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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this series both glorifies and downplays the more unpleasant side of the vampire lifestyle. Several gory scenes show mangled, bloody bodies, but main character Mick is often shown drinking blood from a glass -- he prefers not to hunt humans, instead getting his fix from a friend at the morgue. Mick's vampire friend Josef (who's often surrounded by women yearning to be turned into vampires, who seem content to be treated as both playthings and snacks) has no such compunctions and openly taunts Mick for his scruples. But overall the show gives little attention to Mick's need to repress his vampire nature, which could have been an interesting internal conflict.
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What's the Story?
Mick St. John (Alex O'Loughlin) is a noble vampires who recognizes that he needs blood to survive but manages to avoid feeding on people. Instead, his contact at the morgue keeps him well stocked with the red stuff, making him a vampire who has no weaknesses and no problems finding food, but all the super abilities traditionally linked to his kind. A private investigator, Mick frequently partners with Beth (Sophia Myles), an investigative reporter.
Is It Any Good?
Some things you just shouldn't mess with. When a show about an undead private detective kicks off by debunking some of the many myths about vampires (Garlic, holy water, and crucifixes? No effect. Exposure to sunshine? No problem, as long as you don't overdo it.) -- it begs a key question: Why even bother calling it MOONLIGHT when so much of it happens in broad daylight? And why bother making him a vampire at all? If the writers wanted a super-powered private eye who could investigate crime during the day and didn't have to hunt for food, they could have used any number of gimmicks, and being a vampire isn't even the best one.
Then there's his partner. For investigative reporter who's often amazed at his ability to appear and disappear so quickly, she asks surprisingly few questions about his background. The two of them make a decent team when it comes to solving crimes, though their cases aren't especially challenging, and clues tend to land in their laps.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the enduring appeal of vampire tales. How do TV shows and movies usually tend to portray them? What changes does this show make to traditional vampire mythology? How does that change the way the characters live their undead lives? Do you like the changes? Why or why not? How does this show compare to the many other films and TV shows that revolve around vampires?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 28, 2007
- Cast: Alex O'Loughlin, Jason Dohring, Sophia Myles
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 1, 2022
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