(S01E08) "Me casa, su casa. That's Spanish for, 'Keep her out of my stuff!'"-- Mick St. John
Despite the fact that the future of Moonlight is uncertain right now (just like every other show on television at the moment, except reality shows), I am amazed by the huge following the show has garnered so quickly! I continue to love how the show builds on itself, episode by episode. Each episode can not only stand alone, but also contributes to the threads that are weaving themselves through the show's mythology and overarching storyline: The love story of Mick and Beth.
This episode had two major things going for it (besides a really creepily good and scary bad guy, Donny Shepherd-- don't you love how his name was Shepherd, and his "family" of followers were presumably his "sheep?" He also had the long Jesus hair, and he rose from the dead...): 1) It paralleled the storyline of Mick and Beth's first encounter, when Beth was a child (leading, indirectly, to Beth's discovery about who rescued her, and the fact that he has been keeping track of her all of these years); 2) It foreshadowed and echoed the story of Coraline.
Shepherd wanted to be turned into a vampire to escape death and reap his revenge on everyone responsible for his execution. Coraline presumably wanted to become human for the same reason: To exact her revenge on Mick for leaving her to burn to ash.
There was someone there, a witness, to their evil all those years ago. Two helpless, female, children. Those children, now adults, suffer flashbacks to that pivotal night in their lives, and are now in peril because the revenge will include their deaths (if Shepherd and Coraline are successful with their plots). When I was thinking about these parallels, I was also wondering why they had put this episode ahead of the next one that is to include Coraline, and that is when I wondered if it was foreshadowing what will happen next.
Coraline still has a powerful hold on Mick, but protecting Beth has become his very reason for living. I think that is what he meant by, "Now you know why it can never work." He finally addressed their attraction directly, but he persists in thinking that he is as much a danger to her as a protector. The sun coming up and shining in his face, and his putting his hand up to ward it off showed their differences as much as anything. Beth has her back to the sun: It warms her, and won't harm her. At the same time, she put her hand up in his, both as a form of shielding him from the sun (which also represents the number of occasions in which she has had to rescue him), and also of showing that dark and light can co-exist. There was some really nice shadow play with the cinematography.
Beth also tells Mick, "Since I have met you, I have stopped using the word 'Never.'" This is important: we are getting clues all along the way through Beth's fascination with vampirism that she would be agreeable to being changed-- and being with Mick would just be one of the perks, it seems. I have heard a lot of criticism of the show, comparisons between it and other vampire shows, but I have to say, they pack a lot into some very short, key scenes, and I admire that. The show's creators are clearly thinking longterm, rather than just one episode at a time. Hopefully that won't be for naught.
The show is also getting more gritty, more goth. The music was definitely more grunge, more black, in this episode, which may have been a nod to Kurt Cobain, whom they compared to Donny Shepherd. I was also slightly amazed at how graphically they depicted not only the execution scene, but also the murder of producer Jerry Drake (who was clearly supposed to be Jerry Bruckheimer, in a nice send up), with Shepherd filling the glass Drake has dropped with his blood, and drinking it; and the final be-heading of Shepherd. Say what you will about Mick and his desire to be human and protect them: He is a badass! That was intense.
I love it when Mick vamps out. He always seems to sort of guiltily enjoy it. And then he has his very human moments, such as when he pats himself down and realizes that his cell phone is gone.
I was surprised not to see Josef in this episode. I can't believe Mick left Beth and Audrey unprotected by anything but his home's defenses. Especially when Beth mentioned that they would order food in. He told her to stay out of his stuff, but not to be careful about letting in a delivery person with the food (not that that turned out to be an issue anyway, but it could have been). Mick certainly seems to have a few vampire friends, and there was nobody he could call to protect them from a rogue, vampire, serial killer?
We are finally seeing, also, the inevitable disappearance of Beth's boyfriend Josh, who was conveniently out of town when the D.A. (wouldn't that be his boss?) was killed. Beth admitted that their relationship was "Iffy" and she was a little distracted. So, he won't be an impediment much longer: The major conflict and tension in their relationship will be the vampire/human dichotomy, as it should be. I love how they have taken steps backward, to Beth's chaste kiss on Mick's cheek-- especially because regardless the size of her gestures toward him, he is so incredibly moved by them. My favorite part of the episode was when Mick was embarrassed about having stalked her her entire life, ashamed, because he knew that his interest in her runs much deeper simply than her protection.
Mick told her not to go into the office, and she did. Next, I think it's safe to say, she will find secrets upstairs and through the gray door. Not because I find the show predictable (and if it is, then I choose not to care), but because that is where all of the clues are pointing us. Very through the looking glass indeed, for our blonde Alice.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-17-2007 @ 2:49PM
mamadoe said...
