Jasmine Sahu is well suited with this new American drama exclusive to Dave.
Lois Cameron explains why this series is much more than your average cosy period drama.
The last episode of this series sees Sherlock and Moriarty attempt to solve the final problem with devastating consequences.
With major cast changes afoot, Jacob Martin ponders whether Being Human can live up to its own scarily high standard.
“You surround yourself with good people. That’s what you do. You find someone better than you. Because then when you fail, you have to deal with their disappointment. And that’s what keeps you true.”
Following Annie’s return from Purgatory last week, our supernatural foursome are attempting to get settled into life in Barry. A spanner is thrown in the works, however, when Nina discovers a vampire feeding on one of her patients, while Mitchell’s actions at Box Tunnel, and Lia’s prediction about his death, continue to haunt him.
This was an odd episode of Being Human. That’s not necessarily a criticism; it’s an inherently odd show, since at its heart lies a strange juxtaposition between the normal and the paranormal that makes it so compelling to watch. But ‘Adam’s Family’ was weird even by those standards: the new element of the vampire world that we were introduced to had to be one of the most unsettling things that this programme has ever done and, while it made for intentionally uncomfortable viewing, it was also riveting.
One thing that worked brilliantly was the character of Adam himself. Writer Brian Dooley clearly had a whale of a time creating the creepier side of the teenage vampire; his hormonal sexuality and out-of-date references were great fun to watch. But the more tragic side of the character, the fact that he’s older than he looks but also emotionally very much a teenager, was well portrayed, and a good reminder of the inherent loneliness that plagues all vampires. Craig Roberts played both elements of the character with ease, and struck up a good rapport with the regular actors. If you want to see more of his adventures, check out web spin-off Becoming Human.
The seedier side of the vampire world, as typified by Robert and Emma (Mark Lewis Jones and Melanie Walters) was an interesting counterpoint to the tortured souls that vampires generally are on this programme; Emma putting down newspaper before George and Nina sat down was a brilliant touch. The whole “middle class sex parties – with vampires” element of the story was excruciating to watch – it was clearly meant to be, but it didn’t make for easy viewing. Walters in particular played her role with relish, putting any memories of Gwen from Gavin & Stacey firmly out of my mind. I’m glad Being Human went into this world, but I’ll also be glad if they never do it again.
Sinead Keenan and Russell Tovey were given some wonderful moments, both serious and comic, as Nina and George tried to take care of Adam; I still can’t get over just how much chemistry they have. I’m less convinced by the whole Mitchell and Annie romance. Aidan Turner and Lenora Crichlow bounce wonderfully off each other, but I just don’t know that I believe them as love interests: she’s too sweet for him, and he’s got too much darkness for her. So far, it just feels shoe-horned in; maybe that will change as the storyline develops, but I’m worried that we’ll lose the fun in their relationship if they get together. And the “news reporter talks about the prophesy” scene was just terrible.
Though not a classic, ‘Adam’s Family’ was as fun to watch as it was creepy, which isn’t something I’d have said about a lot of episodes in the second series.
See the third episode of Being Human ‘Type 4’ next Sunday at 9pm on BBC3.
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