'BEING HUMAN' (USA) 1.10-1.13 catch-up

1.10 - "Dog Eat Dog" (**½ out of four)
1.11 - "Going Dutch" (*** out of four)
1.12 - "You're The One I Haunt" (** out of four)
1.13 - "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Me Killing You" (**½ out of four)

I was surprised my previous batch-review of Being Human's Stateside remake didn't elicit much comment, considering how some people expressed their disappointed I stopped weekly reviews after four episodes. Consequently, I was in two-minds about posting a follow-up to cover the last four episodes of Being Human's first season. But, if only for the sake of completism, why the hell not...

I won't bore you by repeating the points I always make about Being Human USA (hereafter BH:USA). I still believe it's inferior from a performance standpoint, yes -- but the increased budget makes for a more visually-entertaining show. It doesn't feel as raw and vérité as the UK version, no -- but it's easier to watch and perhaps more immediate fun. It also became clear that the remake's writers have a firmer grasp on the vampire/ghost lore of BH:USA. It helps that they can afford to make their vampires preternaturally powerful, their ghosts more incorporeal, but its vampire subculture was more central and engaging, if ultimately just trotting out clichés.

Still, when BH:USA was spending time with the vampiric "Dutch Elders" revived by Bishop (Mark Pellegrino) after decades of hibernation, the show achieved its apex. This was a unique storyline the remake could actually call its own, which felt like an oasis for viewers, like myself, who've spent the majority of this season comparing things to the original. The sequence where Bishop cleverly poisoned and paralyzed the Elders around a banquet table (containing a shackled woman as their meal), before proceeding to chop off their heads while delivering a speech, was wonderful stuff.

But the game of comparing Being Human's is still impossible to resist. I found it interesting that terminally ill Celine -- the aged woman who was once a lover of Aiden's (Sam Witwer) in the '70s -- was noticeably less decrepit in this version of the story. Was there a concern American viewers would be too disturbed by the idea of a 25-year-old man kissing a granny? (Is that any weirder than seeing Hugh Heffner kiss a playmate? Discuss.) Celine was instead a "cougar" the acceptable side of 50. That kind of rethinking is indicative of why BH:USA isn't as satisfying as the original, really -- it smoothes too many rough edges, then marinades the diluted drama in twangy pop-songs.

I also found it intriguing that the US version chose to tackle two prominent storylines from the BBC's third series: the vampire pastime of forcing werewolves to fight for their lives in cages, and nurse Nora (Kristen Hager) falling pregnant with Josh's (Sam Huntington) child. This was either a simple and explicable coincidence, or Being Human's creator Toby Whithouse got wind of the remake's intentions and chose to incorporate some of their ideas into his show. Payback time? I don't actually blame him if that's true, knowing how much BH:USA owes him, but we'll probably never know for sure.

Naturally, some of BH:USA's changes were clear and definite improvements -- which tends to happen when you have an existing body of work to dissect and study for weaknesses. I preferred seeing Aiden vanquish Bishop in an intense warehouse punch-up, assisted by Sally (Meaghan Rath), which neatly misdirected us away from the UK version's ending of Bishop getting slain by Josh-wolf in the hospital basement. It was the more obvious creative choice, sure, but it carried more weight having Aiden deal with his maker -- as we had a deeper sense of the history between them than their British equivalents.

Overall, BH:USA was a unexpectedly good remake that kept me entertained, despite knowing where most of the story would go. It's just a shame it lacks the sharp lo-fi realism of the UK version (this is very much a "show" not a "drama"), especially when it comes to the characters. In fact, the biggest problem BH:USA has is that the core trio rarely felt like close friends who support each other through thick and thin. There are moments when they sit around the kitchen table discussing their day, or are forced to deal with each other's crap (like Aiden and Josh stopping Sally's crazy ex-fiancé burning down their house), but I just don't get a feeling the characters are a true "family". In the BBC version, the chemistry was palpable between everyone from the get-go (particularly best-friends George and Mitchell), but that's not so clear in the syrupy Syfy version.

