Season One Episode Five Review
“The Comeback” Airing February 8, 2011
Watch LIGHTS OUT on Tuesday nights at 10 PM EST on FX
February 7, 2011
By Lena Lamoray
LIGHTS OUT FX OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: Lights Out, from Executive Producer/Showrunner Warren Leight (In Treatment, Law & Order Criminal Intent), stars Holt McCallany (CSI: Miami) as “Patrick „Lights‟ Leary,” an aging former heavyweight boxing champion who struggles to find his identity and support his wife and three daughters after retiring from the ring. The financial downturn coupled with a series of failed investments leave him at a perilous crossroads – battling the urge to return to boxing or reluctantly accepting a job as a brutal and intimidating debt collector. Catherine McCormack (Braveheart) co-stars as “Theresa Leary,” Lights‟ wife who is finishing her medical residency; Pablo Schreiber (The Wire) as “Johnny Leary,” Lights‟ brother and business manager; and Stacy Keach (Fat City) as “Robert „Pops‟ Leary,” Lights‟ father and former trainer who runs the boxing gym owned by Lights. Clark Johnson (The Shield, The Wire) and Norberto Barba (In Treatment, CSI: NY) directed the pilot episode. Series Creator Justin Zackham (The Bucket List), Phillip Noyce (Salt) and Ross Fineman are also Executive Producers. Lights Out is produced by Fox Television Studios and FX Productions. FX has ordered 13 episodes of Lights Out, which was filmed in New York.
LIGHTS OUT “The Comeback” Season One Episode 5 Review, Airing 2/8/2011
LIGHTS OUT is unfolding beautifully and this week’s episode, “The Comeback” really lays down the groundwork for all that has yet to come and will leave you questioning the motives of the key players. I think this series does a beautiful job highlighting the struggles and double-edged sword that is life in general. Patrick’s (Holt McCallany) greatest chance of success could also lead to his biggest loss. “The Comeback” – As the Leary’s financial situation turns more desperate, the aftershocks threaten Lights’ and Teresa’s marriage. Story by Nathan Jackson & Warren Leight. Teleplay by Eli Bauman & Joey Tracz and Warren Leight. Directed by Rosemary Rodriguez.
The episode begins with a seemingly clear vision, “Go get your belt back Champ.” Patrick (Holt McCallany) certainly wishes reality was as uncomplicated as the phrase that was so delightfully uttered.
Theresa (Catherine McCormack) pulls some strings at work and gets them an appointment with a financial consultant to review their present situation and help them work out a game plan. It isn’t an easy conversation for anyone but Patrick doesn’t take too kindly to any of the options. Patrick can’t get around the sentiment of “another dumb boxer blows his fortune.”
Hal Brennan (Bill Irwin) discusses Patrick’s past with Margaret Leary (Elizabeth Marvel) at the diner. Patrick stops by the diner and is greeted by Brennan who has some thoughts to share about his time in the ring with the MMA fighter. Brennan expresses his dismay at the lack of elegance and his desire for a reclaiming of the thrown.
Patrick quizzes Pops (Stacy Keach) on what if notions and he finds out that he is in the perfect shape “for Jazzercise”, ouch.
vBarry Word (Reg E. Cathey), Johnny (Pablo Schreiber) and Patrick get together and converse about AARP and platters not sizzling enough. Barry has a wall mounted vision of “Good vs. Evil”. Patrick is put in a distressing situation and he finally comes to terms with what he has to do. In my opinion, he should have done it a long time ago.
Teresa is left questioning what is best for Patrick and she decides to talk to someone who knows exactly what he is going through. “A boxer always knows” is the best advice that she is given.
Just when things are starting to come together an unseen event changes everything. Patrick thinks he knows what went down and who is responsible but it is much bigger than he is aware of and the final scene in the episode will have you questioning everything.
This episode of LIGHTS OUT made me love the series even more. You really understand Patrick’s pain and you want him to overcome all of the hardships that have been bestowed upon him. Everyone is with him and against him, all at the same time and that can never work. Watch LIGHTS OUT Tuesday nights at 10 PM EST only on FX.
