Constantine Season 1 Episode 4 Review: A Feast of Friends
Henry A. Otero
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What the bloody hell?!? Were you guys as shocked as I was that Gary made the ultimate sacrifice to contain the demon in Constantine Season 1 Episode 4? Even worse, that John lured his friend to his doom like that?
There was so much excitement surrounding the introduction of Constantine's Newcastle pal Gary Lester I never imagined he wouldn't survive the hour.
Talk about an unpredictable twist. Well, at least for those of us unfamiliar with the Hellblazer comics.
From the moment Gary Lester touched down and made his way through customs it was obvious something was off with the guy. The TSA agent thought so too and sent him into the creepiest dark interrogation room I've ever seen. Man, now I'm afraid to break a sweat the next time I travel. I guess I'll be fine as long as I'm not carrying a demon in a bottle.
That security guard was a dick wasn't he? Deserved what he got. However, since John explains later in the episode a bottle could not contain the demon how did Gary manage it? Did I miss something?
I thought the visual effects were fantastic, but why is it always creepy crawlies? Ugh -- I hate bugs!
By the way, I find myself looking forward to the Constantine intro each week. In case I haven't mentioned it enough, Bear McCreary is the man! His musical score this week was genius. Take my money Bear, I must have this soundtrack, dude.
Though Manny is still a bit of a mystery, his appearances are another thing I find myself looking forward to. I love the way time freezes when he's around. This week's first run in was basically to discuss Zed.
Manny: How's she doing? You think she can help us?
Constantine: She's more than handled herself this far.
Manny: Putting a lot of time and effort into her. Let's hope it's not wasted. Wouldn't want to go down that road again.
Constantine: She's as tough as they come this one. And it's just until we can sort out this rising darkness nonsense. Then she's free to go on her own merry way.
Manny: Unless you scare her off before. Not everybody's cut out to do what you do and not everybody has the stomach to watch you do it.
Back at the safe house Gary was found floating in a zero gravity trap. In the pilot we met Ritchie Simpson, who didn't care much for John. Gary was different though; he seemed to idolize Constantine. It bothered me the way John treated Gary, athough I knew nothing of their history. As we learned more about the character, we're told John felt Gary was hopeless; a life wasted. The crew only used him for his car. Perhaps I'm a glass half full kind of guy, but I tend to side with Zed believing people can change.
Sure Gary meant well when he came across the man with the containment markings, but boy did he screw up royally. Yup, that was the mistake that cost him his life.
As soon as I saw him I knew it. He had these containment markings all over his face. You know the power patterns for binding. Some bastard had trapped a demon in him. I knew what I had to do.
Gary
How disturbing was the security guard dipping his hand in boiling oil? There were several moments this week that left no doubt why Constantine is a 10:00 pm show. NBC is seriously pushing boundaries with shows like this one and Hannibal. I always find it interesting that biting someone's cheek off or a tongue being cut out is acceptable, yet a bare ass is not. "Standards and Practices" remain totally baffling to me.
This Newcastle event traumatized John and his crew big time. It made Gary a full fledged junkie. I'm wondering if we'll get a flashback this season to that incident? Perhaps an episode that will let us see what went down instead of just hearing how awful it was.
I kept wondering why the possessed were attempting to eat everything in site. It didn't take long for John to clue us in...
Constantine: Sounds like a hunger demon. Nasty mindless bastards with no thought other than to consume to excess. Sound familiar?
Gary: I'm clean now John. I was going to stay that way I swear.
Constantine: Ah leave it out Gaz, I don't have the time. That thing's going to eat its way through the heart of the city one poor wretch at a time unless I stop it.
I enjoyed watching a lighter side to John when he questioned the mother and son at the market. The guy can't be a jerk all the time, he's our hero after all, or anti-hero anyway.
The shared vision scene with the shaman was insane. Complete with an eyeball popping out of its socket... Eeeek! Keep in mind, we can't watch Constantine smoke though.
I appreciated the chance to see the shaman trap the demon in the boy Gary came across. That's what I'm talking about, show us don't just tell us.
Constantine: So the headline here is I'm going to need one of those fancy blades right?
Shaman: A sacred Kusa. Good luck finding one in this town.
Constantine: Well we wouldn't want to make things easy now would we?
John and Gary partnered up to steal a sacred Kusa from a museum. When John told Gary he's a pain in the ass but still his mate, I thought things would get better between them. The chat at the bar was touching, too. I honestly had no clue John was setting up poor Gaz to become the hunger demon's final host.
First, we were treated to another quick visit from Manny. Was he referring to sacrificing Gary when he asked John if he wanted to go through with this? If so, the angel is certainly no saint. Gary swiped the Kusa while John hypnotized the security guard, which was a fun moment.
Constantine: This demon requires a sacrifice. That's what I learned from the shaman. No cage, bottle or vessel can hold it; only a body. A live human body.
Gary: Mine.
Constantine: We could draw straws.
Gary: It was your plan all along wasn't it? That's why it's just you and me here. You sneaky bastard. My chance to finally make my life mean something.
McCreary's score in that demon transfer scene was as once heartbreaking and powerful. I felt exhausted when the sequence was over and yes, there might have been something in my eye.
Zed expressed the anger I was feeling toward John. She shared the audience's anger and point of view. He did warn her people close to him die though and she chose to stay. Still, Constantine is no ordinary hero. Our guy operates in a very gray area.
Last week on Constantine Season 1 Episode 3 Manny appeared to the dying record producer. Once again, he showed up in the final moments to take Gary with him (I'm assuming). It was an impressive way to wrap up the episode. This installment was a game changer for the series. The world of Constantine is growing more complex and fascinating each week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the show gets picked up for a full season. How about you? Watch live, tell your friends!
What did you think of "A Feast of Friends"? Shocked that John sacrificed Gary that way? Did the shaman scene freak you out too? Your turn mates, hit the comments below and give me your feedback on this week's show.
Don't forget if you've missed an installment you can watch Constantine online via TV Fanatic!
