SyFy: US version of 'Being Human' starts tomorrow night!

When you get a press kit you immediately get a sense of how much the studio is banking on the project. For example, I got feeling that they weren't hanging their hopes on Caprica returning when I got the mid-season premiere in a plain black case. And when I got the press kit for Being Human before the holidays? Frankly, this is the biggest and greatest press kit I have gotten from SyFy. They are making a considerable effort to impress with it. You can see for yourself in the gallery of images here. Bidding starts at $100!

To recap what the show is about, Being Human is a re-imagining of the acclaimed BBC original series that follows three 20-something roommates: A ghost, a vampire and a werewolf who are struggling to keep their dark secrets from the world, while also helping each other navigate the complexities of living double lives. The US version airs tomorrow night on SyFy in the States and on Space here in Canada. I think this is the first time that the American network has allowed one of their potential franchises to air simultaneously too.  

There are going to be 13 episodes in this first season. Thirteen episodes would seem to be pretty standard fare now for an entry SyFy series; Warehouse 13 has stuck to it despite being one of their more popular series recently. To date the UK version only has 14 over two seasons but season 3 starts later this month. So while, at best, I could do two 1 hour UK eps a night, when it came to these first three episodes I breezed through them because the structure of these first three episodes is virtually the same. Tid bits from both series float in and out but the writers can take advantage of the near extra four hours of air time (Yes. I did the math) the difference in run time and episode count provides to expound a little longer. They start with episode three. Though it plays out the same as a series one episode they`ve inserted a specific story line for Aidan. But as there are two distinct story arcs in either of the first two UK seasons it will be interesting to see if the writers have even breeched that second season story line by the time the first American season ends. 

I would suggest that this is not a bad thing because it means they can certainly take their time to explore more of the three characters. Unlike Annie in the original UK version Sally the ghost cannot be seen by humans, nor can she touch anything, yet. Such limitations in the structure of British television meant the creators didn't have time to explore it. Bang. Episode 1 and Annie is talking to the pizza delivery boy! In the American version they're going to be able to take their time with Sally. Side note. Sally's last name is Malik; which could mean either sovereign or angel in the Arabic language. I'd like to think Angel. Either way it is all very PC to include a Muslim character in your cast I guess. She doesn't appear to be carrying her book of good deeds and bad deeds with her though. Nor does she appear to be waiting in her grave for the Last Day. 

They've also introduced a sister for Josh the werewolf and alluded to a family that he had to leave because of his infliction. But the allowance for more stories becomes evident by the third episode when one of the neighbors recognizes Vampire Aidan from an incident years earlier. Other than that though these first three episodes really flew by because so much of them I had already seen in the UK version. Everything that is familiar has been altered slightly to reflect cultures and history but if you've watched the original series you could easily create a very easy and potent drinking game when watching for the similarities. 

Aidan the vampire is Rob Pattison's close cousin. Really close cousin. He`s not talk, dark, handsome and emo like Mitchell is the UK version. He`s prettier. He`s GQ. He doesn`t wear his jeans in his boots and fingerless wool gloves. But what also sets him apart from Mitchell is that he can run really, really fast and erase memories - two things never touched on, at all, in the UK version. I will say though that they have given the vampires a bit more physical power in this incantation. Aidan and Marcus have a good tussle in a hospital room in the first episode but Mitchell and Seth sort of bitch slapped each other in their UK version. But I like the UKs Herrick (Old German for 'War Ruler' which is fitting) to the US' Bishop. Sorry to Mark Pelligrino but his Bishop looks like a pedo. Herrick looked like a kindly father figure. You know, the kind that will kiss you on your forehead as he tucks you in for the night and then he bites your neck off. There is creepy like Bishop and there is scary like Herrick. 

Here's what you're not going to get with the American version. While you saw George's bum a lot in the original show I don't think you're going to get any full moons from Josh on this side of the pond. Sorry ladies. And. Some fellas. Speaking of George, one of the real joys of watching the original show was the awesome practical make up effects. Serious Rick Baker effects that just howl 80s werewolf movie! And when George fully transformed it was Paul Kasey in a suit and werewolf head. Sadly it doesn't look like we're going to get that devotion to the transformation with this interpretation. It will go boldly were all other CGI werewolves have been before. And I have realized that I am not part of the target audience so committing to pleasing old school werewolf fans is not in the cards. Josh hasn't done nearly as much crying as George has but in the first three episodes there isn't a lot of opportunity for him to do so. There is still plenty of time for Josh to feel pained and tortured and have a good manly bawl. I'm going to miss the copious amounts of tea and swearing as well. Being Human is going to have to make up a new 'Frakking' for those really emotional times. 

It is still too early for me to tell is this US version is going to be any good or not. I'm not even sure I 'liked' the UK version either though. Based on three episodes that are virtually the same as their predecessor I cannot make that conclusion right now. But to its advantage there is a lot of room to play with and I would like to see what the US writers have done with the breathing room. Gone are the limitations of a six episode season. So there is more time for these three roommates to find out what Being Human is all about. I'm all for that.