Moonlightaholics

YOUNG MICK -vs- OLDER MICK

Like you ladies, I also struggled with trying to figure out why Alex looked so young during the initial pilot (which was re-shot when TPTB recast the entire show) and the Mick St. John we ended up seeing on our tube. Here's my theory....

Alex shot the 20-minute pilot for Moonlight. Probaby took about a week to finish up. But for whatever reason, CBS/the WB/Silver didn't like it. No chemistry, apparently. So the let go all of the cast except Alex. They reshoot the pilot, this time with the new cast and since its close to upfronts, its a rush job. Long hours for all involved. Both Alex and Sophia have mentioned that that first pilot episode and the next 2 or 3 were very rushed, with them filming at all hours of the day and night, for days on end. My theory is that Alex looked young and fresh in the original pilot because he wasn't as exhausted as he was when putting together the episodes wherein we all came to know and love Mick.

It seems like the Moonlight episodes were all a product of the "hurry up and wait" variety. The writer's strike forced them to shut down for a long period of time, but when they came back, they were once again forced to film in a hurry, to get something together for airing. Again, the cast was pushed beyond what most would expect. But Alex more so than the others cuz he's in almost every scene. Add to that Alex's own "walk in the shoes of every character" and his dedication to his craft, he once again ended up looking really tired and drawn. Long hours and stress like that can make anyone look older and beyond their years. I don't think any of us have not at some time commented on how tired Alex looked in some of the pics that were taken of him during the year Moonlight was in production.

Then, when Moonlight was cancelled and Alex ran off to Mexico, then later a holiday in Australia, he came back home to the States looking young, carefree and full of life. In other words, he was actually looking his age (32) and not older as he had the previous year.

Thats my theory. I could be totally wrong and it could be how the scenes were shot by the cameramen and the director. I'm no pro about lighting and angling, so perhaps someone else can comment on that, but I really think Alex looked so much more mature because he was run ragged and tired because of the hectic shooting schedule.