Midnight Mass Season 1, Episode 1 recap: Genesis

The next morning, Warren and Ooker are also surprised to see that the wine cruets have already been filled; that’s normally their job. Riley spots Erin sitting in a church pew, and when Bev opens the doors, a man who is definitely not Monsignor Pruitt steps into view. He introduces himself as Father Paul (Hamish Linklater), and says he was sent to fill in, due to the fact that Pruitt has fallen ill. The congregation is not to worry, it’s only temporary, but Paul is looking forward to meeting everyone.

After church, Father Paul greets everyone personally. He is very warm and likable, but Riley looks at him suspiciously. Everyone is ready to get home to prepare for the storm that is forecast to hit the island that night.

Riley walks Erin home, and they chat. Apparently, Erin ran away to New York when she left Crockett Island. She was married and is happy with her pregnancy. Riley talks about going to Chicago, where he worked in finance before the accident.

Bev scolds Father Paul for wearing his special occasion gold robe, he should be wearing green instead. Paul says he just needs to find everything, he wasn’t able to locate the green robe, but he will find it, no worries.

That night, the storm hits, and it is a doozy. At one point, Riley looks out of his bedroom window, and sees a figure wearing a long coat and a hat, walking in the wind and rain. He tells his parents it’s the Monsignor and runs out after him, but he stumbles and falls, and when he looks up, no one is there.

The next morning, the Flynns walk outside, and see gulls swooping down on the beach, whatever could they be going after? They get the answer to that question when they see hundreds of dead cats washed up onshore.

I have to take a moment to give props to the soundtrack for Midnight Mass. The Newton Brothers, who also scored The Haunting of Hill House, did a bang-up job, their score keeps the suspense amped up. Sprinkled with Neil Diamond and traditional hymns, the soundtrack is nothing less than engaging, and often emotional as well.

Also, the cast for Midnight Mass is absolute perfection, there is not a missed note in any of their performances.

Did the first episode of Midnight Mass draw you in? Have you seen the entire series? Let us know what you thought about it in the comments section.