Review: Being Human S4 Ep 2-4

                        Michaela can't believe her luck when she's thrown into the supernatural world

Seeing as I posted a review of the opening episode of this, the fourth series of supernatural comedy-drama Being Human I thought I should produce another, a sequel, of sorts – oh yeah, it’s all Hollywood glitz and glamour here. I was hoping to get the king of modern movie franchises, Robert Downing Jr, to read it out but he was just a little out of my price range – summarising my opinion of how the series has progressed up to now, half-way through its run.

So, in summary, I’m pleased to say it’s been unfailingly excellent. The new cast-line up has proved a huge success in my eyes. Both Michael Socha’s werewolf Tom and Damien Molony’s vampire Hal are perfect in their roles, banishing thoughts of them as mere replacements for George and Mitchell. Their characterisation is also one of the series’ strongpoints. Tom is an innocent, often naïve with a hefty temper but is always endearing thanks to Socha while Molony oozes cool as Hal, a well-spoken, anti-social eccentric who has to stick to his strict routine as a way of combatting his bloodlust. Of course,  it almost goes without saying that Lenora Crichlow is once again wonderful as Annie, incredibly comfortable in her character by now and also relishing her new role of mother of ‘her boys.’ There’s still not the sense of family and great friendship that made the previous supernatural trio work so well but its early days and is an issue which is itself being addressed in the episodes.

Speaking of episodes, the three that succeeded the promising opener, ‘Eve of the War’ have delivered, being  consistently funny and stirring. The touch is definitely lighter this year which comes as a nice relief after the heady Series Three. Episode two, ‘Being Human 1955’ served its function of bringing Hal to Honolulu Heights (the gang’s humble but garish abode) along with producing some great lines (‘look, are we done flirting cos I’ve made plans to self-harm?’ ) and memorable moments (the tense scene between the antiques shop owner and Hal).

‘The Graveyard Shift’ strengthened the relationship between Tom and Hal as they are forced to work together in a café, a situation that gets worse when vampires attack. This is the episode when the two of them really come into their own; a nice touch for long-term fans being their switching over of ‘The Real Hustle’, an old favourite of George and Mitchell’s, to watch ‘the Antique’s Roadshow.’ It was also nice to see more of Mark William’s geeky Regus and the introduction of self-proclaimed ‘Dark Poet’ Michaela.

The fourth episode immediately receives the award for Best Title Pun with ‘A Spectre Calls’ (a reference to classic film ‘An Inspector Calls’) and is perhaps my favourite so far. James Lance is deliciously duplicitous as 70s spectre Kirby, who claims to have been sent by Nina from ‘the Other Side’ to hep Annie look after baby Eve but seems to have more fun creating cracks in our heroes’ happy home. As someone who loves villains who love being nasty, Kirby is great, played with the right amount of humour and menace. Also, we are given more hints as to the identity of the ominous ‘Man with the Burn on His Arm’ who, it is said, will kill Eve. Bring on the next four episodes!

And if this wasn’t enough, I’m pleased to inform you that I’m planning a thrilling third post to conclude this riveting trilogy of reviews after the final episode of this series has aired.

Until then I will leave you with some fun lines in GIF form. Laters.