By Brandon Nolta

So, unlike other shows of this kind, MOONLIGHT wastes no time in getting to its big reveal: Last week, Mick (Alex O’Loughlin) spilled the beans to Beth (Sophia Myles) about the nosferatu side of his existence. Naturally, she’s a little freaked, but gets over it pretty quick. Actually, Mick’s a little more bothered by it, as it brings up all sorts of memories of his ex-wife (Shannyn Sossamon), the vampire he had to set afire to save Beth as a child. He thinks she’s toast, but I think we all know that’s not so. (On a side note, CBS showed a commercial for 30 DAYS OF NIGHT at the first break. Hopefully, the movie will be easier to watch than the source graphic novel was to read; that sucker looked like it was drawn and inked by a colorblind epileptic in full grand mal.)

Meanwhile, a hapless doctor tries to help a dude who gets run down in the street, but the victim turns out to be hungry for that vintage you just can’t get in the store. The doc gets bitten, gets turned and passes a fast and gory death along to a clerk in a convenience store. Once the news gets to Mick via a friend at the morgue, he quickly realizes there’s a rogue vampire running loose and sets out to track him down. This gives Mick the opportunity to reminisce about his turning, showing viewers that fateful night in 1952 when Mick St. John joined the undead. Much violence and arcane research into vampires follows.


Little more violence in this one, though apparently in this mythology, being a vampire doesn’t grant you kung-fu might like it does in the Whedon universe. More importantly, we get to see a more ruthless side to Mick; his actions at the end of the episode make you glad he’s not pissed at you. O’Loughlin remains a charming presence, and Myles looks even more like Rachel Weisz than before. I still don’t see enough changes in the vampire mythos to make it noteworthy, but there is one good modification; the change with regards to stakes makes for some interesting plot possibilities, as we see at episode’s end. Still, unless there are some interesting changes in store that the writers are storing up for later, the show will rise and fall on the strength of O’Laughlin and Myles, and it’ll take time for that relationship to really develop.

If MOONLIGHT takes anything from its forebears, one hopes that it’ll be the writing and emphasis on character. Right now, Mick is by far the most interesting character on the show, and he needs supporting characters that are on his level when it comes to complexity and backstory. Come on, guys, pay more attention. Anyway, as long as they don’t cross over with GHOST WHISPERER or whatever the hell that show is (although if they want to bring over Jennifer Love Hewitt, preferably in a low-cut dress, there’ll be no complaints over here), MOONLIGHT should be able to find its niche … as long as it doesn’t start to suck. I know, I know, I couldn’t let it slide.