What I’m Watching: Lights Out

Lights Out: Season 1, Episode 4 “Bolo Punch” (B+)

I’ll acknowledge that this show isn’t reeling me in as I had hoped it might, and as other FX programs have in the past. Still, there’s no denying that one of the current main storylines – Lights being unable to pay the $50,000 his wife pledged for a clinic in a third-world area – is absolutely compelling and extremely well-executed. It’s completely tragic, and the scene with them at the church with others being inspired to give $5,000 to help raise a grand total of $100,000 was very powerful. When he revealed to Theresa that there’s no way the money could add up, clarifying that he wasn’t talking about Johnny being trustworthy, was a devastatingly and pretty incredible scene, coupled with Lights’ realization that his father’s money was controlled by – and as a result, had been lost by – Johnny. Seeing Lights resort to an underground fight, which he nearly lost, was also particularly telling of the gravity of the situation in which he finds himself. FX has always managed to somehow be the most gritty network on television in some respects, showing sexuality to rival HBO and Showtime on programs like “Nip/Tuck” and violence on “The Shield.” The fight was quite bloody and shocking, and I didn’t expect that kind of intensity from it. I’m sad that we likely won’t be seeing any more of Anna Chlumsky’s Charlie, though I loved the reference made to her romp with Johnny resulting in the copier being broken. It’s looking less and less likely that Lights’ situation can be salvaged, but it can only get better from here (we’d hope, at least).