Sonata (Moonlight)
Encyclopedia
"Sonata" is the season and series finale of the American paranormal romance
television drama Moonlight
, which first aired on CBS
on May 16, 2008 in the United States. It was written by Ethan Erwin and Kira Snyder, and directed by Fred Toye
. The series revolves around Mick St. John (Alex O'Loughlin
), a private investigator who has been a vampire
for over fifty years. When a vampire threatens to name all the vampires of Los Angeles, Mick is helped by his girlfriend Beth Turner (Sophia Myles
) and the rest of the vampires to track her down.
Due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
, production of Moonlight halted on December 19, 2007, and only twelve episodes of the original thirteen-episode order were made. Once the Writers' Strike ended, CBS announced that Moonlight would return April 25, 2008 with four new episodes, to be part of the series' first season. On May 13, 2008, CBS announced that Moonlight was officially canceled. "Sonata" was watched by 7.47 million viewers upon its original broadcast, and received generally positive reviews for providing closure of the characters and storylines.
) and several other vampires. She is imprisoned, but she threatens to name every vampire in Los Angeles unless Mick breaks her out. Mick and the other vampires team up and help her escape, but are forced to kill her and Jackson due to treason, as she had threatened to expose her fellow vampires. Talbot receives a list of names of all the vampires in the area, including Mick, from an unknown source. Beth tells Mick that she cannot continue to date Mick because of their vampire-human situation, Mick leaves but doesn't go farther than a few steps out the door before he comes running back in. Mick says that he loves her and they kiss.
system, "Sonata" was watched by 7.47 million viewers upon its original broadcast in the United States, making it the 41st most watched episode of the week. Jen Creer of TV Squad appreciated that the finale provided closure, while still "keeping things open in case it was continued". She praised the character of Logan, and enjoyed the lines written by the writers. Creer said that she would have preferred Mick and Beth staying apart, but felt that because of the series' cancellation, the reunion was a better ending. John Kubicek of BuddyTV
noted the "brilliant homage" with the mention of Hearst College in Veronica Mars
, of which Dohring was a regular cast member. Kubicek thought that he would miss Logan most, and hoped that he would see David Blue
on another television series.
, which is responsible for The CW's Sunday night programming, although it decided not to acquire the series. It was later reported that the Sci Fi Channel was considering picking up the series. Writer and executive producer Harry Werksman
said that "talks" were under way for a second season, and noted the possibility of a film. On June 23, 2008, James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter
reported that efforts to sell Moonlight to another network had failed, and that the series was permanently canceled.
Paranormal romance
Paranormal romance is a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror...
television drama Moonlight
Moonlight (TV series)
Moonlight was an American paranormal romance television drama created by Ron Koslow and Trevor Munson, who was also executive producer for all episodes with Joel Silver, Gerard Bocaccio, Gabrielle Stanton and Harry Werksman. The series follows private investigator Mick St...
, which first aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on May 16, 2008 in the United States. It was written by Ethan Erwin and Kira Snyder, and directed by Fred Toye
Fred Toye
Frederick E.O. Toye is an American television director and producer. He has directed several episodes of the ABC series, Alias, as well as for the FOX science fiction series Fringe...
. The series revolves around Mick St. John (Alex O'Loughlin
Alex O'Loughlin
Alex O'Loughlin is an Australian actor, currently starring in CBS's Hawaii Five-0 as Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett. His best known earlier roles include Kevin Hiatt in The Shield, Mick St. John in Moonlight, Dr. Andy Yablonski in Three Rivers, and Stan in The Back-up Plan...
), a private investigator who has been a vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
for over fifty years. When a vampire threatens to name all the vampires of Los Angeles, Mick is helped by his girlfriend Beth Turner (Sophia Myles
Sophia Myles
-Early life:Myles was born in London. She is the daughter of Jane, who works in educational publishing, and Peter Myles, a retired Anglican vicar in Isleworth, west London. Her maternal grandmother was Russian, and she refers to herself as "half-Welsh, half-Russian". She grew up in Notting Hill,...
) and the rest of the vampires to track her down.
Due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, more commonly referred to as simply the Writers' Strike, was a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West ....
