Becky's TV Reviews

When I first heard about this new show "Moonlight", my first thought was "Wow, a vampire P.I. in LA, I've never heard that before"... Having been a huge fan of the Joss Whedon Show "Angel" I was concerned that "Moonlight" would try to be a copycat. I decided to watch the pilot episode just to see what it was like. And I'm SO glad I did. This show takes a completely different approach to the fascinating theme it tackles. By starting the episode with Mick's narration they accomplished 2 important things. They allowed to get acquainted with the vampire lore they have in place so we quickly identify the differences to come. Also, this scene allows the viewers to experience the tone of the show. By using Mick's voiceovers as a device, the show has a very Sam Spade/film noir vibe to it that made this show stand out. I love Alex O'Loughlin as Mick; I as the viewer really understand his desire to have more than he feels he can. He is charming, dedicated, earnest and strong. All while hiding his desires even from himself. Alex plays the solitude and loneliness of immortality without falling into brooding or "pity party" mode. Sophia Myles plays Beth very well. A smart reporter, looking for answers. You can see the confusion in her face when she tries to find explanations for the things in Mick's life that defy reason. Shannon Sossamon (while we haven't seen much of her yet) is always wonderful. But I have to say Jason Dohring is fantastic as Mick's best friend Josef. He is entertaining but not ridiculous, smooth but not fake, accepting but not understanding. In short, he performs his role perfectly. You can just him as the devil whispering in Mick's ear with the best of (vampiric) intentions.

This show is great. It is suspenseful, edgy, funny, sexy, enlightening and entertaining. This show has well thought-out and written characters. People you want to get to know and you want good things for them. If they keep going this way, I will certainly keep tuning in. There is a line in the pilot episode that I love. It was the moment I knew I was hooked. As Mick comforts Beth, he says (in voiceover) "60 years is a long time to deny yourself the touch of another. But you do it, because you can't bear the thought of seeing yourself as a monster in someone else's eyes." How many of us keep ourselves shut off or keep secrets for the same reason?