Moonlight stars Alex O’Loughlin. It is a noir show with intriguing plotlines involving vampires, murder mysteries, and complex relationships.
Moonlight is set in present-day (2007) Los Angeles, where vampire Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) works as a private investigator solving murders. He also secretly keeps tabs on a young woman he rescued from a kidnapping more than 20 years ago, Beth Turner (Sophia Myles). Beth is now an investigative journalist at Buzzwire, an up-and-coming online news outlet. Beth remembers the kidnapping but doesn’t initially realise Mick is watching her or who he is.
Mick is close friends with a wealthy 400-year-old vampire named Josef Kostan (Jason Dohring). Mick also has a vampire friend Guillermo (Jacob Vargas), who works in the morgue and helps him with cases. Guillermo also supplies Mick with blood from a blood bank.
Every private eye needs a hacker friend, and Mick is no different. Logan (David Blue) is a vampire hacker and gamer who doesn’t leave his basement apartment. His services are free, and he prefers to be paid in blood or money.
The Characters
Mick St. John
Mick St. John, played by Alex O’Loughlin, is a vampire private investigator who struggles with his vampiric existence and constantly seeks a cure. His wife Coraline (Shannyn Sossamon) turned him into a vampire in 1952 without his consent. Mick has never forgiven Coraline for turning him, and their tumultuous relationship plays a significant role in the show’s overall plot.
Beth Turner
Beth Turner, portrayed by Sophia Myles, is an investigative reporter for Buzzwire who becomes involved with Mick as they work together on murder cases. Beth is initially unaware of Mick’s true nature, but as their relationship develops, she begins to suspect his secrets. Their romantic entanglement is one of the central themes of the show.
Josef Kostan
Josef Kostan, played by Jason Dohring, is a wealthy 400-year-old vampire and close friend of Mick. Unlike Mick, Josef embraces his vampiric nature and uses his power and influence to navigate the modern world. Josef’s character provides a contrasting perspective to Mick’s struggles with his vampirism.
Coraline
Coraline, portrayed by Shannyn Sossamon, is Mick’s estranged vampire wife, who turned him into a vampire on their wedding night. Her actions and the couple’s tumultuous relationship play a crucial role in the show’s overall plot. Coraline is a complex character who is both desperate for love and capable of malicious actions.
Unique Aspects and Lore
Moonlight puts its own spin on traditional vampire lore, creating a unique world for its characters to inhabit. Some of the show’s distinct aspects include:
- Blood exchange is necessary for turning a human into a vampire, and the process can go wrong.
- A stake through the heart immobilises but does not kill a vampire. Removing the stake allows them to move again.
- Silver causes pain, but sunlight does not immediately destroy vampires. They can withstand some exposure to sunlight.
- Vampires sleep in fridges to slow down decomposition and prevent them from smelling.
These unique aspects help create a fresh and engaging take on the vampire genre.
Strengths
One of Moonlight’s strengths lies in its noir format and weekly murder mysteries, which are often crimes of passion that reflect the characters’ emotional journeys. The show’s exploration of vampire culture and Mick’s personal history adds depth to the storylines and keeps the audience engaged.
Another strength is the talented cast, including popular actors such as Abigail Spencer, Claudia Black, Kevin Weisman, and Eric Winter in guest roles. O’Loughlin and Dohring, in particular, bring an impressive depth to their characters, and their performances are a highlight of the series.
Weaknesses
Moonlight’s main flaws lie in the cast’s chemistry and the tired trope of a vampire who hates his vampiric existence. While the actors are talented, their chemistry is sometimes lacking, particularly in the romantic relationship between Mick and Beth.
The storyline of Mick, who despises his vampiric nature and seeks a cure, has become a tired staple of the genre. This makes it difficult for the show to stand out among other vampire-centric series.
Comparison to Other Shows
At first glance, Moonlight may seem similar to shows like Forever Knight, Angel, and Blood Ties, which all feature vampire detectives lamenting their existence. However, Moonlight sets itself apart with its noir format, unique lore, and complex relationships. While it does borrow some elements from these shows, it manages to create its own engaging world for viewers to explore.
Despite its flaws, Moonlight offers an intriguing and engaging take on the vampire genre. Its unique aspects, talented cast, and noir-style murder mysteries make it a show worth watching. While it never reached its full potential, it remains an enjoyable series for fans of vampire lore and crime dramas.
If you’re looking for a fresh take on the vampire genre mixed with a noir-style detective story, give Moonlight a chance. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised by this short-lived yet captivating series.
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