Television Review: Being Human
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this British drama about a
werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost examines what it really means
to be human. The supernatural roommates support each other as
they try to manage their unique physical conditions and seek
happiness. In the process, the series shows that despite their
dark needs and less-than-human cravings, they can be just like
anyone else -- in need of human contact, friendship, and love.
Don't tune in expecting
Twilight, though: The show is aimed at older viewers and
features swearing, the occasional passionate sex scene/brief
partial nudity, and a fair bit of blood and gore.
A ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf move into a house together. It sounds like the setup for a bad joke, but it’s really the format for an intriguing drama about the undead and the nature of humanity. In BEING HUMAN, the supernatural trio attempts to live normal lives -- despite some very significant complications. Mitchell (Aidan Turner) is the handsome, brooding vampire who tries to control his bloodlust. George (Russell Tovey) is a bit of a geek, whose inner beast is released once a month. And Annie (Lenora Crichlow) has trouble accepting her own death.
The characters aren't fully human, but they give it a good try, and their struggles shed some light on what it really means to be a person. All they want, just like anyone else, is to find love and enjoy life. Their stories are all tragic in different ways. For Annie, the worst part of being a ghost is loneliness; few people can see her, and she finds it especially painful to see her beloved former fiancé. Mitchell must control both his craving for blood and his erotic desires because romantic encounters can trigger his thirst and often end badly for his partners. And gentle George is mortified after every transformation to see the destruction caused by his wild alter ego.
These already challenging lives are further complicated when the three meet others of their kind, especially Mitchell and George. Neither of them wants to fully embrace their dark natures, but they're constantly tempted, and watching their brethren revel in their power is alluring. In such moments of weakness, it’s important that they can lean on each other. The characters in this unusual and entertaining series have a very special friendship, based on the shared knowledge that none will ever be fully human.
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