Father John Gill played by Colin Hanks has a unique attraction to Peggy. Does anything one think something with happen between the two, or are the writers going to continue to lead us on?

I am also convinced the Father's persistence in getting Peggy to admit her pregnancy and child is some ploy to distract us from some alternative motive.

No, I think he's just an idealistic young priest who sees Peggy's obviously troubled soul as a challenge.  Unbelievably, not everything to do with a man and woman's relationship is centered around sexual attraction.

Though I could be wrong, I sincerely hope not.  Simply because it's almost always about sex, it would be refreshing to be different for a change!

I think his intentions are good as well. I hope he doesn't try to make a move on Peggy she's such a sweet girl.

Jeez, I hope Fr. Gill doesn't turn out to be a predator priest. He definitely enjoys Peggy's company but I think that's because she's one of the younger, more interesting members of his congregation. I didn't get any sexual overtones in his interest, but maybe I've missed some cues? After he learned her "secret" during Anita's confession he became more intrusive in Peggy's life, but only because he wants to help her. He wants her to confess her sin and take communion again, as all good Catholics were expected to do.

curious to see where this is going..he seems to have more than a passing interest in her.

I see from the previews that Fr Gill will be back for the Season 2 finale, intruding once again on Peggy's private life with the excuse that he wants to save her soul, bring her back into the good grace of the church community.

So it seems a good time to start speculating if and when Peggy will make a confession. I get the idea she only attends the Brooklyn Church to please her mother and there is a photo at another site of Peg and her mom sitting together on a pew at the church in Epi 13.

Any ideas on how the next Fr Gill/Peggy meeting will end?

Well, this thread went nowhere. lol.

I, a former Catholic, was happy to see Peggy stand up to Fr Gill in epi-13, leaving him speechless when she said her idea of God did not match his. That is one intelligent, courageous, gutsy woman.

I doubt we'll see Colin Hanks (Fr Gill) in Season 3. Anyone with the inside scoop on Season 3 casting, please post...

Father Gill creeps me out. Which makes me think one of two things. Either Colin Hanks is a brilliant actor and  the creepy edge is a bit of foreshadowing for something we may see in season 3. Or I'm just creeped out by young, earnest priests.

I, too, was proud of Peggy saying what she did to Father Gill. My issue with much of organized religion is the insistence on having an ego-centric, vengeful God who banishes all who do not believe in a certain church's version of him to burn in hell. If I were to slowly torture all who weren't aligned with me for eternity, I'd be thought of as an "evil person", not a role model to worship. So it's very progressive of Peggy to point that out to Father Gill. Because, assuming there is a God, he or she is a better, more forgiving energy than many give him credit for being.

We can’t be too hard on Father Gill.  He’s just following the teachings of his/Peggy’s Church.

As a former Catholic I left because I had many problems with Church Doctrine.  If you’re going to stick around be prepared for someone to call on you to conform to the teaching basic tenants of the faith – confession.

He’s been treated Peggy with kit-gloves, no fire and brimstone.  With atom bombs on the verge dropping I’m sure Gill felt the need to save Peggy with some urgency.  That’s his profession, saving souls.

And what if father Gill has romantic feelings for Peggy.  I don’t find that creepy at all.  He should be having those feelings – a state of celibacy isn’t normal for a healthy man like Father Gill.  When I was in the 3rd Grade at St. Patrick’s there was a school scandal; Father John ran away with Sister Janet the music teacher and they got married.  I remember being happy for them wondering why the adults found it troubling.  At 9 years old I thought that the only reason why anyone would became a Nun or Priest is because they couldn’t find anyone to marry them.   

On the subject of Religion and sexual sin there’s a funny clip comparing the teachings of the Pope/Catholic Church VS the Dalia Lama – the Lama is strangely sexually oppressive yet adored by ‘free loving’ progressive westerners.     http://www.youtube.com/wa ...

James I think your comments will apply to any thoughtful person who tries to make a commitment to a great many organized religions.  Fr. Gill is a great example of a religious leader who has let the organized dogma of a church get in the way of living a spiritual life.  Morality cannot be legislated nor can a true spiritual life be proscribed.

I did have some hope for Fr. Gill when he unpacked the guitar and launched into "Early in the Morning" with such unbridled feeling.  In that moment, he seemed to exemplify the sheer joy of life that is one of the roots of spirituality.

