'Moon' struck
-
- November
- 5
With “Life” now a must in my life and “Journeyman” finally taking off, I’m happy to report a vast improvement in CBS’ vampire drama, “Moonlight.” 
Obviously, the Eye Network is liking what it sees, too: It’s ordered up four more episodes, although with the writers’ strike upon us, this is all a moot point, isn’t it?
Well, perhaps we’ll get an early rerun of last Friday’s honey of an episode, in which private eye/vamp Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) gets a call from vamp pal Josef (Jason Dohring) — more like a tap on the old cryogenic coffin — to nab a 500-year-old bloodsucker named Lola, who once took Josef for a million bucks. Of course, it’s more complicated than that: Lola’s dealing in a drug made of vampire blood and silver that renders both the living and the undead permanently gone. In small doses, it’s also something of an aphrodisiac, transforming Beth Turner (Sophia Myles) — our otherwise stalwart Lois Lane, who has a long history with Mick — into something of a vixen.
If you saw the haunting preceding episode, in which Beth had to let him feed on her, then you know last Friday’s romantic encounter was inevitable, complete with an erotic, fully clothed shower scene that had a tempted Mick nonetheless struggling to bring Beth and himself back to reality. (Fully clothed shower scenes are big this year, and with good reason. In a recent “Life,” Det. Charlie Crews had to use the same technique to rid Det. Danni Reese, a recovering drug addict, of the cocaine that exploded on her in a bust gone bad. The scene was just as effective and sexy.)
What made last week’s episode of “Moonlight” really work, though, was the sad restraint that O’Loughlin, an Aussie import, now brings to the part of Mick. He wants Beth, but he can never have her. True, we’ve seen that delicious, poignant tension before — “Buffy,” anyone? Still, it works.
That, plus the show has added a taste of the edgy club scene you got on “Buffy” and “Angel.” I’m also enjoying the supporting performances. The Powers That Be could’ve made Josef an older, louche vamp. That he’s a fresh-faced preppy type is a nice ironic touch. It’s the kind of thing Anne Rice would’ve done.
And I can’t say enough about Myles’ Beth. The talented British actress is — and I mean this in the best possible way — a witchy beauty whose features and figure are just irregular enough to make her believable as a Web reporter. When she went to Mick’s apartment after giving him some of her blood and just leaned on the outside door — as if feeling his heartbeat — well, it was a heartbreaking moment.
I’m counting on reruns like this to feed us through the strike.
This entry was posted
on Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 6:06 pm by Georgette Gouveia.
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Moonlight is the best new show of the season!
As a matter of fact, it is the ONLY show that I classify as a “cannot miss an episode� show! After each Friday’s airing of the new episode of Moonlight, I am downloading the new episode off of iTunes as soon as it is available so I can watch it over and over again during the week! I cannot get enough of this show! Total addiction reigns!!!
Moonlight has drama, mystery, suspense, romance, fantasy, vampires, humor, witty dialogue and in addition to all of this, you have a cast that cannot be beat! Extremely handsome Alex O’Loughlin plays the lead role of Mick St John, a vampire who wants to stay in touch with his human side and tries to help them whenever he can, and the lovely Sophia Myles portrays Beth Turner, a human Internet reporter with whom he has fallen in love. These two have an electric on-screen chemistry! We also have Jason Dohring as Josef, a 400 year old vampire that is Mick’s best friend. Josef is an interesting character with a sarcastic, dry humor that is geared towards the vampire point of view so this makes the friendship between these two very interesting.
Anyway you look at it, this is a terrific show! Thanks to CBS for giving us this series!!! I only hope CBS commits to a full season and the writers’ strike doesn’t hurt us too bad since all of the scripts aren’t completed. We can always pray for the best!
woohoo
It's so refreshing to read as you and others have so rightly pointed out the improvement of Moonlight, and pray that the strike will not kill this marvelous show.
Edited to add:
I'm a spoiler ho and have read what's coming and OMG…hold onto your seat…it's going to be GOOOOOOOD!!!
I 100% agree with Becky. It's a fun, interesting show that merits re-watching every single week. The writing and acting is really great and I like that the writers aren't giving us the same old vampire show. It's got some fresh twists and the shower scene from last episode showed that wholeheartedly. I don't know where Alex O'Loughlin's been hiding, but thank goodness he's on this show. He is amazing and has nice chemistry with everyone on the show, but especially Jason Dohring and Sophia Myles.
I pray this writer's strike ends soon because I cannot bear to be without Moonlight.
This show rocks! It's got everything, a hot guy, a beautiful woman, a forbidden romance, and alittle crime drama on the side. I'm counting on reruns to feed me through the strike too!
Moonlight is by far the best new show of the season. Each week is better and better. The relationship between Mick and Beth is endearing and heartbreaking at the same time. I sincerly hope the writers strike ends quickly so Moonlight can continue.
This is the best show Ive seen in a while, and I'm a fan of Stargate, CSI, and Law & Order! I schedule everything around Moonlight now on my Friday nights, much to the annoyance of family and friends. Until they watch with me and get hooked too. Losing this show would be too horrible to think about!
IMHO Moonlight is the best new show this season. I love the chemistry that the entire cast has. I spend my entire week looking forward to Friday. I cannot get enough of Mick St. John.
I completely agree with you Becky.
Moonlight is one of the only television shows that I refuse to miss- or even DVR for that matter! Instead, my social life is circling the drain while I spend Friday nights cuddled up on my couch in front of the television watching Alex O' Loughlin and Sophia Myles. Can you blame a girl?
There hasn't been a romantic show like this on television since Ron Koslow's first ill-fated series, Beauty and the Beast. Let's just hope CBS realizes how incredible this show truly is and continues to move forward with it.
"Moonlight" gets better each week – too bad the strike has to interfere with the momentum. Regarding the Anne Rice reference, this show carries a lot of the flavor of her Lestat stories.
Hello ~
Great review, Georgette! Thank you for watching Moonlight with an open mind.
Many of the things you mentioned are the same reason it has cast a spell on me!
We have liked Alex O'Loughlin since seeing his work on The Shield last season. He just embodies Mick. His face is so expressive, not your standard bland hero.
Jason Dohring is perfect for the role of Josef. I like the casting choice of a younger looking mentor/friend. He conveys a 400 year old presence while having that baby face. Just the right amount of sarcasm.
Sophia Myles plays Beth with intelligence and humor. I really appreciate that she is not the usual clueless sidekick. Most shows that involve the hero ~ Vampire, Batman, Superman ~ having a secret identity require the love interest to be blind to all the evidence piling up at their feet. She/he also must need constant saving. Boring! Predictable! Not Moonlight!
By the end of the 2nd episode, Beth knew that Mick was a vamp. AND, she has saved him twice already. I love that the writers go where the story takes them. Speaking of that, I sincerely hope the current writer's strike does not devastate our show!
Moonlight just grows stronger every week. They have really hit their stride with the last few episodes ~ Fever, Arrested Development and B.C. Is it Friday yet?!??!! ha!
XO ~
Kandye