An enticing story followed by superb acting is what makes FX’s new drama an ultimate knock out.
“Lights Out” is filled with a great cast, and gets off to a great start in what looks to be a fantastic first season. While the drama is paramount, if you are an advent boxing fan, this is definitely the show to watch. However, even if you have no interest in the sport itself, the plot alone is enough to keep you glued to the television screen, as you journey through the life of a retired fighter and the trials and tribulations he will face financially that will impact himself and his family.
“Lights Out” stars Holt McCallany [“CSI Miami”] as a retired former heavyweight boxing champion Patrick “Lights” Leary, who struggles to find his identity and support his wife and three daughters after retiring from the ring. Financial problems leave him at a crossroads as he battles the urge to return to boxing, or accept a job as an intimidating debt collector.
Catherine McCormack [“Braveheart”] co-stars as Leary’s wife Theresa, who has just finished her medical residency and gets a full-time job in the field. Johnny Leary is Patrick’s brother and business manager. Stacy Keach plays “Pops,” Patrick’s father and former trainer who runs the boxing gym owned by “Lights.” As financial problems begin to enter the life of the former heavyweight champ, there are important
decisions he must make. Overall, the acting and story lines given to each character are enticing.
As Leary faces several overwhelming obstacles in his life after boxing such as the IRS taking his boxing gym leaving him with no money, and his possible diagnosis that could lead to him having dementia in the future, Leary shows extreme toughness and grit, and decides to fight the dirty way in order for him to get money to support his family.
One scene involves Leary in a bar being provoked by two drunk guys. After Leary walks away he sits in his car and decides to put money on fighting one of the guys. What is brilliant about this show is that the fight is not shown right away, keeping in you in suspense. However, after having a conversation with his youngest daughter about his championship fight he had five years past, a flashback is shown of Leary knocking one of the men out in a street fight.
He then has no problem collecting his money.
Overall, this show gets off to a great start. Great acting to go along with an exciting story line is what makes this show an instant success. Although it is no Rocky, there will be many people especially boxing fans that will be brought to a new element of boxing, as new episodes will be brought to the streets, and sort of underground cage matches and boxing arenas, that will have a mix of street boxing and regular boxing.
“Lights Out” is just that, it is a drama that will make you root for the main character, who will do everything in his power to support his family.
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