Moonlight

I'm biased because I like toothy things, but I really do enjoy this and watch it quite frequently. I like the characters and story lines, it's not entirely original but is enjoyable and likable and it's "vampire" enough without any added extras (black magic/werewolves/fairies/sparkles etc) and the vampires are actually true to the genre (except the going out in broad daylight thing). The acting is sometimes a little cheesy but I overlook that because I like it so much and how do you act "Hey I just found out vampires are real?" It's not like anyone has a frame of reference is it? Alex O'Loughlin is excellent - I don't think I'd seen him before this - and I'm now a fan of him in Hawaii 5-0, and it's always nice to see Sophia Myles (Underworld), a Brit in an American Series. Good music, stunts and effects, this is an easy to watch show. Given the rubbish that IS given a second season, I have no clue why this didn't get one although where it ended was really nice and rounded it off well. Many familiar faces putting in an appearance, but the story arc with the beautiful Shannyn Sossamon was a favourite.

A guilty pleasure.

I just caught the new supernatural series premiere of CBS's new show, MOONLIGHT. To be honest, I liked the first episode, but after seeing countless shows of this natural, it seems to repetitive.

Now don't get me wrong, MOONLIGHT isn't a bad show. It's compelling, stylish and has characters that are very interesting. I have to say I have finally found a show to replace the void left by STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE and STARGATE: SG1 and a show that isn't another CSI copycat. Even though the show is somewhat cool, it seems way to familiar to some of it's predecessors--Remember a show called FOREVER KNIGHT, or a more recent one ANGEL? In fact the first episode is a blending of some of the previously mentioned series' episodes. And the vamp-does-good thing is a bit old.

Well, the show may some its flaws, but it is a welcome addition to a night that is getting more boring and repetitive by the hour.

Friday nights tend to be very boring. Moonlight while pure fantasy is well acted by up and coming Australian star Alex O'.I have seen him in a few movies and I believe that he will be with us for a long time. Sophia Miles is another one to look out for. As a big fan of Tristan and Isolde, her persona is one to have a future in whatever media form she chooses. As far as the show goes, it is one of my favorites. All the CSI's, NCIS.Without a Trace,Bones,and Criminal Minds have a great new neighbor. And it sure beats anything those silly game and so called "reality" shows give us CBS would be wise to keep Moonlight around for another season at least.

Most of the complaints people have about this show are from embittered Buffy fans. I love both of those shows, but the truth is that "Moonlight" is more my style, kind of like how the 1979 version of Dracula soothes my romantic senses much more than the version from the mid nineties. If you like more "realism" in your vampire stories, you will love "Moonlight." The main protagonist is Mick St. John, a vampire who was turned by his bride on their wedding night in the mid 1900's. Due to a change of heart and to the disappointment of his mentor Josef (one of the series' best characters), he turns to crime-solving. Unlike Angel, the demons he deals with are human rather than razor-clawed blue monsters. In the background is Beth, a reporter who remembers Mick from her childhood, when he saved her from the evil clutches of an old flame (in more ways than one).

Every girl I know adores this show. I mentioned it once in passing and now all my friends are eagerly tuning in on Friday nights to watch what happens. We like the more natural pace of the programming, the lack of wrinkled prosthetics whenever the vampires pull their angry faces, the cute chemistry between the leads. True, some of the series' success comes from the novels by Stephanie Meyers about a "calm" breed of vampire, but hey, if those terrifying fangirls manage to keep "Moonlight" on air for a season (and if the tremendous ratings have anything to say about it, it'll be here awhile), I can deal with it.

The plots are not too predictable and the show likes to pull the rug out from under us with bringing on revelations much sooner than other series have in the past. But the honest truth is, for a vampire fan like me, this has given me a whole new excitement for autumn programming. Long live Moonlight!

Okay, I've seen the promos pretty much all summer long. Our family is a Big Brother family and they touted this series continually. Honestly, I really figured I'd give it a miss. However, tonight I watched "Ghost Whisperer" with my wife, then she left the room and I was about to change the channel when two of my kids asked me not to change it because they wanted to watch it. Being a concerned parent, I stayed and watched.

Some of the plot points were easy to pick out, but I can say that about 85% of shows on television. What did keep me interested, however, was the lead character. He had a lot more depth than was portrayed in the promos. There were some neat complexities to him that I found intriguing. I also liked how they presented the reporter girl and the relationship established with the vampire. In fact, while plot was a bit been there, done that (again 85% of television), this show works well in the characterization.

I also felt things worked well in the last quarter of the show. The effects shots of the vampire's abilities were done well. I was comfortable throughout with my kids watching, which I'm happy about because I hope to turn them on to H.P. Lovecraft within the next few years. MY twelve year old son and I both agreed that this is a show we will definitely make the attempt to watch (however, we live in West Texas, I teach school, and the show is on Fridays...gotta warm up the VCR and buy some new tapes).

In summary: the show caught me off guard in a pleasant way. I take it for granted that you cannot do a vampire show without touching on ground already walked on, but the characterization in this show will keep me watching.