Sep
21
Being Human
September 21, 2009 | 2 Comments
After watching what can only be described as a borderline adequate season finale to True Blood I had high hopes for The Vampire Diaries. After watching the first two episodes it became very obvious to me that I am about 25 years off their target market and have in all likelihood watched as much of it as I ever will.
With all this TV vampire disappointment I was very reluctant to watch the BBC show Being Human when it was recommended to me—more so when the premise was described to me: “a hot vampire, a Jewish werewolf and a cute girl ghost are renting a house together and trying to come to terms with what they are while trying to fit into human society.” It sounds like a train wreck or a really bad joke but it came so highly recommended to me that I promised to give it a try. Well, today BBC America was having a marathon of the show, airing all 6 episodes back to back.
I saw down with my morning coffee and tuned in, fully prepared to get up and do laundry at any moment. I was not so optimistic. By the first commercial break however, I knew that this show, series was going to be golden covered awesome. At the next commercial break I got a pad and pen and made a list of all the chores I was going to have to cram into tomorrow’s schedule, as there would only be a 3 hour break between the end of the last episode of Being Human and the two hour premier of House.
Although I cannot improve upon the premise of the show, as it really is a vampire, werewolf and ghost renting a house and trying their best to be human, it is so much more than that. Yes, as you can imagine the vampire, Mitchell is very Byronic, and “on the wagon” (not killing anymore) however, he never whines or complains about it or even about being a vampire. He comes off more as a successful recovering heroin addict. As with anyone who has addictions there are slip ups and fall backs. George is a panic driven and fearful individual. He considers himself lucky that he is only cursed one day month, but lives the other 29 days in nervous anticipation, trying to fade into the background and not fall in love with a girl he works with. Annie is the ghost, and a more cute and lovable TV character has not yet been dreamt up. She was engaged to be married when she dies and is still in love with her fiancée. The tragedy of her and her storyline doubles down with each episode.
There is a single story line for each of the characters that cross over the other two all the time, just like it would in life with three people living together and working in the same place. There is a bit of adjustment that also occurs between the characters as they do not always like each other or agrees. Apart from their supernatural dilemmas they also have “real life” problems that need to be dealt with. Even the plumbing problems their home has is a big deal, and in fact, relevant.
The finale of Being Human is the culmination of all the storyline coming to an end at the same time in one moment, and it does so while being passionate and sincere and pulling your heart out through your nose. The final moments of the show sets up for next season, or, end the series well enough.
But there is a full second season on BBC 3. Hopefully, we’ll get to see it here.
Comments
2 Comments so far
I can’t imagine that the BBC will cancel this one. W-a-y too much buzz and it isn’t all that expensive to produce. I just hope they can keep the team together because the chemistry of these 3 actors has an awful lot to do with the success of the show.
now , now Terry… You know i would never steer You wrong, at least not on purpose. It’s nice to hear there’s definitely another season coming out. Thank You for the update and i await it with much anticipation!
have a fun-tastic day! =)