There is something I think we discovered in 'the Ringer' last week: vampires and humans CAN have sexual relations, at least in this series. Mick and Coraline had sex, presumably, before she turned him into a vamp on their wedding night. The night he got all 'Body Heat' and broke the window, I don't think they sat around playing Canasta. However, if we want to get into biology, a human male and a female vamp might be more practical than the reverse...but no, we shouldn't go there.
Coraline has a hold on Mick, to be sure, but she also turned him into a vamp, which he never asked for. She is angry at him for what happened all those years ago with Beth, and now Beth is a woman and Mick is falling in love with her, so this could lead to so many complications. However, I think the contrast of Coraline and Beth (just the hair color is the first of many) puts a dark and a light on everything. Mick had passion for Coraline, but he has love for Beth.
And, yes, when she said "We'll order in" I thought what, are you insane? I know, sometimes the plot threads come loose, but, for the most part, I am really enjoying this show more and more every week, and I hope that it makes it through the writer's strike. I think CBS execs would have to be pretty isolated not to realize what a cult following this show has.
I also agree the violence was pretty graphic last night, and thought they might switch it to the 10:00 pm slot later on. It was sort of R-rated, in a tv R-rated way.
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11-17-2007 @ 3:20PM
cori260 said...
I, too am enjoying this show more each week. Each week the threads get a little tighter - which is a good thing... 'cause they have been loosey-goosey on most episodes. I think that can be attributed to "new show-growing pains"
Let's hope CBS DOES realize the potential they have with this show and 1) Hang on to it, 2) Infuse it with more funds production, and 3) PROMOTE it. A good start would be to add a message board to the cbs website - that's sort of a good faith move.
I am not a 20-something person and I am loving this show... sort of a new-age vampy thing meets Beauty and the Beast.... The ultimate love story eh?
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11-17-2007 @ 3:43PM
Karin said...
I am not a big horror/vampire fan at all, but I love this show more every week. It was a little more graphic that I would have like this week, but the Mick/Beth story just keeps drawing me further in. I hope CBS gives it a chance!
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11-17-2007 @ 5:02PM
Kevinc said...
I really want to like this show, but man there are plot holes you can drive a truck through week after week.
Why would the priest change Sheppard? He could have just taken the money and done nothing! (of course then there is no episode, but come on.) Whats a guy on death row gonna do? Report him? And why didn't Mick get rid of the priest? He could do this again!
Why, since Mick deals with people doesn't he have some food in the house? WHY tell the investigative reporter to stay out of the office - of course she is gonna jump right in. What no locks on your file cabinet? And do you really need your own name and address in your cell phone?!?!? Your home address and not your office!?!?
I could go on and on, they need a show runner to catch this stuff and the show would be so much better. I like the love story, the characters, setting, their take on the vampire mythology, but the stupidity has to be cleaned up.
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11-17-2007 @ 5:11PM
Argus said...
That's a nice catch about the Jesus subversion. I got that too. The writers are using a lot of Gothic standbys and I love it since that's been very rare lately. It seems like these are writers who really respect the genres they are working in (Gothic, Noir, etc.) If this show gets popular enough I hope they'll be allowed to do an entire episode in the style of a German Expressionist film. I expect we'll see some more of the Other world to come after Beth gets drawn deeper towards the vampiric, and probably some homosexual overtones, all things that are big in gothic.
I realized after this episode that Beth is effectively an homage to both Jonothan Harker and Mina at once.
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11-17-2007 @ 5:13PM
Cinda said...
I don't like this show--I LOVE it!!! Since "Blade", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"', "Angel" and others, I am fascinated by vampire stories. Plus, I've always loved a good romantic tease.
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11-17-2007 @ 5:35PM
Joni said...
While I enjoyed the story this episode entertainment wise I also almost screamed at my screen. How the bloody hell would a guy who has been in prison for several years (12 or was it 14?) know how to use the iPhone???? There might be an explanation how Sheppherd could have known Mick's name when he found the cell, but please, he keeps his OWN contact details? He is supposed to be a PI, hello.
Also, why the heck did it take Mick so long to realize he might be dealing with a vampire. Everyone in front of the TV knew already. Why not bring Mick to the DA's office and let him smell around? I could go on forever. I see why a lot of people enjoy the show, but with the writers strike going on I just can't see how this show could survive given the flaws the storylines still have week after week.
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11-17-2007 @ 6:15PM
Leeser said...
Once again, Moonlight didn't fail to please. The episodes are getting better and better with each week, and more people are finding the show. 12:04 managed to not only take its demo with a healthy 2.7 (an increase from last week, and the show's highest demo since its debut), but also kept the demo from Ghost Whisperer! That's got to be good in CBS' eye. (no pun intended)
Speaking of CBS, they have updated their Moonlight page to include pages from Beth's diary to include her personal journal entries that correspond with the particular episodes. That is a good sign, as far as I'm concerned.
