The roommates of Being Human continued their monstrously rough existence in "All Out of Blood," the third episode of Season 2. It ended on a down note as Sally pondered her existence, Aidan relapsed, and Josh and Nora locked themselves in cages to prevent killing sprees. These three live hard lives, guys. Remember that next time your "Words With Friends" game is interrupted by a dead zone.
It was Sally's turn to have the best storyline of an episode, so let's start with her. Having spent more time walking the halls of the hospital now that she can ghost around anywhere she pleases, she came upon a surly nurse named Zoe in the baby ward who had no problem seeing or talking to her. Zoe was running a reincarnation clinic for ghosts seeking a second chance at life, and specters were lining up for a chance to hop into the fresh new skin of a baby. How Sally, Josh, and Aidan had never seen this before, we'll never know. Scared of the black smoke that's been stalking her and tired of not feeling human anymore (Sally's got it way worse than either Aidan or Josh), she decided reincarnation was for her.
There are several different theories about reincarnation, and Being Human added its own unique take. It's fun to see how this show is able to spin traditional beliefs in its own way, and I really came around to Being Human's take on rebirth idea of Zoe as the world's weirdest social services worker. And in the end, Sally's decision to not put a baby's life in danger was the right thing to do, even if it means more moping around the halls as disembodied gas. She needs a hobby or a ghost boyfriend soon, or she's going to regress and jump into bodies just to feel something again.
Josh's and Aidan's worlds didn't just collide, they bumped and grinded and broke headboards. In the episode's "Oh damn!" moment, we learned that Aidan's new hump pillow, Julia, is Josh's former fiancée, Julia. I don't care if you're a ghost, a werewolf, or a cyborg sex machine: When you hear the thump-thump-thump of your friend's sex through the walls and discover the next day that the thumpee is your ex, it's awwwwwkward. But Aidan did the right thing in kicking Julia to the curb. Bros before three-week stands, dude! Unfortunately, there's no room for a clean break, with all three points of this love triangle working the same hallways at the hospital.
But Aidan has more pressing things on his mind. Like eating. The hospital blood supply got closed off to employees, meaning Aidan needed to put on a fake mustache and start his own blood drive truck, or crack open someone's veins and go back on his "no live feeding" stance. Desperate, he chose the latter and met up with one of his old feeding ladies. Watching him drink from her arm was pretty depressing. It was like watching a vegan eat butter. Sad! Now the question is, will Aidan remain the lovable, pale sex muffin we've always known him as? Or will he revert to the maniacal pale sex muffin he was in the past?
Josh had his hands full with his new lady-wolf Nora. She's got wolf on the brain, and it's causing her to act all kinds of emotional. Think menopause, but with a desire to shred innocent people to pieces. Okay, I guess that's pretty much the same as menopause. (Har!) It wasn't any fun watching Nora go bat guano insane on Josh—accusing him of not caring that he turned her was not cool—because Josh and Nora are adorable together. Nora only came to her senses after her stalk-session with Julia resulted in Nora almost being flattened by a car. The final scene of Josh and Nora wolfing out side-by-side in storage units leads me to believe that this new relationship won't see any smooth sailing in the near future.
"All Out of Blood" was another solid segment of Being Human, and a solid reminder of how deftly the show's writers deal with monsters yet make their situations relatable through their remaining humanity.
Notes:
– I didn't watch the second season of the original U.K. version of Being Human, so I can't comment on how far the North American version is straying from or sticking to its source material. Those of you who've seen the U.K. version, what do you think?
– I was hoping Nora would rip Julia apart. She's bad news and needs to go! Soon!
– The baby reincarnation scene was great, and an example of one of the things I love about the show. Being Human always hits the emotional moments squarely on the head with cool music and great atmosphere.
– Gotta say I'm already missing Dichen Lachman as Suren. Really thought this episode could have used that character. And to follow up on my comment last week about trying to decide whether she's attractive or not, I've made my decision: HOT! Now please stop sending me angry Tweets about it, k?
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
This season seems to be much more entertaining than the last. The writers have continually built upon themes they introduced into the first season, not that I'm surprised with Mr. Jeremy Carver at the helm! He wrote some of my favorite episodes of Supernatural, and it is awesome to see him doing so well with his own show.
I also missed Suren this episode. I was wondering, when Aidan needed to feed, how come he didn't think to feed off another vampire? Didn't he do this with Rebecca in the first season to help quell his cravings? Or is that he is too far gone and now only real human blood will satiate his cravings? Either way, his maniacal face after feeding live from one of his former feed-ees was wonderful and disturbing all at the same time.
Nora needs to take some pills because she REALLY cannot handle the wolf! While I agree that Julia has to go, Nora should not be the one to kill her. Just watching her stalk Julia with the images flashing in her head made me fear for her relationship with Josh... he would never forgive her. And, she cannot hold her tongue! I understand its hard trying to be human while also being a wolf, but don't take it out on Josh. He already feels bad enough for scratching you.
