Lights Out: Combinations
The best part about getting Lights back in the gym and training is that Lights is finally a force in motion. While a big portion of the show has been setting up the forces working against Lights and getting them to circle him like vultures, at times it’s been a bit frustrating to watch him watching the vultures gather. Meanwhile he’d do just enough to fend them off (such as not dying). Patrick’s training is the beginning of him fighting back against those forces.
Sportswriter Mike Fumosa (played by Ben Shenkman) played a key role in this episode, which seemed fitting for an episode where all the boxing action was used to establish narratives. From the fantastic Barry K. Word on down to the fighters, everyone knows a fight is more than just a fight. They all work toward building the Good vs. Evil storyline in order to sell tickets. Fumosa buys in as well because he’s a writer, and he knows all the narratives. Maybe this is the wordnerd in me sympathizing with him, but I get the feeling that Fumosa might actually be a very good writer. He just happens to cover a dying sport for a dying industry. I particularly liked the relationship between Fumosa and Patrick. Fumosa’s repeated offers to allow Patrick to essentially change the real stories resembles the relationships some athletes and reporters develop after having extended close contact with each other. I get the feeling Fumosa will do something terrible to himself, but I hope I’m wrong. I like him.
Speaking of sports narratives: as fans, we sometimes buy into the narratives and take for granted the fact that our favorite athletes are likely fully aware of the manufactured identities created for them. In Lights Out, they become active participants. The whole staged press conference and backstage bro-hugs was a nice touch. El Diablo had to ruin it by actually being a d-bag, which keeps the Lights Out audience in on the whole Good vs. Evil dynamic.
The Leary family gets bonus points in this episode. Pops was great as always, and Johnny’s schleaziness actually helps Patrick out in this episode (and also indirectly gets Fumosa fired from the newspaper). Ava’s character became more than a teenage stereotype. Patrick’s sister and diner-owner Margaret comes through in a big way by asking Theresa the question everyone who’s seen this show has been wondering: How could she ask the man she married to become a totally different person? Everyone sees that Patrick is a fighter at his core. It’s what makes him feel alive. Even though Theresa stonewalls Margaret, it’s obvious that Margaret’s visit made her rethink what she’s doing to Patrick.
I thought the episode ended on a rare high note. Not only do we think Theresa might actually be flexible (at least a little), but he finds some light through his crazy double vision. It’s a small moment, but a much needed one. A show as bleak as Lights Out needs as many positives as it can get. (Patrick’s conversation with Fumosa at the bar was another nice moment). Plus, the small victories can lead to bigger ones (Lights has to beat El Diablo, right?).
Sidenote: Word brought up a great point about the racism that comes with boxing promotion. Patrick gets to be the good guy because he’s white. Even if he really is a good dude, the skin color is what really matters. I’ll leave it at that for now and wait until the show builds on it.
Other Sidenote: Pops looks funny in Patrick’s double vision.
