The Rite To Exercise Exorcism

 "Kiss the hunter of the green vest
  Who has wrestled before
  With lions in the night"_The Soft Parade[The Doors]

  How's that for an Ost lyrics intro for this post about ''The Exorcist''? I'm about to spew my mind on one of my top fave titles in books and films and now tv. By spew, i mean spewing my reactions on both film and tv version - comparatively like what Regan did to that pea soup-green-oatmeal-cereal glob that she spat the priests with. Have those blessed stoles, tissues and hand towels ready in case you need to wipe some residues from this blog-exorcism.
 Before i proceed with this exorcism, you maybe curious as to what is the connection of my intro lyrical quote on lions and its image? In some cultural/spiritual beliefs, a lion embodies Evil attributed to their ferocity and brutal countenance. And to refresh your memories, of the animal sounds which includes a steer and a pig that Regan mimics under possession - one of them is of a lion's. She also had a drawing of a winged lion pinned on a wall.
 Thank God my Mom opened me to the world of books at an early age or i wouldn't have met the authors and titles that i liked and will still like.🙏 So when i got hooked on books, i started to hunt and discover titles and authors on my own. Among those i acquired and collected(as i only collect those that i exceedingly like or i deem to be of superlative work) is none other than William Peter Blatty's 'The Exorcist' in its unholy purple-advent paperback version. I have read and collected all 3 Exorcist novels.

 To date, the title comes in a sweet unholy trinity - in books, in film and most recently on tv as released by Fox. I have no qualms re the variations, tweaks and interpretations that they did in both the film and tv adaptations. Whether one came close or not to the original version is of no import to me. They have sustained the prevalent atmosphere in and around the exorcism itself to my satisfaction.
 I am glad that Regan's character played by Linda Blair does not look like Casey Rance's character as played by Hannah Kasulka. While the former evoked a 70's child innocence before the possession, the latter has that sort of millenial child's fragility to her or atleast that is what she projects for her Casey role. Aside from her acting chops, Hannah Kasulka has versatile eyes that when combined with mood lightings and makeup can achieve a range of personas - fierce, haunted, playful, tormented, etc.
 A favorite highlight of mine, in the book and the film is Regan's stabbing of her vagina with a crucifix while in a demonic voice spits the lines "Let Jesus fuck you!". Some have captioned it to be a kind of masturbation/mutilation thing. But to me, that scene is about the deflowering/devirginization of Regan by the Demon/s via the crucifix symbolizing Christ hence the lines. In a metaphorically parallel and satirical symbolism, it can stand for how frequently religions, representative of faiths and God or the Gods themselves fuck us(humans) up? With their holier-than-thou and double standard shenanigans.

 The tv adaptation did homage to this sexually charged scene in a more subtle manner. Whereas Regan utilized a crucifix for her defloration, Casey for hers made use of a curling iron.

 Which made for an equally electrifying and sizzling salute to Regan's context of that act. I am jestingly wondering if the production team thought that she wasn't curly enough down there?😈Ignosce Mihi Ms. Hannah?😟
 Another spotlight that i'm fond of and not only mine but a lot of others as well, was the head twist that Regan did. That scene got imprinted on the minds of people and may even be fossilized like a trilobite in their imaginations and literally inside the walls of their skulls. Thus, its iconic and cult following thru the years.

 The tv approach tipped its hat by having Casey twist her left hallux or big toe. If you've seen a lot of films/docus on the Occult, you may have observed that the fingers and toes are subtly depicted to be an object or indicator of infestation by the malevolent. Particularly the left hemisphere of the body oft alluded to the Left-Hand Path. 
 Now to the Demon. Chief in the requirement to an exorcism is acquiring the demon's name/s in order for it to be cast out. I've watched the 8th episode a night or two ago and no name is in the offing. But i believe it still carries the name tag of Pazuzu.

  He[Pazuzu] is said to be the harbinger of diseases and pestilence. The 1973 movie showed his human form in flashes and glimpses as a derelict or a frightening visage in the black shadows.

With red rimmed eyes and yellow rotten teeth. While his human incarnate in the current tv is a balding and aging man garbed in a tattered suit who has a dirty epidermis. Add to that his sickly pallor, Periodontitis and same nicotine stained teeth.

 As for both versions, the clerics in the tv adaptation are not clones of the original film. They do share some commonalities such as the glaring generation and cultural gaps between the holy tandems.

 They reflect and complement each other - as a veteran is to a rookie or as a master is to a pupil. What Fr. Merrin(Max von Sydow) is to Fr. Karras(Jason Miller) and so Fr. Marcus(Ben Daniels) is to Fr. Thomas(Alfonso Herrera).

 It is my wish to see my favorite detective/inspector in the book and film. I desire that they reprise the role of Lt. Kinderman(Lee J. Cobb) or someone akin to him and showcase his witty deductions. They could inject a like character in the second season.

 I am loving how the episodes of this first season is going. A number of reveals and POVs from/of the characters will surely pique the interests of those who have not seen or followed the series yet. And i am very hungry as a wolf at the door for more!

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 In the film, the priests Merrin and Karras chanted and threw these lines at the Demon - "The power of Christ compels you". Holding to the tradition of that iconic exorcism, i have devised my own Exorcist Mantra that you can freely use to exorcise your own demons, doubts, fears and whatever ails your heart, mind and spirit.

 [The theme song of The Exorcist should play just about now...] 

 Here it is:

 Let The Power Of FREE WILL Compel You... To Make Your Own Choices And Decisions That Is Not Influenced Nor Dictated By Any Person, Religion and Entity(Human or Non-Human).
 Let The Power Of WISDOM Compel You... To Be Guided By It And Justly Weigh Things Accordingly.
 Let The Power Of INTELLIGENCE Compel You... To Be Free Of Ignorance, Gullibility, Bigotry And Brainwashing.
 Let The Power Of RAW FAITH Compel You... To Be Delivered From Zealotry, Blind Following And Shoved Down Beliefs. 
 Let The Power Of Your HEART Compel You... To Feel For Yourself And For Others Even If It Seems You're Numbed Already To The Callousness Of Humanity. 

  Ego Te Absolvo.
  In Nomine Serket et Serketses et Scorpius Sancti.

                                                                                    _D.Zunra (c)2K16. 11.21.16 

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  *All images are from the web or screen captured. Some are re-edited for the purpose of visualizations for the reader.
 **Check out some of the highlighted words/terms for links to additional infos.