limitless. All of the Kim kids and a small demon were wondrous to watch. Congratulations to Brianna, Alex, Amélie, Caleb, Hunter, Beatrice and Cyrus.

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3. Do you think that Mouse really wanted to find Marcus to warn him and Tomas about the dangers of the Church group who were hunting exorcists? Or was there another reason to find him?

Sydney: I think a little bit of both. I think part of the mission Cardinal Caro sent her on was to find all the remaining exorcists to warn them and to form an army against the Church conspirators. She must have heard of Marcus’ whereabouts over the years. Besides getting closure, I’m sure there was a part of her that wanted to prove to him she is more than capable of doing this work. He needed to know that even though he abandoned her, she was able to move on and do great things. I hoped their reunion made Marcus realize that running away is not the answer. Contrary to his beliefs, having attachments and connections might even help when performing an exorcism. The look of pride on Marcus’ face when they were working over Andy was priceless. At the abbey Mouse was in awe of Marcus’ ability. Nice to see the table turned.

Jessie: I think that was her entire endgame there. She didn’t really care about the exorcism at hand, she just needed the two of them to help her in the fight against the demons corrupting the Church. She just got pulled into things, unwittingly, and wanted to end it as quickly as possible. I loved that she called Marcus out about her own exorcism and the way he left. She didn’t back down on that! I think that was a conversation that needed to happen between them, something that had been brewing for years while they’ve been apart.

Diana: Mouse obviously thinks of Tomas as a potential weapon to be used. I do believe she came in to warn them but mostly because she wanted to recruit them into the war. It’s weird, though, because there was no time to really dig into what’s going on in the Vatican, and Tomas’ ability remained very loosely defined, so it isn’t stated what Mouse thinks Tomas can do, and it’s also not stated what Tomas can ACTUALLY do, so I would’ve expected Mouse to want Marcus on the war more than she wanted Tomas; she actually knows what Marcus can do, whereas with Tomas all she’s got is what Maria told her and the trances she witnessed. It didn’t feel like enough for her to be as confident as she seemed about Tomas being some extraordinary potential weapon. She may have talked to Marcus while Tomas was at the hospital with the Kim family, though, I wonder if there’s a deleted scene there.

Candice:  For Mouse, it was both. She had a responsibility to tell the two of them of the war coming their way, but, in regard to Marcus, she also required closure. She owed it to herself to receive that closure; however, I have a pretty strong feeling that Mouse and Marcus will still have plenty to work out the next time their paths cross, regardless of the oncoming war.

Mary: Mouse was definitely there to warn Marcus and Tomás about the church corruption as she began the journey with Fr Bennett before she realized Marcus was one of the exorcists. Plus she is aware the good side is losing and wants to use Tomás’s gift to help. There has to be a community of believers within the church who are aware of Tomás. Mouse and Marcus obviously have more history so we’ll have to see when they’re reunited.

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4. Did Marcus really hear God’s voice at the end of the episode? Why do you think his last words were “Tomas?”

Sydney: Without a doubt. I don’t believe God ever stopped speaking to Marcus. I think feelings of fear and doubt cause him to stop listening. Perhaps even jealousy at the thought of Tomas being his replacement. But, in the end, Marcus is responsible for Tomas. I think there is a deeper reason why Tomas’ Season one visions led him to Marcus in the first place. At the dock, God was letting Marcus know his work is not done. That he is forgiven. Tomas is perhaps in danger and in need of help on a current case, the kind of help only the old, gray lion can provide.

Jessie: Absolutely. It’s something he’s been missing for months now, it’s made him doubt himself. I mean, it can’t have been about anything good, not with the look on Marcus’ face and the way he said Tomas’ name. I think Tomas and Mouse have gotten themselves into some kind of trouble, so God’s like, “okay, I need you two together again, ASAP.” Tomas and Marcus have this profound connection in that God’s been drawing them together since the very first episode of season one, when Tomas found his way to Marcus. Now, He’s speaking to Marcus directly, telling him they need to find each other again.

