“There’s so much living to do.”We knew it couldn’t last. I expected it to last a bit longer than this, though. Mick’s humanity had a shelf life of about six months, but he wasn’t taking into account his most human quality: mercy.
Mick finally asked Beth out on a date—I guess the Moonlight writers are following the Joss Whedon dictum of only allowing people a brief moment of happiness before someone has to die. His (Mick's, not Joss Whedon's) willingness to fight for Beth, while human, and to lose his humanity to keep her safe was incredibly sweet. Even Josef was touched, and his “What you’re asking of me” moment was so perfectly delivered that it just confirmed Jason Dohring’s inherent fabulousity.
All that emotional, lovey-dovey stuff was really wonderful, but the rest of the episode wasn’t spectacularly plotted. There were lots of moving pieces, and as I understand it, they break down to: Maureen was killed because she was looking the death of a politician’s wife. She was killed by a vampire who thought she was going to reveal that his plastic surgery practice was just a front for dealing rare blood types—he’d siphoned a bit of the politician’s wife for profit.
That was a dead end, investigation-wise, as was the donut dietician. (This sounds impossible, except that there is a cookie diet that’s quite popular in LA.) Rather, the wife died because he husband was driving drunk; his daughter covered for him because she didn’t want to be alone, but her grief made her want to come clean. Because of that, she hacked into Luis Perez’s email account to alert Buzzwire. Also, there’s something going on with Josef’s charity work, a scam, and Oprah. And Luis’s immigration status.
The crazy plotting was all about people who want to be something other than what they are: thinner (the dead woman), mayor (the aspiring politician), guilt-free (the daughter), a citizen (Luis). Mick desperately wants to be human for two reasons: to enjoy all the tasty goodness of 21st century LA, and to regain his lost optimism. I wonder if being a vampire makes a person more cynical, or if Mick is more able to deal with all of his Coraline-baggage since his blood is pumping?
At the end of the day, though, Mick is what he is: a willing hero who will risk his life to save a stranger (the daughter) and give up his life to save his love (Beth). Awww. :-)
Bites:
• Interior designers: “Think mid-twentieth century modern, Palm Springs, Rat Pack.”
Josef: “I’ve been there, done that.”
• Beth: “Maureen, if this is another Brangelina-alien-baby thing…”
• Beth: “It was much more fun when you were a vampire. It’s a shame you can’t do that sexy vampire jumping thing.” With air quotes.
• Logan [looking at cat]: “You brought lunch.”
• Josef: “Cool! It’s like role-playing, without the leather.” For some reason, this reminds me of Veronica Mars and Duncan Kane: Veronica: “Can I ask you a question?” Duncan: “Yes to costumes, no to props.”
• Josef: “Was her body found in the La Brea Tar Pits? That’s the only person I killed this week.” Inventive. I like it.
• Politician: “The pillar on which we will build our shining city…” That’s a rather precarious perch for a city. I’m not even sure that much overblown rhetoric could fit on top of a pillar, much less all of LA.
And Pieces:
• The best part of Mick’s human montage was, for me, him hitting the snooze button on his alarm. The best way to start the day.
• I don’t know where that pier is. Is it in Malibu? He seemed to be headed in that direction.
• Hiding things in a box of tampons was a plot point in a Jonathan Kellerman novel—I forget which one. Billy Straight?
• Vampire can’t even taste food, or coffee. That sounds awful.
• The Mick and Luis chase scene was hilarious.
• Josef is one scary vamp.
Three and a half out of four donut dieticians.
Josie Kafka is a full-time cat servant and part-time rogue demon hunter. (What's a rogue demon?)
Josie, you're right that the case part of it was the weakest. But Josef turning Mick back into a vampire had to be the most erotic scene in the series. Josef really does care deeply for Mick, and vice versa. Loved it. Okay, the Mick Beth kiss on the roof was special, too. And Mick giving up his human vacation to save her was so sweet. He didn't even hesitate.
ReplyDeleteLoved the day and night picnics that bookended the episode. And the killer donuts. "Two words. Krispy Kreme."