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'Moonlight': Josef and the sleeping beauty
Heartache, heartbreak and heartstake -- that's pretty much what the vampires of Moonlight had to look forward to this week. I'm telling you, there are days when it hardly seems worth it to get out of the refrigerated storage unit.
Beware: Spoilers lurk beyond.
Our buddy Josef has been alive for 400-odd years, and that's time enough to make some serious enemies. One of them, an elderly man who looks like he's at death's door, decides its time to pay his respect to our favorite impish vampire elder -- and by "his respects" I mean "a hitman who is instructed to torch Josef to little cindery bits." Ouch. The hitman carries out his instructions admirably and blows up Josef's weekly vampire poker game, where Josef is expounding on how much trouble mortal girls are. Looks like he won't have to worry about that again...
Josef's death hits Mick pretty hard -- like he didn't have enough to worry about, what with his new quasi-girlfriend staking is suddenly-human, supposed-to-be-dead, more-or-less ex-vampire ex-wife. He lies for Beth -- they have no idea how this woman happened to stumble against something that left splinters in her chest cavity! -- but he's worried. Coraline obviously found some way to reverse the vampire thing, and if she dies, he'll never find out how to do it.
He tries to get Coraline to spill the secret, but she's distracted by the raging infection, the impending death, and the fact that her ex is in love with another woman and doesn't seem to appreciate what she's gone through for him. He just wants to know how to reverse things so he can be with Beth! She passes out (silly fragile human), but Mick takes a vial of her blood, presumably so he can run his own tests.
When Mick and Beth get back to his apartment, there's a surprise waiting for them -- Josef. He's alive! Or, undead, I guess. Well, he's not a pile of ash, and that's good, because I adore Jason Dohring, and (spoiler alert!) we get to see him shirtless later on in the episode. Squeee! Ahem. Josef escaped his fiery fate, but the rest of his poker-playing compatriots were consumed. What's worse, Josef now has no money, no office, no place to go for good time. Mick grounds him -- no leaving my apartment! -- while he investigates. He neglects to tell Josef he has to stay in the apartment alone, which is a huge oversight, because Josef immediately brings the party Mick's place. But of course.
After a stern talking-to -- "You already died once this week!" -- Mick thinks Josef has mended his ways. Hah! Josef actually snuck out to his office building, where his duplicitous security guard gives the hitman the heads-up again. Mick arrives in time to save the day and get the name of the elderly man who hired the killer -- John Whitely. Josef claims ignorance, but he obviously knows what's up.
Beth finds out the employer is in New York. Road trip! There's a slight bobble when Josh appears and there's conversation about relationships and jealousy and blah blah really, who cares about mortal boy? Can he leap up fire escapes with stunning ease? Can he survive being shot? Does he look as good without a shirt? I thought not. Next!
Anyway, in New York, Beth and Mick discover what prompted the hit: Whitley had a daughter, Sarah, who disappeared in the 50s. Her diary revealed that she loved Josef, she knew he was a vampire, and she wanted him to turn her so they could be together forever. Apparently it's not that easy. The good news: She's still as beautiful and young as she was in 1955. The bad news? She's not much of a conversationalist, as the attempted turning put her in a coma, and it's only around-the-clock medical care that's keeping her going. Josef is heartbroken. Who knew he was a closet romantic? (OK, everyone knew that. It's part of his charm.)
Our hitman hits again -- he stakes Josef through the heart, and is quite nonplussed when Josef refrains from dying. Stupid movies... Mick gets the jump on him and breaks his neck, then removes the stake form Josef's chest. Josef seems to have almost enjoyed the novelty of being staked. It strikes me that Josef may need a hobby. Me? My hobby is watching a shirtless Josef tending to his wounds. Yowza!
Josef decides to stay with his vegetative lady love. Mick proposes a mad, romantic dash around New York, but Beth spoils things by mentioning how she has to patch things up with her boring, plot-device boyfriend who is just there to be an obstacle to our favorite couple's burgeoning lurrrrrve. Seriously -- ditch him. There's no point to him. Mick wanders the streets alone, disconsolate. Poor Mick.
Back in LA, Coraline seems to be taking a turn for the worse -- she vamps out (or does she?) when a nurse is trying to make her comfortable, and later flatlines. But when the crash team runs to the room, Coraline's bed is empty. Dun dun DUN!
Is Coraline back to her vampy self? Will she try to get Mick back? Does Beth still want to be turned? Is there any real point to keeping Josh around? Who do you prefer shirtless (assuming you are distracted by such shallow concerns, like me) -- Mick or Josef? Are love triangles always improved by the introduction of sharp, pointy teeth? Discuss!
