Being Human

[such_heights]

Dear internet: yesterday I tripped and fell, and suddenly I was watching the whole of Being Human's first series! I don't even know how it happened!

Naturally, I must make a post about it.

Okay, so there were some things that bothered me, primarily the sheer amount of instances of/references to sexual or domestic violence against women - I mean, I sort of resign myself to it with vampires, but Tully threatening Annie in 1x02 was incredibly uncomfortable to watch, as was the whole Owen arc. Obviously it's meant to be uncomfortable, but, eesh. Not good.

Aside from that, I really enjoyed it. To be honest, my thoughts can be summed up as ♥ ANNIE ♥ ♥ GEORGE ♥ ♥ MITCHELL ♥ ♥ NINA ♥ ♥ OT4 ♥

:D

I loved the stuff to do with death and the afterlife - the doors were amazing! I loved the snarky vicar in the finale and George talking about his faith. And yay for non-Christian religious tokens being effective against vampires! I love that Annie and Nina are hanging out now, I love the idea that Annie's getting new powers, all if that is very awesome.

I have four questions, actually. One, should I watch the original pilot? Two, are there theories on what Annie said to Owen? Three, did it actually get explained why George's Star of David doesn't bother Mitchell? Four, anyone have any fic/vid recs?

Comments

[cookiedough.livejournal.com]

yesterday I tripped and fell, and suddenly I was watching the whole of Being Human's first series! I don't even know how it happened!

TOTALLY THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST WEEK.

[such_heights]

I think we have an epidemic on our hands! *g*

[fickle_obsessed]

1) It depends on how much you like series!Annie and Mitchell. Also the tone's very different in the pilot, but it is quite good. The orginally Annie was a bit to kooky for my liking though.

2) Yes- about what's on the other side of door (this is explored more in the pilot than the series)

3) Yes - because George and Mitchell are so close it doesn't affect him.

4) I'm afraid I don't actually.

[cookiedough.livejournal.com]

original annie was that total bitch intern from Party Animals. Hate hate.

[fickle_obsessed]

I've not seen that. I quite like the actress, but a whole series of that Annie would have done my head in.

[cookiedough.livejournal.com]

ah. it has Matt Smith in it, if you're a Who fan, it's quite an interesting 8-part series about some young people in politics. Pretty good but I HATED her in it. The character, mainly, not the actress, so idk.

[such_heights]

Aha, thank you on all counts! I am fond of the series versions, but if there is canon stuff to be gleaned I shall go hunting anyway. Also, I have NOTHING BUT AWW re. 3, that's wonderful. :D

[cookiedough.livejournal.com]

I think George's necklace doesn't bother Mitchell because it's something belonging to someone Mitchell loves.

[such_heights]

I may be making totally undignified dolphin noises at that, omg. ♥!

[lefaym]

The whole women-as-victims thing really bothered me in S1 too, but I really hope it's going to be better in S2 now that the show is passing the Bechdel Test! (Totally shipping Annie/Nina now, btw.)

Also, in 1x06, Herrick explained that the Star of David doesn't bother Mitchell because of his affection for George.

[such_heights]

(Totally! :D)

Also, clearly I completely failed to pay attention to that bit, but in my defence it was my sixth hour of the day, so. Also, I repeat again for the record, AWW.

[copracat]

One, should I watch the original pilot?

Yes. It's interesting to see the set up because it's not the same script as S01E01. And I quite liked Pilot Mitchell and Pilot Annie. I was surprised at how very much I like Series Mitchell and Series Annie considering that. I liked them almost immediately.

What someone said about different tone is true. Also, I don't believe it will mess anything up for you. It's just interesting.

[such_heights]

Brilliant, I will get on that!

[glinda]

*uses almost matching icon*

Annie/George/Mitchell is just the OT3 to die for.

And oh, oh Annie and Nina talking about her maybe being a werewolf, I think we might actually have managed an episode that passed the bechdel test there.