Many thanks to CBS for having the faith in this show to allow it to grow its audience and find its place in the world! We Mooncrack addicts love our show more than you can possibly know.
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11-17-2007 @ 7:29PM
Georgia said...
Watching this show is like watching 24. You have to watch for the enjoyment and forget the holes. There are so many things Jack Bauer does in 24 hours that are an amazement and not all are even possible. Just watch Moonlight and enjoy it. Be in fantasy for a while -- I mean we are watching vampires, folks.
I love Moonlight. Alex O'Loughlin is smoking hot. I'm going to see August Rush just to see him.
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11-17-2007 @ 8:20PM
Amy V. said...
I love Moonlight! This show has grown by leaps and bounds. All the episodes since Fever (episode 4) have been extremely well written, the acting (especially by stars, Alex O'Loughlin and Sophia Myles) is top notch and the production values are a joy to watch. CBS, I hope you know you have a winner in your hands. Let's hope we hear soon that Moonlight has been given a full season pick up!
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11-17-2007 @ 9:07PM
Brent McKee said...
Ratings for the show aren't bad - second in time slot overall to "Women's Murder Club" on ABC but first in the 18-49 demographic ahead of "Friday Night Lights." The worst thing is that those two shows are facing each other ("Friday Night Lights" and "Moonlight" that is).
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11-17-2007 @ 9:49PM
Greek6996 said...
I like it, Not "Quite" as good as Forever Knight But VERY promising.
I will be very pissed if CBS decides to let the potential of this show slip thru the cracks.
Maybe Anne Rice can Consult
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11-17-2007 @ 10:34PM
MaudeMathilde said...
Eye candy is an understatement! Alex O'Loughlin is absolutely breathtakingly handsome, and a very talented actor to boot. Moonlight is a refreshing new kind of detective series, a break from the same old hum drum crime story. I was skeptical at first, but WOW! When I saw Alex O'Loughlin I was totally captivated by him. I must admit that I am quite smitten with him. It is about time that us women have some "eyecandy" for a change.
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11-17-2007 @ 10:40PM
Stella said...
The correct spanish is "Mi casa es su casa."
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11-17-2007 @ 11:05PM
terryb said...
I have to admit that I am one of the "cult following" mentioned in a previous comment. I can't get enough. For someone who had NEVER posted a comment, read a blog or participated in forum before Moonlight, I have to say that I am completely addicted to this show. As an adult woman in the 40 and over demographic, I truely enjoy a show with some fantasy romance. I can not watch another disgusting autospy or another reality show. This show is not by any means masterpiece theater nor does it pretend to be. It is just a show that draws you in like you know these characters. It's nice that the main characters are established adults in their late 20' to 30's instead of 18-19. It's fun - don't over think it just enjoy it and hope that CBS keeps it up.
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11-18-2007 @ 12:20AM
wondergirl9847 said...
I got a huge rush from last night's episode. It was like watching a movie with the scary-as-frick villian! He was frightening! Got me screaming a few times during the episode. Alex and Sophia, AGAIN, did an amazing job in that balcony scene. Just gorgeous....all of it.
If there is any new show that deserves a full season and all the accolades...it's Moonlight.
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11-18-2007 @ 12:38AM
Jessica said...
Does anyone know the name of the song that was playing in the last scene of the show?
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11-18-2007 @ 4:18AM
EB said...
Jessica,
The song in the balcony scene was "Together" by The Kin. It's totally been stuck in my head all day. arrgh! You can listen to it at http://www.myspace.com/thekin and I'm sure it's on iTunes and other music sites, too.
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In other general comments, I think the closing balcony scene was *extremely* well done. Kudos to the actors, directors, editors, FX people, etc. I've always enjoyed vampire, sci-fi, supernatural shows, but Moonlight really plays up the romantic angle, and does it extremely well, IMO.
One thing that sorta bothered me (upon reflection) was the timing of Shepard's execution. Was he a vamp prior to the execution? But as terryb mentioned, I try not to overthink this show...I thoroughly enjoy it for what it is.
And add me to the list of people that hopes this show gets picked up, CBS! It has a lot of interesting story directions that it could go, and I'm definitely looking forward to next week's episode.
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11-18-2007 @ 8:53AM
Tina Eccles said...
I also love this show and the episodes get better and better and again leave us on the edge of our seats looking at the following week's promo!! This is an outstanding show. Please keep writing CBS, through letters, feedback, whatever and let them know how we feel!! With the strike negotiations resuming on the 26th, now is the time to pour it on!!
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11-18-2007 @ 2:33PM
Pineappleish said...
12:04 AM was by far my favorite episode of Moonlight. The last scene on the balcony had me practically in tears. I am excited to find out what happens next week. I have not been this fascinated with a TV show since X-Files was on.
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