Ok, so I don't have a life outside of these vamp shows. I really really enjoyed this episode, one of the best. I LOVED see more of Josef and his past, he really got to stretch as an actor in this episode. I kept thinking in the back of my head, could the cure help the love of his life? I guess we'll have to wait and see. Me, Im really ok with the Beth, Josh thing as it shows she has a sense of duty to her relationships, she doesn't just flip them off. Josh was/is a really great guy who loves her. Any woman worth her salt doesnt just poo poo on a man like that. She trys to do the right thing and end it before embarking on an new romance.
I must admit when Josef was shot I was hoping he would be bled and weak and need some fresh blood to heal. Now that would have been interesting seeing Micks reaction to having Josef feed on Beth. That feeding thing is so intimate that I would think Mick would have had a hard time seeing Beth react to it.
assuit | Dec 14, 2007 11:32:14 PM | #Good episode. I enjoy this show every week, but don't think its as good as some others. Journeyman has better stories, better premise, yet does worse in the ratings. Maybe it's CBS that makes the difference. They better advertise their shows than NBC. Don't get me wrong, I like Moonlight. I just don't understand why a great show like Journeyman is not getting a full season.
Shaggysteve | Dec 15, 2007 8:18:39 AM | #I love this show so much. The ending broke my heart as did Josef and his love for Sarah. Mick vamping out, and Coraline also vamping out...which was so creepy! I loved that!
Such a fantastic episode. I'm off to watch it again!
Christy | Dec 15, 2007 9:56:08 AM | #What a great review! Yes, Josef was great! Great episode and I'd vote for more Josef with or w/o shirt!
I'll take more Mick too. There is no law that says I can't have both. When Morgan mentioned a threesome I wasn't thinking Beth and Morgan at all!
It's no wonder josef is so hard on mick regarding beth. Great episode!
chet | Dec 15, 2007 10:19:36 AM | #This episode explained Josef's backstory a bit more. We now understand why he is the way he is concerning Mick & Beth.
I don't know what to think about Coraline. If she was human again, did her human body die again turning her back into a vampire? Is she maybe some kind of vampire/human hybrid like Blade whose able to have the strengths of both species? Coraline, I think, is the biggest mystery of the show.
At first I thought this might just be another vampire show. Its premise was similar to that of Forever Knight, which I think is the best vampire show of them all. However, Moonlight has progressed with its own original story. It's definitely on my must see list.
I agree that this was a very good episode, very interesting! I really enjoy the Josef character and was glad to see more of him this week. I am finding that the Josh character is getting old for me, enough all ready. In real life, he would have been gone weeks ago!
I wasn't especially happy about Beth's reaction at the end. There could be multible reasons for it and I will be interested in seeing what her's was. I hope that it wasn't due to cowardance. Other than druged, she has never said she wanted to be turned, so why so fearful now? I don't think it was just Josh. I felt this reaction was not a really accurate reading of her character. It was the only off note of the episode.
I am also quite interested in what the outcome of Coraline's vampire revival will be, and the blood Mick took from her. I think the story will show that Josef is right, there is no real cure. Coraline probably just found a temporary conversion or suppression. Remember she HADN'T aged! The question is will she be out for vengence now? I also want to see if Beth ever "gets" the fact that Mick naturally still has some feelings for Coraline. It's natural for some residue - good or bad - after 33 years of marriage!
It will be hard to wait for the next episode.
Andie | Dec 15, 2007 11:39:19 PM | #Don't forget people choice awards still open for moonlight. Vote. Also if Moonlight wins maybe lifetime will give that other great vamp show "blood ties" a third season
assuit | Dec 16, 2007 12:09:47 AM | #Great episode! Josh is a plot device, but I still kind of like him. However, it seemed weird to me that after he disappeared for 3 odd episodes they brought him back for that 10 second scene? Either they need to embrace the inevitable and break them up, or do something that causes him to become a legitimate bar of the triangle... or really quadrangle.
AA | Dec 16, 2007 9:00:08 AM | #i was so pissed at the end when Beth dismissed Mick's try at romance! But i understand the idea of the plot, to toy with their relationship. If they get together within the first season it's kinda dead (no pun intended). However, if this show is going to be cancelled, they better wrap it up by putting them together or make a movie or something. Man I'll help fund it! I don't want to be left hanging like I've been with so many other shows I got into.
I actually like this show a lot more than other shows because maybe of the vampires but Mick's and Beth's chemistry is so great! IT's love but love that never can be fulfilled unless a miracle happens.
BTw, Josef is great. I love his character. I like this pompous romantic!
I think Coraline is going to come back as a vampire and put Beth in danger.
I think it's good Josh is still there; Beth has been so jealous lately, it will be nice to have Mick jealous too!
Is show going to have another episode?!???
