Being Human US - Cancelled By SyFy

This time last year, BBC3 announced that after five series that Being Human would come to an end. A year later, it seems that history has repeated itself with SyFy announcing the same for their version of the show.

The show currently into it's fourth season has now been confirmed as it's final season but according to actors Sam Witwer (Aidan) and Meaghan Rath (Sally), the show will have a solid conclusion with no cliffhanger in sight and that the fourth season was also conceived as a final one.

I'm not going to lie - I did try to get into this version of the show and while it wasn't bad as such, it did for me lack the same charm as the UK version had, despite a very likeable leading cast. That being said, it was also one of SyFy's better shows as well, so the cancellation is a little surprising though. Then again, four seasons isn't a bad run for a show and hopefully it won't be too long before we see the cast on other shows too.

Press Release: http://www.spoilertv.com/2014/02/being-human-cancelled-after-4-seasons.html

Being Human's fourth season will conclude on SyFy from April 7th.

My Review of Being Human's: "Our Three Heroes Enjoy Being Human" (Warning: Major Spoiler)

Written by Toby Whithouse
Directed by Philip John

Tom: "So now what do we do?"
Hal: "Save the world - you know, the usual."

Take it as canon or dismiss it as a nightmare alternative but either way, this little two and a half minute scene can provide an answer for whatever side of the spectrum you happen to be on in relation to The Last Broadcast. Did our gang really achieve the impossible and become human? Erm, apparently not.

The set up here was pretty simple with Hal being the one to deduce rather quickly that Hatch was stringing them along and that them getting what they wanted was simply too good to be true. Unfortunately for Alex and Tom, it wasn't just Hal being a moody cynic but instead him being bang on and pretty soon, the gang's lovely time in a restaurant seemed disrupted when everyone turned on them.

As a scene, it's a pretty brief little thing, almost incidental but it does seem to confirm that our gang are seemingly locked in an endless battle of wills with Hatch, which might be realistic but also feels rather nihilistic as well to be honest.

- Alex's dad and brothers seemingly believed that she was suffering memory loss and she definitely appreciated Hal being more openly flirtatious with her.
- Tom told the gang about Allison's 'nuddy' realisation that she was no longer a werewolf.
- Hal's card trick was a great way for getting both Tom and Alex to realise that he was telling the truth about Hatch duping them. However, why is Hal dressing like Rook in Hatch's world?
- Hal's final line reminded me of Angel's in Not Fade Away. I can't be the only one who thought of that, right?

A good little scene, but definitely on the bleak end of the scale, though I guess it is rather realistic as well for gang not to have beaten Hatch. It still doesn't take away the joy of the actual final episode though.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Being Human - Top 10 Episodes

With the series finally finished up on BBC3, I thought I'd do a run down of the ten best episodes from the last five series of Being Human.

1: The Last Broadcast (Series 5)

I know it's easy to pick the last ever episode for the top spot but I have watched it enough times to look at it objectively as my choice. Regardless of that ending with Hal, Tom and Alex and whether or not they truly defeated Captain Hatch and became human, it's a superb ending for five brilliant series. I'm still going with the happy option though.

2: The Wolf Shaped Bullet (Series 3)

In some ways, this was truly the beginning of the end for our original cast. After three series, Mitchell got George to do the right thing by staking him in the end. Mitchell wasn't always my favourite character and let's face it, there was no coming back from the Box Tunnel 20 but this was a brilliant exit for the character.

3: Flotsam And Jetsam (Series 1)

Technically this is not the first ever episode for our gang but at the same time, with the original pilot nowhere to be found and most the characters recast from it, this did an excellent job of introducing Mitchell, George and Annie back in the days when the antics took place in a house in Bristol rather than a B&B in Barry and the main threat was of course Herrick.

4: Bad Moon Rising (Series 1)

The first series finale and by far, one of the best the show managed to do. Herrick was taken out in a bloody manner as George was determined to maintain his relationships with Mitchell and Annie but it was Nina who paid for it as well when she managed to get scatched. Plus, Herrick's speech about humanity is one of the best the show's ever done.

5: Damage (Series 2)

Hell hath no fury than two vampires scorned and when they're Mitchell and Daisy, it's best not to be on a train as the Box Tunnel 20 managed to show us. This was a pretty defining moment for Mitchell, sending him on a spiral he couldn't get past but it made for compelling viewing while Annie, George and Nina found themselves further sucked into Kemp's cause.

6: The War Child (Series 4)

If there's one thing this show knows how to do, it's definitely character exits. While Nina might have given an off screen demise and George's was a tad rushed, at least Annie managed to save the world and defeat the Old Ones before getting her final door, though she did also blow up baby Eve as well while Tom and Alex banded together to get Hal off the blood.

7: No Care, All Responsibility (Series 5)

Natasha was one of the best guest characters we've had on the show and while her purpose was largely at the behest of Rook and Hatch to break up the Hal/Tom/Alex trinity, it was still pretty easy to sympathise with her. A rather tense episode, ratcheted further when Alex's initial confrontation with Hatch doesn't pan out in her favour either.