Diana: Look, I don’t wanna say God ships it, but I mean. Marcus chose to shoot Andy over letting Tomas be possessed, to Marcus that meant he was emotionally compromised and that he’d chosen Tomas over God or over God’s plan. The whole season he’s felt dry, like he’s given everything he’s had to give and he no longer has a purpose, and making that choice was the last straw for Marcus. He saw it as confirmation that he was no longer fit to be an exorcist or to guide Tomas. So I believe wholeheartedly that he hears God’s voice at the end there, God’s telling him he loves him and he’s forgiven for whatever sins he committed and that he needs to go looking for Tomas.

Candice:I believe so, yeah. Having believed he had been abandoned by God after claiming to have “rejected His love,” the profound emotion that was etched upon Marcus’s face (Ben Daniels, is extraordinary) made it abundantly clear that God was the one who had spoken to him. Given Marcus’s expression and tone, I have a hunch that “Tomas” was uttered in the acknowledgment that his Brother is in danger. God has called upon Marcus to go to his aid. He and Tomas need each other.

Mary: Yes Marcus heard the word of God and felt his touch. I assume Tomás was his last word because of something God said and I wouldn’t dare to presume what was said. I’d rather wait till next season!

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5. Do you think it was a good idea for Marcus and Tomas to take a break from each other?

Sydney: Marcus needs to regroup. Imagine how long it took (is still taking) for him to “recover” from his father’s death. Living with abandoning Mouse; being the one who ultimately took Andy out. He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t take a step back to rethink his purpose. Besides which, Marcus needs to come to terms with the fact the old tradition of ritual and repetition won’t be enough to take down the Vatican. He has to consider utilizing new methods. He isn’t being replaced. If anything he is fortunate to have the likes of Mouse and Tomas’ new ideas of how to win the battle. In terms of Janus, Marcus’ old ways are the past. He needs Mouse and Tomas to transition to the future.

I have faith- like Ross and Rachel, Marcus and Tomas will be reunited.

Jessie: I didn’t want them to…it broke my heart to watch them say goodbye to each other. But, I can see why it had to happen and I do think it was a good idea, as much as it hurt. Marcus needed some time to himself to recover from everything and the only way for him to do that was to take a step back. Tomas needed to continue his journey as an exorcist. Having Mouse beside him will certainly be interesting since she has a wildly different approach to things. I don’t think Marcus and Tomas will be apart for very long, but they’ve been apart long enough for something drastic to have happened.

Diana: Breaking up my boys is never a good idea but from a storytelling point of view, it had to happen. To continue on in his hero journey, Tomas had to lose his Obi-Wan, and character growth-wise, it will allow Tomas to grow in a different direction, Marcus kept Tomas very sheltered and was, I feel, a very demanding mentor. Mouse has a more militant approach, she won’t be holding Tomas’ hand through an exorcism, nor touch his face gently, nor make sure he gets a snack. She views Tomas as a secret weapon in a war her side is losing, she’s gonna fine tune Tomas as best as she can and deploy him every chance she gets.

On Marcus’ part I feel he needed the time too. He’s spent most of his life living for other people, and he’s felt like God’s abandoned him for the past several months, so he needed some time to sort himself out, maybe learn how to sail and check out those condors with Peter ;D!

Candice:  In a way, yes. Marcus needed the time away. He’s been running on fumes for so long, he needed to leave in order to have his faith restored. The break between the two also makes sense, creatively speaking; obviously, a divide often has to occur in order for characters and their stories to progress in a way that shakes things up. The break may not be as good for Tomas as we know he feels lost without Marcus at his side, and Mouse, though more than capable of taking the reins, has a different approach than Marcus when it comes to being an exorcist; ultimately though, the break is necessary for both men.

Mary: I don’t like them apart, but each must find their way. The separation was devastating for me! When Marcus left, and Mouse told Tomás she doubted he’d be back, the look on Tomás’s (Alfonso’s) face broke my heart. They’ll be back. They’ll be back together.

