Considering the popularity of sports movies and their feel-good formulas, it's strange that TV hasn't been more receptive to them, particularly when it comes to the dramatic potential behind a boxing drama. Rocky is the obvious shadow looming over FX's new series Lights Out, which won't escape being compared to Sylvester Stallone's six-part saga, particularly as this show's premise borrows plot-points from Rocky V and Rocky Balboa. But it brings enough fresh elements to feel like a separate entity, not entirely indebted to the Italian Stallion's big-screen triumphs. It helps that the pilot of Lights Out is fairly predictable, as it catches you unawares whenever it takes a detour, while being easy to understand the storyline and intention of the show from the get-go. Patrick "Lights" Leary (Holt McCallany) was heavyweight champ for nine months, before losing his title in a bout against Richard "Death Row" Reynolds (Billy Brown), but only after a controversial split-decision on points. His defeat heralded the moment Leary went into early retirement, mostly at the behest of his doctor wife Theresa (Catherine McCormack), who was worried her husband's profession will jeopardize his long-term health and future with his family. Five years later and Leary's become a house-husband looking after their three young daughters, in-between visits to the gym he owns with his manager brother Johnny (Pablo Schreiber). Leary's still something of a local legend, but his celebrity's fading as the years tick by, and he's becoming slightly self-deluded in his belief people still care about "Lights" (in one scene, he apologizes to his daughter's school teacher for her lateness by giving him a pair of pre-signed boxing gloves.) Public appearance work is also beginning to dry up, forcing Lights to take humiliating jobs calling numbers at Bingo games, and entertain the idea of becoming a debt collector for a nefarious crook to pay the bills. Lights Out seems to have its storyline laid before it, inviting you to take the journey as Leary is eventually coerced into mounting a comeback; out of a desire to remain the breadwinner of the family now his fortune's dwindling, but also to revitalize his self-image in middle-age. The show is already very engaging after just an hour, as there's comfort in being told a story you've heard variations of before, but also because the casting is spot-on. Irish-American actor Holt McCallany is physically plausible as a former-heavyweight champ, and manages to be extremely likeable and sympathetic as both a husband and father. Getting the right lead in a drama is almost half the battle won, and Lights Out definitely has a charismatic and appealing face at its heart that makes you overlook a slightly sluggish pace. Leary's a character whose problems, regrets and failings you can immediately appreciate, and after the pilot you're hooked into wanting to know what happens to him next. Season 1 will assumedly build to the Leary vs Reynolds rematch, and that gives the year clear direction very quickly, which is an inherent perk of this kind of story. It's only the theoretical second season I'm concerned about, but even then the pilot wisely gives us a sense of long-term direction, by introducing a health issue for Leary that should hopefully deliver some emotional jabs in the future. The beginning and end of this episode, written by Justin Zackham, is undoubtedly where it's strongest, but that's not to say the middle isn't of interest. The script does a good job introducing its characters, that include Stacy Keach (Prison Break) as Leary's dad "Pops", and there's promise in giving an alpha male like Leary three daughters to protect - including the precocious Lily Pilblad, whom you may recognize from Fringe. Yes, there's a scene where Leary uses his imposing presence to frighten a boy who's started dating his teenage daughter, but despite these and other clichés it works. Maybe it's because you almost expect the clichés in stories like this, and you're half waiting in excitement for rousing training montages and trash-taking in the media. It's all part of the language and fun of a good boxing drama. Overall, Lights Out might not deliver a knockabout blow in its opening round, but it goes the distance and ensures you'll be planted on your seat ready for the bell to sound for round two. But enough of the boxing parlance, this is simply an efficient and engaging pilot drama for what will hopefully become a gripping family drama set in a boxing milieu. I'm certainly very interested to see what happens to Leary, who's written as a good and decent man, but someone not above indulging in reprehensible activities if it ultimately ensures the survival of himself and his family.
WRITER: Justin Zackham DIRECTORS: Norberto Barba & Clark Johnson TRANSMISSION: 11 January 2011, FX, 10/9c