8: Making History (Series 4)

One of the best episodes for the fourth series. Not only did it give us some much needed on Future Eve's overall plot with Annie but it also delved into Hal and Cutler's pretty chequered history together and death proved to only be the beginning for Alex as well. Not so great for Tom though who got nearly tricked into killing innocent people in a nightclub, courtesy of Cutler and there was also Mr Snow's arrival too.

9: Lia (Series 3)

Another beginning of the end moment for Mitchell as his trip into purgatory to get Annie back meant facing up to his recent past with Lia lording it over him. It's also probably significant for Lacey Turner as well, seeing as most of her post EastEnders roles have been in this particular genre. She even went on to star with Cutler in Frankenstein's Wedding but here, she was a needed thorn in Mitchell's side though.

10: All God's Children (Series 2)

An excellent finale for the show's second series with the gang losing Annie to purgatory and getting the heck out of Bristol as well. Kemp and Lucy weren't always the most satisfying of enemies but both of them were given suitable exits in this one.

So those are my Top 10 episodes - what are yours?

Being Human Series 5 and the Complete Collection will be available on DVD from April 8th.

My Review of Being Human's 5x06: "The Last Broadcast"

Written by Toby Whithouse
Directed by Daniel O’Hara

Alex (to Captain Hatch): “You forget that we are not like you.”
Tom: “Deep down.”
Hal: “We’re human.”

Now, there’s an interesting question – are they? Did Hal, Tom and Alex actually achieve the impossible and defeat the devil and become human as some kind of karmic reward or was that final scene a nice reminder that Hatch was too powerful an enemy to defeat? If so, then our guys are living a lie, though one I don’t think you can blame them for desperately wanting to be true.

Of course, if they are living a lie, then humanity is based screwed and I’m only imagining writing this very review as we speak and I also think that soufflé I cremated is also a fallacy as well. However, I should point out that writer/creator Toby Whithouse has apparently decided to add a scene on the upcoming DVD for Series 5 that will ultimately answer what really happened for the gang.

I think the ambiguity of this finale was an interesting move and obviously a good way of choosing how things panned out for our gang. I want to be optimistic, so for me I actually think that Tom, Hal and Alex completely the ritual successfully and Hatch is no longer an immediate threat for them and they’re human but I also accept the less pleasant alternative as well too.

The one thing I’ve consistently enjoyed about this show over the course of it’s five years is how the cliff hangers for the penultimate episode tend to be resolved rather speedily and here was no different either. Alex might have had trouble Rentaghost-ing out of her grave but it didn’t stop her from embracing her inner Kitty Pryde from getting out of there nonetheless and she certainly had little problems in trying to bring the group back together.

Then there was Hal. I’m beginning to think he’s actually a bit rubbish at the whole recruiting thing because impressive show tunes aside (nice singing voice/dance moves Damien Molony), his vampires barely lasted five minutes against Tom and even the whole smackdown between Tom and Hal was fairly short lived too, though surprisingly amusing too.

Alex has easily been the glue that’s held this trinity together for quite a while now and while Hal was more of his bastard self than the nicer/odd version we’re used to, it was her who got both him and Tom to work together in order to stop Captain Hatch from broadcasting his message to humanity.

Except again, it’s that thing – did our gang defeat Hatch at all? Hatch is the devil and therefore shouldn’t be physically easily defeated, especially given that he went from the body of a mad man to Rook’s body after the former body was shot on live television and then there’s also the temptations he left for our gang as well.

On screen we saw Alex being tempted by a life with her father and brothers where she didn’t go on a date that would’ve ended up killing her while Tom could have a life without the wolf but with Allison and a baby on the way while Hal could either die in the battle of Orsha or fifty years from now without becoming a vampire. The only problem was that using Leo proved to be a bad move on Hatch’s part and all of the gang still chose each other, in spite of their issue, namely Hal still being a dick at times.

However, the one thing that really does make it more likely than the gang are living a lie was the pointed way (twice) in which Hal suggested that Hatch needed to put them together for his plan to work. Perhaps Hatch really did outsmart our Trinity after all but then again, a part of me is still hopeful that he didn’t. I guess a certain scene in a few weeks time though will be the ultimate decider in relation to our gang’s true fate.

Also in “The Last Broadcast”

Aside from the obvious influences of Inception and Blade Runner, you could also argue that Whithouse might have taken a leaf out of the recent American Horror Story finale as well.

Alex: “Okay, Hatch. Okay, you bastard I am coming for you.”

I did love the use of the interludes for the broadcast segments of this story but the mafia look for Hatch was a bit on the nose. Interesting look I suppose for him.

Captain Hatch (to Mr Rook): “I never understood why you lot were so proud of being human. A monkey falls out of a tree and invents the digital watch. That’s basically it, isn’t it?”

Tom: “What’s going on?”
Alex: “Like I said, shit just got real.”

Rook was pretty underused in this episode. All he did was reveal something about his father and become a host for the Devil before Hal staked him.

Captain Hatch (to the audience): “I was supposed to be the lesson. I was the warning. I was the villain and you all became my tribute act.”

