MOONLIGHT: "FLEUR DE LIS"

Moonlight “Fleur de Lis”

Episode: 1.09

Original Air Date: 11/23/2007

Writer: Gabrielle Stanton, Harry Werksman

Director: James Whitmore Jr.

Starring: Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles, Shannyn Sossamon, Jason Dohring

Guest star: Victor Webster, Kathleen Munroe, Richard Cox, Marc Anthony Samuel, Amayla Early, Bryn Early, Andrew Lin

Plot Summary: Beth convinces Mick to keep Morgan (the photographer/‘ringer’ for his ex-wife) occupied while she conducts a more in-depth investigation into Morgan’s past.  Beth wants to prove one way or another that Morgan is Coraline, the vampire who kidnapped Beth when she was a child.

Review: In romance novels, writers have rules about their male hero. They must be loyal, faithful, courageous, have a good sense of humor and great abs (okay, that’s moi interjecting again). They are also determined. I like my hero steadfast in his convictions and capable of falling deeply, single-mindedly, in love, despite his flaws and the obstacles that keep ‘pulling him back in’.  And oh yeah, he has to have a big heart. What does all this have to do with Moonlight’s “Fleur de Lis”, episode 1.09? Sounds a lot like Mick St. John if you ask me.

This episode peeled away another layer from our hero’s mystique. It also answered a question I’m not certain had been asked before—how far will rage take Beth Turner? Cleverly crafted, “Fleur de Lis” used the procedural investigation to provide a reflection of what’s happening in the lives of the main characters. It also plays homage to an Oscar-winning movie from 1974 called “The Conversation” starring Gene Hackman, written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola.  Check it out if you’ve never seen it. It might make you scream when you connect the dots to “Fleur de Lis”.

To recap: in the investigation portion of the story we have a head of household hiring Mick to check on his trophy wife, a stepmother found to be involved in an affair with a stepson, and other miscommunications that lead to errors in judgment. On the other side, we have Morgan/Coraline, getting to play multiple roles—photographer, forgiving new partner, and a mother dealing with her wayward children (Beth and Mick).

This was a dark episode. The dysfunctional relationship between parents and children and infidelity were examined.  And within this maze, we still have Mick being heroic, but making huge mistakes in judgment. He trusts information at face value until nudged by Beth or Morgan. He also wants to save innocent lives—that pesky heart of his gets him shot in the head (big shriek at that scene). He wasn’t the one who figured out the truth of who wanted to kill whom until it was shoved down his throat. That’s also reflected in what he’s doing with Morgan/Coraline. He wants a cure for vampirism—and might well have slept with Coraline out of sheer joy if Beth hadn’t interrupted.

However, his most evident flaw is his greatest attribute—the big freaking heart. He cares about too many things including Beth, his guilt over killing his wife, his guilt about being a vampire, his guilt about wanting to sleep with Beth, while at the same time loving her (and treating her) as if she was a child. Then he’s also got the other issue. As Josef said, Mick doesn’t always think with his big head – which rings clear in that shower scene.  Went Mick went in there, he wasn’t just searching for the fleur de lis on Morgan’s shoulder. Nor did he know for certain if she was Coraline when he opened the shower door. And he didn’t examine Morgan’s back first. Mick reached for her.

Well, Loyal Viewers, it was a complex episode – well played with a couple of surprises to boot. It even gave us a cliffhanger ending. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait three weeks to find out what happens next (new episode won’t air until December 14).

Things I liked: The surprise opening. Beth Turner letting us know she doesn’t forgive and forget. I was actually stunned by Beth’s rage. She was sure Morgan was Coraline, but she’d heard both Mick and Josef swear she was human. Nonetheless, Beth still staked a most likely human Coraline—no matter what she said about freezing vampires.

The women were the most clear-headed characters in the episode. They made the big decisions – the stepmother shooting Mick, Coraline rushing to Mick’s aid, Beth in about every scene was right on top of her crime investigative journalist game.

Things that made me go, huh? (in a good way): Beth’s in charge of this episode—and it’s more than getting to do the voice over (VO) for first time in the show’s young history. She handled it well, but it was a necessity. No way did we want to be in Mick’s head for this one.

What’s up with Alex’s patches of gray hair in the opening scene with the CEO? It disappeared later.

Stuff hits the fan: Beth’s words to Mick when Morgan slithers down the staircase are “How could you?” The implication is clear. She believes Mick has had “that good sex” with Coraline even after all she’s done to her. “It’s not want you think” he responds. But honestly, it is exactly what she thinks (see best quotes below).

The Funny: There were some good yucks to be had—Hari Krishnas dancing on the sidewalk, Mick stumbling over a baby carriage and the scene outside of Morgan’s apartment earlier in the episode—Mick and Beth dropping down in the car seat? Funny stuff.

Best Quotes:

Mick: “Okay, does this seem healthy to you?”

Beth: “Oh, she was a hooker!”

Beth: “Was the sex good?”

Mick: “You understand that, right?”

Beth: “You were on and off for like 33 years. Was it the sex that kept you coming back?

Mick: “Fidelity wasn’t our problem.” (Speaking to Morgan about his relationship with Coraline).

Mick: “I tend to work alone.”

Morgan: “I mean there has got to be something for Beth to do, right? We could make it a threesome or something.”

Beth: “I would love that, but I’ve got my own investigation going on.”

Morgan: “Hi Beth.”

Whether you allow Mick St. John his flaws or not, you’ve got to admit the writers of Moonlight aren’t playing it safe. I hesitate to give them too much credit so early in a series (they might backslideJ), but if I were writing this show, I’d want it to be as complex and dark and funny and surprising as it appears they are trying to make it. So a big shout out to the writers – please get that new contract signed to your satisfaction and get back to work on Moonlight.

There is too much fun here for it to end.

Yours in Vampire Solidarity

Denny S. Bryce/denny_dc

Comments

[Lynn Crammond]

Fantastic summary! I've watched this episode 6 times (at least) and you still saw things that I did not. Plus you are so eloquent..
Please, we want Moonlight to last and last so that we can ponder all these possibilities, relationships, motives etc.

Thank to the writers from a devoted Moonlight fan. You are pushing ALL my butons but good!

[digitalred93]

The first time I watched this episode, I thought Mick stumbled over a baby carriage as well (like he did in #5) but it's not a carriage. It's a homeless guy with a shopping cart. Go back and take another peek. :-)

[stabbim]

Loved the review. I've been rewatching this episode quite a few times and it still amazes me how complex, dark, dramatic and funny it is. What a risky episode. It could have easily gone wrong in so many different ways, but they made it work. Best episode of the show so far.

By the way, I've got to agree with digitalred93. Mick stumbles over a homeless guy's cart, not a baby carriage.

[mouse]

Denny, I also laughed at that sexual innuendo about the threesome! If you watch Pushing Daisies, there are so many sexual innuendos that I sometimes question whether or not I have a sick mind.

[Cinemama]

Denny, outstanding job. Your comments are spot-on. I especially love how you featured the heroic qualities Mick possesses, and how he maintained those qualities throughout the difficult path of this episode.

I agree, there is too much fun here for it to end. I've got complete confidence in the writers of this show to take us where we can't imagine going at this point.

[michelle reynolds]

I think this writers contract is so stupid. But dang mick st. John is hot'n all but u got to give some credit to beth turner. she's pretty.the writers need to sign the contract and get back to the coolest show on the earth "MOONLIGHT".

LOVE YOUR VAMPIRE
MR