Constantine: The Darkness Beneath Review

A second episode that one up its predecessor! What a rush, eh?  The new series soldiers on and raises the stakes with The Darkness Beneath. Tonight's episode of Constantine takes place in a small town Phillidelphia where it mining community is plagued by a Welsh spirit and John heads over there to investigate. While there he encounters his artistic admirer in the form of Zed Martin. The plot holds together very well in the twists and turns. While it may be considered filler-esque to some (even most fillers in TV in general vary) but it does seem more like the standalone issues of old in its own right.
The pre-title sequence with the shower bursting out fire was one no one saw coming as well as its twist in the end as to who's been summoning them. Plus we see the production team showcasing new ways to show our boy smoking without stepping on the fat Orwellian feet of the FCC. Keep up the good smoke, guys and gals! Speaking of the title sequence, I definitely love it: its brief and to the point wit the sigils and visualization of dismembowled demons that serves as a companion to Bear McCreary's score.

On to our regulars! Two weeks in and Matt Ryan's definitely proof he's our John. right down to the razor sharp wit, aloof investigation and distraction providing (whether its getting hold of the bulldozer or simply shirtless). His rapaport with new leading lady Angélica Celaya makes the episode all the more amusing. The character of Zed as many will inform you is one of John's two love interests during Jamie Delano's run in Hellblazer; the other being the New Age hippy woman Marj. Much like her comic counterpart, Zed here is indeed a headstrongm independent woman with artistic talents. Plus the telepathy doesn't hurt as it's much in line with her later appearances during the Delano era. Guest Stat James LeGros hold his own in his key scenes as the haunted religious type Ellis.

As all told, The Darkness Beneath is a might tough gem that proves that some second episodes can be stronger aside from it not having enough room to delve into the motives of the big bad in question. Next week, we meet an uneasy ally of Constantine by the name of Papa Midnite. See you in 7, squire!

9/10

Constantine: Non Est Asylum Review

Nearly 30 years ago, comic readers were intoduced to a blue-collar Liverpudlian magician named John Constantine in the pages of  Alan Moore's (w/ Stephen Bissette, John Totleben, and Rick Veitch) The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 in June 1985. The magus gained a immediate following which gave way to the starring spin-off series Hellblazer (1988-2013) and subsequent appearances in not only in Swamp Thing but also multiple cameos in various DC titles and inspired a slew of homages, parodies and influenced series like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and the long running WB/CW series Supernatural. Tonight's premiere marks the 2nd attempt at bringing Constantine to the big screen in the nine years since the infamous misfire in 2005 with Keanu Reeves miscast in the role. Coming to the TV series, I, along with other fans, were very skeptical having been burned from Francis Lawrence/Laura Shuler Donner and Akiva Goldsman misinterpreted effort until showrunners David S. Goyer (DaVinci's Demons, Blade, Chris Nolan's Batman Trilogy, & Man of Steel) and Daniel Cerone (Charmed, The Mentalist, Dexter) stated many times over that the Constantine TV series wil be very faithful to the Hellblazer series. Upon the reveal of Matt Ryan in costume as out beloved anti-hero and the notorious leaked version of tonight's episode (and before it the trailer) with him, the rest of the cast and writing staff reading the source material that Goyer and Cerone are indeed men of their words. 

The series begins at Ravenscar, a facility for the dangerously deranged where we meet John Constantine, who's been in there for the last few months in the wake of the tragic incident at Newcastle which claimed the life and soul of the young girl Astra. The stay would be cut short when John recieved a message from a dead collegue about his only daughter's life being threatened by demon of electrical abilities. Along with this, Constantine would ecounter an angel who requires his aid for his and Heaven's own gain. With the aid of his long suffering friend Chas and a fellow associate in the Newcastle incident, he desposed of the demon vowing he'll rescue the little girl and go after Nergal.

The plot itself, much like every 1st issue from the comic's series writers serves as the viewers introduction story and one that ticks all the right boxes. Ravenscar (and Dr. Roger "Piggy" Huntoon), Astra & Newcastle (plus Jeremy Davies' Ritchie Simpson), Nergal, Baron (Jasper) Winters, you name it. As noted prior to tonight's broadcast there was two changes to the episode: the first being the demon now going from the security guard to darkly image of John; the other being Liv abandoning her destiny as opposed to joining our man in stopping evil. Another change that manage to tick the biggest box of all is as we cut to John flaming hands and all, we transfer to an artist depiction of it along with every image of him and the artist in question is none other than Zed (Angelica Celaya). Zed's small appearance in the official pilot harkens back to her small panel cameo in Hellblazer #1 where John saw her making art which immediately reminded him of his dead girlfriend. If you watch closely, you'll also see some renditions of Tim Bradstreet's cover art surounding her.

Matt Ryan not only looks the part of John Constantine but also embodies him in his performance to where you realize the character walked off the pages. Plus his John is indeed still a smoker much to NBC's standards and practice jargon. Harold Perrineau's Manny provides an amusing rendition if John's bemusement of angels in general while not the quintissential snob like Gabriel (whether both in comic or Tilda Swinton). Charles Halford's Chas is equal welcomed change having suffered the equally miscast Shia LeBeauf the nine years before. Many will wonder how does Chas survive having a cable plunged through him; if you stick around you may get the chance to learn about those 'survival skills'.Then we come to Lucy Griffiths' (Robin Hood, True Blood) Liv Aberdeen who on all accounts is indeed wide eyed and needed things explained to her as she was to serve as the audiences identification figure had the character remained. Having seen both the leaked and the broadcast versions, we can all agree that Goyer and Cerone made the right call in sweeping her aside; afterall, the show is called Constantine, not Aberdeen. The production value for both Ravenscar, the house and Atlanta at night were sublime accompanied by the incidental music of Bear McCreary. Neil Marshall's direction in the episode gives it the strengthened pace and flow needed without hurrying it and dragging it out.

All in all, Non Est Aslyum is an electrifying (pun unintended) way to kick off what could shape up to be the successful show under the NBC banner and DC/Warner. Next week, we get to meet Zed and celtic spirits. See you next week, squire!

8/10