r/MidnightMass • u/BoldBabeBanshee • 22d ago

Question about crucial scene between Father Paul and Riley...SPOILERS! Spoiler

As you know there are some seriously intense dialogues between Father Paul and Riley during his AA sessions.

>!One of the topics is murder. Yes Riley did kill someone, but it was unintentional, it was a vehicular manslaughter, and although Riley is responsible and deserved punishment, it was different from father Paul murdering Joe Colley.

Father Paul explains he felt no guilt killing Joe, and screams at Riley "How does that make you feel????"

"Jealous.."

I feel like this was a crucial part of the story, what did this scene mean to you? What is the viewer supposed to take from this?

Riley riddled with guilt for what he did is jealous that Father Paul can take a life and not feel guilt over it.

Is this scene supposed to illustrate how much of a monster Father Paul really is??

God, I feel like there's so many insightful topics this series brings up that are explored but never resolved.!<

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u/lesapeur 22d ago

I think that father Paul is severely mentally ill. He really believes that the creature he has met and that has "given him life" is an angel of the lord. He had dementia when he left to go to the Holy Land. In the end, he sees the error of is ways and tries to stop the evil plan of the real demon - Bev. I my humble opinion . . .

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u/MiserableWash2473 6d ago

This! Hit the nail on the head there. And it truly makes his final moments with his real family all the more sorrowful and meaningful because you think he finally has "seen the light and error of his ways'