MOONLIGHT 1.12 – "The Mortal Cure"

Writer: Chip Johannessen
Director: Eric Laneuville

Cast: Alex O'Loughlin (Mick St. John), Sophia Myles (Beth Turner), Shannyn Sossamon (Coraline), Jason Dohring (Josef Kostan), David Merheb (Brother), Jason Butler Harner (Lance), Meredith Monroe (Cynthia), Bitsie Tulloch (Celeste), Christopher Stapleton (Officer), Lonnie Hughes (Clarence Brown), Charley Rossman (Security Guard), David Blue (Logan), Jeremy Forte (Scientist), Tasha Tae (Hostess), Jill Latiano (The Cleaner), Marques Johnson (Minister) & John Everlove (Paramedic)

Mick investigates Coraline's disappearance from hospital. Meanwhile, while putting Josh's affairs in order, Beth discovers evidence that her dead boyfriend was cheating on her...

"I've wanted to feel human for a long time, but I forgot how painful it can be."

-- Mick St. John (Alex O'Loughlin)

Originally intended as the season finale, the earlier-than-expected end to the writers' strike meant another 4 episodes were pushed into production. Regardless, The Mortal Cure is the climax of the cure for vampirism plot-line that's informed half the season on the back of vamp-ex Coraline's (Shannyn Sossamon) return...

I expected big things with the reveal about Coraline and her apparent ability to reverse vampirism, but the answers presented by writer/exec-producer Chip Johannessen don't completely satisfy. Mick (Alex O'Loughlin) investigates the disappearance of Coraline from her hospital bed, quickly discovering via CCTV footage that she was smuggled out by fanged friend Cynthia (Meredith Monroe). Mick also has to contend with the sudden arrival of two ancient bloodsuckers, one-eyed Lance (Jason Butler Harner) and his stocky brother (David Merheb), who are also trying to find Coraline as she's "taken something from me." Your eye?

After interrupting a game of pool to discuss the issues with Josef (Jason Dohring), who only knows that Lance is a troublesome ancient European vampire, Mick eventually traces Coraline down to a makeshift lab – where she's involved in experiments to increase the effectiveness of the cure for vampirism, using something called "the compound" she stole from Lance. Ah, it wasn't his eye then.

Meanwhile, Beth (Sophia Myles) is still giving Mick the cold shoulder after he refused to turn Josh into a vampire and instead allowed him to die from his gunshot wounds. For once, their storylines are entirely separate, as Beth comes to suspect Josh was cheating on her before his untimely death. She meets Celeste (Bitsie Tulloch), "the other woman" Josh had arranged to meet, arriving bitter and angry at a restaurant, only to discover Celeste's a jeweller hired to reset Josh's grandmother's diamond in an engagement ring he was going to propose with.

Lance discovers Coraline's lab, effortlessly decapitating her vampire scientist assistant (icky and more explicit than usual), before Mick manages to surprise him and save Coraline's life. During their struggle, Lance's hand is set alight – but Mick is amazed to see the blistered burns heal themselves almost immediately. He's knocked unconscious before he can ask questions, allowing Lance and his brother to whisk Coraline away..

Later that night, Coraline returns to Mick's apartment and reveals what's been going on, via flashbacks: during the French Revolution there were 7 siblings of royal blood who were also vampires. During a "reign of terror" (1793 – 1794), where vampires were regularly being exposed and killed (burnt at the stake or decapitated by guillotine), the royal vamps created a compound that could temporarily mask the traits of their vampirism, allowing them to survive the 9-month genocide. Lance and his brother were two of the 7 siblings. Coraline stole the compound to try and extend its effectiveness. Excited by the idea of being human again, Mick asks if he can try some of the compound on himself, and Coraline agrees. She opens a wound on his forearm and applies the mix to the cut. Within minutes Mick is feeling more human as his vampire powers dim.

Unfortunately, Lance and his brother attack them both outside and Mick is physically unable to put up much of a fight – although he does manage to stake Lance's brother. As Mick lies beaten on the floor, it's revealed that Coraline is also part of the royal vamps (the only daughter of the 7 siblings) and her family are angry she stole their precious compound and continued their bloodline with Mick without permission. Coraline agrees to go with them, but only if they leave Mick alone. They agree to her terms, paralyze her with a stake through the chest, and carry her off...

After a night spent sampling food for the first time in 5 decades and an uncomfortable sofa to sleep on, Mick joins Beth at Josh's funeral in the morning with a badly bruised face, revealing to her that he's now mortal. For the time being.

The Mortal Cure is good, but disappointing. The idea of linking Coraline's history to the French Revolution was good fun, but it wasn't explained how Coraline survived being burned alive by Mick -- although I suspect she has similar rapid-regenerative abilities as her brother demonstrated, so I can let that slide. But shouldn't Mick be similarly powerful if he's in the royal bloodline?

Coraline walking back into Mick's life, pretending to by a photographer called Morgan, now seems a bit pointless and silly, though. Why did she bother doing that? It was a mind-fuck for Mick, sure -- but was that a worthwhile act of revenge for him "killing" her? Why did she kidnap Beth as a little girl? And where's she been for the past half-century years? She doesn't seem particularly upset with Mick now either, or jealous about his relationship with adult Beth. I suppose more answers will be forthcoming, but I'd hoped her cure for vampirism would be closer connected to her fiery survival and mysterious return. But the script instead veered off into rewriting French history with a vampire slant.

Beth was sidelined throughout the episode, which seemed strange as this was intended as a season finale and she's Moonlight's co-star! But I don't like Myles when she's being dour and serious – it just doesn't work for me. She's a decent actress, but she often looks a bit lost and unsure whenever she has to deal with subdued, complex emotions. She's much better at the upbeat, plucky, starry-eyed stuff.

Shannyn Sossamon was okay, but there wasn't really much for her to do. Her biggest scene was basically to explain the whole mystery while sitting on a sofa as some flashbacks played. Indeed, a lot of this episode's investigation didn't amount to much. Mick got half his leads from another convenient computer wiz, and had the big mystery explained to him by Coraline, all while getting more unhelpful words of warning/advice from playboy Josef.

Maybe I'm approaching Moonlight with expectations that are too high. It's a fairly light and sugary romantic drama with a supernatural twist, and this episode worked fine on that level. I shouldn't expect too much from a show that has Mick narrate lines like "she's a vampire" when Coraline shows her fangs. Does the show have to treat its audience like lobotomized idiots, or do the writers really think most viewers won't be au fait with horror/fantasy TV shows? The voice-overs really are surplus to requirements a lot of the time, serving only to beat audiences over the head with information, or make a few sly wise-cracks. They can be used well; but not here.

Still, for the most part this was an entertaining climax to a major storyline that left things on a decent cliffhanger regarding Coraline and her powerful dynasty. And we did get some answers to some big questions, even if other questions seem to have been left by the wayside. For now.

I've grown to really like Alex O'Loughlin's measured performances, even if he's rarely stretched by the scripts, and Moonlight's decision to embrace its mythology and character relationships definitely boosted the second half of the season. And I hope Mick remains human for a little while longer, as that should be amusing and interesting to see play out...


6 May 2008
LivingTV, 10.00 pm