Hal: “Doesn’t matter we won’t let you win.”
Captain Hatch: “Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ll see.”

As well as writing this episode, we got another cameo appearance from Mr Whithouse reprising his role as Alistair Frith. More importantly we got some nice mentions of the original gang as well as the visuals at the end of this episode of them.

Hal: “None of this is real.”
Captain Hatch: “How do you know? I’m the bloody devil. How do you know I can’t travel through time?”

Tom: “I want this to be true.”
Allison: “What? Tom, it is.”
Tom: “Well, how long can it go on for?”
Allison: “As long as you like.”

I loved the scene where Hal looked in the mirror to see his reflection and Alex pigging out on all that food (while wearing Tom’s clothes) was a delight too, along with them all watching Antiques Roadshow.

Alex (re Brendan): “That was a low blow using him.”
Captain Hatch: “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t show you the whole picture. Everything you’re missing.”

Hal (to Alex/Tom): “That’s my cue to go. I have a surprisingly low threshold for passive aggression.”

Standout music: Hal’s version of “Puttin’ On The Ritz” and Tom Odell’s “Can’t Pretend”.

Mr Rook/Captain Hatch (to the gang): “Now it’s too late. I’m too powerful.”

Hal (to Tom/Alex): “Our curses came from the devil. With him dead, properly dead, they’re gone. We’re human.”

Chronology: More or less from where “No Care, All Responsibility” left off to be honest or perhaps there is no chronology given that ending.

“The Last Broadcast” will definitely go down as a much debated finale for this impressive series. It’s amazing that this series originated from a backdoor pilot into becoming easily the best show BBC3 has ever produced as well as thanking Toby Whithouse and his wonderful crew, I’d also like to thank Mitchell, George, Annie, Nina, Tom, Hal, Alex and the various monsters and people they’ve affected over five brilliant series. The ending might be ambiguous (for now) but it’s definitely a brilliant way to conclude this stunning series.

Rating: 10 out of 10

My Review of Being Human's 5x05: "No Care, All Responsibility"

Written by Sarah Dollard
Directed by Daniel O’Hara

Alex: “What the hell are you?”
Captain Hatch: “I’m only the fucking devil, sweetheart.”

Now as exchanges go, that is definitely the best one that Being Human has ever done. It even managed to surpass George’s “gayest ninjas” lines from the first series and it was more than a good way of emphasising that absolutely everything has gone to hell. Hal might be the one with the worst lock in ever but it’s Captain Hatch who has finally risen and he’s managed to do it in style here.

I know some people have been frustrated that the gang except for Alex haven’t been paying closer attention to Hatch’s antics all series long but here tonight, their lack of attention paid off when Natasha’s death became the very thing that managed to sever Hal, Tom and Alex’s friendships apart in rather devastating way.

I don’t doubt by sometime next week, the gang will be reunited and do battle with Old Nick himself but right now, things are looking pretty dire for the gang as they’ve all managed to get themselves in some dodgy situations.

Alex had been the one who suffered from confronting Hatch by herself when he put her inside her own coffin and while it was a tad reckless of her to go up against the guy without Tom and Hal, it did make sense for Alex to at least try. She promised Natasha that she was going to make Hatch and she’s been a fly in the Devil’s ointment all series anyways whereas both Tom and Hal have played into his hands.

The one thing I will say is that while being a ghost (Alex still is one, right?) shouldn’t keep her in her own coffin, the absolute horror Alex showed when she realised where exactly she ended up was beautifully done. As punishments go, it’s one that a lot of shows like to do but usually the victim doesn’t tend to be dead already. I can’t wait to see how Alex will get herself out of this one.

Then there’s Hal. I’ll give the man his due – he really tried to stay off the blood and not go down his murderous ways. In fact the whole situation with Natasha, whilst a touch sleazy did actually make some practical sense. I didn’t enjoy seeing Hal drinking blood from the girl but it was a better alternative than massacring all of Barry and had things been a whole lot different, it would’ve been the perfect solution in order to keep Hal’s dark side at bay.

Unfortunately for all of the gang, not only did Natasha turn out to be a trap by Mr Rook and Captain Hatch to drive a wedge between Tom and Hal and take Alex out of the equation but as a guest character, she was one of the best the show’s ever done. In fact, I think Natasha’s genuine conflict over destroying the trio and her actual feelings for Tom are what made her sympathetic as well.

Tom genuinely seemed to think he had met another perfect girl, in spite of his initial conflict with his feelings for Allison and inexperience towards sex in general. I know it’s a long shot, but there’s a part of me that’s kind of hoping that Natasha didn’t go through her door but sadly, I think she did. Still her death at Hatch’s hands (and Hal being in the wrong position at the wrong time) really did bring about hell in a big way.

It’s going to be interesting to see how the final episode will actually solve this whole storyline with Hal/Tom/Alex vs. Captain Hatch and perhaps Mr Rook but either way, this tension filled episode definitely implied that the outcome really is that unpredictable. Aside from actually having withdrawals and later attacking that pub, I expected Hal to be the one who killed Natasha. I’m certainly glad that he didn’t and tried to save her, even if he failed.

