by Graham Osborne
This week’s Constantine takes a storyline directly from the comics as an old friend of Constantine’s arrives. The direct link between the events of the comics and this episode makes it stronger, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
This week’s Constantine takes a storyline directly from the comics as an old friend of Constantine’s arrives. The direct link between the events of the comics and this episode makes it stronger, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
Following the first storyline of the Hellblazer comics, Constantine’s friend Gary Lester arrives from Khartoum carrying a trapped Hunger Demon in a bottle. Unfortunately, it breaks loose and begins possessing people and forcing them to gorge on any food they can get their hands on, before leaving their shell a desiccated husk.
This episode also sees a resurgence in references to Newcastle and the events that happened there. This is the first time that it has been brought up since the Pilot episode, and it becomes rather infuriating watching the characters dance around the subject, despite it getting explained (albeit rather briefly) in the first episode. The evasion of the incident feels completely pointless once the viewer knows the events. Perhaps the Pilot episode was made to ease viewers who haven’t read the comics into the world of magic and mysticism and the first episode was planned to be a different one entirely (which would explain why the Pilot felt ham-fisted in many ways). Newcastle feels like it will be the grand finale for series one, yet equally it doesn’t feel like this disturbing incident is going to have the legs required to carry it to the endgame; it needs some more subtle hints throughout the episodes, not a chunk of exposition midway through.
This episode also sees a resurgence in references to Newcastle and the events that happened there. This is the first time that it has been brought up since the Pilot episode, and it becomes rather infuriating watching the characters dance around the subject, despite it getting explained (albeit rather briefly) in the first episode. The evasion of the incident feels completely pointless once the viewer knows the events. Perhaps the Pilot episode was made to ease viewers who haven’t read the comics into the world of magic and mysticism and the first episode was planned to be a different one entirely (which would explain why the Pilot felt ham-fisted in many ways). Newcastle feels like it will be the grand finale for series one, yet equally it doesn’t feel like this disturbing incident is going to have the legs required to carry it to the endgame; it needs some more subtle hints throughout the episodes, not a chunk of exposition midway through.
Despite the Newcastle references, the episode’s adaptation of the comics is faithfully done (the Newcastle references are faithful too, just a little redundant when added to previous episodes). It also helps show why Constantine prefers to work alone, and why he has so few people who seem pleased to see him. The final shot of the show is very poignant and emotional, showing his care for his friends and the sacrifices he has undergone. It is a shame that Jonjo O’Neill (who played Lester) is slated to only appear in this one episode, as his continued appearance could open the doorway to another part of Constantine’s psyche, portraying him and his friends as he was when he was younger and more brash.
It seems like Constantine is finally beginning to find its feet. The addition of story lines from the original comic series has granted it a more unique identity, helping to set it apart from the other supernatural dramas out there.
It seems like Constantine is finally beginning to find its feet. The addition of story lines from the original comic series has granted it a more unique identity, helping to set it apart from the other supernatural dramas out there.
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