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6. If you could say a few words to Andy, just as he did to the kids, what would you say to him? 

Sydney: Those kids are the way they are because of you. You gave Truck his heart and smarts, Caleb his courage and ability to love in spite of all things. Shelby is the ultimate protector because of your strength. Andy was the perfect parent. Not everyone would chose to turn their backs on a comfy life on Wall Street to becoming a child psychologist. Despite falling under the demon’s prey, Andy made all the right decisions. Till the very end.

Jessie: Aww, man…I’m gonna cry again! I’d tell him that he’s a hero, and that he’s been so extraordinarily brave through this whole ordeal. He was a wonderful father who thought of his kids first and foremost, and did what he did to protect them. And he helped raise some incredible kids. Sacrificing himself was such a selfless act, it should cancel out the horrible things the demon made him do because his sacrifice came from his love for his family. And in doing so, he saved other families from going through this.

Diana: I don’t know, honestly. I can’t write anything as touching as what Jeremy Slater wrote. He died a hero, not only fighting for his family but he also sacrificed himself to save Tomas. It was stunning to see Andy again after spending a few episodes with the demon, I’m still a wreck. Please give John Cho many awards. At least seven.

Candice: Andy, those kids were truly blessed to have had you for a foster parent. You brought them hope when they likely hadnone left. You fought for them, believed in them, and were there for them every step of the way. You are a hero. The world needs more people like you. Rest easy, and know that each of those incredible kids will forever carry you with them. You are loved, now and always.

Mary: Andy, I know you’ve fought hard to keep the family going after you lost your wife, lover, best friend. Lesser men would’ve died with her. You weren’t weak-that’s not what caused this. Evil finds its way in despite you. You too are a victim. But you’ve fought it for a long time. It’s time you rest, to go to her. The children will be ok. They love you. They want you to be at peace.

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7. Let us know your final thoughts on the season that weren’t included in these questions. It sure has been a wild ride.

Sydney: Among the highlights for me this season were the interrogation scenes and Marcus’ “confession” to Peter. Tomas’ arch from eagerness, ego, admitted wrong doing to selfless sacrifice were so well played out. With such great characters, naturally we’d want more time for all their stories to be fully fleshed out.  Not many shows can get an audience to root for and get behind a character like Andy or even Tomas after having made questionable decisions. Let alone that of a horror genre. The show should be praised for its diversity behind and in front of the camera. I am looking very much forward to the next chapter. Nothing will be better than to see the trio, along with a rescued Bennett, bring the fight to the Vatican. I want Marcus to see peace when he closes his eyes. Hearing God’s voice again, I think he is on his way.

Jessie: I can’t believe the season is over already! It went by so quickly, but it was an amazing journey with these characters. It was even better than last season, which I didn’t think was possible. I really became attached to Andy and Rose and the kids, so it’ll be sad to leave them. But I’m glad they got their happy ending, though Andy isn’t with them. I’m content that Rose will honor his memory by giving those kids a safe home where they’re loved and cared for. And now that we have this war with the demons and corrupted Church (poor Bennett…), I’m eager to see where that leads and see how Marcus ends up (hopefully!) reuniting with Tomas. There’s plenty of plot threads to go on for season 3, so we’d better get one… I think the show has more than earned it. I find myself impressed by how consistently everyone is able to outdo themselves each week, which made this entire season a thrill ride from beginning to end. There were so many talented additions to the cast this season, they all really helped flesh out the story with authentic characters and fantastic performances. So many people to thank for giving us season 2! Everyone’s hard work paid off above and beyond expectations. Onward to season 3!

Diana: Whoa, okay, the season was incredible, much stronger than season one overall. The storyline with Marcus and Tomas, Rose, and the Kim family was beautifully delivered and wrapped up and very emotionally satisfying. Of course there are things I would’ve liked that I didn’t get, but there are also a ton of things I got that I would never have even dreamed of, so I’m overjoyed about that. The whole team is fantastic and they deserve all the praise and more. However! 