Also, did anyone else worry that the storage containers might not be strong enough to contain a werewolf?moreless
My gosh, this show. If I was reading reviews, I would not believe how good it is. Fan-freaking-tastic.
-Didn't watch the UK version, no help.
-I love what Julia's character is doing to the show. That said, I'd love to see Nora go all wolf again, and she's the perfect fodder.
-I almost cried at the baby reincarnation scene. It was seriously fantastic. This show somehow (GIVE THE WRITERS A FREAKING RAISE) jam a massive amount of emotion into tiny amounts of space.
-Dichen Lachman is quite not bad looking, I agree. I haven't sent you any tweets, so I'll call us even.
In the meantime, I've been meaning to say, this is EXACTLY what makes this show great. What makes this show great are two things. 1) as you've many times previously mentioned, the relationships between the roommates (which we've seen in this season quite well as well as last season) and 2) their monstrousness. The simple fact that these creatures are trying to live as human but cannot despite their best effort. I hesitate to say it because Sci-Fi/Fantasy shows that aren't "Game Of Thrones" somehow always fail to be taken seriously, but I think that this show is seriously one of the best shows on TV.... as long as you don't need a show to have superlative elements to take that state. "Breaking Bad", "Mad Men", "Game Of Thrones", these are all dependent upon the 1%, the superior beings to the majority. This show, "Being Human" depends simultaneously on the 1% and the 99%, because these ARE the 1% of the supernatural world in which this show resides, however they are anything BUT extraordinary and quite simply a part of the 99% when viewing from this world. This show baffles. Love it.moreless
This show has gone off on a tangent in comparison with the UK's series 2. Quite totally different. Which is not a bad thing, less predictable this way. In the British series 2 there's a story arc about this fundamentalist fanatic religious priest-cum-exorcist type nutcase who blows up werewolfes in a pressure chamber (albeit unintentionally). Deceit and treachery, too. Different, see? - I'm hopeful that the characters do NOT end up in the same place as in the UK version.
.
Was missing Dichen, too. Love her Nepali looks and Aussie accent (which she does when she's at home).
It was quite the solid episode. For once it felt like everyone really had something meaty to sink into (poor choice in words perhaps). Sally is usually lacking in the storyline department but she was really good with the reincarnation stuff. I also love her relationship with Aidan...sometimes it seems like through her we get more of the vulnerabilities and peel back the layers of the two boys. Plus she had some of the best lines of the night...the whole opening scene with them in the hospital and her really playing up "being one of the guys" and making fun of Aidan's sex life was hilarious. I did not see Julia being Josh's Julia and I watched that awkwardness through my fingers.Yikes that was pretty bad.
Nice review, Tim ! Got some really funny lines there ...
Excellent episode, Sally's story with that shadow-thing haunting her(a ghost! what is haunting GHOSTS?) thrills me the most for now.
Also THREE thumbs up for wolfie-Nora , she just wants to play ....
To all of the Witwer-fans out there: is he really that pale or is it make-up ? In a scene in the hospital he was literally as white as the wall behind him - that's scary.
Don't the show have the finances to be able to digatally remove Sallys shoadow and mirror images in windows and such? That really annoys me.
" I've made my decision: HOT"
TY Judge Tim. UH why was this your decision to begin with??
Anyway,good review. I agree that awkward doesn't describe Aidan & Josh's situation. Going make that mornig coffee chit chat a little slow!!
I think the best part of Being Human is the intertwining of their lives has hit every nook and cranny. Share, whether you want to or not!!
Re-read the last post he wrote on this, he said that he couldn't decide if Dichen Lachman was hot or not. That is why it was his decision.
Wasn't my point last week, still not the point this week.
I have a feeling that the fact Nora is also a Wolf is going to have them grow apart instead of closer to each other. I also have a feeling Suren is going to use Julia to get to Aiden and her disappearance is going to be blamed on Nora/Aiden.
Really good episode. The introduction of Josh's Julia was quite a shocker! I actually hope she sticks around for a while, since it would make some interesting drama for Josh and Nora, not that they don't have enough trouble on their plate already. I felt so bad for Aidan having to regress to his former human blood-sucking self, but what could he do? Sally definitely had the most interesting story with this new ghosly menace haunting her all the time. Add in the reincarnation thing, and she definitely has her hands full.
Being Human is handling Sally, Josh and Aidan trying to adjust to normalcy wonderfully. I love it!
-I hope Julia becomes a vampire and tries to kill Josh for revenge and we get to see a wicked chick fight scene that pits a vampire against a werewolf.
-The production value of this show is impressive. And that version of reincarnation is probably the best I have ever heard. Brilliant concept in my mind.
-Dichen Lachman is semi-pretty. She has a misshaped noggin.
Being Human applies terrific twists to existing supernatural ideas. It is unique because it presents its conflict backwards. These characters don't search for or even want excitement. Rather, they strive for normalcy. It forms an interesting dynamic because the character are typically their own worst enemy. Being Human shows that it is much easier to be a monster than it is to be a good human being. Noble.
