Lights Out on FX - Page 2

Why?

"The guy's a rapist!"

"Statutory."

It's a blast watching Reg Cathey on this show. Good stuff from Keach as well when he described his comeback to boxing after returning from Nam.

"I don't want to see my son get hurt."

Heartbreaking. Stacy Keach doesn't get many of those "such an underrated actor" moments, but that was one right there. Must watch Fat City again soon.

That delivery by Keach was indeed fucking awesome. It knocked me on my ass. Seriously damn good.

Another good episode.  I really hope this show lasts.

With its ratings, there is no way in the fucking world this show will last.  If the numbers hold as steady as they have been, it will get to run its first season.  But there is no way in the world this will get a second season.  I would love to live in a world where that was a pessimistic and false statement...

Given that it's almost certainly not going to get a second season, I hope they don't end it on a cliffhanger or anything like that. I guess they're building to the Lights/Reynolds fight for the season finale, so I want to see the outcome of that at least.

Oh man, my opinion on Lights' wife swings from one extreme to another. That was not a good episode for her.

It's going to be such a damn shame when this show gets canceled because--some fairly unavoidable boxing cliches aside--I think it's pretty brilliant on just about every level.  I can't think of many other shows--Deadwood and The Sopranos spring to mind--where the entire cast is so consistently on fire and bringing their A game.

Agreed.  And Holt is fucking amazing in the lead.  FX shows really do cast their leads amazingly well.  I completely and totally buy him as Lights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wd40 

Agreed.  And Holt is fucking amazing in the lead.  FX shows really do cast their leads amazingly well.  I completely and totally buy him as Lights.

For me, and this is truly not hyperbole, I've found Holt's work to be nothing short of revelatory.  I completely buy his characterization in every facet of the role: from barely contained menace to doting father.
 

I have to wonder if one reason this show didn't take off was because McCallany isn't flashy enough. I love the guy from other stuff and here, but I think it's a pretty low key central performance compared to some of FX's other hit shows.

There are VERY few actors around today who I would ever think about mentioning in the same sentence as Charles Bronson, but the fact is McCallany gives strong Hard Times vibes here. And that's a great thing.

 It didn't take off because it wasn't advertised enough, a lot of people don't dig boxing AND the comments I see/hear from the general public think the show is "boring".

Quote:

Originally Posted by wd40 

 It didn't take off because ... a lot of people don't dig boxing ...

I think this is a huge part of it.  An entire subplot of the show is how boxing is a dying sport. 

Do you really have to like boxing to like this show, though? It's just good drama.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple_72 

I have to wonder if one reason this show didn't take off was because McCallany isn't flashy enough. I love the guy from other stuff and here, but I think it's a pretty low key central performance compared to some of FX's other hit shows.

 

There are VERY few actors around today who I would ever think about mentioning in the same sentence as Charles Bronson, but the fact is McCallany gives strong Hard Times vibes here. And that's a great thing.

If people can't connect with McCallany's performance it's their loss. He's pretty fucking great. And if people don't like boxing, well it sucks for them too.

I don't like boxing AT ALL and I still love this show. I think the metaphors work for not just every other sport, but life too.

Wasn't meant as a disparaging comment. Just an old ass boxing fan venting a bit.

True, but you know this because you make an effort to know this and you take a risk and try things that challenge you.  99% of the public doesn't - which is why NCIS, CSI, Greys, Two and Half Men and Idol are huge hits and Lights Out dwindles into obscurity.  You can make this argument until you are blue in the face, but if most people don't give a shit about boxing, and they don't want to think during a television program, it will be pointless.  I challenge anyone to find a smart show that has ever pulled and continues/continued to pull the numbers Two and a Half Men does from the past 10 years.  It just doesn't happen anymore.

