Matt Ryan
Harold Perrineau
Charles Halford
Angélica Celaya

Developed by:
Daniel Cerone
David S. Goyer

2014-2015
Fantasy, Horror
NBC
TV-14

“Constantine” starts with an episode that gets the job done, but not much else. It’s well-paced and has appropriate energy. However, while there’s an urgency to the events, that urgency doesn’t penetrate through to the audience.

The fault lies with the script. The writing needs to be more developed, distinctive, and clear. As it is, the writing manages to escape embarrassment, and one saving grace is that the actors know what kind of show they’re in. They pickup their cues and keep things moving.

Also, the look of the show works. It’s a stylistically sensible pairing with “Grimm.” The effects have touches of comic book stylings. (The presentation of a powerful demon that stole a young girl away from Constantine is a great example of that.) But that’s to be expected. After all, this show is based on characters from “Hellblazer,” a DC comic under its Vertigo imprint.

The next few episodes will determine whether “Constantine” will manage to engage or not. We’ve seen anti-heroes and supernatural events many times before, so this show will need to find its voice, and fast.

Regardless, “Constantine” might work for fans of Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow” and Starz’s “Da Vinci’s Demons.” While it doesn’t start perfectly, I’m curious. It’s definitely better than “Dominion,” which is Syfy’s adaptation of the film “Legion.” …

After finishing the first (and last) season of “Constantine,” I have to say that it’s pretty good for what it is. I was sufficiently entertained by it. Plus, it aired on Friday nights. Too bad NBC cancelled it.

Verdict: Pretty Good (for the Genre)

About: (Source: constantine)

Based on the wildly popular comic book series “Hellblazer” from DC Comics, seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult John Constantine (Matt Ryan, “Criminal Minds”) is armed with a ferocious knowledge of the dark arts and a wickedly naughty wit. He fights the good fight – or at least he did. With his soul already damned to hell, he’s decided to abandon his campaign against evil until a series of events thrusts him back into the fray, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect the innocent. With the balance of good and evil on the line, Constantine will use his skills to travel the country, find the supernatural terrors that threaten our world and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows… maybe there’s hope for him and his soul after all.

The cast also includes Harold Perrineau (“Lost”) as Manny and Charles Halford (“True Detective”) as Chas.