Midnight, Texas Review: Sexy Beast (Season 1 Episode 4)

Midnight, Texas Season 1 Episode 4 opens in pretty much my least favorite way imaginable — Creek and Manfred doing some canoodling post-sex.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can’t emphasize enough how boring and un-engaging these two are as a couple. Individually, as characters, they’re not that bad — though they’re by no means two of my favorites. But together, I just can’t muster up the desire to give a hoot about the status of their relationship/”Friends With Benefits” situation or whether Creek’s annoying daddy approves.

This is problematic because the show unabashedly positions Manfred as the protagonist, despite it being a large ensemble series. We’re supposed to care about the lead, and I don’t. At all.

It’s also problematic because the show is only four episodes in and has already spent a ton of time trying to convince us that Manfred/Creek is a compelling story. This is a big waste of time,

They’re at the forefront once again for this hour’s “Monster of the Week” — a succubus.

I’m finally able to put my finger on why I have a soft spot for this show, despite my criticisms. It’s because it reminds me in many ways of old-school, early seasons of Charmed. The format of “Sexy Beast” is nearly identical to the episode format used by Charmed for years: someone comes to the heroes for help, heroes do research, heroes track down monster, heroes kill monster.

The succubus storyline also ties into the Creek/Manfred relationship because it forces Creek to defend him to her family (in this case, her annoying brother Connor, who inexplicably suddenly hates Manfred even though Manfred saved all their lives last week). Creek tells Connor that she trusts Manfred after Connor breaks the news that he followed Manfred around (what a little weirdo!) and saw our friendly town psychic sidling into strip club.

Of course, Manfred’s only doing that to track the succubus, which we know and which Creek quickly puts together.

Hopefully, now that Manfred toasted the succubus and saved Connor’s life, that kid will stop being such a little jerk.

Speaking of the succubus: She’s rather flat as the week’s monster, but she serves her purpose, plot-wise. She’s also a handy excuse for the whole Midnight crew to work together to take her down. I do really enjoy that group dynamic.

The moment where they attack her and she gets up and skitters away is great — both for the funny reactions of the group and because of how genuinely creepy and well-done the special effect is.

Now, if only she’d killed Connor, I would’ve enjoyed her even more! (Just kidding.) (Sorta.)

In other news, Bobo is hiding a few secrets — but also finally kissed Fiji. Yay, Fiji!

Bobo’s house is ransacked by the Sons of Lucifer, who spray a swastika on his wall. That immediately makes Bono run to a door underground by his car and check that it’s locked — it is. So that begs the questions: What’s under that door? What is Bobo hiding? And what do the Sons of Lucifer have to do with it?

In other “great episode moments,” I absolutely love Fiji putting a stop to Bobo’s confrontation with the Sons. Using her magic to grab the pool stick away is a badass move.

I’m less crazy about the fact that Olivia counsels Fiji to change how she dresses to impress Bobo. Maybe if he doesn’t like her peasant skirts he’s not the guy for her after all?

Luckily, that’s a non-issue, because the episode ends with Bobo recognizing his more-than-BFFs feelings for the town witch. The kiss is a sweet moment, by after Orphan Black I’m mentally prepared for Dylan Bruce to be outed as a baddie at any moment.

Finally, a subplot that’s arguably more engaging than the episode’s actual plot follows my fave Olivia. Her latest assassin mission sheds light both on her unconventional job and her dark past referenced last week on Midnight, Texas Season 1 Episode 3.

As it turns out, Olivia was “sold” to various men by her evil stepmother when she was young, after her father abandoned them. This is extremely dark. It really explains why Liv struggles so much with her emotions. It makes her relationship with Lem and his ability to “leech” her bad feelings all the more poignant.

Liv/Lem is far and away my favorite relationship on the show so far — it’s complex, loving, and supportive. I can’t wait to see more of them. I’m also very much looking forward to Olivia confronting her father at long last. She mentions she’s killed the other men who abused her. According to the man her father hired to follow her, he’s concerned about her safety and wants to make sure she’s already.

Somehow, I don’t think that’ll be conducive to a happy reunion between father and daughter — though I’m sure it’s coming at some point.

Stray thoughts:

• Fiji’s talking cat is still a thing, huh?
• We know Joe is an angel, but now it seems that Chuy is also non-human. Is he an angel, too? If so, I’m 100% here for gay fallen angel husbands.
• But at the same time: Joe, why in the hell are you not telling anyone about the impending doom of the veil falling? It’s actively causing death and mayhem in your town. Let people in on the big secret already! Keeping it hidden any longer is fast becoming inexplicable.

What did you think of this episode of Midnight, Texas? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Midnight, Texas airs Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.

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