Also in “No Care, All Responsibility”

We finally got a flashback where Rook rescued Natasha as a child and developed a fatherly type of bond with her. It still didn’t stop him from using her for his own end though. The title of this episode came from a motto of Rook’s too.

Hal: “They’re not showtunes. Gilbert and Sullivan wrote operettas, not musicals.”
Alex: “I’m so embarrassed for you right now.”

This episode did give us some Halex moments with a kiss between the pair and a discussion of Alex’s bra of doom.

Alex (re Natasha): “She made you feel feelings?”
Tom: “Yeah.”
Alex: “What a bitch! You should stake her anyway.”

Hal: “You know what I am?”
Natasha: “I’ve been around your lot before.”

It’s nice that this episode confirmed that Mr Rook was aware of Alex, considering that he didn’t seem to take her being mentioned seriously in the last one.

Alex (re romance): “You really are a bit rubbish at this, aren’t you?”
Hal: “It would seem so.”

Natasha (to Tom): “You’re not stupid, stupid. You just think the best of people. You have no idea how rare that is.”

The lovely Natasha Miles was played by former (and returning) Skins actress, Kathryn Prescott. It’s nice to see her on telly again.

Alex (to Hal): “It’s over because you didn’t even ask us for help. Tom made you swear on our friendship and you didn’t once tell us you were in trouble.”

Mr Rook: “I do my job. It’s what I’ve always done.”
Natasha: “I’m human. It’s your job to protect me.”

Standout music: Hal singing Gilbert and Sullivan’s “I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General” and Filter’s “Hey Man, Nice Shot”.

Hal (re Natasha’s death): “I didn’t do this. I need you to believe that I didn’t do this.”
Alex: “Every time I think I know who you are, it turns out I’m wrong, usually because someone’s dead.”

Natasha: “What about Hatch?”
Alex: “Look, I’m going after Hatch. I’ll make him pay.”

Chronology: I’m assuming it’s still 2012. Alex’s gravestone also mentioned that she was born in 1990, the same year as Kate Bracken.

“No Care, All Responsibility” was impressive. Maybe the benefit of this show having a shorter series has been that Hatch rising hasn’t been that long and therefore became more effective and with Hal, Tom (making stakes and his using his own blood for a weapon) and Alex all in interesting predicaments, I do find myself looking forward to the last ever episode but slightly dreading it at the same time.

Rating: 10 out of 10

My Review of Being Human's 5x04: "The Greater Good"

Written by John Jackson
Directed by Daniel O’Hara

Hal (to Crumb, re Lord Harry): “He was here, wasn’t he? Every day he’s getting nearer, like a tidal wave. It’s not long now. He’s going to destroy everything.”

Oh dear. Reading the reactions online from Hal’s little moment when tied to a chair about his evil side coming through to Crumb has definitely been interesting. It seems that we’ve got the debate as to whether or not Lord Harry is resurfacing because vampires genuinely cannot change or because of Captain Hatch’s growing presence in the Barry Grand Hotel but either way, it’s an interesting point of discussion.

Changing Crumb into a vampire proved that Hal has been on a slippery slope for a while and with killing Larry last week and ending this episode by drinking from the flask that Mr Rook had given him back at the start of the series, it does seem like Lord Harry really isn’t that far behind.

As interesting as I find the prospect of seeing Lord Harry in full action and as brilliant as Damien Molony was during that scene in the basement with Crumb, a part of me is really hoping that somehow, Hal can actually beat his evil side (as this episode made it very Angel/Angelus) and be a better man because there was certainly a lot that showed that Hal is capable of being better as a person/vampire.

For a start, he finally took responsibility for both Crumb and Alan and did his very best to try and get them off the blood. Even when Crumb staked an unrepentant Alan, Hal still did his best to try and keep his progeny on the right track, even going as far as to tell Crumb about one of his reverting times and an old lover of his as well. It seems that when it comes to women, Hal certainly has a type and they’re the strong willed sort.

I did wonder whether or not this show would attempt anything with Hal and Alex given their current circumstances but it seems that it very much just might do so. Crumb found himself enraged that Alex only went on a date with him more for Hal’s peace of mind rather than having an actual interest in him and both Hal and Alex seemed to protest a little too much when Crumb accused them of having feelings for each other as well.

However the most interesting Crumb really did in this episode was succumb to drinking werewolf blood and dying, just so that he wouldn’t have a future like his recruiter’s. I’m not gonna pretend that Crumb’s death was sad because even though he had a few good scenes, the broad comedy aspects of the character made it difficult to care about him and to be honest, I don’t think I could’ve taken another episode with the character as well.

We’ve had some truly brilliant vampires on this show but Crumb wasn’t one of them and this episode overall brought his storyline to a much needed and swift conclusion. Besides with Hal about to go down a very dangerous path, what could Crumb have really added to the mix? Plus, his actual date with Alex was one of the most painful scenes to watch. The fact that she didn’t stake him herself was a bloody miracle. I certainly would’ve if I had to spend more than five minutes with him.

