TVSquad

(S01E14) "Then you know how I'm going to handle this." Josef to Beth about Dean Foster

Things are really starting to heat up in important ways. I know that a lot of fans thought last week's episode was phenomenal, especially because of the scene between Josef and Mick, but this episode was even better. There are two reasons for this: First, that the plot really worked, moved quickly, created suspense, and second that the plot actually had ramifications for Mick's future (and Beth's, and their possible future together). That's called synergy, and I like it.

Let's also talk about what was better this week: Jason Dohring wasn't stiff at all. He was both funny and dangerous, just exactly what he needs to be. Eric Winter was also better, pensive, and not such a prick. But everybody looks stupid with those bluetooth earpieces. Why can't all actors wear the wired earpiece like Jason Bourne? I am just not even going to comment on Beth's wig apart from saying that I suppose I am just going to have to live with it. I am going to be Switzerland about the wig.

Car chase! The budget for this show has definitely increased. Yay, car chase at the beginning of the show! I loved having Mick mutter under his breath, "You cannot die. You can't die." Very nice sense of humor. Mick seems to be coming to terms nicely with his return to vampirism. Maybe because he chose it this time? And for a greater purpose? He may have felt that he indirectly endangered Beth when she was a child, because if he hadn't been a vampire Coraline wouldn't have kidnapped her. But now, being a vampire was the only way to save her.

Forgive me, but I like a little plot with my vampire porn, so I appreciated the investigation this episode actually required. Having Mick investigate Tierney's murder, smelling her stateroom to figure out what happened (too bad he can't actually tell who was there by their scents lingering, too) and question witnesses was great. Of course, questioning people depends on their honesty, as we discovered with Jason the film producer lying to Beth. But, of course they figured it out with further probing.

Too bad we aren't going to get to see more of Beth's new Buzzwire boss. His Philip Seymour Hoffman imitation may have rankled some people, but I found it sort of hilarious. He was a breath of fresh air and I would have liked to see that element continue. How can Beth afford to live in Hollywood and just quit her job, by the way? I mean, I understand her devotion to Mick and her intentions, but what is she going to do now?

Mick and Beth need to figure out other ways to date besides going out to dinner and having Mick watch Beth eat. They could go for hikes; go miniature golfing; go to the beach again; perhaps later in the day; go clubbing; go see some shows, or maybe just rent a video. I find it hard to believe that they haven't slept together yet, but I'm willing to overlook it in the name of Television Building Sexual Tension. Mick the vampire has never slept with a human? Really?

It was excellent to see Mick vamp out at the paparazzi just to have them vamp out in return. Loved how Mick scolded them for it, too. I was amazed at the scene in which they tore Dean Foster apart like wild animals. That was really exploring a side of vampirism that the show hasn't shown us yet: How feral, how dangerous they can really be. There are a lot of different ways they could have handled Dean Foster, but they chose one of the most elemental. It was excellent-- we need to see more of this kind of scene on this show. Not only because it's really cool, but also because it reminds us that Mick really isn't a human anymore, so his relationship with Beth is seriously complicated. His mission in life is to protect her, and he could be really dangerous to her.

Of course, now we have the real complications that may keep Beth and Mick apart: Talbot has the photographs of Mick getting up and walking away from the car accident. So, he is going to try to figure out why. Also, Beth and Josef did the unspeakable by having Foster killed to protect Mick. Mick wouldn't approve of that at all. He is going to find out: Will he forgive them for it? Will he forgive Beth? I mean, it's sort of in Josef's history to behave that way, but not Beth. The fact that she would have a man killed to protect Mick: Wow. Wow. That is sinister in ways that the show has not yet fully explored. I hope they investigate it in the future and don't make it just simple and easy for her to have done.

So, we have the dual complications of Beth's secret and Talbot's investigation, which could ultimately result in Mick having to disappear.

Here's hoping for a second season.