by Graham Osborne
If there were any doubts about whether or not Constantine is good, this is the episode to finally alleviate those concerns. This week takes a tight script and interesting plot and marries it together with just the right level of tension and scares to create a gripping tale. It’s just a pity that they didn’t show it a month earlier…
If there were any doubts about whether or not Constantine is good, this is the episode to finally alleviate those concerns. This week takes a tight script and interesting plot and marries it together with just the right level of tension and scares to create a gripping tale. It’s just a pity that they didn’t show it a month earlier…
This week sees our laconic Liverpudlian tracking down a possessed child who is intent on murdering the his parents, before moving on to find its his next victim.
Angélica Celaya doesn’t make an appearance in this episode and her absence is a noticeable improvement to the story. Her lack of screen time is interesting, as her presence in the previous episodes was good. Surprisingly, her lack of screen time allows the audience to start seeing the relationship between Chas and Constantine instead, a much more interesting pairing.
The strength of Constantine’s relationship with Chas was made possible by the strength of the writing of the script. The conversations between them showed a deep respect for each other, whilst at the same time having them hide it all behind the bravado and repartee allowed for an almost buddy cop style of show, albeit one with a heavy supernatural presence.
Angélica Celaya doesn’t make an appearance in this episode and her absence is a noticeable improvement to the story. Her lack of screen time is interesting, as her presence in the previous episodes was good. Surprisingly, her lack of screen time allows the audience to start seeing the relationship between Chas and Constantine instead, a much more interesting pairing.
The strength of Constantine’s relationship with Chas was made possible by the strength of the writing of the script. The conversations between them showed a deep respect for each other, whilst at the same time having them hide it all behind the bravado and repartee allowed for an almost buddy cop style of show, albeit one with a heavy supernatural presence.
Despite the previous reference to a supernatural buddy cop show, this week draws its story from the 1976 film The Omen. There are numerous scenes showing the possessed child causing injuries, and taming vicious Rottweilers. The child actor also bears a vague resemblance to the actor who played Damien in the original film.
The only downside to this episode is the air-date. The episode is set at Halloween, and given that Halloween was actually on a Friday this year, it feels strange to be watching this episode at a time when all the shops are pumping out the carols and are bedecked in tinsel and fake snow (though I’m fairly certain I saw baubles in August this year!) The time-frame of the show isn’t important when it comes to storytelling, but a show that has its roots in horror would have benefited from this as a Halloween special, not some post-Thanksgiving episode.
Constantine is wonderful, and able to switch between dry wit and tense horror with skill. The viewing numbers have reportedly been falling regularly since the beginning, but it deserves a second series, and a move from the dreaded Friday Night Death Slot may be all it needs to achieve this, so please watch it, if only to show NBC that this show has legs!
The only downside to this episode is the air-date. The episode is set at Halloween, and given that Halloween was actually on a Friday this year, it feels strange to be watching this episode at a time when all the shops are pumping out the carols and are bedecked in tinsel and fake snow (though I’m fairly certain I saw baubles in August this year!) The time-frame of the show isn’t important when it comes to storytelling, but a show that has its roots in horror would have benefited from this as a Halloween special, not some post-Thanksgiving episode.
Constantine is wonderful, and able to switch between dry wit and tense horror with skill. The viewing numbers have reportedly been falling regularly since the beginning, but it deserves a second series, and a move from the dreaded Friday Night Death Slot may be all it needs to achieve this, so please watch it, if only to show NBC that this show has legs!
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