The remake's writing and performances simply don't connect in the same way. Witwer's a man trapped inside a marble effigy of himself, Huntington's twitchy amiability grew tiring after awhile, and Rath is less irritating than her bouncy British counterpart, but she's also twice as bland. Still, BH:USA has delivered a baker's dozen of fun that, removed from comparisons, delivered some entertainment. Hopefully its sophomore season will learn from its mistakes, the cast will interact more purposefully, and the story will plough ahead with its own originality. That approach worked wonders for NBC's The Office, after all...

written by Jeremy Carver & Anna Fricke (1.10 & 1.13), Chris Dingess (1.11) & Nancy Won (1.12) / directed by Paolo Barzman (1.10), Erik Canuel (1.11 & 1.12) & Adam Kane (1.13) / 21 March, 28 March, 4 April & 11 April 2011 / Syfy

'BEING HUMAN' (USA) 1.5-1.9 catch-up

1.5 - "The End Of The World As We Knew It" (*½ out of four)
1.6 - "It Takes Two To Make A Thing Go Wrong" (** out of four)
1.7 - "I See Your True Colors... And That's Why I Hate You" (**½ out of four)
1.8 - "Children Shouldn't Play With Undead Things" (*½ out of four)
1.9 - "I Want You Back (From The Dead)" (**½ out of four)

I stopped reviewing Syfy's Being Human after a month because the performances didn't really grab me, it was clashing with the BBC version (I only have mental space for one vampire/werewolf/ghost triumvirate), and the storylines were contentedly following in the original's footsteps. It was therefore hard to feel invested in a plot I knew the broad outcome of. It was becoming a weekly game of spot-the-difference, which was fun... but it got boring very quickly. But I've still been watching the show every week, and promised I'd chime in with more thoughts in the near-future. Now that Being Human has wrapped its third series in the UK, that time has come. So how has BH:USA progressed since I stopped reviewing it after episode 4?

Well, my general opinion hasn't altered that much from where I left off. It's funny seeing the show continue to "sex up" the characters (no offence to Sinead Keenan as Nina, but her counterpart Kristen Hager is more "conventionally attractive" as Nora), although the show still isn't as sharp and edgy as I'd like. There are moments when it comes close (like the scene where Josh's primal urges took over and he had doggy-style sex with Nora at work), but other times it backs away from genuinely surprising twists (such as the moment when Josh started to transform in front of Nora, which was revealed to be a lazy dream sequence.) It's mostly a cuter version of BH:UK with half an eye on the emo crowd (how many times was the Donnie Darko arrangement of "Mad World" played during episode 9?) Whenever it dares stray from the UK's core storylines, it's on instantly shakier ground -- like that dumb scene with Sally (Meaghan Rath) and a gathering of weird ghosts writing on hospital walls in luminous green, what, ectoplasm?

In a weird coincidence, both Being Human's had a "meet the parents" episode for Josh/George in the same week; and while Syfy's episode was a predictable farce, with Josh having to keep his lycanthropy a secret from his parents as a bad vampire prowled around outside trying to get in, the BBC's episode was a more imaginative story about a "dead" milquetoast father reacquainting with his secretive son. There's just more heart, creativity, and risks on the British show, which trumps the enviably higher production values of Syfy's remake. No spoilers here, but the events of BH:UK's series 3 finale alone would be almost unthinkable to reproduce in this Americanization.

And despite claims the Syfy version diverged from the UK version around mid-season, that's not wholly accurate. There are some differences and a few new subplots, but nothing substantial that's taken the show into uncharted territory. I think people have just forgotten the arcs of Being Human's first year. Annie's story with her killer ex, haunted love rival, and materializing engagement ring are identical. Aidan (Sam Witwer) even received a "vampire sex tape" that was accidentally seen by a little boy called Bernie in the neighbourhood, whom he took a shine to. A silly subplot stolen from the original I thought the remake would wisely avoid. No sign of Aidan being persecuted as a pedophile in the US version, predictably, and the sex tape itself was robbed of all creepiness because vamps in Syfy's remake have reflections. So it wasn't an eerie vampire snuff movie of a man being killed by what appears to be an "invisible woman", it was just a soft porn clip where a vampire lady smacks her bloodied lips at the camera lens. It's hard to understand why Aidan found it so titillating, really. Yes, I understand that Syfy are pitching the show to wider, slightly younger audience, so they can't be quite as gritty as the original. That's fine. But as someone who watches the original, you can't help comparing the two shows.

