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'Moonlight' The case of the deadly donuts
If there is one thing Moonlight needs less of, it's buttons. It could be ground breaking television! The first show to have it's star shirtless all season! Please? CBS, call me! I'll gladly be part of the test audience.
Speaking of testing, it seems Mick is doing some testing of his own. Namely in the field of gastrointestinal fortitude. There are some people in this world who can drink orange juice and coffee black within a short span of morning time. I am not one of those people. It seems Mick is picking up where he left off on the last episode, with eating all he can, while he can and so we catch him snacking on hotdogs before having a picnic on the beach with Beth. In daylight, no less.
The conversation they have doesn't seem to lend itself to the atmosphere, as they talk about her dead ex and how Mick wouldn't turn him into a vampire for her. And how said dead ex was going to ask her to marry him. And how she would have said "no" because she was in love with Mick. Which I have doubts about. Given how upset she was over his death and Mick's refusal to turn him, I think I have an easier time believing that she would be more likely to be caught up in the moment, say yes and then regret her answer. For the next 8 years. After which she would finally divorce him and come back to Mick, but now in her late 30s, he would have lost interest. At which time, she could get a spin-off titled The First Bitten Club, about a bunch of older bitter women who lost vampiric love but found themselves through their kinship with each other. And their desire for revenge. Hilarious revenge!
Did I take that too far?
It's OK, I'm not the only one with a penchant for going too far, as we also have Josef. He's waist deep in redecorating but has enough time to ask Mick if he's done the deed with Beth in his new and temporary mortal form because once he's a vampire again it's back to the celibate life. Which I don't understand the science of, but at this point, most of the new mythology of vampirism form this show confounds me, so I'm used to it. Mick says he hasn't and Josef basically tells him to consummate their love before it's too late. I like it with Josef gets all sentimental and romantic. It's oddly balancing to how he is...well,the rest of the time.
Beth isn't exactly down for getting down at the moment, however, as she gets a call from BuzzWire about a hot lead and arrive to find her boss dead. Maureen wasn't a terrifically developed character, so I don't feel much of a sense of loss. Ben Talbot, the new district attorney, shows up to ask Beth some questions and Beth points out that Maureen's laptop id missing. But I am not sure such information will fit into the chip on his shoulder. Out favorite morgue tech, Guillermo, tells Beth and Mick that Maureen was killed b a vampire and thus their new case is born.
They break into Maureen's apartment - without the aid of Mick's vampiric abilities. Beth seems to accomplish the most, using some supernatural sense to figure out that her former boss hid a flash drive in a box of tampons. Mick is too busy playing with Maureen's pet cat, which is another fresh experience since animals hate vampires. The flash drive is password protected, so they go to Logan for help. Who basically thwaps them with the clue stick when they find out that the password is the cat's nickname. At least it's not 1-2-3-4-5, a 'la Spaceballs, I suppose. But seriously, using your pet's name as your password sorta makes hiding the drive among your feminine hygiene products rather pointless, don't you think?
The incriminating evidence contained therein points out a few possible suspects, including a donut company, a local politico and Josef. It seems Mick's best friend was involved in a charity scam, but he cracks wise through their questioning of him so they move on to the politico. Mick chats with the politico's daughter, Bonnie, before questioning Morrow himself about his wife's "car accident" from a few years ago, while Beth questions the donut CEO about the spokesperson who had died. Could she be a Krispy Killer? Possibly, but they settle on Morrow as the top choice for suspect of the night. They go back to the morgue, where Talbot tells Beth to back off his case and I wonder why the morgue is such a happening place.
Mick tracks down Maureen's source on the late Mrs. Morrow's "accident", a valet runner who informs him that it was Mr. Morrow who was behind the wheel that night. He also denies having contacted Maureen - information which Logan confirms. It actually came from Morrow's own campaign headquarters. Bonnie can't live with the knowledge the her father and gets to a roof to end it all. Mick tries to talk her out of the whole death thing, knowing it's a drag on a personal level and giving Beth, Ben and Morrow time to arrive to hear Bonnie confess that daddy did mommy in.
