Damien Episode 1 Review: Didn't Scare The Devil Out Of Me (Series Premiere)

"Damien" premiered this week on A&E. It's based on the 1976 movie "The Omen". The show airs right after "Bates Motel". Will the built-in audience help it succeed? Based on what I saw during the premiere, I'm leaning towards "no". While the production values are high, the story is pretty "meh".

"The Beast Rises" begins in Damascus, Syria. Damien Thorn (who is turning 30) is a photographer is search of a good story. Violence erupts as he's stuck between the Syrian military and civilians. He encounters a strange old woman who says "Damien I love you. It's all for you." We see flashbacks of five year old Damien. His governess says these same exact words before she hangs herself. Damien later discovers the old woman's face in his previous photos. She is always there in the background and never changes.

Back in the States, Damien reconnects with old flame Kelly. We're reminded again that Damien remembers nothing of his childhood. That is until Ann Rutledge (ie Barbara Hershey) shows up and says some cryptic stuff. "It's a whole new world. The seals have been broken. The trumpets blown." OK then. Babs is moonlighting from playing another devilish character-- Cora from "Once Upon A Time".

Off Damien goes to talk to some guy. Blah, blah, blah. More reveals. The guy is eventually killed and eaten by some big dogs. Other priests discuss the Antichrist's arrival. They pull a dagger out of a dusty old box.

Kelly decides she's had enough and tries to leave. For some inexplicable reason the ground turns into quicksand and swallows her up. Kelly, girl, you should have run quickly away when you had a chance!

The last scene revisits the opening. Damien is in church asking God what he wants from him. He touches a crucifix and it disintegrates. Damien now remembers everything about his past. If we werent sure, we see lots more flashbacks back to the original movie. Yes that's Gregory Peck and Lee Remick as Damien's doomed adoptive parents. Damien discovers the 666 symbol hidden under his hair. That's a bummer. Finding out you're the Antichrist could really ruin a fella's day.

Grade: 2 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Sorry "Damien" you're just not doing it for me. Havent we seen enough of this story? There were several movies already. On the positive note, I forgot how much I enjoyed the music. Still very creepy. The camera angles were fun. I like the opening shot from the top of the church. I also enjoyed the menacing dogs. Where can I see more of them? Unfortunately it's still not enough to hold my interest. Maybe I'll check back later and see if it's improved.