To its credit, the US version attempted to do something moderately interesting (with a Let The Right One In vibe), by having Bernie die in a car accident and return as a vampire (against Aidan's wishes), but that story was concluded within the hour! The idea of Aidan having to deal with a "son", whose very existence causes him greater pain than his untimely death, could have fuelled a run of episodes, so why drop it so soon?

The remake's still an entertaining show, if smothered by sappy guitar-based pop songs, pretentious voiceovers, and a tonality that's nowhere near as witty, creative and unpredictable as its British parent. It also seems to like keeping the core trio apart, each stuck in their own individual stories, with less emphasis on the idea these are three people who love and support each other.

As I keep saying, I'm sure Being Human's more of a treat for fans of the genre going in fresh, but I can't erase my memories of the original, and the show refuses to let me stop comparing the two because it's so slavish to the show I know and love.

Asides

• If you haven't already heard, Syfy have recommissioned Being Human for a second season, as it's averaged 1.8m viewers over its run so far. That makes it their highest-rated winter series launch for six years.
• Admittedly, Syfy's CGI werewolf is an enviable improvement on the BBC's "hairy-brown-carpet-suit" (see photo above.) That said, the remake's actual transformation scenes are still far less upsetting, intense and horrific.
• Kristen Hager appeared in the monumentally atrocious Alien Vs Predator: Requiem. She can cram that skeleton into her closet all she likes, but it's not going anywhere.
• I wonder if Aidan playing football soccer with Bernie was a nod to the show's British roots, or do American kids play soccer more than "catch" with baseballs these days? I also noticed a ghost wearing a Union Jack T-shirt at the hospital.

'BEING HUMAN' (USA) 1.4 - "Wouldn't It Be Nice (If We Were Human)"

This isn't actually a review, just a quick note to say I'm dropping Being Human USA from my weekly review cycle. I don't hate this remake, but it's a pale imitation of the BBC version and, frankly, the fact it's recycling so many storylines and ideas means I can't summon the will to write about it. You know my general thoughts about the tone, style and performances by now. It's a show that knows all the notes, but doesn't quite hear the music. But if you haven't seen the UK original, I'm sure you're enjoying it just fine. Hopefully you'll be encouraged to watch the pedigree version; which is more pragmatic, scarier and funnier.

'BEING HUMAN' (USA) 1.3 - "Some Thing To Watch Over Me"

I'm still uninspired to write about Syfy's Being Human remake in great depth, but that's not a reflection on its quality. It's not a bad show, really -- it's just a toothless version of an even better show. Also, because the characters and most of their storylines exist elsewhere in another form, which I watched 3 years ago, it's hard to feel engrossed. That said, "Some Thing To Watch Over Me" was a perfectly enjoyable episode that borrowed elements from its progenitor, but also moved forward with some new ideas of its own. To be positive, here's what I actually prefer about the US remake:

Inevitably for a North American series, there's a more engaging grasp of its supernatural elements. Ghost Annie (Meaghan Rath) disappears leaving wisps of energy hanging in the air, the vampires are more powerful (they hypnotize people, can erase memories, and have super-speed and strength), and werewolf Josh (Sam Huntington) exhibits more canine traits in his human guise. I know the UK's George retains a keen sense of smell, but for the most part he's a regular guy until a Full Moon, whereas Josh is more obviously struggling with his "inner animal" whenever he gets angry and turns violent. Interestingly, the remake's decided it likes the low-fi take on the afterlife from the UK series, as this episode debuted "The Door" to the other side, which retains its humdrum nature. No ostentatious "tunnel of light" CGI, which wouldn't have been expected, just a spooky door.

I prefer the American take on the lore. It's always annoyed me that the BBC series keeps all of that so low-key, likely because of budget concerns. Ghost Annie tends to materialize off-camera (is it THAT expensive to do vanishing effects?), vampire Mitchell has fangs but I don't recall him having super-powers, per se, and I've already mentioned George. In fact, it's sometimes hard to remember why the British characters find it so difficult to "be human" -- Annie may be invisible to normal people, but she can touch things in the UK series; swap blood with heroine and Mitchell's no different to a common drug addict; and George is 100% human nearly all month.

