Moonlight Episode Discussion - Ep 9: Fleur de Lis

[Fleur de Lisa]

Stepping my toe in briefly and hoping it doesn't get cut off, but IMO, Cora was being Cora, plain and simple. She was playing a role (Morgan)--to befriend Beth to a certain extent and to get to Mick. The entire reason for Cora's character is that she was the antagonist--every show needs one, and that was her position. Yes, I think Mick loved her at one time. As evidenced on the show, I never saw any "cute" Cora moments in the flashbacks. All I saw were her being a seductress---again, her role and purpose, and toying with Mick. That in itself is a powerful tool to snare a man. To me, that is what lured Mick in. She was sexy as hell, unattainable and steps above him on the social ladder.

Cora knew that Mick was 'into' Beth, she also knew that playing the seductress and slightly evil chick was not going to get him into her good graces again, therefore, become human and better than she was before--someone Mick could possibly fall in love with again.

Once again, Cora is a centuries old vamp, she knows the game and how to play it. Does that mean that she never loved Mick, of course not. But do I believe that a zebra can change it's stripes? Not so much.

Of course, we can all speculate till the cow's come home (sorry for all of the animal metaphors), but based only on the one season we got, that is how I rationalize Cora's becoming Morgan and her 'sweet' behavior.

[wpgrace]

You are so right... we can only speculate. Poop.

Cause while speculation IS fun, particularly with all you clever writers around here... it woulda been more fun to see it. And hear it. (Mick's voice and all...)

But it is what it is... and I'm grateful we have this lovely board and that I have the fascinating ruminations of you all.

all around.

[GuardianAngel]

Cora knew that Mick was 'into' Beth, she also knew that playing the seductress and slightly evil chick was not going to get him into her good graces again, therefore, become human and better than she was before--someone Mick could possibly fall in love with again.

You know, I was thinking about this discussion last night. It occurred to me that her 'new' personality isn't all that different form Beth's. She's serious and good at her job. She's confident and enthusiastic. I think these are traits that Beth has that Mick admires. If Cora has been watching them, she would know this.

[Fleur de Lisa]

Cora knew that Mick was 'into' Beth, she also knew that playing the seductress and slightly evil chick was not going to get him into her good graces again, therefore, become human and better than she was before--someone Mick could possibly fall in love with again.

You know, I was thinking about this discussion last night. It occurred to me that her 'new' personality isn't all that different form Beth's. She's serious and good at her job. She's confident and enthusiastic. I think these are traits that Beth has that Mick admires. If Cora has been watching them, she would know this.

Proof once again that you are the smartest of the smart, GA!! (and debunking the study I heard today that said that men's brains are 10-20% bigger than women's, but how much of their brains are actually being used, hmmm??!) Can't blame Cora for trying another personality to lure Mick in again. Hell, I would have sold my soul to the devil, or Josef, to do the same thing.

[allegrita]

YES, GA... that makes perfect sense! Morgan does seem to have many of Beth's qualities. I see the Morgan persona as being a deliberate construct, specifically designed to fascinate Mick and compete with Beth. And how chilling for Beth to see that "we make a good team" might apply to Mick and Morgan too! Not to jump ahead, but there's a scene in a little bit that illustrates my point--and it makes Beth all and (not to mention )

Vampires have to be good at changing their spots, to add yet another animal metaphor to Fleur's menagerie. In hundreds of years, Coraline would have assumed many personae. Mick's just a baby, vampirically speaking--he hasn't had to do it yet. But his time's coming as well. You learn to adapt or you don't survive. That's true of any semi-immortal being that can be killed.

[wpgrace]

Cora knew that Mick was 'into' Beth, she also knew that playing the seductress and slightly evil chick was not going to get him into her good graces again, therefore, become human and better than she was before--someone Mick could possibly fall in love with again.

You know, I was thinking about this discussion last night. It occurred to me that her 'new' personality isn't all that different form Beth's. She's serious and good at her job. She's confident and enthusiastic. I think these are traits that Beth has that Mick admires. If Cora has been watching them, she would know this.

Proof once again that you are the smartest of the smart, GA!! (and debunking the study I heard today that said that men's brains are 10-20% bigger than women's, but how much of their brains are actually being used, hmmm??!) Can't blame Cora for trying another personality to lure Mick in again. Hell, I would have sold my soul to the devil, or Josef, to do the same thing.

You comparing Josef to the Devil ma Fleur??

But I dunno about the theory... I thought the Morgan persona was more "fun" than Beth, more light-hearted, more Bohemian, and frankly, more risque. Beth seems more serious, more proper, and more classically middle-class America to me. I mean, does Beth eat carpaccio or has she ever even heard of that wine? Much less would she say something like "it's sordid; I meant that in a good way." Don't see that as Beth.
She's fearless, and clearly open to alternative... people... but she's also just more mainstream. I think Sophia even mentioned she purposefully played Beth for the audience to identify with her...