Thankfully not the guest characters were annoying this week. Sheltered werewolf Bobby was one of the most sympathetic characters we’ve had on the show and it was nice to see Tom going from being a dick to Bobby to reaching out and trying to help him over Rook’s more repressed way of dealing with him. Bobby also worked so well as a guest character because his death at Captain Hatch’s hands made me genuinely sad for the guy.

Speaking of Hatch – getting Rook to use Bobby to try and kill people in the Hotel wasn’t his best move. Hal, Tom and Alex managed to put a stop to it and Hatch made himself known to Alex as well. The more I think about it, the more I honestly do think that out of the trinity, it really will be Alex who’ll end up becoming Hatch’s undoing whereas right now, Tom and Hal do seem too prone into playing into his hands.

Also in “The Greater Good”

No flashback this week but Hal’s mentioning of his relationship with Sylvie definitely felt like a rethread of Lady Mary from the previous episode.

Alex (re Crumb): “So, what are we gonna say?”
Hal: “Stop killing people?”

Together Crumb and Alan seemed more like a couple than two guys trying to score with Alex. I also liked the use of their victim Hazel haunting Crumb and causing him to stake Alan during withdrawal.

Hal (to Alex, re Crumb/Alan): “There’s been enough death and violence. This is where it ends.”

Hazel/Alan (to Crumb): “Really if I wasn’t already dead, I would die laughing.”

Bobby’s obsession with an answering machine was poignant when we learned that it was due to him wanting to hear a message from his mother. That being said, Tom really did get that quickly off EBay.

Bobby: “You’re brilliant.”
Tom: “I think brilliant is a bit – am I? I don’t know like, it’s your decision mate.”

Hal (to Crumb): “I always have a rough idea when I’m about to revert. This time, it came from nowhere.”

It was a little on the heavy handed side with Rook’s Trinity (Joker/Queen/King) and Hatch’s 666 during their card game.

Hal: “All we are doing is marking the time until the inevitable happens.”
Alex: “Kind of like life then?”

Captain Hatch (re Hal/Tom): “Which one are you after?”
Mr Rook: “Neither I’m afraid. For one thing, they seem to have rehabilitated.”

I noticed that even though Alex was mentioned to Rook several times, he didn’t quite seem to be paying attention to being told there’s a ghost living with Tom and Hal.

Mr Rook (re Bobby): “It’s done.”
Captain Hatch: “Relax. It’s for the greater good.”

Captain Hatch (to Mr Rook): “It’s them, you’ve got to do something about them. Hal and Tom, they’ll ruin everything. We’ll never have the chaos we need with them around.”

It seems BBC3 are keen to soften the blow of this show’s imminent ending with the trailer of their upcoming zombie drama, In The Flesh airing after this episode aired. I’ll admit it does look good.

Crumb (to Hal): “Looks like I win.”

Chronology: Not long since the events of “Pie And Prejudice”.

Although it’s probably in some ways a little weaker than the previous three episodes, I do think “The Greater Good” is still a strong episode. I probably could’ve done with less of Crumb and it’s a little frustrating that Hal and Tom seem unaware of Hatch’s antics but at least Alex is becoming privy to his ways.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Being Human's 5x03: "Pie And Prejudice"

Written by Jamie Mathieson
Directed by Philip John

Lady Mary: “How long until you kill again, Hal? How many lives will I be saving when I kill you today?”

Well, I guess we can answer that question by saying that Lady Mary would’ve saved one life had she successfully managed to stake Hal but it seems that would be incorrect, considering that Lord Harry managed to kill someone prior to Lady Mary’s failed assassination attempts but it’s a good point to raise nonetheless.

Hal didn’t necessarily fall off the wagon in spectacular style and make his own equivalent of the Box Tunnel Twenty but his murder of Larry was definitely a shocking moment and the fact that he’s now placed himself into Rook’s hands cannot end well for either of them. Hal, you’ve messed up big time here.

A part of me did feel unsympathetic towards Larry being murdered by Hal. On the surface, he was a manipulative bastard who preyed on Tom’s insecurities and drove him out of Honolulu Heights while refusing to leave the place himself. Then there’s also the fact that he relentlessly pushed Hal’s buttons before giving in and calling Tom and Alex a retard and a slag definitely didn’t do him any favours either.

I really don’t want to sound like I’m actually defending Hal’s actions or making light of the situation but there’s certainly a grey area here to address. Hal might have wanted to kill Larry from the moment they met but when he did become Lord Harry, it was out of trying to protect his homestead with Tom and Alex. Larry spent too much of the time in the episode threatening that dynamic and died because of it.

However, there’s also the worrying point that perhaps Hal’s killing of Larry, whatever his reason may be does serve to prove that perhaps Rook is right about vampires and they can’t be ever truly redeemed. Lady Mary certainly thought the same thing as well when she finally became privy to the fact that she wasn’t Hal’s last victim – hence her fairly justified attempt to kill Hal in the process.