Except it's not true.
So Beth and Mick switch their focus to the donut mogul by tracking down her plastic surgeon. Who is actually a vampire. Damnation! He dispatches Talbot and Mick before turning his attention to Beth. As Mick learns from his own doctor, the morgue tech, the plastic surgeon sells rare blood types. Such as the one Beth has. Because plastic surgeons live a hard luck life and need the extra income now and again. Mick decides to go on a rescue mission to save Beth, until Josef points out it would be a suicide mission by soundly kicking Mick's human butt. Realizing what must be done, Mick begs Josef to turn him back into a vampire and though reluctant, Josef complies. Que sera and all that, but I wish we had gotten at least a couple of full episodes of human Mick.
Mick and Josef bust in on the plastic surgeon to rescue Beth and Talbot - as we knew they would. It's well shot and fun to watch, but predictable. Beth worries about the questions Talbot will undoubtedly have, so at least they aren't completely ignoring that aspect of things. And she's also upset that Mick had to go back to being a vampire for her. Which sets her a little on edge and she questions whether the reason they can't be together isn't because of him being a vampire and her human, but just because of who he is. Implying he's a commitmentphobe, in a manner of speaking. But Mick grabs her, kisses her, and asks for time to figure things out.
Damnation, doesn't that get us every time, ladies?
For a first episode back, with their life on the line, I think they tried to fit too much in. Too much. Hiring the girl from Mutant X and having her do one measly scene? Throw three suspects out, a new ADA, Mick trying to figure out being human, Mick turning back Vamp, Mick kissing her? Boss Maureen dies?
Way too much. There's like three stories there. I understand the intent - fit a lot in to try and get a ratings pop somewhat. But it got messy and clumsy.
I wouldn't have minded a 2-parter here where Mick is human this episode, we see him spend time some more time with Beth, Maureen has more than 1 scene before dying, Maureen dies, we see Josef acting shady, they follow and realize all's good, then they follow one lead. At the end of the episode, I would've had them realize said lead was wrong and Mick gets his ass kicked, kicking off arc 2 next week where they chase the plastic surgeon and beth gets locked up and so forth.
The ending seemed forced tonight. They usually did a good job with the endings, having a reveal without it being that forced, but this one was too apparent, too quick.
That said, overall the episode was fine. It advanced several key plot points, namely, the relationship, and ended the human aspect with a reason, since well, this is a VAMP show, and having Mick as human would defeat the purpose. It showe,d in a way, a tender side to Josef, being unwilling to turn Mick.
Tony | Apr 25, 2008 11:49:29 PM | #Just to address the sex thing. I think I heard Josef say sex was possible between humans and vampires then Mick said something along the lines when having sex vampires had to bite as well. Josef said that the girls liked that. Or something along those lines.
Anyone out there listen more closely or actually tape that part?
assuit | Apr 26, 2008 1:28:15 AM | #Who ever said Vampires had to be celibate?
Chris G | Apr 26, 2008 7:38:34 AM | #In this show, if vampires have sex with a human, the human usually dies because of the whole primal instinct and bloodlust thing. Basically the vampire would drain the human they're with. That's what Mick's afraid of, losing control and killing Beth.
Yossarian | Apr 26, 2008 7:39:05 AM | #I'm thinking the writers felt they had to turn Mick back into a vampire, and this story was used to do just that. I too felt everything was sorta forced this time.
Maybe it was just me, but I felt that 1st beach scene with Mick & Beth was a bit cheesy. Her saying that she couldn't marry DA boy because she had feeling for someone else for a while now. Please. Sounds like something a teenager would say. That definitely could have been written better.
Still a good show. However they're now on their 3rd show-runner, so I hope it doesn't falter because of that.
