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'Demons' S01E02: 'The Whole Enchilada'

Published Saturday, Jan 10 2009, 20:43 GMT | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 14 comments

Although a vast improvement on the opening story, 'The Whole Enchilada' still suffers from muddled plotting and a lack of thrilling action sequences, most notably in the flat finale. Yet this episode certainly demonstrates that Demons has plenty of potential to mature into a highly watchable show.

The first half contains plenty of effective chilling visuals to match the dark child abduction plot, with the drained-out colours providing a cold texture to events right from the superb pre-credits teaser. The vampire-smiting team are also starting to gel nicely, with Macaulay Culkin lookalike Luke's character developing into a sympathetic figure because of his determination to ignore Rupert Galvin and find the missing children.

Even Philip Glenister's accent is starting to become easier on the ear now that the initial shock of hearing it has worn off. However, anyone familiar with the recent Merlin might not be too impressed by Richard Wilson's appearance, for he appears to be now playing someone who is just like Gaius with a bad hangover. Still, unlike the ropey CGI creatures in Merlin the prosthetic monster Gilgamel was definitely an impressive sight to behold this week.

The story slightly buckles in the second half under the weight of the unanswered questions thrown up. Why isn't there an indication of a mass manhunt given all the stolen children? Why are the retrieved children taken back to Luke's flat and not straight to the police? Why couldn't Luke spend 30 seconds of his time ringing up Galvin before his driving test?

The main question for Demons though, is whether it can continue to improve over the next episodes. The jury is still out.

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Jodie , on February 7th, 2009
I think demons is a really good show. It isn't a horror and not very gory so i enjoy it as can not watch gory ones. It is brill.

Maggie, New York, US, on January 17th, 2009
Decent, but not great, show. It has potential, and Christian Cooke is hot! How could you compare him to Culkin? I just want to say that as an American, I find Philip Glenister's American accent to be barely adequate. I think Glenister is a great actor, and I would prefer him to not ruin my opinion of him by using that American accent. If you want to hear a Brit do a great American accent, check out Hugh Laurie. But unless Glenister improves, they should drop the American thing and just let him use his own accent. BTW, now that I'm back home, I probably won't be able to see this until an American network shows it. I would love if ITV would let us in the US watch it online.

H, Lancs, on January 16th, 2009
I love it, we need more new home made tv, less repeats, less game shows and less reality crap. Although I do agree there were a few flaws in the script Im really hoping this show will grow and not fizzle out like that archiology programme a few months back which I cant even remember the name of now.

Rich, Poole, on January 12th, 2009
Good stuff, a big improvement on last weeks and shows real promise. Next weeks trailer looked good too, reckon this will be a grower!

Paul, Manchester, on January 12th, 2009
Much better this week!

Rod, East Sussex, on January 12th, 2009
Fair summation, Ben. There have been and will probably continue to be, series that show promise but it takes weeks for it to come out. There are others where the premise is good, even the acting, and yet the whole thing gets let down by under or over doing the effects and/or action. As has been pointed out, the questions raised (where were the police etc) tend to undermine the story rather than any failing of the plot itself. They need to watch this. Lets see how it goes.

Taz, London, on January 12th, 2009
Total tripe, Merlin is 100 times better than this and does not have ropey CGI, Dr who has the same effects house and that's nor ropey. Really DS, you are becoming obsessed.

Ste - Newbury, on January 12th, 2009
Sacrilage! oh im not talking about the how bad the show is... but comparing the delicious Christian Cooke to Macaulay Culkin is wrong on so many levels. Please take it back!!

Sue, Bristol, on January 11th, 2009
It would be a whole lot better if Philip Glenister spoke with a British accent not that stupid mid-atlantic, daft American accent.

rhys, on January 11th, 2009
i wasted an hour of my life just to see a demon and it gets killed instantly just like the last episode i want primeval not this cack

Elle,Donaghadee, on January 11th, 2009
I'm really liking it!I thought this eppy was much better and can't wait for the next one!

Rhys, Gwent, on January 11th, 2009
I didn't see it but why does Merlin have rubbish CGi compared to Demons when both are done by the Mill and have the same production company

Fred, Brighton, on January 11th, 2009
Personaly, I really enjoyed this episode; much better than the last one. But you're right, Wilson's character wasn't great, and there were a lot of problems with the plot. However, I don't think its fair to describe Luke as a Culkin lookalike. And while the angel was CGI, the demon was actually an actor in an awsome suit, just like the ones from HEX.

Ash, London, on January 11th, 2009
The accent doesn't get any less annoying from Glenister. The script and plotting are consistently failing to deliver....I really wanted to like this series, but like the recent god-awful rehashing of Survivors, I think this will mercifully sink without trace.

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