Being Human

[redhead85]

Did any of you guys catch it? I thought it was a fantastic series opener, the hour just whizzed by! There’s a much grittier feel to this series but it still has it’s light moments (Annie working at the pub). The scene between George and Nina in the bedroom was some seriously good acting.

I’m hooked once more!

Topic

[Andrew]

I thought it was a slightly stumbly start to the new series.

The chasing around the car park at the start wasn’t especially great in itself (you could see the mechanics at work as they got split up to have one-one-one conversations, then rejoined), and wasn’t the best way in for newcomers. But then I’m a great believer in series – rather than serials – kicking off a new series with a ‘the gang’s all here, and this is what we do’ scene. Something a bit more ‘mission statement-y’

But after that it kinda got into gear. Not sure George would be so easily lured into cheating – as the character I most closely identified with, I was disappointed rather than engaged – but Russell Tovey was on top form. And he and Sinead Keenan, who was already the show’s secret weapon, were knockout.

Still a little slow in the pacing – it’s the rare BBC one-hour at the moment that wouldn’t easily whittle down to 50 minutes, and a lot of the same points were being made over and over – but it’s great to have it back.

[Jonathan Capps]

I watched the pilot but nothing of the first series. Would it be terribly dim of me to start watching series 2 now (Jo and Ian have seen 1 already) or do I need the first series?

[Andrew]

It’s worth catching up on – and they’ve certainly started the new series with a stronger interest in continuing story – but you should be okay. Everything you need to know, which isn’t a great deal, is restated.

[redhead85]

> Not sure George would be so easily lured into cheating – as the character I most closely identified with

I catch your drift – I thought it was down to the fact that George’s sexual/violent instincts are particularly bad before during and after his transformation? But I know what you mean, it did feel strange. Presumably in the month that had elapsed in between the two series, their relationship had deteriorated somewhat.

> I watched the pilot but nothing of the first series. Would it be terribly dim of me to start watching series 2 now (Jo and Ian have seen 1 already) or do I need the first series?

>It?s worth catching up on – and they?ve certainly started the new series with a stronger interest in continuing story – but you should be okay. Everything you need to know, which isn?t a great deal, is restated.

I agree, the first series was recapped rather well at the beginning of the episode I thought. But indeed, series 1 is very good and definitely worth a watch – especially for each of the character’s ‘origins’ episode.

[Andrew]

> Presumably in the month that had elapsed in between the two series, their relationship had deteriorated somewhat.

This is true, actually. I think the problem wasn’t that it wasn’t credible for the character – like most things, I tend to think anyone is capable of almost anything given the right, horrible circumstances – it’s that we hadn’t been witness to that journey. So we’re coming in at the end of the story, which is a shame because I think it needed more delicate staggering to feel ‘right’.

Except, of course, what it really is is the writer manoeuvring everyone into position for the Grand Drama of series two. No question this is going to pay off (unlike Torchwood which just kinda gave up Gwen and Owen when it was proven ridiculous). And with so few eps in a Brit season (not that I bemoan this), if your main story is going to be one thing, you only have limited time to wind up to it.

Still, usual, Buffy example – because that show seems to provide great examples of almost every type of writing: When Willow cheats on Oz with Xander, it’s heartbreaking all around…and at the same time all achingly credible. We see it every step of the way, so you don’t ‘blame’ anyone.

Here, I was kinda left blaming George for a woeful lack of restraint. Which isn’t what was intended.

EDIT: (In fact this whole problem goes back to the patchy opening, where we see George embark on his extra-relationship activity…without ever having seen him and Nina together since the close of season one. You don’t see what’s at risk before it’s already being thrown away.)

By the end of the ep, though, the layers of guilt and betrayal between the two of them were rich and wonderful and heartbreaking.

[redhead85]

> This is true, actually. I think the problem wasn?t that it wasn?t credible for the character – like most things, I tend to think anyone is capable of almost anything given the right, horrible circumstances – it?s that we hadn?t been witness to that journey. So we?re coming in at the end of the story, which is a shame because I think it needed more delicate staggering to feel ?right?.

Good point. I think those that haven’t watched series 1 may not have ‘got’ their tempestuous relationship either – after all, George had to do a lot of fighting to get her in the first place. She was no pushover. But yeah, I think it needed a bit more of their ‘not getting on’ etc before he started snogging vampires, hehe.

[Muzzy]

They did have George being a visibly angrier person and moaning about Nina when he and Mitchell were in the pub at the very start of the episode, but I agree that this probably wasn’t enough to justify to us what happened about 5 minutes later. They needed at least one scene of him and Nina together and really not getting on (the kind of thing we saw later in the episode) to set up the cheating on her. Apart from that though I thought it was on great form. The werewolf in that capsule being forced not to change was bloody horrific!

[Andrew]

> The werewolf in that capsule being forced not to change was bloody horrific!

Yeah that was perfectly executed. I yelled – actually cried out – and had to cover my mouth with a cushion. You KNOW a scene is working when that happens.

[ChrisM]

I saw it too. Very good.

