I tried to give this show a chance, keeping an open mind as I watched the first two episodes. But it was a sore disappointment. Here are my complaints: Firstly, the premise has been done to death. A vampire, opting to be a good guy, becomes a private investigator in Los Angeles. This plot rings a little reminiscent, doesn't it? The most recent example of this plot used is in the TV series Angel, which followed a vampire with a soul (a good vampire) as he becomes a private investigator in Los Angeles.
My second complaint is, this show doesn't embrace the hundreds of years of vampiric folklore spanning across different countries and cultures. I may be the only one who came to this conclusion, but I thought the creators of the show tried to become different from the likes of Angel so as to not be confused for them. So vampires, for instance, are allowed to be in sunlight, though it irritates them, which I suppose is why whenever the lead character is out during the day he wears sunglasses. A stake through the heart will not kill vampires, but will perhaps stun them for a few minutes, allowing their killer enough time to use one of the two apparent methods that would actually kill vampires: beheading them or using fire.
The writers of "Moonlight" also pass up opportunities to intermingle their stories with the supernatural element, which I suppose is another way to steer clear of being confused with Angel. In the first episode, the villain was some college kid belonging to a cult, who decided to mimic vampiric killings on young women in the LA area by using some knife. The second episode involved an old foe the lead character, Mick St. John, had sent to prison twenty years before, finally gaining his freedom. But an immortal with enhanced abilities up against two humans seem anticlimactic.
...And then they add the story of Mick St. John falling for a reporter who, it turns out, he had rescued in the 1980's when she was kidnapped (by his own ex-wife).
"Moonlight" tries so hard to be different while reusing the same old plot devices that it seems rather noticeable. I am not going to say whether or not you should give this show a chance or avoid it completely. But I think I'm not gonna give up on it right away...if the writing and story lines improve as the show and those involve become more comfortable in their positions, I can overlook Moonlight's faults.
My second complaint is, this show doesn't embrace the hundreds of years of vampiric folklore spanning across different countries and cultures. I may be the only one who came to this conclusion, but I thought the creators of the show tried to become different from the likes of Angel so as to not be confused for them. So vampires, for instance, are allowed to be in sunlight, though it irritates them, which I suppose is why whenever the lead character is out during the day he wears sunglasses. A stake through the heart will not kill vampires, but will perhaps stun them for a few minutes, allowing their killer enough time to use one of the two apparent methods that would actually kill vampires: beheading them or using fire.
The writers of "Moonlight" also pass up opportunities to intermingle their stories with the supernatural element, which I suppose is another way to steer clear of being confused with Angel. In the first episode, the villain was some college kid belonging to a cult, who decided to mimic vampiric killings on young women in the LA area by using some knife. The second episode involved an old foe the lead character, Mick St. John, had sent to prison twenty years before, finally gaining his freedom. But an immortal with enhanced abilities up against two humans seem anticlimactic.
...And then they add the story of Mick St. John falling for a reporter who, it turns out, he had rescued in the 1980's when she was kidnapped (by his own ex-wife).
"Moonlight" tries so hard to be different while reusing the same old plot devices that it seems rather noticeable. I am not going to say whether or not you should give this show a chance or avoid it completely. But I think I'm not gonna give up on it right away...if the writing and story lines improve as the show and those involve become more comfortable in their positions, I can overlook Moonlight's faults.