Constantine 1.12 “Angels and Ministers of Grace”

Yet another out-of-the-park episode from Constantine – not that I’m surprised, at this point. Honestly, I can probably skip that part of these reviews, at this point, can’t I? Constantine’s been great, and I’ve been properly gushing over it, since day 1 – actually since before day 1, since I saw the leaked not-for-air pilot long before the first episode was actually released.

Now, what has come to be one of my favorite shows is drawing to what may be a permanent close. With the finale on its way, we’ll have to buckle in and see what happens. Will it be renewed for a second season? Will it be tossed into the rubbish bin, never to be seen or heard from again? Will it be, perhaps, rebranded, repackaged, and given to SyFy to deal with?

“Dear God, please don’t let SyFy ruin Constantine….”

Hard to say, at this point, but the signs aren’t looking good. While I haven’t given up hope, I’m doing my best to prepare for the worst.

This episode brings everyone to the forefront again – even figuring out something to do with Zed, who’s been a bit neglected the past few episodes – but there’s no denying that the star of the show, this time around, is Manny. Forced by John to inhabit a human form, Manny is conscripted to help out with a tough case involving dark matter and a Black Diamond, and gosh, Harold Perrineau just really kicks this role’s fucking ass. I mean, he has been, and I’ve mentioned before how I’m increasingly coming to love this character. But even that didn’t prepare me for the stupendous range of emotions that this man is capable of portraying.

Also, I just realized that he was Link in The Matrix Reloaded – you’ve come far, buddy!

Remember, now, that this isn’t the same as when Manny has briefly “driven” a human host before. This time he’s forced into a body, cannot use his abilities, and has to feel emotions the same way that a human does. This is pulled off very profoundly, and the expressions of genuine confusion and pain that Perrineau pulls off are downright touching. Experiencing the worst (guilt and pain) and the best (blowjobs) that human feeling has to offer all at once, this character really starts to come into his own. And I know that I always say that whichever character I saw last is my favorite, but seriously, this angel is an amazing addition to the cast and one that I’ll be heartbroken to lose if the show’s cancelled.

I’m a little confused about this episode’s plot – not in that I don’t understand the way it functioned in-universe, but the way that it works from a television angle. Like, seriously, the mid-season break had a two-parter… but the season (possibly series) finale is going to be a single episode? That’s right, this episode doesn’t end with the ubiquitous penultimate “to be continued” – it’s a standalone episode. Hence, this season (possibly series) will have to completely wrap itself up in forty-two minutes.

Erm, WTF?

“I’m serious, it says right here there’s only one episode left!”

Is this executive meddling? Is this a matter of not having enough episodes to carry out their original plan? I’ve read in a few interviews that the creative team seem confident that they can “wow” the network with their finale. Do they really think they can make that happen in forty minutes?

If so, that’s ballsy as fuck; I’m impressed. Let’s just hope it’s actually enough to not get the show poured down the drain when all’s said and done. At this point, I’d even watch it on SyFy. I’ve gotten really attached to these characters and this setting, and too much has been developed at this point to be cast aside. This episode was one more exhibition of how heartfelt, charming, personal, and ultimately grim this show can be, and I absolutely love it.

#SaveConstantine