Writers: Gabrielle Stanton & Harry Werksman
Director: James Whitmore, Jr.
Cast: Alex O'Loughlin (Mick St. John), Shannyn Sossamon (Coraline/Morgan), Sophia Myles (Beth Turner), Jason Dohring (Josef Konstantin), Tami Roman (Maureen), Chase Kim (Detective), Victor Webster (Owen Haggans), Kathleen Munroe (Tina Haggans), Richard Cox (Richard Haggans), Marc Anthony Samuel (Tucker), Amayla Early (Little Beth), Bryn Early (Little Beth #2) & Andrew Lin (Waiter)
Director: James Whitmore, Jr.
Cast: Alex O'Loughlin (Mick St. John), Shannyn Sossamon (Coraline/Morgan), Sophia Myles (Beth Turner), Jason Dohring (Josef Konstantin), Tami Roman (Maureen), Chase Kim (Detective), Victor Webster (Owen Haggans), Kathleen Munroe (Tina Haggans), Richard Cox (Richard Haggans), Marc Anthony Samuel (Tucker), Amayla Early (Little Beth), Bryn Early (Little Beth #2) & Andrew Lin (Waiter)
Mick and Morgan work together to spy on a rich man's cheating wife, as Beth investigates Morgan's history..."You aren't blushing right now, but I think you are actually
embarrassed. It's so cute. You are so old fashioned."
embarrassed. It's so cute. You are so old fashioned."
-- Morgan (Shannyn Sossamon)
After a totally unnecessary scene designed to hook your interest (which I won't mention, and suggest you avoid for best results), Fleur De Lis jumps back in time to find Beth (Sophia Myles) and Mick (Alex O'Loughlin) sat in a car together – mulling over photographer Morgan (Shannyn Sossamon). In an irritating 180-degree turn, Sophia now believes Morgan could be Mick's ex-wife Coraline after all, which doesn't tally with her mindset a few episodes ago...
Putting aside the awkward change in Beth's attitude towards Morgan (did the writers forget the plot, or what?), Fleur De Lis is actually pretty solid stuff from Moonlight. I'm enjoying the stream of developments and revelations in Mick, Sophia and Morgan/Coraline's intertwined histories, although I hope the series isn't blowing its load too early – perhaps nervous of cancellation before the story is told?
This week's investigative element revolves around millionaire Richard Haggans (Richard Cox), who wants Mick to snoop on his wife Tina (Kathleen Munroe), as he suspects her of having an affair. Mick enlists the help of BuzzWire photographer Morgan, giving Beth the chance to dig around in Morgan's private life for clues that she's actually presumed-dead vampire Coraline. And, most importantly, "the ex".
Fleur De Lis, written by Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman, is fairly humdrum when it comes to the surveillance of Tina Haggans, who they discover is sleeping with her step-son Owen (Victor Webster), but the parallel plot of Beth trying to expose Morgan is more enjoyable. But was Morgan's identity ever never in doubt? By everyone's admission, Morgan looks like Coraline, talks like Coraline, and acts like Coraline.
There are only three things keeping Mick doubtful: she's not a vampire, she doesn't have a Fleur De Lis tattoo on her left shoulder, and Coraline apparently died in a fire. But is that really enough when confronted by an identical clone? It would help if Morgan had a different style and personality to Coraline, but it's just plainly her. And what are the chances of a secret twin sister getting a job working alongside the grown-up child her sister kidnapped decades ago?
Beth narrate her actions this week -- perhaps signifying her growth on the show, but probably because Moonlight loves its characters to sneak around houses, talking to themselves. The use of voice-over hasn't always been successful on the show, though -- for while it allows us to hear a character's thoughts, it often seems like the writers are just scared of on-screen silence. Either that or they can't devise ways to have characters show their feelings and thoughts through actions and dialogue.
If there's one thing Moonlight has up its sleeve to distract you from sometimes bland plots -- it's chemistry. O'Loughlin and Myles are comfortable and appealing in each other's presence (almost from day one) and now O'Loughlin and Sossamon raise temperatures: in a quick kiss while on surveillance, and in a short but steamy shower scene towards the end.
The Mick/Morgan chemistry is integral to this episode's success, as Josef (Jason Dohring; still underused) makes it clear that Mick's marriage to Coraline was self-destructive and dangerous to be around. It could only end in tears. Or a fiery death, as it happens. Beth's jealousy of Mick and Morgan's rapport also fuels plenty of scenes, and putting an obstacle like Morgan in the way of the "Mick-Beth" coupling is just what this show needed. It was getting a bit too Mills & Boon with fangs, for my taste.
I had fun watching this episode. The Haggans' storyline has a nice little twist, Sossamon is a delight throughout, the pace is fluid, and the episode builds to a decent cliffhanger that should guarantee you tune in next week. The only downsides were the bizarre changes to characters' feelings from The Ringer, the continuing waste of Dohring as sage vamp Josef, and the underlying feeling that Morgan's manipulation of her widowed husband could have been better. But even with these concerns, if you've stayed loyal to Moonlight up till now, this ninth episode is definitely must-see.
14 April 2008
LivingTV, 10.00 pm
