Being Human 1x00 - Pilot

[timepiececlock]

"This is the curse, George. Not what happens to you during the full moon, this."
--a vampire to a werewolf, discussing the problems of finding normality and structure in a human world.


I think I'm going to like this show. Why is it that American TV shows do action and imagery so well, but British TV shows do intense character-building so well? In all the BBC shows I've seen, from this to Life on Mars, the focus is always more on the personal struggle of the individual and corresponding philosophy than on the plot as a whole. I feel like English people must spend a lot of time thinking about the human condition and life, the universe, and everything.

Other things about it: interesting characters to start. The vampire (didn't catch his name) is kind of like a stoned Orlando Bloom. The other guy looks insanely familiar, though I don't know where from...he's nice, and very likable.

Very funny conversation about mistaken sexual orientation that manages to be funny without being homophobic, thanks to one minor character's pitch-perfect delivery.

It oddly reminds me of the Russian film Nightwatch, in that it focuses heavily on the mundane life of supernatural people. Everything that's boring, bloody, and strangled by minutiae. There's a wonderful brief discussion, one which I admit I've never heard/read before in a supernatural story of this type, about "in house" activities, which I won't elaborate on because it's better to see it. It's also kind of like Friends, except everyone's some kind of supernatural monster of the night. Yet they still have coffee!

Anyway, I like it. I understand this is only the pilot, and the actual aired first episode will be somewhat different, but I will definitely be around for more. I'll leave you with another quote from a scene that made me giggle:

John: "So, you've just arrived at Hogwarts, which house do they put you in?"
George: "I'd like to say Gryffindor, but they're supposed to be brave. What's the other one? Ravenclaw, does that have a characteristic?"
John: "I think they're brainy. You could be in Ravenclaw."
Annie: "I quite fancy Hufflepuff actually. I've always thought in Hufflepuff they just spend the day making stuff with safety scissors and glitter."

Comments

[littleduchess.livejournal.com]

I've started watching it as well on iplayer- I'm onto episode 3 right now. I think the reason there is so much character development is more to do with the great British tradition of low-budgets! There's something about the series that I find a bit sub-par but I keep watching it anyway. :)

[chase820.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying the show, and the recasts haven't bothered me. The new Annie is much sweeter, and the new Mitchell is hot.

I'm in the middle of ep 3 now

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I like the new Annie much better--she's sweeter and less annoying. The new Mitchell is hotter---definitely more like the type I would turn into a vampire if I were to go out recruiting. But I liked his characterization better in the pilot, because he seemed more thoughtful. Also, he was more stylish, so when George's ex walked by, took one look at him, and said "You must be the vampire," I believed it. It seems the series Mitchell is much more slackerish, less polished, more likely to wear weekend casual stuff than a cool jacket and jewelry. Which is maybe what they were going for when they recast him, but I'd already gotten use to the other one, you know? Plus I think the other actor was a little more subtle.

Or maybe the writing was more subtle? I just remember I liked how in the pilot, Mitchell overreacted and obsessed about the fact that a person could call him "dangerous" for no overt reason at all, just a sense. That Mitchell seemed older.

However, this Mitchell is insanely cute, less noodley in appearance, and his goofy exuberance is charming.

The only problem that I'm having with the series is that it needs to lighten up. The pilot was funny! The show needs to be funnier. I want to watch the trio play house and argue about who sits where on the couch as much as I want to watch them angst over their hidden natures.