New TV series ‘Moonlight’ has fun with traditional vampire mythology

I groaned when I found the novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker on a reading list for one of my college English classes several years ago. Although I have a strong interest in myths, legends and specifically vampire culture, the prospect of reading it didn’t appeal to me.

“Dracula” was the surprise of that school term, however. What I loved about the story was that Stoker seemed to make it up as he went along. The rules of what harmed the vampire changed subtly as the novel progressed, and by the end, everything appeared to be right again for the heroes.

Of course, I never bought the assumption that the damsel was saved, and they all went back to England and lived happily ever after. It was almost as if he left the story open for more.

A century later, the myths Stoker pulled together for “Dracula” have become common lore in modern culture.

Many of the vampire weaknesses, including a stake through the heart and holy water, have been used in shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and horror-style vampire movies.

Stoker’s theories — based in his research of history and myths — have been used so frequently, in fact, any new series or movie that thwarts them immediately captures my attention.

Enter Mick St. John, a vampire private detective and the protagonist in CBS’s new series, “Moonlight,” which airs at 9 p.m. Fridays.

The show follows the exploits of the private detective, played by Alex O’Loughlin (Australian mini-series “Mary Bryant”), as he assists people with cases that are supernatural and some ordinary cases that have taken a turn for the worse.

When I first read through the synopsis on the CBS Web site, I was intrigued, yet not hooked quite yet.

The story reeked of another vampire detective who used to stalk the streets of Los Angeles by the name of Angel, from the series by the same name and “Buffy” before it.

Yet the creators of this show have moved away from the Stoker-style theories and made St. John less of a superhero, and more a character who exists in the gray realm between strictly good and evil.

Here is a rundown of the changes to the common vampire mythology:

Sunlight: It isn’t exactly good for the protagonist, but there will be no blaze-of-glory fireworks display if he ventures out to handle a case.

Holy water: He just gets wet.

Crosses: This particular item hasn’t been mentioned yet, but I theorize it has about as much effect as holy water.

Garlic: “Tasty on pizza,” St. John says during one episode. That is, of course, if he actually ate food.

Stake through the heart: The ash display common in most vampire tales isn’t a go with this show. Although a stake paralyzes vampires, once it’s pulled, the wound heals and they keep moving.

Silver: As indicated from the second episode, it acts as a poison but is nothing that cannot be overcome.

Fire: Now this is where problems develop. It is one of the only ways a vampire can die. The second involves head removal.

These changes are coupled with detective-style storytelling reminiscent of the golden age of detective fiction.

It has been my experience that many shows based in the supernatural — even some of my favorite — are lacking in mystery-solving skills. Often, they leave the audience wondering how they skipped from point A to point B.

For example, the characters will start the research to solve a puzzle and then suddenly something happens and they miraculously have the answer.

The appeal of “Moonlight” is that the writers actually take you through the investigation. The audience finds out clues when St. John finds them out, losing the predictable feel that most stories have fallen into.

Along with O’Loughlin, the show stars Sophia Myles (“Tristan & Isolde”; “Underworld”) as Beth Turner; Shannyn Sossamon (“A Knight’s Tale”) as Coraline; and Jason Dohring (“Veronica Mars”) as Josef.

The first three episodes are available to watch on the CBS Web site. The fourth episode airs Friday.

Heather Crabtree can be reached at 812-6090 or heather.crabtree@lee.net.