So yes, the US version's doing a better job making us view the trio as more obviously non-human people. The problem with the US version is that the trio don't feel real to me, unlike the UK characters. Here they're three actors playing roles, and you can sense it -- especially in the case of Sam Witwer, who's doing the am-dram version of "brooding vampire".

Also, Mark Pellegrino is good as Bishop. Despite his odd hairstyle, the actor's pursed smile and numinous vibe is more appealing to me than Jason Watkins' original character Herrick. There was more humour to Herrick, who made for a slightly absurd leader of vampires (being a short, red-haired, middle-aged cop), but I believe more in Bishop. He's a genuine threat, physically, and I can live without the comedy Watkins brought to the role -- which always felt misplaced to me, in the context of what Herrick should be representing for Mitchell. I mean, I can believe that Witwer and Pellegrino were depraved vampire friends for decades. Did I ever believe Aidan Turner hung around with Jason Watkins in the Swinging Sixties? No.

Overall, I think I'm saying that Being Human USA is a decent remake for Syfy audiences (with some superficial improvements I approve of), but the original's raw attitude didn't survive the trans-Atlantic trip, together with the verisimilitude the British actors brought to the table.

written by Jeremy Carver & Anna Fricke / directed by Jerry Ciccoritti (SYFY, Mondays @9/8c)

'BEING HUMAN' (USA) 1.2 – "There Goes The Neighborhood: Part 2"

I'm in a quandary with this series. As a remake it hasn't offended my love for the UK original, which started its own third series last weekend, and that's great. It's just a hard show to review at this unripe stage, because it's largely following the BBC version's storylines. Frankly, I can't really get excited about anything happening because I know where it's all going, or can hazard a very educated guess. Maybe when Being Human USA is standing on its own two feet, it'll be more entertaining to review every week, similarly to how NBC's The Office was a tedious affair for awhile because it was content to walk in the BBC's footsteps.

So for now, I'll just say this: "There Goes The Neighborhood: Part 2" was of equal quality to "Part 1", but I was surprised they explained the backstory to how Aidan (Sam Witwer) and Josh (Sam Huntington) lost their humanity in the brief prologue, considering the potential for a whole episode explaining their origins, and the fact the BBC made the wiser decision to wait before delving into all that background. It sometimes feels like the US version's too eager to get to the next opportunity for a special effect, rather than make us get under the skin of the three characters. Witwer's not terrible, but he's a little bland and wooden; Huntington's a likeable presence, but there isn't much of the thwarted passion Russell Tovey brings to the character; and Meaghan Rath is sweet and competent, although her character's more depressing than her bubblier UK counterpart. There are no major problems with Being Human USA so far, just a feeling that the show's a soft sitcom version of the original's grittier drama.

It's impossible to watch this show with a totally clear head if you've seen the UK version, really. I can't help comparing the performances to the British cast and noticing how the tone of the remake's softer and less realistic in some ways. Or as real as a show about a vampire, werewolf and ghost housemates can be. Being Human USA feels like a television show about a supernatural trio, whereas Being Human feels like a drama about three people afflicted with inhuman conditions. For me, this remake has good fidelity to the original's premise, storylines and characters, but not to its "kitchen sink" realism in terms of tone and performances.

Overall, I'm not sure I'll be writing full reviews of Being Human USA from hereon in, at least not until the majority of its storylines have clearly diverged from the BBC version (as Josh's appears to be, slowly.) That may take awhile, but I'll perhaps chip in with brief thoughts every week, until the show starts to feel less like "a copycat American twin" and more like "a sharp, witty British cousin who emigrated to the United States and developed an accent".

WRITERS: Jeremy Carver & Anna Fricke
DIRECTOR: Adam Kane
TRANSMISSION: 24 January 2011, Syfy, 9/8c

Poll: What did you think of 'Being Human' USA?

Syfy's remake of the BBC's Being Human debuted last Monday, to decent ratings but mixed reviews. Personally, I thought it was a decent pilot and I'm interested to see where it goes once more original elements come into play. But what did you think of it? Is it a worthwhile or pointless remake? Does it only suffer in comparison to the UK version, or did it improve on the BBC series in some ways? Vote in my poll, and leave your thoughts below if you'd like:




This poll will close on Monday 24 January @5pm (GMT). The results will be revealed shortly after.