Damien

I liked it. I always expect first episodes to be pretty bland but I found myself invested enough to watch it straight through (no stopping for reedit breaks or from losing interest for a bit). The main actor is solid, the tension felt good and not forced or fake, and pacing was nice for a pilot. Also, A&E doesn't seem afraid of letting things get a bit graphic. It's not Hannibal levels, though it would be pretty cool if it got close to that point, but someone got messed up pretty good. It's nothing spectacular but it seems like its got a lot of promise. I'll definitely give it more than my usual 4-5 episode limit to see how it progresses because it's definitely caught my interest.

Damien (2016): TV series on Fox, a direct sequel to The Omen film. Damien is now 30 and works as a war photographer. Things start to go strange, people die around him, friends, enemies, those who know about his past. The Devil Dogs are pretty busy but other deaths result from being dragged into an escalator by a tie (terrible way to lose face) or being crushed by a taxicab. There are competing cultists who want to protect Damien and also those who wish to kill him. Quite dark and violent even though Damien is an engaging character who is a reluctant Antichrist. There was only one season of ten episodes and I'm halfway through it. I suspect I'll be left wanting more. 8/10.

I am quite amazed as I didn't expect a TV series to take over from the first two films in the Omen series so well.

The characters are very well cast and played. The plot is very believable (that is if you thought Omen was). The confusion of Damien as to who he is or may be is credible.

So what more to say ? I look forward to each episode and have waited four episodes before writing this review just to make sure it really does work.

It uses some clips from the movie to add to the credibility of the story and does it very well.

The acting and directing are very very solid and well worth watching.

If you hadn't guessed I think this is a very good series and I hope it has many many years to run.

Don't write too many reviews, but on this one had to - guess it's my way of putting out into the universe - please don't cancel! Don't know too many people who watch it, so I am concerned, but I really think it has something after 9 episodes in. Yep, it gets off to a slightly slow start (which wasn't a problem for me personally), and there are some serialized "TV show moments" in the beginning that don't quite work - the death of one main character in the first few episodes, as one reviewer wrote, did seem a little forced - it's forgivable, keep watching. If you were a fan of the original movie(s), you will appreciate the love the creators of this show have for them and how they tie everything in to a modern day story that still stays faithful to the original things to smile, laugh, and be creeped out about - the freakish deaths, the conspiracies, the cabals, the dramatic Gothic Damien 666 music, the killer Rottweilers, that feeling of dread cuz you know it's all going to hell from here. Actor playing Damien is good - does a good job of balancing his confusion and resistance about it all with the rising evil in him (lemme guess without looking, British, right?) And bonuses - Barbara Hershey blessing the show with her immense Jessica Lange-esque presence, and Scott Wilson. All in all, guys from Walking Dead produced this, and I trust their vision and direction so far. And please don't cancel lol

I have just finished watching the first episode of Damien and enjoyed it overall, unfortunately let down slightly by poor acting from Tiffany Hines and Megalyn Echikunwoke who both had the emotional range of a brick but Bradley James was good ( I mean I never expect top notch acting but surely an actress should be able to conjure a few tears when called for ). The use of footage from the original film was well used and gave us just enough to jog the memory without having to watch it.

But if you have not seen the original film then get watching but don't watch any of the others ( just don't! its not pretty ). So Overall 7 out of 10 for episode one.