Genre: Sci-Fi | Horror | Thriller

Air Date/Time: February 25 at 9/8c

Network: BBC America

Created by: Toby Whithouse

Director: Philip John

Writer: Toby Whithouse

Summary:

In an old B&B in a sleepy seaside town, we join Annie (Lenora Crichlow), her housemate George (Russell Tovey) and their new friend Tom (Michael Socha). With a newborn baby to look after, it’s never been more difficult to live life under-the-radar as a ghost and two werewolves. There are also vampires to deal with: lurking in every corner of society, waiting for the Old Ones, powerful older vampires, to arrive and take over the world with brutal force. Worse yet, there’s a malevolent ghost on the loose and someone’s seeking to expose the existence of werewolves – not to mention all the diapers that need changing.

A few quick notes to start off: first, please remember (or learn it quick) that at this point, the BBC America version of Being Human is totally different from the Syfy version of Being Human, even to the extent that the supernatural rules of one show are not the supernatural rules of the other. Newbies should also note that we veterans only know werewolf George and his roommate, ghost Annie, and their young friend, werewolf Tom. Everyone else you will see in this episode is as new to us as they are to you. You may feel almost totally lost at the end of this episode; take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Looks like we’re all just going to have to sit back (or forward) and see what unfolds over the next seven weeks.

Just as Season 3 ended in a very dark place, Season 4 begins even darker. The story really does bounce all over the place, and although it’s very much a start-of-the-season episode, it spends not one second laying any groundwork, except for exposition on all that has transpired between the Season 3 finale and this Season 4 premiere episode. This is okay with me, I never mind being presumed to be intelligent enough, and tenacious enough, to hang on and trust the writers. I will warn you that you aren’t given many opportunities to have your attention wander, as you must listen carefully to that exposition I mentioned, to be able to keep up with the story line. It’s fast, and it’s quiet, and some of it is, oh, slightly ridiculous, so it’s nothing you can figure out, you just have to watch and learn.

So, it’s a challenge, but is it good? Yes, yes it is, quite good. Worthy of an investment of your time. Having watched all three seasons as they originally aired, I’m pleased they’ve found entirely new directions to go in, with some good solid villainy and potentially good chemistry in store with what in essence is a near-reboot. And once they get past this first set-up episode, I’m confident they’ll relax a bit and give us a chance to ease into things a little more slowly, and get to know everyone a little better, just as the characters must do. I’m hoping, on the other side of it, that it won’t descend into too much silliness, as it did too heavily and more than once in Season 3. Season 3 also got a little too domestic for me, but this premiere episode gives a strong indication that will not be the case in Season 4.

Now for just a couple of technical issues. First, my preview disc was the UK version, so I presume that they will have changed the Rentaghost reference that Annie and others make, but if not, it was a British children’s animated show, and presumably refers to her ability to disappear. And second, some of the actors have fairly quiet voices, or speak really quickly – for effect – but sometimes this makes deciphering it a little more of a challenge.

There was nothing notable about the direction, music, or any other technical aspect, which in my view is a good thing. Quirky direction, intrusive music, or any other “assistance” that can too easily be overdone is often best when it’s understated.

Solid acting all around, but a truly wonderful and noteworthy performance by the usually somewhat adenoidal Russell Tovey absolutely makes this episode; well done, sir.

My recommendation: Watch this live, then watch it again. In fact, my best suggestion is that you start watching BBC America on Saturday at 1pm Eastern, when they will replay all 8 episodes of Season 3. You’ll then be able to approach this new season knowing in your heart that what I said is true, and you’ll join me in saying: Wow, there are a lot of new people here, aren’t there?

I give Being Human: Season 4, Episode 1 “Eve of the War” Four Out of Five Stars.