But no question, Cora wanted to do the human thing as a result of Mick's decades old interest in Beth... the being human part is definitely a direct response to Beth.

[Fleur de Lisa]

grace--Josef as the devil in only all good ways.

I guess my point is that Beth is who she is, not playing someone, just being herself, flaws and all. Morgan was a role Cora was playing---so, she could order carpaccio and order fine wines--that was part of her game. I have to disagree about the fun-loving part, but that may come simply our different viewpoints on Cora. And full disclosure, as risque and fun loving as I am, had no clue what that carpaccio crap was at first!!

[GuardianAngel]

No, I don't think Morgan's personality is just like Beth's. Morgan definitely has a naughtiness to her that's all her own and very appealing. But, personally, I don't think that Beth is all that serious either. I think she has been that way because Josh was but she was 'lighter' when she was with Mick. Her 'whatever you want' comment from AD is a good example.

The similarities I was going for were things like careers. I could be wrong but I never imagined Coraline to be a working girl (I'm not counting the time as a courtesan ) But Mick seems to like Beth's drive. Morgan is a very good photographer and into her job. He enjoyed working with Beth and in this episode he enjoys working with Morgan. I don't think that is a coincidence.

[coco]

I think a lot of it has to to with the situations they where in also. When I think about things, I remember that Beth never got the opportunity to work a case like this with Mick. Every case Beth was involved in with Mick related back to vamps in some way and it was about keeping a secret at all times. The case that Morgan and Mick worked was a human case - nothing for Mick to have to hide and nothing for Morgan to discover. Beth is always going to come across differently in this situation - she takes it seriously and I liked that about her. I have to say that I found Beth much, much fun on the show. There was a definite serious side to her but also a down to earth side that I related to.

[wpgrace]

No, I don't think Morgan's personality is just like Beth's. Morgan definitely has a naughtiness to her that's all her own and very appealing. But, personally, I don't think that Beth is all that serious either. I think she has been that way because Josh was but she was 'lighter' when she was with Mick. Her 'whatever you want' comment from AD is a good example.

The similarities I was going for were things like careers. I could be wrong but I never imagined Coraline to be a working girl (I'm not counting the time as a courtesan ) But Mick seems to like Beth's drive. Morgan is a very good photographer and into her job. He enjoyed working with Beth and in this episode he enjoys working with Morgan. I don't think that is a coincidence.

I agree that Beth was lighter with Mick... perhaps a relationship that begins with a car wreck bodes ill for the long term...

And . A "working girl"... very funny GA. See? You writer types are clever.

[Luxe de Luxe]

cha ching! That's my two cents worth coming in... Grace I think you summed it up beautifully. Morgan was definitely more fun, (lighthearted, risque.... ) in many ways than Beth. And she had the advantage of knowing Mick's buttons. I think Beth was very when she saw how easily Mick and MOrgan 'teamed' up together. I also agree tho' that the humanity angle was the result of Coraline doing a clear assessment of her 'weaknesses' in regard to her goal of re-attaining Mick and being ruthless enough to do what was needed. I really can't see pleasure loving Coraline enjoying the rigours of being human for too long.

[wpgrace]

I agree that, although Beth was the one to suggest TO MICK that he and Cora work together, it ticked her off to see them get along so swimmingly.

But haven't we all been there? We've set up someone to keep a boyfriend company, or two girlfriends to work on a project together, and suddenly they're joined at the hip and we're jealous?

I thought that was a very realistic, certainly for ML, scenario.

[Luxe de Luxe]

oh yes, all too real. ONe of my favourite of all ML scenes is the one where Beth stalks away from Mick with a face like thunder when she's seen them being such a 'good team' in the BuzzWire office. I think that's the point where somewhere in the back of her mind, someone was going to get staked Coraline or not!

[helloeeze]

It occurred to me that the fact that Morgan makes off-color remarks at the chagrin of Mick, makes me think that Morgan thought Mick liked/wanted to hear those comments (Like "porn but with hair") and cheering when she saw the couple through the lens and other comments (good in a sordid way). But Mick steadfastly was not amused by these comments (on the surface). But deep down he is/once was a guy that got turned on by those comments apparently or Morgan woulnd't have said such things.

[wpgrace]

It occurred to me that the fact that Morgan makes off-color remarks at the chagrin of Mick, makes me think that Morgan thought Mick liked/wanted to hear those comments (Like "porn but with hair") and cheering when she saw the couple through the lens and other comments (good in a sordid way). But Mick steadfastly was not amused by these comments (on the surface). But deep down he is/once was a guy that got turned on by those comments apparently or Morgan woulnd't have said such things.

Welllll... Morgan got more kisses from Mick in this one ep than Beth did in the entire series almost... so she certainly knew which buttons to push...

Cannot blame the girl there...