Review - Being Human (US) Season 1 Episode 11 Going Dutch

When Being Human began, I read in an interview that the producers have only watched the first season of the British version so their creativity wouldn't be tainted. However, some recent developments have me doubting that narrative, with the vampires getting werewolves to fight and Nora getting pregnant. Are those the logical steps for producers of both versions, or have the American producers been perusing more of the British version?

I really like the expansion of the vampire culture and hierarchy, which is something the British version barely explored in the first season. Needless to say, Bishop's coup was masterfully executed and Mark Pellegrino was great as usual. Rebecca gets Aidan to kill her, and now Aidan stands alone against Bishop, though Sally and Josh will certainly be there.

Sally's plot was very cool this week, resolving the lingering Danny problem by having Sally take action and inhabit the exorcist and making the truth be known.

Score: 8.6/10

Review - Being Human Season 1 Episode 6 It Takes Two To Make A Thing Go Wrong

I stopped reviewing Being Human, mostly because it's not that interesting and the cast is kind of boring. That said, in the following weeks, I liked watching the show without having to write a review. What interests me the most is how the writers deviate from the original, and "It Takes Two To Make A Thing Go Wrong" certainly does that, taking some original elements--the video, Sally's fiance's girlfriend, Rebecca--and altering them to lead the show in a new direction. Likewise, the reintroduction of Emily and her attack was a good twist.

While I still don't feel the show's charm or any emotional resonance, I like the plot choices that writers are making, so I'll keep watching and drop in here and there.

For those who have watched the British version: thank God the writers didn't go the same route regarding the video... because that would be painful to watch again.

Score: 7.9/10

Review - Being Human (US) Season 1 Episode 3 Some Thing to Watch Over Me

I think this is the last episode I'll review until the show improves dramatically or I have something more to say. While there were parts of "Some Thing to Watch Over Me" that I liked, the show still isn't doing much for me. Individually, the characters have good moments, Sally in particular this week, but the group dynamic is very flat. I like how the American version actually explains creature physiology so we know the extent of what they can do, versus the British version which didn't explain anything.

Score: 7.5/10

Review - Being Human (US) Season 1 Episode 2 There Goes the Neighborhood, Part 2

I know the writers of Being Human have watched the first series of the British version, so there's probably many twists down the line. However, "There Goes the Neighborhood, Part 2," is plain boring. The cliffhanger at the end of the first part is resolved instantly and the rest of the episode pretty much follows the British pilot (although, if I remember correctly, the fiance did have a girl with him when he went to fix the house).

The biggest problem, which sets Being Human a step or two below below Shameless, is that it does not have the energy or emotion of the original--partially because I know what happens, but also because the acting and chemistry isn't nearly as good.

Score: 7.2/10

Review - Being Human (US) Season 1 Episode 1 There Goes the Neighborhood (Part 1)

Unlike the remake of Shameless, Being Human is not an exact copy. The basic premise--vampire, werewolf, and ghost living together--is the same, but there are plenty of subtle differences that between the Canadian version (Before you go blaming Americans for another remake, check out who produces the show--it's a Canadian company!) and British version, notably the addition of Josh's sister and more detailed mythology (in the pilot at least).

However, there's nothing about Being Human that jumps out at me. The highs and lows of the original, buoyed by crackling dialogue and unbelievable chemistry, are non-existent in "There Goes the Neighborhood," a muted hour of television where we see the characters, watch them interact, and go through the motions.

I'll be sticking around until the end of the season, so hopefully the show can expand far beyond the confines of the original and gain the necessary intensity.

Score: 7.6/10