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<i>Midnight, Texas</i> – “Last Temptation of Midnight” Recap. When Evil Calls.

Season 1, Episode 8

Air Date: Monday, September 11, 2017 at 10/9c on NBC

Rating ★★★★★

 

“Now, you need to be a better man than I raised you to be…you need to go back.” – Xylda

 

As we get closer to the season finale, things are rapidly escalating to a terrifying level in Midnight. With dark impulses being more difficult to fend off, the citizens of Midnight are feeling the pull of the fraying veil that weighs heavily upon their vulnerable shoulders.

Xylda finally tells Manny the truth about a vision she had.

In last week’s “Angel Heart,” we saw Manny (François Arnaud) hightail it out of town after Creek (Sarah Ramos) broke things off with him. Manny’s grandmother Xylda (Joanne Camp) isn’t too pleased with her grandson’s behavior but realizes if she had told him about her vision sooner, he might have made a different decision. Nevertheless, everything happens for a reason and Manny’s moment of doubt leads to him to cross paths with an evil, no-face creature that has its sights (no pun intended) on Midnight.

Mr. No-Face (Tyler Mane) is making his way across the desert, killing and stealing the faces of everyone he encounters. The special effects in the opening scene are fantastic —gross, but really awesome. The way No-Face kills and uses his weird claw to slice the faces off his victims is both repulsive and fascinating. When he puts on the face, he becomes that person completely, down to the voice.

The demon stalking Fiji (Parisa Fitz-Henley) continues to grow impatient and whispers to others in town to harm themselves as a sacrifice. The demon also sends No-Face to to do his bidding. The body count is rising and makes for one hell of an offering, but can Manny truly stop No-Face before he completes his task?

I’m sad to see Xylda leave…

Speaking of Manny, one of my favorite aspects of Midnight, Texas is his relationship with Xylda. We learn more about how Manny came to be under her tutelage and how she died in the RV. Even when Manny was young (played by Colton Aldridge), he could see and speak to spirits. Xylda knew he was a strong psychic but feared the ridicule Manny would endure if he kept “hanging out with dead kids.” I am sad to see Xylda leave. Her job may be done, but it’s not like Manny doesn’t still need her advice.

Creek asks Lem (Peter Mensah) to “leach” her pain away but jealousy rears its ugly head. Olivia (Arielle Kebbel) doesn’t want her man leaching off anyone else. We saw Lem leach off Manny in the series premiere “Pilot,” and he’s taken the ferocity from the Rev (Yul Vazquez) when he was a were-tiger in episode two, “Bad Moon Rising,” but he doesn’t really take emotions from others on a regular basis. The leaching between Lem and Olivia is quite personal; it’s a very sensual act. But as soon as Creek asks Lem, the look on Olivia’s face says it all. If I could write pop-up dialogue in this episode, it would have said, “Back off my man, bitch.”

Lem and Olivia better not break up!

With everyone on edge because of the demonic influence luring vulnerable people like Creek to hurt themselves, Fiji makes a demon-repellent, if you will, to help ward off and protect everyone from the demon’s persuasion. Fiji and Manny take to dousing the townsfolk with the elixir but not before all hell breaks loose with Lem and Olivia. The demon’s power to incite the darker side to manifest makes Lem hungrier than usual. His appetite for blood grows so strong; he begins to eye Olivia’s veins with longing. He admits he is hurt by her comment about their relationship having an “expiration date” in last week’s episode, but his overwhelming desire to turn her takes a firm hold over his state of mind. Talk about a knock-down drag out fight! I know Olivia can hold her own but Lem is a century old powerful vampire. She is no match for his speed and agility. What frightened me the most is Olivia’s ability to disconnect when she engages in battle. She didn’t think twice about staking Lem, sparing one measly inch from his heart. Ouch. Thankfully, Manny shows up in time to spray him with the tincture, but the damage is now done; Lem and Olivia’s relationship may be in serious jeopardy.

Manny channels his psychic powers to help Fiji

No-Face says the demon wants Fiji and will take her. It sounds quite sexual, especially since the demon is already making untoward advances to Fiji – grabbing her thighs while she sleeps; that is definitely leaning on the far end of bad touch. No-Face piles up the dead bodies as an offering; however, Manny is able to thwart his efforts, although not for long. Manny uses his gift to summon the spirits of those sacrificed to help him save Fiji from No-Face.

 

Overall

“Last Temptation of Midnight” provides some interesting plot points as we head into the penultimate episode (airing on a special date Wednesday, September 13, 2017). I’m excited to see how Fiji will fight back and how Manny fulfills the prophecy. And I need to know that Lem and Olivia will be ok. They are my favorite couple in Midnight. They are the poster couple for all couples who are defying all obstacles.

 

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

 

Tune in to Midnight, Texas, Mondays at 10/9c, only on NBC.

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

 

Follow Midnight, Texas on social media

Twitter: @NBCMidnightTX

Instagram: @NBCMidnightTexas #MidnightTexas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBCMidnightTexas/

 

Photos: ©2017 NBC Universal. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

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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.

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.