Characters, General Plotline and First Episode
Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) is an 80-something vampire, going on early 30s. He is living in L.A., where hundreds of vampires exist, unknown to many humans. The vampires care about secrecy, and usually if someone is going to drink human blood, it is voluntary. These vampires can’t be killed with wooden stakes. You either need to chopping their head off or set them on fire. Sunlight hurts, but they don’t burst into flames. They prefer the shadows, but going out in the sunlight won’t kill them if they are careful. Let’s face it; California is a refreshing update to a Vampire’s address.
Mick is a good guy, working as a private investigator. His best friend is one of the oldest vampires around – Josef (Jason Dohring), a rich businessman, in his 400s and going on mid 20s. Josef is a lot more into all things pleasurable and of course, money.
Mick’s existence is pretty uncomplicated, until a big part of his past catches up with him. 25 years ago, he has saved a little girl’s life. Her name is Beth Turner (Sophia Myles). She is now working as an online journalist and dating a lawyer-Josh- from the D.A.’s office (Jordan Belfi). She runs across Mick at a murder scene. A young woman was murdered, with bite marks in her neck. When Beth sees Mick, she knows he is so familiar but can’t make it out yet. Mick only discloses that he is a P.I. While working on the case, their paths cross again. Mick has watched over her for years and seems to have developed a major crush for the adult Beth. And despite being in a happy and steady relationship, Beth is strangely drawn to Mick as well.
The pilot episode comes to a big finale with Mick saving Beth’s life and earning her trust.
As episodes continue, we see the attraction growing between the two. They love working together but Mick is doing his best trying not to get too close. After all, he is a single vampire, and she is a human with a boyfriend. But of course shortly Beth will discover Mick’s secret and this will bring them even closer. However the current complications are multiplied when a freelance photographer comes into the picture, who carries an uncanny resemblance to Mick’s vampire ex-wife/sire Coraline (Shannyn Sossamon – 40 Days 40 Nights, A Knight’s Tale). And even though she seems to be having a lot in common with Mick and Coraline, she is human…
Verdict:
Moonlight has been my favorite vampire-related thing so far, movies and TV series included. It has the great mixture of mystery, action, thrilling factors, romance, friendship and entertaining one-liners. It is a shame it only lasted for 1 season. But unlike the many shows that overstated their welcome, Moonlight offers 16 excellent episodes. The acting is fine and Australian Alex O’Loughlin’s American accent is more than convincing. And a good American accent never goes to waste for an actor, as he is now also playing an American again, this time in the new Hawaii Five-0 TV series.
If you like vampires, give Moonlight TV Show a shot. Unlike the Twilight franchise, Moonlight has a much more unisex audience. But of course it is far away from the sexual and gory scenes of True Blood. You’ll enjoy Moonlight; especially if you like the new generation vampires who are harder to kill, look prettier and don’t burst into flames. But don’t worry, again- unlike Twilight’s ever-pretty, shining under the sun vamps, Moonlight vampires go extremely pale in the face & eyes and show fangs when they want to do their vampire things. They don’t shine in the sun either.
Guest star: The Mentalist’s FBI Agent O’Loughlin, The Ugly Truth’s Colin – Eric Winter- guest-stars for 4 episodes.
8/10 – for all episodes. The music rocks too.
Other Vampire Shows and Trivia
The Vampire Diaries starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder
All Posts on Alex O’Loughlin
The Back-Up Plan starring Alex O’Loughlin and Jennifer Lopez