I agree with Peggy - his plot thread seems to have reached its natural end.  His appearance allowed some exploration of the questioning of organized religion that led Time to print "Is God dead?" on its cover not too many years later.

In thinking about it a little more, there is room for Fr. Gill to return in a subsequent season depending on MM's longevity <raises a glass and shouts "Long may it run!">.

I'm thinking of the Catholic leaders, some priests, (i.e. the Berrigan brothers or Thomas Merton) who joined in the cause of social justice in the '60's especially as the anti-war movement grew.  I expect there would be some polarization on the war among our friends at SC.  The good father could undergo a crisis of conscience and follow that path.  Or, the crises of the times could push him to further retrench his traditional views.

The image of him with the guitar leads me to believe that there is to the good father (like so many of the characters in MM), a hidden side that will emerge under the proper conditions.  Who knows?

I have Catholic parents and have myself received most of the sacraments. However, I dont' really believe it anymore and consequently haven't been to church in... forever. I suppose that then makes me what?  Just Catholic in paper?

In any case, I hope they don't go the predictable route with Fr. Gill. I'm serious when I say this. Having him as a sexual predator or perhaps some other, what might at the time be considered, sexual perversion would just be far too easy. I expect it, the OP expects it, we all expect it!  To do that would just be ho hum.

It would be nice to see a real nice priest for once.  They ARE out there.  And no, I don't believe I'm biased. If anything, the reason I haven't gone to church in forever (and for all practical purposes have cancelled my 'subscription to the resurrection' if you will) is because I just don't believe it anymore.

Many things have changed in Peggy's life, and I doubt she goes to church regularly anymore. She's not so dependent on her relationship with her unpleasant mother, and I think that's the only reason she went in the first place.
I had the feeling that this was just a temporary post for Father Gill. I didn't look upon him as a predatory priest, just one who was a little overeager to put some "saved-soul" notches on his belt.

On the subject of Religion and sexual sin there’s a funny clip comparing the teachings of the Pope/Catholic Church VS the Dalia Lama – the Lama is strangely sexually oppressive yet adored by ‘free loving’ progressive westerners.   
(Video is unavailable)

Fetishism. 

It is the desire for the more exotic, the rare, and the promise of the mystical.  For these people western religion has gotten too bourgeois to the point that that it just doesn't deliver the ethereal feel of eastern religions seem to do.  And why not!  I mean c'mon! The Dalai Lama and his entourage of robed followers seem to be the real deal what with the minimalism and simplicity they preach.  Bonus points that they look the part of being the devoted, pious, and indigenous people of some harsh and austere mountain region.

It's sad really. 

I have heard these types list the endless faults of western religion - and I agree with them!  I may have typed it elsewhere, but I would say it again, I have canceled my subscription to the resurrection.  However, what they then do is turn around and harp on eastern religious practices as though it's totally different all because it's practiced by non whites.  They seem to ignore the fact that the Lama line of succession is based on the unprovable notion of reincarnation.  Yeah they have 'tests' but it's hard to take them seriously. At least in most denominations of western religions you actually have to PROVe your devotion, astuteness, and people skills before you could actually start preaching. 

I'm an Asian migrant to North America and I too have experienced such FETISHISM, even if at a smaller scale. Most annoying part is when instead of getting credit for being awesome and amazing because I chose to be awesome and worked hard at being amazing, I get the line, "oh well, you do well in school because you're Asian. Asians are smart". I want to tell these people Fuck you, but of course they truly mean as a compliment... even if sounds to me like an underhanded one.

The video is back up.

http://www.youtube.com/wa ...

While it is fashionable to knock Western Christian religions like Catholicism particularly when it comes to sexual codes and morals it is ironic that most of the liberal ‘free lovin’’ types celebrate eastern Mystics who are much much more repressive.     

Another noteworthy item why someone in Hollywood should question the Dalai Lama wisdom is that he declared that one of the worst actors of our time Steven Seagal is a reincarnated Tulku of 17th century eastern Tibet, Chungdrag Dorje.  You can be recognized as a former GODMAN too if you coughed up enough cash for Dalai’s blessing.  The Catholic Church used to call it indulgences??

And it’s a bummer about stereotypes but if you had to be saddled with one being smart has to be one of the better ones.

Well, I say flattering stereotypes are annoying primarily because it's hard to protest. The worst part is that because the expectation is high, more often than not, I end up disappointing since really, I'm just average.

At least with negative stereotypes I could fight and call them out openly.. and when it comes to that they end up seeming like the douche.