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Whether you realize it or not, FX has been a power-player in network television for the better part of a decade. Since 2002, FX has continually pumped out above average dramas, and more recently, a few can’t-miss comedy series.

Last night, FX debuted their newest series, Lights Out, a drama that’s centered around a former heavyweight champion, Patrick “Lights Out” Leary (Holt McCallany), and focuses primarily on his relationship with his family, money, and career inside the ring.

The pilot episode opens with Leary laying on a table, his face disfigured and covered in blood. The wounds are a result of an absolute slugfest between he and “Death Row” Reynolds.

I was immediately intrigued by the effort made to by the writer’s to give Lights Out an unexpected authenticity to their story. During the fight between Leary and Reynolds, Kenny Albert and Steve Farhood were calling the action, while top-notch cutman, Danny Milano, worked on Leary in his corner.

The real story takes place five years after that beating, where we learn Leary lives with his family in a suburban area in New Jersey and is the owner of a boxing gym. He’s going through trying times financially and jumps at the opportunity to make a little cash here and there, serving as both the caller in a Bingo hall, as well as “muscle” for some debt collectors.

The pilot ends with “Death Row” Reynolds challenging Leary to a rematch, something his wife immediately voices her opposition to. Presumably, in the next episode, Leary will accept this challenge as a means to financially support his family.

Leary proves to be a likable character — a loving husband and father, who clearly only wants the best for his family. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how his relationship with his family members changes as he returns to the ring.

What I’m looking forward to the most about Lights Out is the character development. They have already shot and solidified a thirteen episode season. Therefore, during those episodes, it is my hope that the viewer will get to know the characters — think something like LOST. I’m not hoping for entire episodes to be dedicated to obscure characters, I’m just hoping that over the thirteen hours that comprise of season one, we get to know the main players on a personal level.

I watch a ton of television as is — probably too much. My favorite series of all time are The Wire, Lost, The Sopranos, Mad Men, and 24, in that order. It will be difficult for Lights Out to ever penetrate the gates into my five all-time favorite television series, but I don’t doubt the show’s potential.

The simple fact that FX is the network behind Lights Out makes me optimistic that the series will develop into must-see television.

Having been one of the more consistent networks of the past ten years, FX has thrown their brand behind EMMY award winning series such as, Damages and The Shield. They are also the network behind the EMMY-nominated series Rescue Me and annual EMMY-snub Sons of Anarchy.

Further, they have hit two home runs in the comedy genre with regards to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Louie.

If you are like me and prefer enjoying a series from it’s inaugural episode and not play catch-up later via DVD, then do yourself a favor, and relax, turn the lights out, and enjoy FX’s newest drama.

Lights Out airs Tuesdays at 10 PM on FX.

Kyle Kinder can be reached at KyleKinder1@gmail.com or Twitter.com/KyleKinder

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