Why I love Being Human
The tv series, not just being human. Although, being a human does have it's perks. :)
For anyone who reads this but has not seen 'Being Human', this entry will be spoiler free. 'Cause I'm nice like that.
If I was to just describe the basic idea of the show, then it wouldn't sound that special. Three 20 something friends and housemates share a dark secret- one is a ghost, one is a vampire, and one is a werewolf- but they try to live normal human lives.
But it's not really the idea that makes this tv show so brilliant. It's the way it's done. Toby Whithouse who has written for Doctor Who and Torchwood, brings to life three original and brilliant main characters.
Mitchell, the vampire who is 'on the wagon' trying to resist drinking blood, is so superior to Stephanie Meyer's creations it actually defies belief that they are the same creature. He is dark and struggles between humanity and returning to his old ways- being constantly tempted by the villain of the series Herrick- without being annoyingly angsty and self pitying.
Annie, the ghost who died in the house that the three friends share is unable to move on. She is talkative, quirky and desperate for company. I can't say too much more about her without spoiling things... So, yeah. She's cool.
George, the werewolf is played by the adorable Russel Tovey who was also in Doctor Who as Alonso. He's geeky, bordering on being neurotic and desperate to try to be as normal as possible even if once a month he transforms into a vicious werewolf. Something that struck me was how 'Being Human' made the werewolf transformation seem absolutely torturous and brutal, and Mitchell's description of it at the start of the second episode is just... so well written.
The three main characters are unique and sympathetic, I can still never decide which one I like the best!
And, like any good tv show, the other characters are wonderful too. Herrick, the villain is not quite like any other 'bad guy' I have seen. He believes that vampires are a form of evolution and that the smartest, strongest and the most useful of society must be transformed to create a new world. He's able to turn on the charm and make people like him, posing as a human and he even has a human life as a police officer, yet Herrick is a cold hearted manipulator with a false smile.
There are wonderful minor characters like Gilbert, Seth and Bernie, to watch out for too.
So, to conclude although it's main characters are 'monsters', 'Being Human' is funny, sweet, dark, violent, mysterious, complicated, sexy, romantic, tragic and very, very human.
Link to Series 1 trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch
Oh, and I hope you guys are having a good Christmas Eve. :)