Ep 4. Josephina and the Holy Spirit

Josephina and the Holy Spirit is the fourth episode of the first season of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. The episode opens with Detective Tiago Vega and his partner Detective Lewis Michener investigating a gruesome murder that took place near La Llorona’s shrine in Elysian Park. The detectives find a note left at the scene by the killer, which leads them to a religious group called the Pachuco’s. The Pachuco’s are a Mexican-American gang that follows the teachings of a charismatic preacher named Tomas.

Meanwhile, Josefina Vega, Tiago’s younger sister, has been struggling with the pressures of being a devout Catholic in a family that is becoming more secular. Josefina is drawn to Sister Molly Finnister and her Temple of the Radiant Assembly of God, a mega-church that is gaining popularity in Los Angeles. Josefina is hired as a waitress for one of Sister Molly’s events and becomes enthralled with the preacher’s message. Sister Molly is also struggling with her own demons, as her mother, who is also her manager, is putting pressure on her to preach to a larger audience.

Elsewhere in the city, Peter Craft, a wealthy German-American, has been struggling with his own issues. His wife, Linda, has been unfaithful, and he has been grappling with his own attraction to Elsa, a nanny who he has hired to take care of his children. Elsa is a Nazi agent who has been sent to Los Angeles to investigate the Nazi sympathizers in the German-American community.

As the episode unfolds, Tiago and Lewis learn more about the Pachuco’s and their connection to the murder. They also discover that the Pachuco’s are involved in a larger conspiracy that involves high-ranking members of the Los Angeles police department. Josefina becomes more involved with Sister Molly’s church and is introduced to her mother, Miss Adelaide, who seems to have a darker agenda. Peter Craft struggles with his attraction to Elsa and his duty to his family and his community.

Josephina and the Holy Spirit is an episode that delves deeper into the characters’ struggles and desires. The show explores the themes of faith, family, identity, and power and shows how these themes intersect in the diverse communities of 1930s Los Angeles. The episode also sets up the larger mystery of the series, as Tiago and Lewis investigate the Pachuco’s and their connections to the police department and the larger forces at play in the city.

Overall, Josephina and the Holy Spirit is a compelling and nuanced episode that showcases the strengths of the show’s cast and its ability to weave together complex and interweaving storylines. It is a must-see for fans of the show and anyone interested in historical drama and mystery.