Well, if there’s one thing I can say about Constantine (besides the fact that it’s awesome and is still going strong), it’s that it never gives me a shortage of things to talk about.
In this episode, I sorta feel like I missed something. Not within the context of the show itself, but maybe a developmental screw-up – because if I didn’t know any better I could have sworn that this was episode two, not episode six. Zed’s nowhere to be seen, the first episode is mentioned as if it just happened, and overall it really seems like we skipped everything that happened between then and now. [Editor’s Note: It was also helmed by the pilot’s director, Neil Marshall.] This episode stands alone in a sea of minor advancements, out of place in a timeline that was never that sturdy to begin with.
Anyway – John has sex in this episode! While that may not sound like a big deal, I’ve been becoming increasingly curious as to whether or not he does/can, as he’s turned down blatant offers of that so thoroughly covered activity in the past. Maybe he just has a type? Or, more likely, sex and emotion are mutually exclusive to John: His “activities” in this episode are a one-night stand, and nothing more. It does throw away the idea that he, erm, “does not partake,” but manages to raise a few more questions in the wake of that theory.
Since with sex comes drugs (duh), I should also mention that John smokes again in this episode, right at the end. While one cigarette may have been a fluke (or possibly a shout-out to the source material that was never intended to go anywhere), two’s a trend, so it seems increasingly likely that this may become a very important plot point later on. It may give us something to chew on in the finale, or a big conflict for the next season (if we ever get one. By the way, if we don’t, I’m blaming you).
While I’m on asides, I should mention another comics pseudo-cameo too obscure for most non-nerds to get – while the Helmet of Fate was significant enough for a decent number of people to get, the Sword of Night may not be. I only recognized it (and still had to Google it) because I’m a fan of DC’s Shadowpact team (with Day of Vengeance being one of my favorite story arcs). So, while I’m not sure what Nightmaster is doing without his sword, this is the third time the show’s reached out to DC’s “magical” side. And that means there’s still hope for Black Alice, Nightshade, Blue Devil, Detective Chimp, Ragman, Etrigan….
No, I’m not ever going to stop vocally wishing for Etrigan to show up on this show. I’ll rhyme if I have to, dammit.
Chas gets to shine in this episode once again, as does the angel Emmanuel. The latter actually gets to seem kind of cool for the first time, rather than just like a total dick the way he always has before. While he can’t directly interfere he at least lets John know it and why, and he does his best to lend support when he can.
Constantine’s wide assortment of tricks, toys, spells, and contacts is as varied and delicious as ever. It’s a real treat to see him constantly pulling things out of his ass to help him along his way – and, impressively, these spells never really feel like deus ex machinas rather than simply the tools John has at his disposal. It works smoothly and fluidly like the rest of the show’s mechanics, held together by great performances, gloomy atmosphere, dark humor, and endless charm.
I’m still enjoying the hell out of this, but you guys need to know that that may not end up being enough to keep it on the air! This season’s been restricted to only thirteen episodes and it has yet to be renewed for a second; so it’s of the utmost importance that we watch it, rate it, talk about it, and let the world know that we all want more Constantine!