Shaggysteve | Apr 26, 2008 8:22:17 AM | #Where at one time Coraline was Mick's sire, does Josef's turning the now human Mick,now make him Mick's sire? Great scene...
Curious | Apr 26, 2008 8:24:45 AM | #Yes. I believe that now makes Josef Mick's Sire. Interesting.
Did anyone else notice that Coraline was left out of the previously on segment? Maybe the actor and therefore the character are no longer on the show.
Shaggysteve | Apr 26, 2008 9:01:45 AM | #i just don't understand why no one is mentioning how DAMN HOT the scene was when Josef was turning Mick!!!! soooo glad i taped this last night.
i loved the story line and all the action. one of the best episodes yet.
s | Apr 26, 2008 10:27:17 AM | #Shaggy, Shannyn S. (Coraline) - while technically a permanent cast member - is in only about 1/2 the eps and is only included in the episode cast in the eps that she actually appears in. Although, your premise that she has left the show/been written out of the show is plausible as well.
I'm still confused as to how when Bonnie confessed to being Maureen's tip that Morrow got cleared of Maureen's killer?
I also agree with Tony in that the writers/producers put too much into this one ep. I'm guessing it is b/c they are still on the bubble so they want to put as much into the remaining eps as possible in case the show isn't back next year.
Rishi | Apr 26, 2008 11:07:30 AM | #"i just don't understand why no one is mentioning how DAMN HOT the scene was when Josef was turning Mick!!!!"
I totally agree.... and I thank CBS for the gratuitous bare chest shots.
Jen | Apr 26, 2008 11:45:33 AM | #on other forums, most people are talking about how "emotional" the turning scene was....i just couldn't get past thinking "this is porn in prime-time"...hahaha
s | Apr 26, 2008 1:23:09 PM | #Theres not enough biting and blood drinking in this show. Vampires drinking blood is always hot. Not just tear out throats thats not. Except last night with mick and josef. hot hot hot!
assuit | Apr 26, 2008 3:11:38 PM | #The show is interesting and exciting because of the tension it creates with the viewers on the possible intimate scene we might get to see between Mick and Beth. Thirteen shows later we as viewers want to see them have at least one loving, sexual scene together when they make love. Haven't we waited long enough? The scene should be tender, loving, and of course, sexy. We are waiting.....
poodle girl | Apr 26, 2008 4:30:35 PM | #well i agree with the shirtless statement and that it would have been nice to have mick be human for a couple more episode. but all in all a good episode
I, too, felt a bit rushed and dazed by the eppy. Too darn much going on so I didn't feel as involved in the story as I usually do. The MickBeth kiss was terrific but the arm bloodsucking between Mick and Beth in the fourth (I think?) eppy was way hotter. I LURVED the turning segment. It was sad and I felt badly for both Mick and Josef. There is not a better crier on TV today than Alex O'Loughlin. He's *so* manly and sexy when he does it -- I just want to hug him and make him feel better. That being said, I will have to agree with others here -- it was HOT, HOT, HOT!
lvk1978 | Apr 26, 2008 7:22:52 PM | #There were definite "huh?" moments in this one. The whole, "I forgive you, I wouldn't have accepted my ex's proposal" was very out of character from the last episode. But given the strike, I can forgive them since I'm sure they didn't want to waste too much time with Beth moping in this shortened return.
Given all that, there were some definite moments that were worthy. The "Crap I'm gonna have to chase him" was a really funny sequence. That's the only part they will lose with Mick having to go back to Vamp, but you knew that wasn't going to last long... Hard to have a series about a Vampire detective when your main character's no longer a Vamp... I would give it a 7 out of 10
Robert | Apr 26, 2008 7:34:54 PM | #i also wished they had left mick human just a little longer....
and this epi's detective story was too much, i didn't even care who murdered beth's boss! that story just got bogged down.
s, god you are so right about josef turning mick being hot. so hot.
but then again, everything about mick is hot.
