Devil's Playground
In 1976, Fred Schepisi's first feature film, The Devil's Playground, daringly dealt with the conflict between desire and spirituality in a Catholic seminary. It's now considered a classic of Australian cinema. At the film's centre was a 13-year-old boy, Tom Allen, torn between his calling and his sexuality. This series picks up the story 35 years later. It is 1988 and Tom is now in his forties. A practising Catholic and respected Sydney psychiatrist, Tom accepts an offer from the Bishop of Sydney to become a secular confessor to the Catholic clergy, and is soon embroiled in political and theological intrigue.
- 2014-2014
- 1 season
- Drama
In 1976, Fred Schepisi's first feature film, The Devil's Playground, daringly dealt with the conflict between desire and spirituality in a Catholic seminary. It's now considered a classic of Australian cinema. At the film's centre was a 13-year-old boy, Tom Allen, torn between his calling and his sexuality. This series picks up the story 35 years later. It is 1988 and Tom is now in his forties. A practising Catholic and respected Sydney psychiatrist, Tom accepts an offer from the Bishop of Sydney to become a secular confessor to the Catholic clergy, and is soon embroiled in political and theological intrigue.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2014
Episode 1
I Will Bring Fire Onto This Earth
The year is 1988, and psychiatrist Tom Allen is still recovering from the death of his wife and an ill-fated love affair with Alice. When a boy at the local Catholic school goes missing, questions are asked of many in the community. Two popular clergy members - Father Andrassi and Brother Warner - launch a desperate search to find the missing boy. But the church is also facing internal moral problems, and Tom is called in to counsel a number of the priests dealing with a range of personal issues. As Cardinal Neville prepares to retire, his time in the position is celebrated by state MP Margaret Wallace, but a battle has also begun for the top job in the Sydney archdiocese.
Episode 2
The Tail of the Serpent
A body is discovered, and a cryptic note suggests the death is not an accident. Father Andrassi becomes a new client of Tom's. A meeting between Quaid and Brendan causes Quaid to question the secrets being kept within his church.
Episode 3
He Maketh My Way Perfect
Father Andrassi is witnessed fondling his next prey, cute altar-boy Elliot Darcy, whose foppish mother emotionally blackmailed him to accept the liturgical 'honor' he clearly abhors, even burning his bribe comic, but a courageous brother speaks up to save the kid. The prelate however limits Andrassi's fate to crushingly humiliating confession and a transfer, the risk of exposure for the church is countered by slyly discrediting Tom Allen, the psychiatrist he first attracted. Brendan Mahony meets Tom's troubled gay son, David Allen.
Episode 4
The Forgiveness of Sins
Tom takes his concerns to Bishop McNally, and later finds his house has been broken into. A vital clue is found at the school, and another boy goes missing.
Episode 5
The Whirlwind and the Storm
Tom discovers his own past is under public scrutiny and his life is being threatened. Bishop Quaid reveals his investigation to Margaret, and Alice learns the truth.
Episode 6
Matthew 18:6
Tom confronts Bishop McNally and threatens to leak his investigation. Margaret, Tom and Quaid attempt to end the Church's corruption, but they could ruin their futures in the process.