As a guest star, Lady Mary was definitely more successful than Larry and Amanda Hale was an absolute delight as the Regency ghost who only pretended to be posh in order to keep Hal on the straight and narrow. Her scenes with Alex throughout the episode were brilliant to watch but sadly, it did remind us that Hal has form and Lady Mary’s comments about the beast inside him resting might not that off, even if Alex and Tom are determined to believe that Hal is a good man.

I think Hal is certainly capable of trying to be a good man and in this episode, he was trying with his attempts of breaking Larry’s hold over Tom and even comforting the latter in the woods with Alex as well. I really want to think that in spite of the massive shit storm that’s on the way with Captain Hatch and everything else that there might be some hope for Hal but I guess we’ll just have to see, won’t we?

As for Larry Chrysler, former weatherman, current werewolf/failure, arch manipulator and general tosser – Julian Barratt was fine in the role and gave a decent performance. I think due to Larry not being very sympathetic and Lady Mary just being so much more interesting as a guest character that he was overshadowed a bit but at least his death opened up another can of worms for the gang.

It should also be pointed out that Larry’s death gave a suicidal Rook a spring in his step too. Who would’ve thought that Hal screwing up again would’ve worked in Rook’s favour? Okay, probably everyone watching the episode but either way, I can’t wait to see what’s going to come out of Hal and Rook’s newly formed partnership in the next few weeks.

Also in “Pie And Prejudice”

I’ve noticed that this year instead of prequels, we’ve been getting revenge scenes with Alex online each week. They’re on the BBC site and YouTube as well.

Alex (re Lady Mary): “You think I would corrupt her?”
Hal: “I think you would corrupt Keith Richards, so if you don’t mind.”

Fans of Hal this week had the treat of him as Acting Manager for the Barry Grand Hotel, in his tweed suit for Lady Mary and even in a dressing gown as well. This show really does pay attention to it’s core audience.

Lady Mary: “You kind of had a thing and you got killed and now you and Hal live together?”
Alex: “Yeah. Oh, now fuck off.”

Larry (re Hal/Alex): “And they don’t mind?”
Tom: “Well, they’ve got their own things going on.”

It seems that somewhere off screen Tom found out about McNair’s former life as a surveyor. I also hated that Larry swindled money that Tom was going to use as a gravestone for McNair.

Lady Mary (re Hal): “I was his last victim.”
Alex: “Is that what he told you?”

Hal (to Larry): “It’s a big house but not that big. How odd you must find our little set up here.”

Lady Mary, proving quite unladylike admitted to being a fan of John Woo, Metallica, Jackie Chan, cage fighting, shoplifting and pushing people over.

Mr Rook (to a chatline): “I don’t have a family. I don’t have any hobbies. The job was my life. Now that’s gone, so I find myself at something of a loose end.”

Lady Mary (to Hal): “You utter wanker.”
Alex: “Not gonna lie, that could’ve gone better.”

This episode was surprisingly absent of both Crumb and Captain Hatch. We also learned that Patsy’s surname was Ritter and Toby Whithouse’s Alistair Frith did a voice cameo in this one.

Alex: “You’re the best out of all of us, Tom. You just don’t realise it.”

Hal: “You want to talk to the real me? Hello, Larry, here I am. Did you want to speak to me?”

Chronology: A few days since “Sticks And Rope” and we learned that Larry had been a werewolf for nine months while Mary a ghost for 250 years.

Although “Pie And Prejudice” did start off a little shaky, it managed to get into it’s groove rather well and the shocker of Hal’s murder of Larry definitely gave the series a brilliant water cooler moment as well. It’s a shame that we’ve only got three episodes left of this show.

Rating: 9 out of 10

My Review of Being Human's 5x02: "Sticks And Rope"

Written by Daragh Carville
Directed by Philip John

Alex: “Tonight we’re all gonna party like it’s 1899, yay ha. You’re not yaying, Hal.”
Hal: “Yay?”

One of the things I was hoping for with the fifth series was that we’d get some exploration into Alex’s family and while it was always a safe guarantee that it would happen, I am glad the writers chose this episode to be the one to do it in.

After a rather Hal centred first episode, it was fair that Alex got the spotlight this week and throughout the hour, Kate Bracken is a bloody joy as Alex begins the process of letting her family move on from her death while dealing with some troublesome Men With Sticks And Rope and of course, Victorian kid, Oliver.

Oliver managed to be that successful mixture of both horribly obnoxious and sympathetic which made it very easy to see how he could get on Alex’s nerves but at the same time inspire her to look after him and make sure he completed his business. Alex might not be Clara Oswin Oswald when it comes to looking after kids but she’s a lot better at it than both Tom and Hal gave her credit for.

She could certainly tell with general ease when Oliver was acting up and certainly had no problem with trying to discipline him as well but more to the point – she took an interest in his death. At first not entirely for selfless reasons but she did get Oliver to open up about Albert’s death and his own suicide and she certainly didn’t hold it against when he had been revealed as a trap either.

It also tied in nicely to the fact that Hatch has clearly earmarked Alex as a threat too. It was him who sent the Men With Sticks And Rope and it was also him who views Alex as a threat more than either Hal or Tom, both of whom he can’t get enough. I’m really intrigued as to why ghosts are such an inconvenience for Hatch and I can’t wait to see what other lengths he’ll resort to get Alex out of the way.

