Moonlight: TV Series 2007-2008

Moonlight was a TV show that ran from September of 2007, to the spring of 2008 when it was officially canceled. It was a pre-Twilight-hype vampire drama starring Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles, Jason Dohring, and Shannyn Sossamon.

Though Moonlight never got much publicity, it was a good series. The main character, Mick St. John (O’Loughlin) is a private investigator, and a vampire. His abilities as a vampire give him an advantage in his work, but make it makes it nearly impossible for him to get to close to anyone personally. He finds himself falling for a woman he rescued years ago,when she was just a girl (as a vampire, Mick doesn’t age). Mick begins to hate what he is even more, and despite the advice of a trusted friend, Josef Kostan (Dohring), begins hunting for a cure to his condition.

Moonlight offered something different from the standard mass-produced criminal investigator and romance dramas on the air. Keep in mind this was before all the vampire-mania that followed the release of the Twilight movie (ironically, the original title for Moonlight, had been Twilight). Moonlight offered a unique take on vampire lore, and a fresh story, unlike anything else on the air. It addressed the mythology surrounding vampires and told a good story, while appealing to both male and female viewers, via the criminal investigator and romantic aspects.

The entire series consisted of only 16 episodes (partially due to the 2007-2008 writers’ strike). Though it was short-lived, and relatively unknown, Moonlight was a great series. The finale left it open for another season, but due to critics reviews, and it’s small following lead to its cancellation.

Its too bad. Moonlight was a great vampire story that lacked the “teenage girlyness” of the Twilight series. It was exciting, spooky, and unique, everything a good vampire story should be.

11/30/09