While getting interviewed on the Dan Le Batard Show, Max Kellerman explains that boxing is already your favorite sport, and why:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVQeJ4wvNII

Quote:

Originally Posted by wd40 

 

True, but you know this because you make an effort to know this and you take a risk and try things that challenge you.  99% of the public doesn't - which is why NCIS, CSI, Greys, Two and Half Men and Idol are huge hits and Lights Out dwindles into obscurity.  You can make this argument until you are blue in the face, but if most people don't give a shit about boxing, and they don't want to think during a television program, it will be pointless.  I challenge anyone to find a smart show that has ever pulled and continues/continued to pull the numbers Two and a Half Men does from the past 10 years.  It just doesn't happen anymore.

While most of what you said is true, I don't think boxings popularity has much to do with the ratings of the show.  Its not like peoples interest in watching plastic surgeons perform had anything to do with Nip Tucks popularity.  I think some of the reasons the show is failing on a viewership level, are the same as the ones for Terriers.  Its just a bit too subtle, and requires more patience relative to the competition.  And the other obvious reason is Lights is heavily serialised while the shows you mentioned are not (with the exception of Greys?). 

So far I'm loving Lights Out, looks like another winner from FX.

"Fantastic, electric..."

Very pleased to see Lights stoop down to Morales' level to open the second round. Nice to see these characters, save for Keach, genuinely happy for a little while at least.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moltisanti 

"Fantastic, electric..."

 

Very pleased to see Lights stoop down to Morales' level to open the second round. Nice to see these characters, save for Keach, genuinely happy for a little while at least.

I was wondering what he was doing with the repeating of those words. Really nice setup there.

I noticed on the preview that they showed what was going to happen in upcoming weeks. How many episodes are left?

Last night's was the seventh so they still have six to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moltisanti 

"Fantastic, electric..."

 

Very pleased to see Lights stoop down to Morales' level to open the second round. Nice to see these characters, save for Keach, genuinely happy for a little while at least.

What's the deal with him spoiling Light's fun? He knocked out that bum. He knocked boots with his wife. He has at least ten million waiting for him. Was he that butthurt that Lights ignored his damned strategy? Keach you whiny old coot.

And yeah, that cockpunch was so damn satisfying.

I think the theory is that Morales took a dive and Keach knew something was up, so was trying to not let Lights get too carried away and jump right into the $10m fight.

It's possible Keach saw/heard something fishy while he was in the other room watching Morales get his hands taped. I liked that Keach was the only one not in a celebratory mood. One smart thing this show did to make things more interesting is having his trainer also be his father.

I hope they keep those cheesy "all I need is for my wife to be cheering me on" glances to a minimum in future. For once why don't they show us a fighter winning because his Adrian ISN'T there, like he's venting or something? In fact, she's forgiven him far too quickly for my liking. It doesn't really ring true for me. I dunno about the writing on this show sometimes...

I know there's probably something like that going on but even if it is, what's the problem? Lights isn't trying to get his career back. At least as far as he's said. A payday is a payday, win or lose.

And as for the wife, well if she looks like that, the promise of victory sex is a damn potent incentive. And she hasn't forgiven him quickly. In the show it's been what, one and a half, two months since she kicked him out? 

Theresa was introduced to us with an ultimatum. After seeing the beating Reynolds gave her husband, Lights had to promise to give up fighting or it would be over between them. Now he has broken that promise. So even if it has been two months, that's still way too soon for her to get over such a big thing. It's like they're saying her ultimatum was no big deal after all. If that's the kind of realism they're going for then this might as well be a long form Rocky story. They should at least play up the fact that he basically guilt tripped her into coming back to him ("I can't win without you"). It hasn't ruined the show for me or anything, but it isn't great writing in my opinion.

As for the Pops issue- yes, Lights will get paid at least $10 million win or lose. But whatever happened with Morales, Pops is obviously seriously worried that Lights isn't ready to face Reynolds. And if he's not ready, he could get slaughtered.

"Damn Lights, how many titties you got?"

Eamonn Walker is a very welcome addition.

Ya, this Romeo character is uber legit.

He better be in this for the long haul (provided the show lasts).

Absolutely love the Ed Romeo character, especially Walker's portrayal.  But I think that part of the storyline is just going to break hearts.

Eamonn Walker? More like Eamonn Fucking Crazy Badass.

