Being Human

[Moriath]

Being Human airs on BBC three and the premise sounds a bit like a bad joke: What happens when a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost move in together? The series was highly anticipated by many who had seen the pilot in 2008. The series deals with the concept of humanity and what exactly makes us human. It has a subtle, dark humour, which is simply great. For the six-part series they recast two of the main characters and made the vampires less Gothic.

A few questions to get the discussion going:

• Do you like the series? Who is your favourite character?
• What do you think of ther recasts? Do you like the new Annie and Mitchell better or do you prefer the actors in the pilot?
• What do you think of the more general changes they made?

[boushh]

Well it's been a while since I saw the pilot, but the new episode was still very good even with the cast changes. I was so excited to hear that the show was picked up a while back, having really enjoyed the pilot.

Do you like the series? Who is your favourite character?

I really like the series so far. It looks promising. The werewolf is my favorite so far. I can't remember his name at the moment. I love the actor. I think he does a great job with both the humor and the pain that surrounds the character. He does the tortured thing really well.

What do you think of ther recasts? Do you like the new Annie and Mitchell better or do you prefer the actors in the pilot?

I remember that I really liked Annie in the pilot and I realized there was a new actress, but I don't remember enough to really choose between them.

Mitchell is an interesting case. They changed up the character a little bit and as you said they made him less Gothic and probably a bit more approachable or engaging to the audience. I liked the guy they had in the pilot. He was a bit different for a lead vampire. He wasn't classically handsome but there was something oddly interesting about him. The new actor is quite handsome and seems to bring a lighter feeling to the character even if there is the big struggle for him not to feed on humans. So I'm sort of torn on this character, but the dynamic between the cast is working so it should be good, I think.

What do you think of the more general changes they made?

I don't remember the pilot well enough to make a detailed analysis between the two, but the show did seem less dark or something. The more obvious changes were the ones in the casting which I touched on above.

I find it interesting that this show is classified as a comedy. I would think that it would be a drama that also contains dark humor. I'd feel totally misled if I went into it thinking it was a comedy....

[Moriath]

Originally Posted by boushh

I really like the series so far. It looks promising. The werewolf is my favorite so far. I can't remember his name at the moment. I love the actor. I think he does a great job with both the humor and the pain that surrounds the character. He does the tortured thing really well.

His name is George. I agree, his did a marvellous job, both in the pilot and in the series.

Mitchell is an interesting case. They changed up the character a little bit and as you said they made him less Gothic and probably a bit more approachable or engaging to the audience. I liked the guy they had in the pilot. He was a bit different for a lead vampire. He wasn't classically handsome but there was something oddly interesting about him. The new actor is quite handsome and seems to bring a lighter feeling to the character even if there is the big struggle for him not to feed on humans. So I'm sort of torn on this character, but the dynamic between the cast is working so it should be good, I think.

I watched episode one before I watched the pilot, so I'm in no way biased by having been attached to the old Mitchell for months. However, I prefer Guy Flanagan's portrayal because it was more subtle. Aidan Turner is okay but he cannot give the character the same depth as Flanagan. For instance, in episode one I didn't get the feeling that Mitchell needed George and Annie as much as they needed him. He was aloof and sexy but he lacked the vulnerability and the, well, humanity of the old Mitchell.

I also think that it's very hard to replace Andrea Riseborough because she is a marvellous actress. Her Annie was less melodramatic and hysterical and all in all more credible. I'm ready to give Lenora Crichlow a few more chances but apart from her being a more stylish and pretty Annie, I wasn't blown away by her portrayal.

[Moriath]

Wow, how awesome and scary was episode five?

Spoiler: show

Poor, poor George! He's really between a rock and a hard place and the trailer makes it look as if he has to fight this fight all alone. And Mitchell! I really hope that the preview was misleading and Annie didn't go through the door and Mitchell miraculously survived. Yeah, right.

[Lavender535]

It's just a HUUGGEEEEE shame that it ends tomorrow.

Spoiler: show

And if they did kill off all the characters apart from George then who would they bring in for series 2, because I love, love, love Annie and MItchell

But no this is a fantastic series well worth watching!

[SusanBones]

I saw the pilot for this show yesterday and I really enjoyed it. I don't want to read the thread until I can see the rest of the episodes.

