Being Human (Season 1, Episode 1)

Original airdate: July 25, 2009

Summary:

A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost are housemates and try to their lives as normally as possible despite their unique conditions.  The series opener introduces these three characters to us with an idea of how and when they each exited a traditional human existence and became something else… the “flotsam and jetsam of death”, “unnatural and supernatural”.

Points to Know:

• The Vampire, Mitchell (Aidan Turner)- devilishly handsome, dark, brooding and gorgeous type of vamp with an undeniable presence.  He takes a stand against vampiric society, but can’t help himself when the hunger overpowers him.  He has turned a co-worker, a young and beautiful girl named Lauren (pictured with him at right), whom he abandoned as a newborn vampire.  He now has to deal with the consequences of having made and deserted an angry vampire childe whose bloodlust disgusts him.  There are references to Mitchell’s dark past.
• The Werewolf, George (Russell Tovery)- awkward bloke who does not want to accept his condition.  He had lost everything and was lost until he met Mitchell. He has only been a werewolf for two years.
• The Ghost, Annie (Lenora Crichlow)- beautiful and funny, her soul lingers in her flat after her death from, presumably, a bad fall down the stairs.  She finally finds friendship in Mitchell and George who can see her since they are non-humans as well. She has not been a ghost for very long, a few months perhaps?
• This ep glimpses reflections of how extensive and powerful vampiric society is as they flex their influence in this episode to cover up the death of Becca, a fellow hospital worker of Mitchell and George’s.  Lauren killed Becca to taunt Mitchell.  Herrick is the leader of this vampire group and Mitchell’s sire. Herrick is manipulative like a parent who thinks they know their children better than they know themselves.
• Here and there, you also will notice a strange man in a hat around George.  Just who is this stalker? It is revealed in ep 2.
• Annie sees her ex-fiance again and is devastated that he cannot see her even though she has been getting stronger and can be seen by normal humans lately.  He has moved on and has another woman in his life which happens to be the woman who had coveted Owen even when Annie was alive.  Annie is crushed.

Commentary:

• This show has surprised me in the sense that the premise at first glance, sounds to be comical, but it proved right off the bat how complex and realistic (if such beings existed) this show can be.  The writers place these characters in real life situations and you wonder how one could possibly maintain any sense of normalcy, of being human, under such supernatural circumstances.
• On a symbolic interpretation of the show (as my Twitter friends and I were discussing the other day), vampirism can be seen as representing addiction, lycanthropy can be seen as social dysfunction, and being a ghost can be seen as lack of identity or self-worth.
• When you boil it down, the show is really about the safety and support of friends, identity and acceptance.
• I like how they intersperse humor in with the seriousness of the show. It really gives it a nice balance and fullness to the whole composition.
• Just how did Mitchell and George meet? Traditionally, vampires and werewolves don’t play nicely together.
• What made Mitchell chose humanity over vampires? What makes him different from the other vampires?  Is it like Angel and his soul?  What do the vampires have planned?

This is the first 7 minutes of ep 1 which gives you a very good feeling for the show:

Being Human (Season 1, Episode 2)

Original airdate: August 1, 2009

Summary:

Mitchell, the vampire, takes the initiative and decides to immerse himself and his housemates into humanity by inviting all their neighbors over to their flat.  He wants to participate with humanity, not to just sit on the sidelines.

George, the werewolf, meets a man who claims to also be a werewolf and can help George deal with his condition.  “Tully is as Tully does” and Tully teaches George the lone wolf lifestyle- “How to be a werewolf 101” complete with transformation kit and how to use their ‘predator’ edge to attract women.  Tully is welcomed into their household until he sexually assaults Annie and when they realize that George is becoming Tully’s mini-me.

Points to Know:

• Mitchell cannot deny his nature as much as he doesn’t want to kill.  It is like Hotel California- you can check out, but you can never leave.  Lauren tries to bring Mitchell back in and even tempts him with the vampire-form of porn.

• The vampires are moving forward with their plans.  They have attacked Tully which indicates that they are asserting dominance over other supernatural creatures.
• At the end of the ep, it is revealed that Tully was the one who turned George into a werewolf.  Tully was reaching out to the only human connection he had left, but George will not have it and even almost lets Tully hang himself.  George forgives Tully but will have nothing further to do with him.  George now knows what he is not.

Commentary:

• I had never really thought about how painful the werewolf transformation really could be.  The way it’s described at the beginning of the episode makes my very bones hurt!
• George is so awkwardly adorable with his voicing cracking, ears that stick out, and that he always has to run around holding his naughty bits when he’s naked.  Just adorable!
• A quote from George hits the heartbeat of the show I think: “The house is my way of coping.”
• The trick with dragging a chicken in a wide circle around the transformation point to prevent themselves as werewolves from straying or being an overt danger to others is really quite clever.
• Normally, I thought that werewolves run in packs. Perhaps not in this universe?  It was established in this ep that vampires cannot be in direct sunlight and cannot cross a threshold unless invited and werewolves cannot cross water.  I’m eager to see the mythology play out in this series.
• What are the vampires’ plans?  Their ‘time is coming’ seems to involve all beings supernatural and natural alike.
• Do you know your own neighbors? Are you immersed and participating with humanity?

What are your thoughts on “Being Human”?  Share with us on the Forum!

“Being Human” airs on BBC America on Saturdays at 9/8 C.