"game changer" that I've been waiting for because it finally took the show down a different, and surprisingly Amish, path.The UK version has been the gold standard since minute one. Aside from (obviously) coming first and therefore being the progenitor against which the US version is invariably compared, the UK version is superior in nearly every regard regardless of concept execution. The cast is better, the acting is better, the tone is better, you name it. The US version will never outdo the UK version at its own game, sot it behooves the show to change the game as quickly as possible. I can see where the writers of the US version would want to adhere to conventions and storylines established by the original. The Brits do a hell of a job most of time and it makes sense that writers would want to keep the goodness for the new iteration. I'm guessing there's also a sense among them that it might upset true-blue fans of the original to revamp the series too much. I suspect that rationale comes from too many books being too heavily revised or bowdlerized for the film adaptation. Fans of the book are immediately outraged when the film changes something. It makes sense that this would carry over to a US adaptation of a UK classic, but in my experience, that's not the case at all.
Indeed, and quite to the contrary, when it comes to another country adopting a foreign program, I think changing things up as much as possible as quickly as possible is the best plan of action. You're not going to be better than the original (generally speaking), so don't try. My advice to anyone undertaking such a task would be to take the bare bones, the basic concept, and then make it your own. By keeping the new show in line with the original, all you're doing is giving viewers a side-by-side comparison with which to criticize the new version. Aside from having to watch the inferior attempt in progress, it also makes the show decidedly boring to watch. That's been my main problem with the US Being Human thus far. Been there, seen that. Only better. Based on the pilot alone, I was hopeful that this show would be quite different than its cousin, but the past several episodes have featured nothing but storylines that I've already seen before. Last night, however, they took things in a very new direction. For the first time in a long time, I was genuinely surprised by the goings-on and I actually don't know where things are going from here. In should come as no surprise then that last night's offering was their best yet.
As anyone who reads my posts about The Vampire Diaries can attest, I'm a sucker for a good flashback episode. Last night's Being Human featured some much appreciated backstory for Aidan and Bishop, taking us back to the mid 1950s for some insight. It was very
nice to finally get some foundation for their relationship, but I'm left still wanting more. I'm sure they'll dole out the details over time, but I left the most recent episode with my interests piqued and eager for more. All in due time, I suppose. The flashbacks were lovely to have, but they turned some of my theories and assumptions on their ear...Based on their interactions thus far, I had developed a notion that Bishop was gay and that his attachment to Aidan was more than simply maker and, uh... makee? Anyway, I thought that would add a nice twist that, although the argument could be made that Mitchell and Herrick may have a similar something-or-other under the surface, has never really been explored all that much. The thought of Bishop being infatuated with Aidan was intriguing. Well, our first foray into flashbacks threw a rather heterosexual wrench into that plan. Apparently Bishop had a human girlfriend that he absolutely adored, but whom he killed in order to gain power. This adds some much needed depth and history to his character and it certainly informs on his current ambitions, but it takes his past and present in a different direction than I was expecting (and hoping for). Don't get me wrong, just because he had a romance with a woman back in the day doesn't mean that he can't be enamored of Aidan now, but I'm slightly afraid that this might be backpedaling on the part of the writers or the network. Or maybe I was simply reading way too much into their interactions in the past. Who knows. Whatever the motivations and whatever the path, the show it setting itself on a course that's rather different than it's cousin across the pond and as a result, I'm finding myself far more invested now than before.
The other angle that has me intrigued is the arrival of the elders (or whatever they're called in this particular vampire show). The originals, the ancients, the magister, the old ones, whatever, every vampire lore seems to have them, but with Being Human, they're basically Amish? Interesting. I can work with that. Okay, so it seems that they're just tied to older ways, so the Amish is a people that speaks to them, but still, it's kind of a nice angle to take. I'm much more concerned with their plans for Bishop and Aidan though. Apparently they rise, cause some chaos, then rest for another 50 years, so odds are they won't be around for the long haul, but I'm sure they can set some things in motion that will have dire consequences. Geez, just seeing Aidan
returning to the fold to save Josh is plenty impetus for crazy things to come.Speaking of which, I think Josh is the strongest element of the show. Aidan is what really ties everyone together, but Josh, much like his English cousin George, is the heart of the show. The actor who plays Josh does a lovely job keeping things subtle when he needs to. Last night was a prime example. His indignation and humiliation at being subjected to the vampires' tests and games and dog fights was incredibly powerful to watch and his internal conflict regarding Aidan was apparent without being overbearing. Aidan and Josh have a wonderful vibe together, but Sally is still driving me nuts. Her British counterpart Annie is bubbly and delightful and it's easy to believe that the vampire and werewolf in her life would adore her. Sally, on the other hand, seems to drive her castmates crazy right along with the audience. I think the casting department was trying way too hard to get someone who looked the part rather than someone who could truly play the part. Smooth move on that one, guys. Her acting is terrible most of the time, her voice is grating, and her tone is that of an insufferable nag 90% of the time. They have done nothing to indicate why Josh or Aidan would want to have anything to do with her at all. Indeed, at times, I get the impression the writers want us to hate her. I haven't the faintest idea why they would want that, but there doesn't seem to be any other plausible explanation for the way she's written... I think the bulk of it is the actress attached. When I think of her dialogue in and of itself, it's honestly okay for the most part. It seems that when those words
come out of her mouth though, there's no saving them. Sigh.Anyway, wherever we're headed, and in spite of Sally being along for the ride, I'm more interested in and excited for this show than I have been for the past few episodes. I'm hoping they really take things in a new direction. It'll never live up to the original show, but if it can make the show its own, it won't have to live up to anything. It'll be its own entity that can be judged on its own merits, which will be a welcomed change of pace. It's kind of like with The Office. The pilots were almost identical, and the basic character traits are essentially in tact, but the US version quickly went in a very different direction, which, I think, is the key to its success. I don't even think of them as the same show. (Not that I watch the US version anymore, but for a few seasons there, it was wonderful.) Here's hoping the same goes for Being Human. You know, except for the getting-utterly-craptastic-after-a-few-years part...
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