Spoilers, including for end of last series. (I know a couple here haven’t seen it yet.)

I didn’t find it all that believable that George would cheat so quickly either, although I think I get what was intended. Apart from the rocky relationship and the resulting sexual frustration, heightened by the moon cycle, I think part of the issue was the fact he had killed someone last series. True, he did what needed to be done to save his friends ironically reaffirming his humanity while using the Beast, but it would take it’s toll, especially on someone with his sensibilities, and emotional withdrawal is part of that. Result: compensation in other ways, unfortunately losing himself in callous selfish monster side of his nature.

It’s interesting that Daisy (the vampire girl), who seems the very epitome of that sensuality and callousness retains at least a morsel of her humanity herself as demonstrated by that rather disturbing scene with the scissors at the end. And faced with this, George is turned full cycle back to where he needed to be. Taking back his humanity while she is on the cusp of exorcising hers.(I wonder if she did it? Weirdly, his taking a chance with the old ladies life seemed a bit callous too though.)

I disagree with George’s unfaithfulness (he’s much to faithful to cheat that quickly I think) but taking in the full cycle of events it has interesting things to say about the whole theme of these supernaturals trying to be human. Not that we’re any less monstrous judging by the CenSSA folk, but anyway…

Or I’m just over-thinking it and the above paragraphs are a lot of presumptuous twaddle.

A Daisy and Ivan prequel on the site here. I hardly recognize her with that look. And a creepy little old girl.

[hummingbird]

Damn, I meant to watch this, after missing the entirity of series 1.
I fail.

[Andrew]

iPlayer!

[ori-STUDFARM]

You most certainly are!

[Ian Symes]

iPlayer!

I didn’t know you spoke Spanish.

[Andrew]

> I didn?t know you spoke Spanish.

WIN

[ChrisM]

If this is true, they don’t hang about do they?

A third series of hit BBC3 drama Being Human has been commissioned for the autumn, after the second series debuted this week with an audience of 1.4 million, double that of the first run.

I’d have thought they’d decide this after a few more episodes have been aired. Not that I’m complaining.

[Jonathan Capps]

> I?d have thought they?d decide this after a few more episodes have been aired. Not that I?m complaining.

They did this with Doctor Who, didn’t they? I may be misremembering but I think the announcement of series 2 and 3 being commissioned and Eccleston leaving both came after the first episode aired.

[Andrew]

You can’t argue with the ratings – and, as has been said before, audience appreciation will play its part too. As much as anything, though, it’s an indication of just how big a deal getting a million-plus is for a digital channel. If you have a show that can do that, you want to keep hold of it.

[ChrisM]

It certainly throws Back to Earth’s ratings into perspective. For someone like me who isn’t all that knowledgeable on ratings I mean. I knew it did very well but ‘multiply well’* considering BH’s ratings! Gives me a warm glow inside.

And to think some people actually complained at the time!

*Yeah I know that’s probably grammatically incorrect.

[ChrisM]

Great second episode! I liked the first, but this was better. Oh and a classic line from George (not quoted exactly, my memory isn’t that good):

“I know that look. I’ve given that look. Usually to someone else giving that look to someone taller.”

[redhead85]

> ?I know that look. I?ve given that look. Usually to someone else giving that look to someone taller.?

I did LOL at that one. And:

George: “You love him like a brother”? He’s “sweet”? What are you trying to do, kill the man? The only man you should ever say that to, is in fact your own brother.

Yes indeed, a very good episode. This series has such a grander, more epic feel to things. And poor Nina, looks like she’s fallen into the wrong hands. And Annie! NO!

[Muzzy]

Finally caught up with this today. The Annie storyline got a bit dramatic at the end didn’t it?? Should shut up all the people that were going on about her being toned down and turned into a comedy character this series when judging by ONE EPISODE.

Great TV as usual. I missed Daisy though :-(

[si]

The line of the week was “Why don’t you just stab him in the face?!” in the ‘love him like a brother’ exchange.

Did anyone else get the Spike and Dru-ness of Ivan and Daisy last week?

[ChrisM]

>Did anyone else get the Spike and Dru-ness of Ivan and Daisy last week?

Not really, although now you mention it I see why you might think that. Ivan and Spike are quite different but they both have dry sarcastic personalities. Daisy has a certain craziness about her, although it’s not the same as Dru’s. (Dru is outright insane. Daisy wass bored of life and had lost has become emotionally numb and is essentially overcompensating. At least that’s the impression I got. I use the past tense there as Ivan tells George has had an affect on her..) They’re both damaged, certainly.

I know that Toby (the main writer) has stated he’s never watched Buffy, although he isn’t the only writer on the series and it’s possible (even probable) the actors have seen Buffy at some point.

I think it’s unintentional though.

[Andrew]

Hmm, that adds a layer to the ‘there’s a werewolf in Buffy called Nina’ line from episode one…

[ChrisM]

I noticed that too. And it made me think about what I’d read on the writers blog:

Did I crib werewolf lore from ‘The Buffy Chronicles’? No. I read heaps of books on the subject, but not that one. In fact (and I’m aware I risk having my sci-fi fan credentials revoked when I say this) I’ve never actually seen an episode of Buffy. There. I feel so much better now I’ve got that off my chest.

