I still haven't watched an episode of Dr. Who. Someday... maybe... but don't hold your breath. There always seems to be something more appealing to watch than borrowing someone's Dr. Who DVDs. Like NBC's Constantine.
Four episodes in and I'm a fan. I suppose some Hellblazer diehards would disagree, but since I'm not all that well versed, I like the show just fine. Based on the few Hellblazer books I've read, plus the current DC Universe iteration of the character, I think they nailed it the best they could for a major network. Sure, the swearing it out, and we never actually see him smoking a cigarette, but the creators are cognizant enough to take you right up to the FCC wall so you know all that stuff is there even if we don't see it.
Half the reason the show is so good is Matt Ryan's John Constantine. He's incredible. In ways moreso than other comic-to-live action characters, its like Ryan's Constantine has stepped right off the page (of Justice League Dark anyway) and into our living rooms. The episode "A Feast of Friends" brings out the dark heart of the character that fans love. Easily the most powerful episode of the first four.
But the show isn't without its issues. NBC's effects department needs some work. Its not the gong show of ABC, though we're left with some standard primetime network effects. The characters and lore of the show have prevented this from becoming a deal breaker.
What I want to see more of is for Constantine to have its own style. Gotham is maybe the most stylistically driven of the current comic book shows. Constantine needs a little more of that, otherwise its just a different take on Supernatural... with more questionable effects.
All that said, Matt Ryan's Constantine will keep me coming back for more. He's infectious, and has landed a role on my list of "Most Accurately Portrayed Live Action Comic Book Characters."
-Gint
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