Coraline was never human. She's been playing Mick all along. Don't forget we only have her word as proof she was human. She wants something and Mick is part of it.
Patti | Dec 17, 2007 8:43:22 AM | #if Coraline was never human then she must have figured out a way to get her heartbeat back along with not giving off the vampire scent that Josef and Mick would be able to pick up on. I'll be interested to see what happens and the explanation of how she managed to turn herself human in the first place. Hopefully, they'll bring this show back when the strike is over.
steve | Dec 17, 2007 10:34:51 AM | #Great show and great episode. I'm so hooked on this show. I live for Fridays, its weird that I've become so into it!
Maybe its how hot Alex O'Loughlin is!!
Can't wait to see what happens next!
I'm also bummed they didn't give Journeyman a full season, I liked that show.
Moonlight just keeps getting better every week. It is killing me that I have to wait to find out what happens next. This was my favorite episode so far. The characters are getting the depth they need and now the big hiatus. Not fair!
Debbie | Dec 17, 2007 8:32:16 PM | #Great episode, I liked that we found out more about Josef. If this was the last new episode I am totally bummed.
Hettie | Dec 18, 2007 6:57:11 AM | #I thought they photographed Josh in more appealing way and close up in this episode - wanting us to side with him a bit more -- uh oh? Or was HE building up to a Dear John himself?
Yes, sad to see Mick finally ask for time together and not be encouraged, but the hand-to-window meant he wasn't giving up? Friends-for-sure, sweet.
There are spoilers for future episodes but not advertised when?
Speaking of advertising - I've seen SO LITTLE of it early each week. I wrote Entertainment Tonigth(CBS) and asking why we're not seeing interviews for their own new shows and way too much of certain other celebs, NO ANSWER. What???
Moonlight Meandering | Dec 18, 2007 3:35:12 PM | #Sorry to see Josef's office gone. Especially the huge ceiling mural that so many people were wondering about on other sites. Background on that interesting - and I'll leave it to for those who care to search for - fun exchanges - and the answer diffeerent than expected but a A+ for the designers.
Moonlightwonderings | Dec 18, 2007 3:40:34 PM | #Sorry to see Josef's office gone. Especially the huge ceiling mural that so many people were wondering about on other sites. Background on that interesting - and I'll leave it to for those who care to search for - fun exchanges - and the answer diffeerent than expected but a A+ for the designers.
Moonlightwonderings | Dec 18, 2007 3:40:43 PM | #Young-old Josef cracks us up.
Loving quotes from this series. Hope the writers laugh as much as we do.
One of my favorites is still, "Can't you just open the door?" (Josef)
Meeting for Moonlight | Dec 18, 2007 3:48:13 PM | #For a few who asked above, Moonlight has reruns for next two weeks at least. Enjoy again and tell friends who missed them the first time ! Send CBS good reasons to keep it going - seems so many more good episodes would be possible.
Another Moonlight Fan | Dec 18, 2007 4:06:43 PM | #For a few who asked above, Moonlight has reruns for next two weeks at least. Enjoy again and tell friends who missed them the first time ! Send CBS good reasons to keep it going - seems so many more good episodes would be possible.
Another Moonlight Fan | Dec 18, 2007 4:06:50 PM | #I actually enjoy seeing Mick shirtless over Josef, but I can't say that Josef looked bad sans chemise. If only he didn't sound like he needed to blow his nose every time he speaks .....
I have a feeling Coraline was able to suppress her vampire self as opposed to change her vampire self. It was very creepy to see her eyeing that nurse's neck when she was innocently trying to help make her more comfortable in her hospital bed. And then she bolted -- presumably for a more convenient snack. Hmmm! The plot thickens!
Beth's lame excuse for getting back to LA was just that -- lame. One more plotline obstacle, perchance? Yeah. It's either that or she's a coward when it comes to love and, to be honest, I can see her character being like that. Beth seems the type to want to be safe in her love life; choosing security and familiarity over true and passionate love.
I have a feeling this may be one tendency that Mick's character can complicate for her.
Good episode!
Berlin | Dec 18, 2007 6:23:26 PM | #I love this show. Hated the pilot, I thought they had no chemistry and just were pretty people. I was wrong.
Dietcoke | Dec 19, 2007 7:33:01 PM | #I love this show. Hated the pilot, I thought they had no chemistry and just were pretty people. I was wrong.
Dietcoke | Dec 19, 2007 7:33:07 PM | #In case fans haven't seen elsewhere, the next (and maybe last for season) episodes in THIS sequence will be Jan 4 and 11.
Here is source for that:
http://moonlightfans.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255&Itemid=1
Moonlight Watch | Dec 22, 2007 3:06:32 PM | #
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