Genre: Sci-Fi | Horror | Drama

Air Date/Time: January 23 at 9/8c

Network: Syfy

Creators: Toby Whithouse (format created by), Jeremy Carver (developer), Anna Fricke (developer)

Director: Paolo Barzman

Writers: Nancy Won

Being human: nobody ever said it was easy. But when you’re a ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf, like the three twenty-something roommates of Being Human, it may be completely impossible. The second season of Being Human picks up as Aidan (Sam Witwer), Sally (Meaghan Rath) and Josh (Sam Huntington) continue to struggle with their supernatural double lives. By turns frightening, witty, and romantic, Being Human continues to explore what it means to be human through the eyes of these outsiders.

A good, solid, moving-the-plots-along episode, this one is about adjusting to the new. Aidan to Suren and Suren to Aidan, now that she’s back and he’s changed. Josh to Nora’s condition and Nora to Nora’s condition, as you might imagine. Sally to what else to do with her time besides sleep, since that didn’t work out so well. This season, so far at least, each character seems to be getting equal time, but in two of the three stories this week, our main characters play supporting roles. It’s time for the women to really take the lead this week.

So, Hello Suren. We saw Aidan digging her up at the end of the last episode, so it’s no surprise that we meet her in this episode. She is played by Dichen Lachman. I should say, she is played exquisitely by Dichen Lachman. Her exotic look and her languorous delivery add a really unexpected vibe to the show. Suren was clearly a problem child back in the past, as they alluded to during the big meeting in last week’s episode, so the character could have been played a lot of different ways.

I could easily see it being very much like Rebecca’s character from season one, but this is totally different. It may be that this is a ruse, that she’s just still recovering, or lulling everyone, but I don’t think so. I think this is her manner, it’s understated; and while it’s seemingly low key she is clearly capable of… well, you’ll see. I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s to come. Sam Witwer takes his smaller role this week and when given the opportunity, shows us something just a little different.

So, Nora. Kristen Hager deftly shows us many of the sure-to-be-many-more layers of the character this week. This is really her episode, as far as Josh’s storyline this week is concerned, but he plays the supporting role really well. One of their scenes provides the sole I-can’t-stand-watching-it’s-too-uncomfortable moment of the episode, but I battled through and it was worth it. I’m not fond of that type of scene, which is why I don’t care for most comedies these days, but this one was relatively fleeting, and necessary. The writers made some interesting choices for Nora this week, and Kristen Hager manages them all beautifully and convincingly.

And Sally. The one roommate who gets to take the lead in her storyline this week. Wow, Meaghan Rath shines in this episode. She has a big range of things to play, and is totally up to each of the challenges; she really digs in. You may have wanted to find out more about that black thing, and why/how she woke up floating, and so did I, but we don’t get it this time. Don’t worry, though because we do find out something else that’s as big or bigger. I can’t say more without spoiling, but really, watch her, she is an absolute treat; she has a big ride this week and she takes us right along with her.

The roommate scenes are few, just as they were last week, and although I wish we had more, we get enough to be satisfying and to provide cohesion for the otherwise very disparate individual stories. And of course, regardless of the tone of each of the roommate scenes, they are delightful. This cast’s chemistry together is palpable.

The pace is kept moving by a periodic injection of short scenes that move between each character’s story. It’s an interesting technique but needs to be managed carefully to keep the transitions from being too jarring. So far, though, so good. And for better or worse, more whiny music. Again, that’s just a pet peeve of mine; if you like it, I’m happy for you.

As I said, a solid episode that moves the plots along, with some really excellent, standout performances, but I don’t quite see this being one of those “wow, do you remember THAT episode?!” kind of episodes, though there are some great scenes. Not every episode can be one of those, so this one did its job, and definitely leaves us wanting more.

I give Being Human: Season 2, Episode 2 “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me,” Four Out of Five Stars.