Link

It doesn’t discount what he said anyway. To be fair, that was during series 1 and he might have seen it since then* or, he got that bit from someone else who had seen the show , an editor, other writer, a mate[edit- or the person who asked the question in the blog?],etc.

Either way I don’t think Daisy and Ivan are based on Dru and Spike.

*Which granted makes my statement out of date.

[Andrew]

Yeah, I’d assumed somone said it to him – that the line in the show is a sort-of direct response. And yeah, I think the Spike/Dru thing is coincidence – the dynamic’s pretty typical vampire stuff, easy to stumble into. Whedon did!

[si]

To be fair, my thoughts on the Spike & Dru/Ivan & Daisy thing were based more on last week’s episode this this week.

By the way, I am liking Daisy. A lot.

[redhead85]

*SPOILERS!*

Sorry but got to say – who else saw the ‘twist’ on Lucy/Professor Jaggat’s character? I have to admit, I only spotted it during episode three. Kiran (Fluffy Wok) was musing aloud about her dubious interest and knowledge on vampires. When the end reveal came he leapt up, pointing in accusation and shouting “I FUCKING knew it!”

Did make me giggle.

Although the characterisation has had a shaky start to resettle back to series 1 levels, I must say I’m loving the more epic feel to series 2 and its stories overall.

[Andrew]

Yeah, it’s picked up a lot after that opening ep. Loved the afterlife-y climax stuff in episode two as well. It’s really coming together.

[ChrisM]

I’ll admit, I didn’t really think Lucy would be the professor although I did wonder if she would be involved somehow so I wasn’t all that surprised but pleased by the twist. Wow. Run-on sentence.

I’m enjoying the programme a lot too.

[si]

I’m enjoying it, but I actually find each episode a little long. I start looking at the clock after half an hour.

[ChrisM]

There are a new set of questions and answers from Toby Whithouse. Seems someone else asked him about Buffy and Angel:

“Ok, confession time. I have never in my life seen an episode of Buffy or Angel. This isn’t deliberate, it’s just something that kinda… passed me by. The world and his uncle have told me how much I’d like it and how Being Human has echoes in terms of tone and humour. I’d love to see it… I just haven’t yet. In fact, my lack of knowledge is apparent in ep 1 when I mistakenly ascribe a werewolf called Nina to Buffy instead of Angel. Thankfully about 67 people were kind enough to point out the mistake I made on national TV.”

Heh. It’s weird. In hindsight I remember the mention of ‘Nina’ in the line but I didn’t even pick up on the error at the time. I was just thinking “They mentioned Buffy!”

(EDIT- Blockquote tags didn’t work properly. It included the second paragraph in with the first despite my placing the end tag in the right place.)

[redhead85]

Another good episode – it’s really building and building. Anyone know how many episodes we have? 6 or 8?

Anywho, poor George! Trying to control the wolf and look where it’s got him! I wonder how he’s going to diffuse the uncontrollable angry bursts he’s experiencing. The way he beat that manager down was pretty gruesome – found it a bit difficult to watch.

[Muzzy]

8 episodes this series. Quite liked Sykes this week actually, hope he returns at some point down the line. Nice to see Annie getting a good solid episode of character development anyway. I’m still not really sure how all the different plot threads are going to tie together at the end of the series but I’m looking forward to seeing it all play out. I highly doubt Mitchell is going to be keeping control of the vampires for very long though.

[ChrisM]

>The way he beat that manager down was pretty gruesome – found it a bit difficult to watch.

That was disturbing wasn’t it? The manager was a nasty piece of work but I ended up feeling sorry for him. Not that I’m complaining as it was supposed to be unpleasant.

Also a major switcheroo in tone considering the comedy a the start of that scene. Correcting a piece of insulting graffiti. Heh.

Interesting episode overall. I find myself wondering about ‘the men’ on the other side of the door. I.e. they’re using underhanded tactics etc, but is that an evil place to be in the end when you have to move on? It is odd as I saw the door in the last series as a reward. In this it seems malevolent somehow. But maybe it all depends on when/how you go and what you take with you.

[Nick R]

> Also a major switcheroo in tone considering the comedy a the start of that scene. Correcting a piece of insulting graffiti. Heh.

Very reminiscent of his shouted correction of the “peedos” graffiti in series one!

> It is odd as I saw the door in the last series as a reward. In this it seems malevolent somehow.

IIRC the word Hell was mentioned at one point – by the lying-still Annie doppelg?nger, I think. I think that’s the closest the programme has come to specifying exactly who these “gatekeepers” are who want her to move on.

[redhead85]

> Also a major switcheroo in tone considering the comedy a the start of that scene. Correcting a piece of insulting graffiti. Heh.

That did make me laugh – strange how it can shift in mere minutes from making you laugh to making you uncomfortable. But Tovey is such a good actor the whole shift from panicked to angry and violent was done really well – you really feel something is of the Wrong.

[Author]

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