Being Human - S01E01

Although a pilot for Being Human was shot and aired, I feel that talking about (and watching) the first episode of Season 1 first makes the most sense. The pilot involved mostly different actors, and getting a little background on the characters through it works, but it might set up different expectations than are present in the full series.

The premise, of course, is one of sheer genius. A werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost are roommates. How fantastic is that? But Being Human goes beyond the challenges of a simple, supernatural show, questioning what changes there former humans need to make, as well as allowing us, the viewers, to question our own reactions to life.

As high-minded as the show can get, it is also hilarious. George (Russell Tovey), the resident werewolf, has to find himself a hideout for his time of the month. Annie (Lenora Crichlow) points out that she's glad she no longer has to suffer through that experience, when she was moody and liable to bite someone's head off...George might literally do just that. And when George finds his usual sanctuary full of people, he runs madly through the woods, running into dozens of people, only to end up back in their own home.

The premiere also gives us origin stories - George was on vacation in Scotland when he was attacked. He was only scratched, thus he lived, now cursed. Annie fell down a flight of stairs and broke her neck. She left behind her fiancé. We get to meet Owen (Gregg Chillin), and although he seems to have formed an attachment with another woman whom Annie hates, the love that both of them felt when they were alive comes across as warm and deep. Finally, Mitchell (Aidan Turner) was turned into a vampire to save his company during the war. Which war it was, the First or the Second, I'm not certain, although I get the impression it was the first.

Mitchell tries to resist his vampire roots, but not long ago he killed and turned Lauren (Annabel Scholey) whom he and George worked with. She is resentful, and your typical newly turned vamp. She wants vengeance on Mitchell, and goes after a new friend he made, forcing him to either allow the girl to die, or to turn her as well. Mitchell refuses to make her a monster like him, and Lauren leaves, blaming the incident on Mitchell.

I think the most revealing part of the encounter is that Lauren is unable to take responsibilities for her own actions. Despite her repeatedly stated desire to cause harm, she refuses to be blamable. It's all Mitchell's fault and has nothing to do with her...perhaps she's not as far gone as one might imagine.

So there you have it. 3 "monsters" trying to live a "normal" existence while dealing with their own personal issues. Annie is a ghost because she has unresolved issues, which may have something to do with the fiance she never got to marry. George wants to contain his inner beast, and Mitchell needs to fight himself every day to not be what every vampire is, while resenting himself for the mistakes he's made - like turning Lauren.

It's complex and full, and fantastic.