by Graham Osborne
Constantine will not let up with the mixed bag of episodes. At times it feels like the writers have been flinging ideas to at the wall to see what sticks. Fortunately this week managed to bring back the tension and horror that the series needs, especially after last week’s incredibly average episode.
Constantine will not let up with the mixed bag of episodes. At times it feels like the writers have been flinging ideas to at the wall to see what sticks. Fortunately this week managed to bring back the tension and horror that the series needs, especially after last week’s incredibly average episode.
This episode sees a quartet of students attempt to breach a new realm, with surprisingly impressive results. However, horror movie tropes must always be applied in the case of teens and magic, and they end up opening the door to a serial killer with the most disarmingly disturbing grin.
The episode also sees the return of Jeremy Davies as Ritchie Simpson, who hasn’t been seen since the pilot episode, where he spent most of his (minimal) screen time telling Constantine to get out of his office. In this episode, he is fleshed out more, and shown to be a neurotic, paranoid individual with some severe issues from when he and Constantine ran together. Ritchie’s role in the Hellblazer comics is that of a computer genius who gets trapped inside cyberspace when his body spontaneously combusts, before managing to transfer his conscience into the body of a demon and getting condemned to hell. There are hints at his fate throughout the episode as Ritchie gets placed into scenarios which seem life threatening, but manages to escape through a combination of luck and help from his former friend, and his decision during the climax of the episode is strongly reminiscent of the ending of Brazil. Jonjo O’Neill also appears in the episode, but the scant few seconds he appears on screen make you question the importance of his billing within the credits, and whether or not he could have been replaced by a lookalike for all the time actually spent focussing on his face.
The episode also sees the return of Jeremy Davies as Ritchie Simpson, who hasn’t been seen since the pilot episode, where he spent most of his (minimal) screen time telling Constantine to get out of his office. In this episode, he is fleshed out more, and shown to be a neurotic, paranoid individual with some severe issues from when he and Constantine ran together. Ritchie’s role in the Hellblazer comics is that of a computer genius who gets trapped inside cyberspace when his body spontaneously combusts, before managing to transfer his conscience into the body of a demon and getting condemned to hell. There are hints at his fate throughout the episode as Ritchie gets placed into scenarios which seem life threatening, but manages to escape through a combination of luck and help from his former friend, and his decision during the climax of the episode is strongly reminiscent of the ending of Brazil. Jonjo O’Neill also appears in the episode, but the scant few seconds he appears on screen make you question the importance of his billing within the credits, and whether or not he could have been replaced by a lookalike for all the time actually spent focussing on his face.
The juxtaposition between the two realms which appear in the episode is wonderfully done, using bright sunshine within the “normal” realm to help diffuse the tense scenes set within the serial killer’s twisted domain. The use of special effects was also brilliant, with one of particular note showing a ballet dancer moving along a wall of mirrors hiding which hid a shadowy figure within, disappearing and reappearing as the camera tracked her movements. The use of green screen during the escape sequence was also a sight to behold, as the dark land gave way to vivid colours, flowers and trees.
Constantine has only two episodes left before the end of the season, and currently there is no way that the plot can be tied up naturally or in any conceivably believable way. NBC are still reluctant to acknowledge whether or not the show will be renewed, but the announcement that they will be airing the final two episodes in select areas before the official broadcast in order to drum up support suggests a positive message. Only time will tell.
Constantine has only two episodes left before the end of the season, and currently there is no way that the plot can be tied up naturally or in any conceivably believable way. NBC are still reluctant to acknowledge whether or not the show will be renewed, but the announcement that they will be airing the final two episodes in select areas before the official broadcast in order to drum up support suggests a positive message. Only time will tell.
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