I think it might actually be possible to read the whole series as metaphor for domestic abuse and the whole thing with cycles of violence, are these things doomed to repeat themselves. (Herrick clearly thinks the circle can't be broken, hence his whole thing about them killing/making into monsters the ones they love) Thus making Mitchell's arc through season one all about him having started off as Herrick's victim, trying to break free of that abusive hold, from that creed that a serial murdering monster is what he is and all he is, trying and with Lauren failing to break that circle. Taking responsibility for what he's done to her and trying to break that cycle. If he can stay 'clean' then he's broken the cycle. Actually thinking about that, the three of them all have the same basic path, trying to break the cycle of abuse/violence that 'created' them. (Annie's the only one who really breaks the circle, because she takes back from Owen the power he'd taken from her. (Her being visible to everyone is a signifier that she is no longer a victim, defined by her murderer's view of her.) He fears her now, not because of what she can do but what she knows. Knowledge is her power and in return she gets rewarded with all sorts of awesome powers. She could just have moved on and had her peace, but she chooses to stay and help her friends fight their demons.)

Huh, apparently I have lots of thoughts of Being Human and domestic abuse. I'm going to shush now and stop writing meta in your comments! :S

[such_heights]

Huh, that's very interesting as a way of looking at things! And omg, I love the idea that Annie's visibility is a symbol of her own agency, because yes. <3

[stellastars]

*g* I'm so glad to see more people taking an interest in this show!

1) It's been a while since I watched S1, so my memory is a bit fuzzy... As far as I can recall, I think the key elements of the original pilot were pretty well distilled and used in the series pilot. However, I think the original pilot did more to explain how George and Mitchell came to acquire their home. So... those were the main differences I noticed. (Well, and the change in casting, obviously!) Overall, I felt the two pilots enhanced each other, but the original isn't strictly necessary.

4) I enjoyed this fic (it's sort-of like 15 little AU additions to the S1 finale) and this fic (George/Mitchell, 10 scenes). I haven't had a chance to check out the Yuletide entries yet, but there would likely be some worthwhile reads there, too!

Also, OT4 = ♥!

[such_heights]

Considering how hooked I am, I am going to have to check it out!

And whee, thank you very much for the links. :D

[shaggydogstail]

The whole thing about Owen having killed Annie was very uncomfortable and horrid, but I loved the resolution of it. I'd been expecting to see Owen dispatched with a spot of white knighting from Mitchell - which I'd probably've liked for the hotness factor, but Annie taking the lead with the boys standing quietly to back her up was so much more awesome. I was SO proud of her! ♥

[such_heights]

Yes, absolutely, that scene was ALL THINGS FABULOUS. *_*

[glass_icarus]

LA LA LA LA LA OMG I CANNOT DEAL WITH ANOTHER TV SHOW FANDOM /o\

[such_heights]

S1 is only six episodes! :DDD

[kel_reiley]

i haven't seen any fic or vids, but i HIGHLY recommend watching the original pilot - i LOVE it so so much and i've watched it several times (i love the series, as well, and i don't compare the new actors to the original actors, but i think the pilot provides something that you don't get just from the series)

[such_heights]

Awesome! I will do that! :D

[avendya]

So, I thought the first four episodes were unbelievably soap operatic, and trashy-TV-I-watch-when-ill, and the last two episodes completely made me into a fan. And I might have downloaded 2x01 to watch when I have time. (Also Gilbert fun! OMG, Gilbert fun!)

You should possibly watch the original pilot. I was so in love with the original pilot I couldn't get past the recast the first time I tried to watch the series. It is probably worth it for the bit where they discuss what Hogwarts house they would be in, though.

[avendya]

Also: you should read this.

[such_heights]

GILBERT. He was wonderful! Also, hahaha, I know boys like that, so I found him utterly charming.

Yeah, that's why I didn't watch the pilot to start with, but I'm thinking it's safe to go back now that I'm sufficiently attached to the series cast. And thanks for the link!

[lorannah]

:D :D :D

I'd say definitely watch the pilot - it's definitely different - but it's geekier, lighter and more humourous - and though I love the dark show we have now, I still sometimes mourn that show we lost.

Also - a big word on the woman victimisation aspects of series 1 - as a side point, when we went to that pizza place on the south bank during the h_e trip last year, the guy who played Owen was there - very much prompting attack/flee reactions from my subconscious. Whups.

Alas I have no real recs. Though I've been trying to download this guys videos for a few days because I thought they sounded interesting, with no luck as my internet hates me - http://jesuit24.livejournal.com/tag///+videos+//

[such_heights]

Oh, I remember you saying you'd seen someone! Now it all makes sense. And yay, thank you for the link!

[rydra_wong]

*wanders by across the intrawebs, hoping that's okay*

troyswann has written some gorgeous Being Human fics:

http://troyswann.livejournal.com/tag/being+human

[such_heights]

Quite the opposite, thanks very much!