Lights Out preview: Holt McCallany talks Combinations, Lights 'gets real'

By April MacIntyre Feb 15, 2011, 4:55 GMT

Holt McCallany spoke to me about this episode and gave us some insight to the action to come Tuesday:

FX's gem blood sport drama, "Lights Out" continues to get better and better each week, and the ramp-up for Patrick "Lights" Leary is on, as he must make the decision to fight for the prize, and rebuild his family's finances by doing what he does best.

There's more to it than money of course, but the Leary family has a huge gun to their head for dough, as Lights (Holt McCallany) prepares for his first fight in five years, while dealing with the heartbreak of being away from his family.

This edge-of-the-seat episode “Combinations” was written by Stuart Zicherman. Directed by Tom DiCillo.  It airs February 15, 10:00 pm e/p.

Holt McCallany spoke to me about this episode and gave us some insight to the action to come on Tuesday:

"In the upcoming episode of Lights Out 'Combinations', I start training for my comeback in earnest - getting ready to fight an explosive and very dirty boxer called 'El Diablo' - a terrific performance by former Golden Glover Gavin Keith-Umeh channeling Ricardo Mayorga.  Then a down-on-his-luck boxing writer (Ben Shenkman) finds out about my cage-fight with Bas Rutten and exposes it in the local paper. My wife (Catherine McCormack) has thrown me out of the house; I'm struggling in training; my father (Stacy Keach) is pushing me way too hard, and then I get unlucky in a sparring session and take a thumb to the eye that threatens to derail my comeback."

McCallany shares the turning point that happens in this key episode. "I miss my wife and I don't understand why she's pushing me away, so although I'm still angry with my brother (Pablo Schreiber) over his betrayal when he suggests we go out and blow off some steam, I agree. Big mistake. The next thing I know I'm alone in my car with a girl who may or may not be a prostitute and I get in an accident. I'm trying to keep my mind on the fight but all the distractions, plus my injury, are starting to shake my confidence."

One of the interesting side players in "Lights Out" is Ben Shenkman, whose sports-writer character dogging Lights for a scoop - is also going through some career downsizing because of the times - similar to how the sport of boxing is being threatened by MMA and UFC fighting.

McCallany finished his reflection of the episode. "When the reporter (Shenkman) finds out about the hooker in my car I have to try and explain it to my wife who, needless to say, is not in a forgiving mood. I feel terrible, my marriage is falling apart, I cant see out of one eye, and I'm about to get back in the ring against one of the toughest guys I've ever faced. It's not looking good for Lights Leary. But you can't quit. You have to try and find the way to win. Even with only one eye."

Tune in Tuesday on FX: