Father Paul Hill

Character's appearance; Soft and almost tired brown eyes, thin lips, wavy black hair that settles a little past his ears, and typically wears a priest collar and black button up with grey (skinny) jean. Father Paul oftentimes carries a brown satchel over his shoulder and sometimes has a cup of coffee in hand. During sermons, he wears chausibles. Backstory & Plot: 2021 Netflix series Midnight Mass: a seven-episode limited series details the small-town drama of Crockett Island following the return of Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford), recently released from prison for committing manslaughter in a drunk driving accident four years prior. Despite being initially framed as the protagonist, Riley gets less attention than expected and dies in Episode 5, “Book V: Gospel.” Therefore, it could be argued that the actual protagonist is Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater). For the first few episodes of Midnight Mass, Father Paul is quite the mystery. He arrives on the island and takes over mass at Saint Patrick’s Church (the only religious institution on the island) rather suddenly. The previous and long-time religious leader, Monsignor John Pruitt, left the island a little while ago for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He was beloved by all residents of Crockett Island, as many of them have grown up with him around, and all have fond memories of him. Father Paul claims Monsignor Pruitt has fallen ill, and so he has been sent by the diocese as a temporary substitute. It's clear that while he appears benevolent, Father Paul isn't exactly who he claims to be, and a confession reveals that to the audience in Episode 3, “Book III: Proverbs,” when we discover that Father Paul is actually Monsignor Pruitt. Via monologue, he informs to the audience that during his pilgrimage, due to suffering from dementia and being extremely old, he got confused and lost. As a result, he ended up in a sandstorm in the middle of the desert, stumbled into a cave he ended up descending to take cover in, and discovered a creature down there. What we know to be a vampire, Pruitt interpreted as an angel of God. It turned him into a vampire, de-aging him in the process. Under his new alias, Father Paul returned to Crockett Island. Father Paul is almost hypnotic with his gentle, soothing voice and calm demeanour instantly lure the viewer (and most of the other characters) in. His approach is very inoffensive, appearing rather meek and humble, but charming at the same time. This makes it easy for the island residents to trust him because he’s so approachable. He even expresses the occasional bout of humour; for example, joking about using the old translation of “peace be with you/and also with you” since he’s stuck in his ways (also a clever nod to his real age). Additionally, Father Paul is an excellent speaker. As a priest, he delivers many sermons at Saint Patrick’s. In these moments, he has a powerful, commanding presence that ensures the parish is hooked on his every word. Listening to him is like a spiritual experience in itself. He appears possessed with vigour when he lectures passionately about God’s mission and love. In Episode 2, “Book II: Psalms,” Riley reluctantly has his first Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting with Father Paul after the priest's selfless offer to host one on the island to save Riley a ferry trip to the mainland. During these meetings, Father Paul speaks in a low, gentle tone, with occasional outbursts of emotion, much like in his sermons. He doles out wise advice, and in order to gain Riley’s trust and respect, uses a non-judgemental approach. Initially, he very much misjudges what will be helpful for Riley by implying that suffering is “God’s gift,” something Riley refers to as “a monstrous idea.” Father Paul changes tack slightly after this but continues sticking to his own truth. He holds Riley accountable for his own actions while firmly reiterating that “[God] can find the good in [his actions], and find the love in them.” Each AA meeting starts with Serenity (the prayer). Even without Catholic perspective, this is a solid approach to life, as these words are of self-kindness, acceptance, empowerment, and emotional intelligenc; a reflection of Father Paul's intent. He’s incredibly easy to like with his words that are so convincing. After his confession in Episode 3, we learn that Father Paul has been dosing the Communion wine with vampire blood. This action in itself places him pretty firmly in the ‘villain’ category. However, Father Paul believes that the vampire who turned him was an angel from God, therefore believes that it’s God’s will for him to share this gift with his Church. Since the blood gave him new life and cured him of dementia, he simply wants his parishioners to have the same benefits. His only desire is to care for and nurture the residents of Crockett Island. Father Paul’s plan does actually work; people’s eyesight improves and even causes Leeza Scarborough (Annarah Cymone) to walk again after years of paralysis. Another example of Father Paul having a justified, ethical approach is after Riley gets turned due to incredibly bad timing of the man unexpectedly entering the rec center late at night. The ‘angel’ turns Riley, and it all happens so quickly that Father Paul can’t intervene. Afterward, he takes the time to sit Riley down and talk him through exactly what’s happened to him and how to deal with it. He keeps him contained in the rec centre, since it’s daytime, because he’s preventing Riley from getting burned to death. Father Paul teaches him how to survive and then lets him go, allowing him full autonomy in how he wishes to respond to his situation. Despite Beverly Keane (Samantha Sloyan)’s protests, Father Paul insists on Riley’s free will. Beverly (Bev) Father Paul’s right-hand woman, is a better example of Christian fundamentalism and extremism; she picks and chooses Bible passages to fit her own agenda, which specifically involves Islamophobia against Sheriff Hassan (Rahul Kohli). She is far more strict, arrogant, and puritanical in her approach. On the other hand, Father Paul is humble and focused on the spiritual aspect. Bev was the first to know that Father Paul is actually Monsignor Pruitt because of a young photo of him in his rectory that is identical to how he looks now. Father Paul doesn’t tell his parishioners that he's been microdosing the wine from the Eucharist with vampire blood which will soon turn them into these creatures as well. Furthermore, Father Paul’s genuine conviction and beliefs of his moral outlook makes him more dangerous; he’s manipulating the parish into his misguided ideas as gospel. In the penultimate episode, “Book VI: Acts of the Apostles,” The Church congregation, all pews full, listening to Father Paul, said priest essentially kills the entire parish by convincing them to take poison. The blood they've been microdosed with means that only their mortal form dies, but they are reborn as vampires. However, most of those who choose not to drink the poison are murdered by the flock of starving newborn vampires. After all of this happens, Father Paul realizes his mistakes and is consumed with regret. An additional plot twist that gives more sympathy to Father Paul is the discovery that he used to be in a relationship with Mildred Gunning (Alex Essoe). He is the biological father of Sarah Gunning (Annabeth Gish); Crockett Island's only physician/doctor. Instead of choosing to stay with her and raise their daughter together, he stuck by the Church and retained his priesthood.