Skip to content

CONSTANTINE Season 1, Episode 7 ‘Blessed Are the Damned’

Written By:

Andrew Marshall
constantines1e7

Zed’s chaos-compass visions bring her and Constantine to Kentucky, where a mediocre preacher has become an overnight celebrity after returning from a fatal brush with a rattlesnake’s fangs in possession of the power to heal the sick and infirm with a mere touch. Problem is, the power comes from the feather of an angel’s wing and that as a result that angel is now trapped on the earthly realm and wasting away. Additionally, those touched by the preacher’s healing hands soon descend into rabid madness as ghouls, meaning the magic at play isn’t all light and holy.

The Christian faith has always been a subject ripe for discussion in shows featuring the supernatural, what with the ineffable nature of its deity and it often being difficult to truly ascertain whether events are solely the work of humans, or God working though them. Constantine’s continued cynicism in the face of indisputable proof of the existence of the divine is chalked up to his perspective that belief in love-thy-neighbour teachings is not enough by itself (“The world isn’t all puppydogs and rainbows”) and that evil has to be fought directly wherever it is encountered. As far as he is concerned, the existence of a supreme being is not a subject for discussion, but a minor detail of no real relevance.

From the opposite perspective, Zed’s growing sense of wonder over discovering the existence of angels gives some proper depth to her character, something that’s been much-needed for a while now. As intriguing and enigmatic a presence as she is, long gone are the days where it was acceptable for a female character to merely be the hot sidekick (if you could even realistically argue that it was truly viable in the first place), and her interest in learning of the reality behind the ambiguity of Christian teachings from someone with first hand experience of it begins to shed some light on what drives her, as does her desire to know if her psychic powers came from God, or somewhere else. Her point of view also lays some further groundwork for a looming plotline lifted from Hellblazer’s early days. *cough*ResurrectionCrusade*cough*

The appearances of the angelic overseer Manny have thus far have been characterised by aloof condescension, and he hasn’t done much more than deliver cryptic pronouncements of the danger ahead that weren’t actually very helpful. Given the new perspective of his frustration over the free will granted to humans but which angels were denied, his behaviour becomes a little more understandable. It seems that angels are just as often in the dark regarding the wisdom of God’s actions as humans are, and since unquestioningly following orders is in his nature, it seems he can be at a loss as to the true purpose of anything he does. While it’s neither his place to dictate the actions of humans nor to interfere in their decisions, his rigid adherence to such rules also absolves him of any responsibility regarding what ultimately happens to them, something the episode’s climax forces him to accept and truly make a choice over whether he will be a mere bystander in the fight against supernatural evil or an active participant in it.

The onslaught of the ghouls gives events a necessary sense of urgency and, being reminiscent of anything featuring zombies you’d care to name, evokes a more direct horror feel to proceedings. While the twist in the tale is a neat one, twists are at their best when they are clever enough to remain concealed in spite of the necessary clues having already been revealed, rather than a revelation thrust out at a suitably dramatic juncture without anything in the way of foreshadowing. In short: good, but can do better.
 

SHARE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW OR ON TWITTER @STARBURST_MAG

Find your local STARBURST stockist HERE, or buy direct from us HERE. For our digital edition (available to read on your iOS, Android, Amazon, Windows 8, Samsung and/or Huawei device – all for just £1.99), visit MAGZTER DIGITAL NEWSSTAND.

CLICK TO BUY!

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB:

Andrew Marshall

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More