I really liked the three actors who were in the pilot. I thought Mitchel had just the right amount of compassion and vampire lust. George was really cute as the werewolf. And I can't remember the girl's name who played the ghost. But you had to feel bad for her.

[Moriath]

So...second series. Does anyone apart from me watch it? I think they managed to keep their high standards and I'm excited for every new episode.

And George! Oh, he breaks my heart every single week.

[Schlubalybub]

I've watched a couple of episodes. I'm really liking all of the characters (and the werewolf was Alonzo from Doctor Who, wasn't he? If I'm wrong, sorry!)

[Moriath]

Yep, Russell Tovey was Alonzo on Doctor Who. He fell victim to the typical British actor recycling.

[kittling]

I can't believe I've only just found this thread?!

Do you like the series?

Definitely!

Who is your favourite character?

That’s a really tough choice! I like all 3 of the main characters – of the others then Nina & Herrick would be strong contenders.

What do you think of ther recasts? Do you like the new Annie and Mitchell better or do you prefer the actors in the pilot?

I prefer what they done with the vampires in the series – in the pilot they were very much like many other vampires (white wolf anyone???). One of the strengths of the series is that they have a strong understanding of the banality of evil and the scariness of banality imo (Annie’s description of the afterlife in Series 2 sounds like a bad DSS office from the 80’s ) While I love the actor who played Herrick in the pilot I think the rethink they did was brilliant.

As for the recasting of Annie – well I love Lenora Crichlow, have done for ages so its hard for me to be objective about it. I think the pilot actor was good but LC brings a warmth, & vulnerability to all her characters and in the case of Annie I think that was needed. (but I am totally biased ).

[Kevin]

Loved the final episode in the series!

Cept for this bit at the very end, it's a bit of a shock so don't read if you haven't seen the episode yet -

Spoiler: show

Herrick being resurrected in just his underpants with a look of "Yeah Baby I'm Back". Can't wait to see George and Mitchell's reactions once they know he's back...
Poor Annie, form filling forever.... Unless Mitchell can figure out a way of saving Annie...

[Moriath]

Spoiler: show

I think saving Annie will be the main story arc of series three.

I'm so glad they brought Nina back. I missed her.

And yes, it was a fantastic second series with a great finale. Mitchell should go bad more often, I really enjoyed his dark side. And what a great idea to make the trio the target of a mad scientist because of them being too human!

[Bonta Kun]

Whoa this thread has been resting for years...

Anyway, I found the first episode of season 4 really depressing and just horrible I really thought I'd give up on it.

I'm going to put most of my post in spoiler tags since I have no idea what stage American viewers are at...

Spoiler: show

Now, however, it is fast turning into one of my favourite seasons. I liked Tom when he was in it before but I like him even more now that he has Hal to bounce off, their chemistry together is really great, I loved the cafe episode so much I've rewatched it a few times. The Kirby episode was good too - the black humour has been missing for a while so I am glad they have brought it back in spades.

I think Hal is now my favourite character out of any Being Human character ever - that scene with the Nuts magazine, him obsessively cleaning that one small patch of table and chopping the lettuce really slowly, the bit where Annie hugged him, watching Antiques Roadshow, him and Tom trying to chat up Michaela, him setting Tom up but then saying 'I changed my mind!' as if that made it okay I was concerned when I heard they were replacing Mitchell with another vampire - and another Irish one at that (though luckily the actor plays the role with a home counties accent rather than his own Irish one) I thought it was just going to be a cheap immitation so I am glad to find he is so different and brings something completely new to the table. And yes, can I be shallow for a moment and say he is one good looking guy

Oh and I also really love Regus (is that his name? The archivist I mean) I hope he comes back again with his new bride, he he.

[Animagus86]

I love watching Being Human. Josh, the werewolf, is probably my favorite. But all of the characters are really good. Also, if you really want to get into it, it just shows that, despite your differences, you can be friends.

[kittling]

Does anyone know what the next series will be shown?
(there will be a next series won't there??? )

[RikuStark]

Originally Posted by kittling

Does anyone know what the next series will be shown?
(there will be a next series won't there??? )

I think 2013 will be a good guess in terms of when the next series will come out because a 5th series was confirmed.