TV Review: Outcast: A Darkness Surrounds Him (S1 Ep.1)

"You can watch this episode right now, two weeks early!"

As the creator of The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman has given the world a bloody, compelling story about surviving in a Post-Apocalyptic zombie-filled wasteland, which whether you like it or not, has become a phenomenon. We love it, and it's a big part of our world as far as what we like to watch on TV goes.

Fear the Walking Dead, Kirkman's TWD spin-off, not so much.

And so we come to Outcast; the other comic book seres created by Kirkman that he's turning into a TV show, and one that many people say is even better than The Walking Dead. Now, I don't know about better, but after watching this Pilot Episode, I can say that it's every bit as good, albeit in a very different way.

Without spoiling too much...

Outcast is the story of Kyle Barnes, a man who has recently returned to his childhood home of Rome, West Virginia, to find answers; answers about why Demonic Possession has plagued him, and everyone around him, since childhood. He's a broken, withdrawn man, and his loving sister is one of the few people who doesn't look at him like he's a monster. There's good reason for that, but of course, we're not going to spoil the details for you.

Directed by Adam Wingard, the Pilot Episode of Outcast was some pretty great stuff.

This is a dark and moody TV show that does a great job of world-building, and making that world feel creepy in a very real way. The Demonic Possession/Exorcism thing has been done countless times since The Exorcist, and it really doesn't feel any less familiar here, but the story around the supernatural element (most notably the characters that populate the world) make it work better than most. Patrick Fugit is a hell of an actor, and he's perfect as Kyle Barnes in this one. His character is compelling as hell, and he really makes the Pilot work.

So let's take a quick peek at Outcast, in our Trademarked (?!?) Picture Book Format! (Just go with it.)

WELL, THAT CERTAINLY SETS THE MOOD.

YEAH, US TOO.

WHAT A QUAINT LITTLE TOWN.

REG E. CATHEY IS A WELCOMED SIGHT IN ANYTHING.

SO TORTURED.

THE QT, GINGER SISTER.

HE CREEPS EVERYONE OUT, ESPECIALLY KIDS.

NOW THAT'S LOVE.

THE WILLIAM FRIEDKIN TRIBUTE.

THE UNASSUMING EXORCIST.

FLASHBACKS. FLASHBACKS EVERYWHERE.

AH, THE LOVELY KATE LYN SHIEL (WHOSE NAME ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE IT'S MISSING LETTERS TO US.)

WELL, THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY.

Outcast is probably going to be one of the best shows on TV this Summer.

YES. IN OUR HEARTS.

Cinemax has already ordered a 2nd Season for Outcast, and after seeing the Pilot Episode, it's not hard to see why. This is a dark, somber, and chilling show that after only one episode has us totally hooked. We can't wait to see where this show goes.

B+

If you don't want to wait, or if you don't have Cinemax, you can watch the premiere episode for free, and legally, HERE.

Outcast premieres on June 3rd at 10 P.M. on Cinemax.

Wrenn Schmidt and Kate Lyn Shiel are in this.