The best possible addition to the show. That look that he gave Lights at the end? Either Lights absolutely murders Reynolds in the fight or Romeo murders him before it.

Wow, best episode yet. Ed Romeo is exactly what this show needed to jazz things up. On the one hand he's like the perfect New Coach With Unorthodox Methods from every inspirational sports movie ever, on the other he's creepy and possessive and quite possibly batshit insane. All those scenes at the house made me chuckle, as I imagined Romeo insinuating himself into the family Visitor Q style, with the intention of helping them all live better lives.

Nice to have Walker on board too, pretty sure the last time I saw him he was still doing TV shows in the UK. Talented guy, and one of the few Brits on TV who doesn't make me cringe with his American accent (coughHughLauriecough). Looks like he'll be giving this role his all.

Prediction for the season finale: Lights beats Reynolds, but then Romeo has a psychotic episode and stabs Barry K Word in the face.

it's a testament to how well developed the characters already are for a character like Romeo to come in during the first season to shake things up. i love how they teeter between 'is he crazy/is everyone else crazy'.

Smooth move Johnny. Ya bonehead.

Feels a little rushed to have one episode based around Lights convincing Romeo to train him only to let him go one episode later.

Agent Dessler looks well.

I do hope they keep the Ed Romeo character around. He was so emotionally crushed I half expected him to set fire to himself in front of the family or something. Such a hilariously bizarre, whispery, clingy, bipolar performance from Walker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moltisanti 

Feels a little rushed to have one episode based around Lights convincing Romeo to train him only to let him go one episode later.

Really bummed to see him go, especially like you said with him just being brought in...

Is his character really kaput?  I hope to God he sticks around.

You know, I'm kind of on Romeo's side in this. I wouldn't go so far as to say his Lights' family is mooching of off him by they certainly seemed to circle their wagons in a hurry at the first hint of them getting a bit removed from him.

"Don't let facts get in the way of the story. Wrap a towel around his head and you got a religious war."

Lights and Reynolds going through the window was a bit much, but still fun to see them square off.

Lights and Reynolds "loosing it" was nice but I hate how easily Romeo was written out of the show. And I've come to the realization that I kind of hate Light's family. Romeo feels more right with every passing minute of the show.

as far as Lights' family goes, Pops means well, but his brother and sister are fucking Albatrosses. Romeo tried to warn him, but Lights seems to be in denial about it. Yeah, letting Walker's character go was a big mistake, for Lights and for this show.

We'll never forget you, Crazy Ed. Remember: it's down the road, not across the street (oh wait, you already knew that lol)

Reading through the thread it looks like I am going against the grain here but fuck it- here goes;

I am finding this show mediocre.

I was SOOO looking forward to it, Stacy Keach, Nick Sobotka, Norman from the wire and Holt McCallany. A show about boxing (I love it) FX!

BUT...

I think Holt has been a disappointment. I love the guy- especially in 'Below' but I dont think he has the subtlety or charisma to pull off the lead role.

The writing and direction have been pedestrian at best.

Things picked up with the intro of Ed but the way they threw him out so fast just plain sucked. I am as loyal as dog and I will watch this to the death, but for my sake I hope there is no season 2 and this show finished up with Lights pummelling Death Row

David Morse as a batshit crazy trainer tonight?

Yes, please.

I feel like the quality of the show definitely dropped off, but my pet opinion is that as soon as the initial ratings came out they realized they wouldn't get a second season so they're compressing all of their ideas to get them into the first season.  As soon as the 6 weeks to the Morales fight turned into a single episode I realized that they'd abandoned whatever their initial plan was and were trying like hell to get to Death Row by the finale.  Unfortunately, speeding things up like that makes the arrival/departure of Romeo and similar items incredibly glaring.  Pacing has gone to shit.

They filmed the entire season middle of last year. The ratings haven't altered anything.

Grand guest turn from Morse. He's got some guns to boot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moltisanti 

They filmed the entire season middle of last year. The ratings haven't altered anything.

Well, that shoots my pet theory.  Then again, it also shows they really don't understand pacing at all.

i thought last night was the best episode yet, go figure.