Alex’s confrontation with the Men With Sticks And Rope was definitely the best part of the episode. Mainly due to the scene feeling genuinely creepy and atmospheric but more to the point that Alex seemed to outsmart them and gave both Tom and Hal the heads up about the whole ‘He Will Rise’ thing. Now all she has to do is get Hatch in her sights and potentially take him out because Hal and Tom certainly seem to be giving him a lot of ammunition at the moment.

Speaking of Tom and Hal – this was an amusing episode for them. They might not have been their most mature over the whole Employee Of The Month competition (due to Hatch’s meddling) but the food fight scene with them was hilarious and it was nice that in spite of his standoffish attitude at times that Hal actually stuck up for Tom. It certainly made up for the implication that he seems to think Tom is incompetent for the most part.

Two episodes into the new series and I really do think that Tom, Hal and Alex are working nicely as a trio. It’s a shame that it’s been announced that this series will be their last one together but as a unit, they’re definitely shining brightly. I don’t even miss the original gang and I loved them to bits.

As for the baddies of the weeks, again it’s Captain Hatch who’s winning really. Patsy might have annoyed the crap out of me but even I felt really bad for her when she became Hatch’s latest victim and that speech Phil Davis delivered at the end of the episode was truly brilliant writing too.

Less brilliant on the writing front though was the RPG banter between a disillusioned Alan and Crumb on the beach. It doesn’t help that I can’t warm to either character but the whole Crumb situation as a whole has become frustrating. Both Hal and Rook (or one of them at least) should simply take him out or curb his bloodlust instead of either putting him in situations where he kills loved one (Rook) or rejected him (Hal). I think it’s safe to say that two episodes, Crumb is one villain that needs to go and soon.

Also in “Sticks And Rope”

The episode opened with a flashback of Alex and her younger brother Decky, whom she didn’t take to Dodgems. That was something she’d later do with Oliver.

Tom: “What did you do before?”
Alex: “Looked after my brothers. Been out on the piss with my mates. Got off with inappropriate people.”

Alex wanted to be a concert pianist before she died and it seems that she’s a fan of Diagnosis Murder as well. I did laugh at her referring to Oliver as Niles though.

Captain Hatch (re Sophie): “I keep thinking was it something I said?”
Patsy: “Oh Captain, she was devoted to you. Now we’ll have no more maudlin from you now. It’s a new era.”

Hal: “Tom, you don’t know who you’re provoking here.”
Tom: “I know who I’m provoking, Mr Runner Up, Mr Silver Medal.”

Tom’s impression of Hal was pretty spot on and I did find it interesting that Hal seemingly has a dancer’s back. Maybe we can get a demonstration of his dancing.

Alex: “So why did you come out of hiding?”
Oliver: “Because I saw you. I know you’re not much to look at but you can’t have everything.”

Mr Rook: “Your hour approaches, Mr Crumb.”

Crumb killing his sister and niece better have some emotional consequences later on. Rook’s desperation to his organisation going though doesn’t seem to be impressing Alistair.

Hal: “Problem is, I’ve never been bad at anything in my life, so I was wondering if you could help me.”
Alex: “Oh, what because I’m the leading expert of fucking things up?”

Hal: “I don’t like to discuss my past.”
Captain Hatch: “You see that breaks my heart. That says you’re ashamed.”

Hatch really knew how to play on both Tom and Hal’s social standing in getting them to turn on each other. Plus that tableau of his came in use when he was getting his pals after Alex.

Hal: “I have killed men and women and children, so just think how easy it would be to kill you.”
Crumb: “Well, that’s something we have in common then.”

Sticks & Rope Guy (to Alex): “You’re too late. The end has begun. Night will fall and he will rise.”

Oliver and his family originally used to own Honolulu Heights but it was only due to Alex’s presence in the house that he was used as a weapon.

Captain Hatch (to Patsy): “Everything you love will die and everything you’re scared of will come true.”

Chronology: Three months since the events of “Making History”.

Well, “Sticks And Rope” was certainly an interesting episode. While I could’ve done with the RPG talk and the OTT antics of Crumb, it was an episode that served Alex pretty well and it’s nice to see that Hatch is subtle in his menacing antics too.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Being Human To End After Five Series

Is it me or am I getting serious deja vu here? First Merlin ends after five series and now it seems that Being Human's fifth series will now indeed be it's last one after all.

The supernatural drama, currently airing on Sundays at 10pm will conclude with it's epic finale as series regulars Tom McNair (Michael Socha), Alex Millar (Kate Bracken) and Hal Yorke (Damien Molony) will do battle with the Devil/Captain Hatch as played by Phil Davis. The show debuted in 2008 with a pilot and became a series the following year and like many UK shows over the years had changed it's lineup but still managed to prove that there was plenty of life in it.

