Bill Bodkin – Constantine
Constantine is the best show you aren’t watching.
The supernatural series, based on the popular Hellblazer comics (and less-so on the criminally underrated Keanu Reeves film), is an absolutely fantastic piece of television that’s being wasted on a dreadful Friday night slot. Granted, it has been moved to 8pm to hopefully gain more of an audience, but the Friday at 10pm spot it debuted on was an absolute burial by NBC. Yes, the slot worked for Hannibal, but these are two completely different animals.
All of this aside, Constantine is, in fact, my favorite show to debut in the 2014-2015 Television Season. It has everything I want in a show — great tension, a terrifically charismatic leading man (Matt Ryan), interesting side characters that are slowly and masterfully being developed (Constantine’s sidekicks Zedd and Chas to be exact); plus there’s tons of action, barrels of wanky British sarcasm, and a narrative that has so many natural twists and turns to it. Every week I tune in and am fascinated that the show consistently improves by leaps and bounds. The cast really has amazing chemistry and, as the side characters evolve, that chemistry gets new and unique wrinkles that both strengthen and complicate it.
Story and action-wise, Constantine goes places you don’t expect. It isn’t shy in saying that its leading man is an absolute douche bag. Not only do they say it, they embrace it with open arms. Because, while he may be a douche bag, he’s our douche bag. He’s willing to do the right thing, even when he doesn’t want to, he’s willing to sacrifice himself (and he really doesn’t want to do that), and of course, he’ll sacrifice others – something we think no hero would ever do.
Constantine is flat out fascinating. It never allows you to rest on your heels. It constantly changes the game, but in a natural and organic way. This show, like its hero, is complicated as hell…and it’s absolutely awesome to watch.
To read our weekly Constantine reviews plus interviews with series stars Matt Ryan and Angélica Celaya and producer David S. Goyer, click here.
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