Great review, Tim. I can tell you are passionate about what you do and you love and understand good storytelling, writing and acting.moreless
The UK version is so much better
I thought it was a really good episode yesterday. When we found out that it was Julia though I kept thinking AWKWARD. Also I feel bad for Sally, she is being followed by this creepy thing and it she can't do anything to feel right. I would hate that. Also I still love Nora and Josh, they make such a good couple and she is just working it out I'm sure thats all. Too bad for Aiden relapsing, he tries so hard but how crappy would you feel to have to from that old lady. poor him
apart from the Nora being a werewolf now, and maybe the Sally's door/stalker figure thing (we'll have to see where that goes because it was season 2 and 3 for the UK), the US has completely strayed from the original UK version, which is good. now it can become it's own human :p not a single thing in this week's episode was copied. the reincarnation plotline was a nice touch. and Aiden dating Josh's ex fiance added some drama.
my favorite line (paraphrased)
Sally: "Hey Dawson and Pacey, (or vice versa) stop whining about Joey"
I agree with what you said, but I think Aidens story will follow a similar line. It was more or less set up with the cold turkey-Binch line in this episode.
Another great episode in the series!
I recently tried to revisit the U.K. version of the show and remembered why I couldn't get past the first episode. The only way we knew Annie, the "Sally"-type character, was a ghost was that they kept telling us she was. Otherwise, she sure didn't seem like one. She answered the door, talked to the pizza guy, turned on the stereo and played some music, made 50 cups of tea, etc. They have fewer episodes per season, so I'm guessing you miss out on all of the rich character development we are getting to enjoy here.
Back to this week's show... I also liked Julia. She's seems to be a good person who was deeply wounded when her fiance' abruptly abandoned her without explanation. Yes, she threatens the Josh/Nora couple we are rooting for, but I'm interested in seeing how that plays out.
I was wondering if there was something more to the "reincarnation" thing. Like maybe your life force is added to that of the baby (because Zoe only allowed it to occur with sick babies), but the ghost personality basically ceases to exist. But maybe not. Zoe was worried that the dark entity would continue to come after Sally once she jumped into a baby.
Favorite part of the episode: Aiden's "we need suction, stat" dream (your last photo above)! "Okay.... (suck suck suck) What...?!"moreless
the thing about Annie was basically explained as a mistake, it was something that shouldn't have ever happened and eventually became invisible to everybody but supernaturals after something happened
All I can say is that Jeremy Carver is giving Eric Kripke a run for his money when it comes to great sci-fi drama. But, given that he probably took a few pointers from El Jefe's book, I think it's less a competition and more Carver paying homage. I'm really interested to see where Sally's story arc goes and finding out what the eff the black smoke man is. The only thing missing from it is the ticka-ticka-ticka noise! But even missing that, it's still creepy as hell!
I thought it was a great episode. This furthers Syfy (stupid name) reputation as a channel that brings good Si Fi to the masses. Now if they would only not cancel Eureka. But Being Human I warmed up to recently because I didn't watch season one as it came on to tv. I caught reruns of it and thought it was pretty good. And season 2 and so far solidified that.
Sally I find interesting and I find that it is written well. Which I didn't think would be that easy. What can you do with a ghost and eternity on their hands. The writers are crafting her story very well and i find her the most interesting. Because there is literally any numbers of scenarios they can bring forth for her as she figures out her powers and such. And when in doubt they have the ultimate don't do any of this guide with American Horror Story as to show them what not to do with ghosts.
Josh and Aidan. oooo that has got to hurt. But Aidan at least was a man er well vampire about it. It has to bother Josh. I however, I happen to like Julia, I think she will work well into the plot. Because it adds some very human emotion into the show because it just all can't be about them being monsters they have to have human problems as well. And sometime a problem is you best friend is sleeping with your ex. I thought it was am interesting way to go and we shall see if it works out.
Josh and Nora on the other hand, it reminded me a lot of Aidan And Rebecca initially and thankfully they didn't take that road. But there is still time as she deals with accepting and trying to curtail her animal instincts. But the ending only left me with the thought that they are going to A. have a hard time opening the door again with the dents in it and B. Josh is going to lose his deposit.
Great Review Tim. I would also like to see you review Lost Girl. I really liked last night's episode. It reminds me of Buffy in a lot of ways.moreless
if they stick to the UK story some what then Nora will be around for awhile, when they introduce the girl that Aidan was go out i thought they were heading toward the supernatural hunters story from season 2 UK but it look they decide to make her into josh's fiance to add more relationship drama. Sally being chased by something from the beyond is basically the same but the baby thing is new
It is deviating a lot from the UK version. most notably sally I think. She never had much to do in the UK version.
Aidan will probably end up at the same place as in the UK, but through a different route and that's not gonna be pretty.
Josh story I'm not sure yet, depends on the "finding a cure" storyline.