, production of Moonlight halted on December 19, 2007, and only twelve episodes of the original thirteen-episode order were made. Once the Writers' Strike ended, CBS announced that Moonlight would return April 25, 2008 with four new episodes, to be part of the series' first season. On May 13, 2008, CBS announced that Moonlight was officially canceled. "Sonata" was watched by 7.47 million viewers upon its original broadcast, and received generally positive reviews for providing closure of the characters and storylines.
Plot
Beth meets with Emma Monaghan, a vampire who had sired the man she fell in love with so they could be together forever. Beth is surprised when she learns that Emma and her husband Jackson are still together after 150 years. Emma kills Dominiq, a basketball player with ties to Josef Kostan (Jason DohringJason Dohring
Jason William Dohring is an American actor who is best known for his role as Logan Echolls on the 2004 television show Veronica Mars and for his role as Josef Kostan on the 2007 series Moonlight.-Personal life:...
) and several other vampires. She is imprisoned, but she threatens to name every vampire in Los Angeles unless Mick breaks her out. Mick and the other vampires team up and help her escape, but are forced to kill her and Jackson due to treason, as she had threatened to expose her fellow vampires. Talbot receives a list of names of all the vampires in the area, including Mick, from an unknown source. Beth tells Mick that she cannot continue to date Mick because of their vampire-human situation, Mick leaves but doesn't go farther than a few steps out the door before he comes running back in. Mick says that he loves her and they kiss.
Reception
According to the Nielsen ratingsNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
system, "Sonata" was watched by 7.47 million viewers upon its original broadcast in the United States, making it the 41st most watched episode of the week. Jen Creer of TV Squad appreciated that the finale provided closure, while still "keeping things open in case it was continued". She praised the character of Logan, and enjoyed the lines written by the writers. Creer said that she would have preferred Mick and Beth staying apart, but felt that because of the series' cancellation, the reunion was a better ending. John Kubicek of BuddyTV
BuddyTV
BuddyTV is an entertainment-based website based in Seattle, Washington, which generates content about television programs and sporting events. The website publishes information about celebrity and related entertainment news through a series of articles, entertainment profiles, actor biographies and...
noted the "brilliant homage" with the mention of Hearst College in Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars is an American television series created by Rob Thomas. The series premiered on September 22, 2004, during television network UPN's final two years, and ended on May 22, 2007, after a season on UPN's successor, The CW Television Network. Veronica Mars was produced by Warner Bros...
, of which Dohring was a regular cast member. Kubicek thought that he would miss Logan most, and hoped that he would see David Blue
David Blue (actor)
David Blue is an American actor, writer, producer and director. He is best known for his portrayal of Cliff St. Paul on Ugly Betty and Eli Wallace on the Syfy series Stargate Universe.-Early life:...
on another television series.
Series cancellation
Les Moonves, President of CBS, stated on December 4, 2007 that Moonlight was likely to return for a second season. Due to the Writers' strike, production of the series was halted by December 19, 2007, and only twelve episodes of the original thirteen-episode order were produced. Once the Writers' Strike ended, CBS announced that Moonlight would return April 25, 2008 with four new episodes, to be part of the series' first season. On May 13, 2008, CBS announced that Moonlight was officially canceled. Following the CBS cancellation, Warner Bros. Television inquired with other outlets about their interest in the series. One of the outlets approached was Media Rights CapitalMedia Rights Capital
Media Rights Capital II LP is an independent film, television and digital studio founded by Mordecai Wiczyk and Asif Satchu. MRC specializes in the creation of premium content. It has full in-house physical production, legal, finance and sales teams, and a complete marketing infrastructure...
, which is responsible for The CW's Sunday night programming, although it decided not to acquire the series. It was later reported that the Sci Fi Channel was considering picking up the series. Writer and executive producer Harry Werksman
Harry Werksman
Harry M. Werksman Jr. is an American television screenwriter and producer.Harry Werksman overcame being born in Pittsburgh by spending the first seven years of his life moving between Pittsburgh , Palm Springs and Scotland...
said that "talks" were under way for a second season, and noted the possibility of a film. On June 23, 2008, James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
reported that efforts to sell Moonlight to another network had failed, and that the series was permanently canceled.