Midnight, Texas – Series Premiere “Pilot” Review. Where Strange Is the New Normal.

Season 1, Episode 1
Air Date: Monday, July 24, 2017 at 10/9c on NBC
Rating ★★★★★

“Even dead, the bitch is trouble.” – Olivia

When I first heard about Midnight, Texas, I was immediately drawn to the series’ premise. The town of Midnight is a sort of haven for those who are…different, if you will. Where vampires, psychics, and other supernatural beings coexist and mingle among the few humans who call Midnight home. Something isn’t quite right in this dusty little town and things are about to get really weird(er).

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Manny arrives in Midnight — (Photo by: Cathy Kanavy/NBC)

Manfred “Manny” Bernardo (François Arnaud) is on the run. He’s a powerful psychic, and with the aid of his deceased grandmother Xylda (Joanne Camp), Manny heads to Midnight hoping to hide from the people who are after him. I’ve been a fan of Arnaud’s since his days on Showtime’s The Borgias and was thrilled to see him on the first season of NBC’s Blindspot. It’s no secret that I’m keen on all things supernatural and paranormal, so Midnight, Texas is definitely right up my alley.

Manny is slightly tormented by his gifts. His ability to commune with the dead is undoubtedly taxing but things take a dramatic turn when a death rocks the small town. Manny’s innocent attempt to help someone unleashes more ghosts than he can shake a stick at and something else, something sinister, tags along. It’s clear that whatever is going on, it’s going to take a lot more than salt and holy water to cleanse his new home.

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Lemuel “Lem” is a unique vampire…and sexy doesn’t even begin to describe his swagger — (Photo by: Cathy Kanavy/NBC)

There are many characters in Midnight, Texas and almost all are introduced in “Pilot.” We’ve already met Manny. Now let’s meet the other residents.

Lemuel “Lem” (Peter Mensah), the sensual and sexy vampire with piercing blue eyes and dark cocoa skin, makes me swoon. Mensah is absolutely captivating to watch. His movements, the way he speaks – softly but with a quiet ferocity embedded into each syllable – sends chills, and a little something-something, down my spine. I loved him on Sleepy Hollow as the all powerful Hidden One, so I am thrilled to see him in Midnight, Texas, and as another mystical creature to boot. Mensah portrays Lem with aplomb and his scenes with Arielle Kebbel’s Olivia are sexy as hell.

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Olivia has mad fighting skills — (Photo by: Cathy Kanavy/NBC)

Speaking of Kebbel, her character takes a bit of warming up to. Olivia is not the easiest person to befriend but once you do, I bet she’ll be your friend for life…or until you cross her. She’s unforgiving, loyal, and a badass with a bow and arrow. I’m not sure about the unique, galvanized-looking undergarments she dons in “Pilot,” but she’s definitely got the figure to pull it off. Olivia is suspicious of everyone and is stuck in Midnight whether she likes it or not. (Check out Kebbel pretend-singing into my mini-microphone at Wonder Con 2017.)

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Fiji and Bobo have a wonderful friendship…but it’s obvious she longs for something more — (Photo by: Cathy Kanavy/NBC)

The enchanting Fiji (Parisa Fitz-Henley) isn’t your ordinary Wiccan. She’s got powers but is so much more than potions and elixirs. Fitz-Henley is delightful both as Fiji and in person. And her cat Mr. Snuggly is a very special feline in his own right. Something wicked is after Fiji and she’s going to need all the help she can get. During an interview at Wonder Con 2017, I had the pleasure of speaking to Fitz-Henley and she absolutely embodies the spirit of her character. Not to mention how absolutely gorgeous she is in person.

Don’t let his name fool you; Bobo (Dylan Bruce) is smoking hot and his muscles aren’t just for show. As the curator of Midnight’s pawn shop, Bobo is a central character with secrets of his own. His friendship with Fiji is strong, although she longs for more than being BFFs.

Joe (Jason Lewis) is an angel…no, really. He’s an actual angel here on earth who has been around for millennia. He also knows more about Midnight than anyone else. He watches over the town but his presence on earth is a mystery. Why has he been here so long? Why does he continue to stay? I think it may have something to do with his boyfriend Chuy (Bernardo Saracino) and the home he’s made with him. But like all the other inhabitants of this quaint town, Joe has secrets of his own.

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There is a burgeoning romance blooming between Manny and Creek — (Photo by: NBC)

Creek (Sarah Ramos) is a young woman caught between family and independence. She’s helping her father and younger brother but when Manny comes breezing into town, something inside her lights up. I hate to use the cliché of ‘star-crossed lovers’ but I get a feeling Creek and Manny may be…dare I say it, destined for one another. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

Other characters include Madonna (Kellee Stewart), who runs the local eatery, and Reverend Emilio Sheehan (Yul Vazquez), the brooding man of the cloth with a closet full of dark mysteries that have yet to be revealed (at least until episode two). Everything about Midnight is slightly off kilter and I like it. I really, really like it. If it were a real town, I’d probably move there…but I’d definitely need air conditioning.

By the end of “Pilot,” we begin to see the sweater around Midnight unravel one thread at a time. Manny is pivotal to Midnight’s survival, but he just doesn’t know it yet.

Let me know what you thought of “Pilot.” Leave a comment below or tweet me at @judybopp.

For more on the show, go to http://www.nbc.com/midnight-texas?nbc=1

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.