Curious, i also had that same question about now who is mick's sire? a case of great minds think alike, i am sure.
yeah, keep bringing the biting and sucking and cool vamp effects...love this show!!!
beth is right crisy creme rocks !!!
anonynous | Apr 27, 2008 1:16:21 AM | #I LOVED this episode. Though I agree with lvk1978 that the scene where Mick feeds on Beth in the desert was EXTREEMLY HOT, The kiss scene was hot as well. I Loved seeing a tender side of Josef. His character is developing very well. This was the first time we had seen him "Vamp out" There had been suggestions that he was a powerful vampire but some of the slapstick comedy that had been written for him never let that show. I love this show and I hope that it sticks around for another season.
Amy Konczak | Apr 27, 2008 8:14:02 AM | #I loved this episode! The show was fast paced and kept you interested. I think the first half had the lighter feel to it because it was focused on Mick enjoying all that life has to offer as a human. Then the second half goes a little darker as it brings back into focus the world of vampires and the issues Mick faces by not being a vamp.
I think it is very plausible for Beth to admit her feelings for Mick at this time because she has felt this way for awhile. Sometimes it takes a little push to help you realize it - as when she is actually faced with the thought that Josh wanted to make their relationship permanent. She was able to really question herself as to whether or not that is what she wanted. And the answer was no, instead she loves Mick. She also realizes how short life is so she wants to make the most of the time she has with Mick.
The scene between Mick and Josef leading up to the turning and the turning itself was unbelievable! It was so full of emotion and left me enthralled and overwhelmed. Josef's anguish over taking away humanity from Mick when he knew how much it meant to him, the close-up of the tear coming down Mick's face, and then their joining together to go battle the bad guys and get Beth back, was simply amazing.
Again, I must say that I just loved this episode and it was well worth the wait!
Becky | Apr 27, 2008 9:58:55 AM | #i dont think it is too far fetched to believe beth could go from being so devastated by losing josh to admitting her feelings to mick. she had pulled away from josh a long time ago...she had only attempted to reconnect when coraline came back into the picture. since mick's attention was on coraline, beth grabbed onto josh because that relationship was familiar...unlike the complicated mess that she had with mick.
s | Apr 27, 2008 1:01:44 PM | #I think it's really good because of all the twists and turns.
Jasmin | Apr 27, 2008 7:21:37 PM | #One of my biggest peeves is reviewers who haven't even paid attention. Josef says point black, humans and vampires can have sex. Mick's comments from an earlier episode that it usually doesn't end well stem in part from the fact that at the time, he was a "glass half empty" sort of guy. My guess is he was referring not only to the obvious hazards but also the fact that humans age, vampires don't and it's hard for love to last forever even if the couple does.
Stas | Apr 28, 2008 6:11:20 AM | #I too enjoyed the shirtless scenes and the "turning". Everyone seems to be skirting around the homoerotic aspects of this scene. Anne Rice would be proud.
Mike | Apr 28, 2008 9:16:44 AM | #I loved this episode! The first part of the ep dealing with Mick and Beth deciding to move forward in the relationship really worked for me. I loved the expression on Beth face after Mick invited her over for dinner. The kiss at the end was very powerful to me. It seemed to say so many things between them.
Another thing I really enjoyed was the increased amount of Josef that we got. The scene where Mick pleads with Josef to turn him again and Josef's anguish at being the one to have to do it. Wow! I loved Mick referring to him as 'brother'. It was great to see Josef in full vamped-out fury when they were saving Beth.
I noticed a couple comments on how quickly they had Mick turn back to a vamp and how much was crammend into this episode. I think the main reason for both of these items is the shortening of the season due to the writer's strike. With having only four episodes left to this season instead of probably the ten we would have had with a full season, I'm guessing the writers were trying to give us as much as they could to set us up for (keeping fingers crossed) season two. But also, in case (much as I don't want to think about it) the show wouldn't get pick up for a second season, they can give us some closure and not leave us hanging.
Lynn | Apr 28, 2008 9:22:05 AM | #
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