Being Human Series Overview (BBC Three)
The Beeb’s Monster Drama has Enough Depth to Sink your Teeth into
Mar 1, 2009
BBC Three comes under a lot of criticism, especially from TV dinosaurs such as Jeremy Paxman, for its content that ranges from unfunny sitcoms (Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) to voyeuristic trashy documentaries (Me and My Man Boobs etc). Being Human, however, is one of those rare gems on the channel that is a well written and superbly crafted television drama that is worth watching.
Being Human Introduces Monsters that are More Human than You
On paper Being Human has an interesting premise. Three "monsters" into a house together: a 100-year-old vampire called Mitchell (Aidan Turner),who wants to go straight; a ghost named Annie (Lenora Crichlow) who wants to find the closure to her life; and George (Russell Tovey), a werewolf running out of places to transform in safety. Together, in their Bristol home, they try to act human.
What the series did well was establish the major issues that all he main characters have to deal with which are connected to their “alternative lifestyle” but through their struggles they actually become more human than the people they are surrounded by. Theme driven plots based around addiction and friendship with few happy endings were a welcome sight amongst 20-something comedies about sex. Even the strong language wasn't over used.
All three leads are terrific actors who are bound to move on to great things and Jason Watkins was deviously evil as lead vampire/series antagonist Herrick. Russell Tovey’s ultra correct delivery of lines was a little odd at times but it added to his “nerdy” persona that contrasted brilliantly against his gruesome alter ego.
Shock Twists and no CGI Monsters
Some shock twists were revealed along the way as it was discovered that Annie was murdered by her fiancé Owen (played to creepy perfection by Gregg Chillin) and at one point it looked like Mitchell was about to return to his murderous ways. There were also nods to the source materials that influenced the series, such as taking the traditional witch-hunt from centuries old monster stories and added a modern twist as Mitchell is suspected of being a paedophile by the neighbours.
The closing episode crept towards a werewolf versus vampire final confrontation that didn’t cop out by turning into CGI monsters hitting each other but was shown through other characters' reactions. Although, if the producers had the budget for it would they have unleashed a blood and guts effects climax? Regardless of the answer after six hours talking and philosophising the show had earned the right go a bit nuts in the end.
Monster Inconsistencies and the Comedy-Drama thing
Despite Being Human creating its own mystic lore there are inconsistencies with established rules and conventions of the monster genre – vampires walking around in the day, the thing with ghosts picking things up – that are annoying but once you get over them and enjoy the series as a tightly written programme then it shouldn’t remain a problem.
Ultimately the most troublesome aspect of Being Human isn’t the show itself but the way in which it is advertised and described as a “comedy-drama”. Yes it has some comic moments but it’s not funnier than a standard episode of Buffy and that was slotted squarely in the sci-fi drama bracket. It seems to be an insignificant thing to zero in on but some people may be disappointed when they expect a comedy yet get a dark and angst ridden show with touches of horror.
A Second Series of Being Human?
The series coda revealed that perhaps there is much more to this story than what was presented (who was the man with the briefcase?) and that Being Human could very well return next year. If writer and creator Toby Whithouse has got a few aces up his sleeve then another series of Being Human should be something to look forward to in the future. That, and it’s much better than ITV's Demons.
The last episode of Being Human is repeated on BBC iPlayer for as long as it is available.
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