Because of the tight schedule and budgetary constraints, the Vatican plot thread in the second half of the season felt loose and out of sync with the rest of the show; Mouse came in swinging and was a necessary and welcome addition to the show, but as the season kept going she was underdeveloped. The backstory with Marcus was brought in too late; there wasn’t time to smooth out the apparent contradictions it had with what we knew about Marcus, and as a consequence it felt a little forced. Going into a third season, I feel the integration plot with Bennett is a disservice to the character and I really hope that going forward the writing team gets the time and resources to give him the space he deserves…

Candice: God, this show has deeply moved me this year. Everyone involved did such an outstanding job, and I hope they know that. They really stuck the landing with this finale, and for a horror series to touch your heart long after the credits roll, is something profoundly special. The Exorcist is brilliant in that it not only delivers the thrills and chills, but in that it delivers the message that family can be found anywhere, and in various, yet equally beautiful forms. This show always states in the end that no matter what, the power of family is always worth believing in. Now, can season three start next week, please?

Mary: Jeremy Slater has created a new Exorcist paradigm. While an homage to Blatty pops up every once in a while, this isn’t your Mama’s Exorcist. “The Exorcist” TV series is a beautiful drama in the sub-genre of horror, although I don’t find it to be horror. Another viewer friend of mine (@DeborahMcCue2) said, she “feels more suspense than horror.” Last night I probably cried more than I have in a long while. What Slater and company do so well tell a story that touches you, makes you feel. Each word is precisely placed yet feels organic. The acting and direction are without peers, and the beautiful, mesmerizing cinematography along with the gut-wrenching and excitement inducing score make “The Exorcist” on par with the best. I’m a “PennyDreadful” Dreadful; this season finale touched the greatness of PennyDreadful. I can only imagine how high they can reach with time.  A special note to John and his “family”: you were spectacular. John Cho thank you for letting us see how great you are. And to Brianna, Alex, Hunter, Beatrice, Amélie and Cyrus: you each made your characters radiate. You made me laugh and cry. Thank you.

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Final Verdict: We don’t want to lose The Exorcist. So bring it back.

The finale of The Exorcist was truly a blessing to watch. Seeing how much the series has evolved just from Season One alone, Season 2 was such a joy to watch expand over the past weeks. There was not a single episode that did not tie in with the rest of the narrative – making this season the shows best yet. In “Unworthy,” there were several standouts. Starting off, everyone in the acting department killed it. Seriously, there is not one bad actor on this show – we loved how attached we got to everyone… well except Grace and Nikki. And a special shout-out to John Cho, whom we have to say, managed to break and put our hearts back together again episode after episode.  Moreover, the lighting, cinematography and just general production of the series was incredible. We knew from watching each scene in “Unworthy,” and its predecessors, that so much love and thought was mirrored in all ten episodes of Season 2.

Finally, the writing. We know there are several writers on the show, but we wanted to thank all of them for their talents. Somehow, and in some beautiful way, the writers were able to craft a narrative that was not only complex but inclusive and groundbreaking – especially in its depiction of the horror genre, a genre known for its traditional archetypes and plot lines. The Exorcist team managed to do something different, and we’re so grateful for that.

RELATED: The Exorcist 2×08 Roundtable “A Heaven in Hell”

The only thing we wished we saw more of was Bennett. While Bennett was not as large a character as Marcus and Tomas per say, we would have loved to explore his character more – especially in his involvement with the Church. Ultimately hurting him pretty brutally a few episodes back, and now he, who were assuming is now possessed by the finale, wish he got a little more screen time. However, something tells us this isn’t the last we will see B.

Still, now that it’s over, what are we going to do now? The Exorcist has honestly changed the face of what good television looks like on-screen. We don’t know what lies ahead, but we hope that this story will continue on, because God, does the world deserve to see more of it.

The Exorcist airs Fridays at 9/8c on FOX.