Creator Toby Whithouse responded to the show's ending on his BBC blog, thanking his cast and crew and pointing out that it was a miracle the show ever got made and in the way that he wanted it to be as well. I have to admit that while I did sadly expect Series 5 to actually be the show's final year and while there are rumours that Whithouse himself will be working on an upcoming spy drama for BBC1, this does feel like another blow in UK genre television, which does seem to be slightly dwindling these days. Also, given BBC3's increasingly dire lineup as well, I can only hope that upcoming zombie drama, In The Flesh takes off. Otherwise we'll be lumbered with more 'gems' like Sun, Sex And Suspicious Parents. I'll miss this show.

Series 5 Ending: http://www.digitalspy.ie/tv/news/a456965/being-human-to-end-after-current-series.html
Toby Whithouse's Thoughts: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/beinghuman/posts/Toby-on-the-conclusion-of-Being-Human 
Series 5 New Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7HAKP1ObmI

Being Human's fifth series currently airs Sundays 10pm on BBC3 until March 10th and will be released on DVD from April 1st.

My Review of Being Human's 5x01: "The Trinity"

Written by Toby Whithouse
Directed by Philip John

Captain Hatch (to Patsy): “Oh you carry on, my love. In fact, I haven’t felt this good in years.”

Trios are a deadly thing and when it comes to giving us a trio of new villains to contend with, then the fifth series of this show has definitely hit the ground running with a selection of three very distinct adversaries for our new supernatural trinity.

The first baddie – Old Nick himself, otherwise known as Captain Hatch. Superbly played by Phil Davis, Hatch was the character who got the least amount of screen time in this episode but still managed to be the most dangerous of the bunch with the little he was given as well.

Hal, Lady Catherine and Emil royally cocked up by putting the essence of the Devil into the body of a mad man and the fact that he’s spent over ninety years hiding in plain sight has been rather interesting too. The Devil is pretty clichéd as villains go but credit given to this show in it’s softly, softly approach to dealing with him.

His bad tempered, racist banter aside, Phil Davis really managed to make Hatch into a terrifying presence by the way he whispered into Sophie’s ear and got her to scribe ‘He Will Rise’ in her own blood. It’s that type of subtlety that has worked with the villains of this show in the past and the very one that will seemingly work again with Hatch too. Already I’m finding myself compelled and horrified by the man but as I was saying, Hatch is only one of three villains the show is contending with this year.

The second batch of villains are the Men In Grey, lead the enigmatic Dominic Rook and unlike Kemp from the second series, this episode nicely went out of it’s way to prove they’re not complete fanatics. While Rook recognises the dangers with the supernatural community, he’s flexible enough to extend an olive branch to Hal as well.

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Hal refusing to Rook’s proposition of keeping the vampires in line. In some respects, he probably made the right decision but at the same time, Rook was right to point out how chaotic vampires seem to be without some form of structure. Even Hal himself is a great example of that, hence his rotas and routines that have mostly kept him dry for the last half a century.

Of course, while Hal managed to get away from Rook unscathed, Rook himself did show a ruthless streak with the inventive murder of an uncooperative Martin and the fact that he’s currently holding our third villain of this series in captivity is proof that perhaps Hal, Tom and Alex might want to watch their step when dealing with Rook. He might not be the Devil but he’s definitely formidable in his own right, that’s for sure.

Last but not least on the baddie front – there’s Ian “Crumb” Cram, an insurance worker who Hal recklessly made into a vampire out of guilt but out of all three villains, he might the most polarising of the bunch. He’s certainly not awful and the whole “victim who gets superpowers” back story they have for Crumb is interesting but there were times in the episode where he could be a bit too broad comedy for my liking.

Hal keeping Crumb bound and gagged in the basement might have worked had Alex not been manipulated by Crumb into releasing him but at the same time, Crumb really could go either way as a threat. He’s the least threatening of the three (despite killing a co-worker of his) but he’s clearly also being designed as the most sympathetic of the bunch as well, given the plethora of detail we were given about him as well.

As for the rest of the trinity themes in this episode – Hal really does like his vampire/werewolf/ghost dynamics, doesn’t he? His partnerships with ghost Emil Parsons and werewolf leader, Lady Catherine Glass ended horribly when they tried to stop the Devil from feeding on the vampire/werewolf conflict and his current dynamic with Tom and Alex, while excellent is still not without it’s problems.

Both Tom and Alex had reasons to be wary and actually mad at Hal, what with him turning Crumb and his “tangential” involvement in the latter’s death as well. However, with the lads both working in the Barry Grand Hotel (this year’s main location and Hatch’s current residence) and Alex sticking around in spite of her family getting her body back, I don’t see why this current trio can’t be as successful as our previous. They’re certainly every bit as interesting and believable as the previous lot at the very least.

Also in “The Trinity”

BBC3 for some reason have decided to air this at the slightly later time of 10pm, though that might so it doesn’t conflict with current hit, Ripper Street on BBC1.

Hal (to Lady Catherine): “Obviously there’s nothing we enjoy more than a good rough and tumble.”

Did anyone else think the manageress (Patsy) hot for Hal was a bit of a meta commentary on how audiences in general have taken to the character?

Mr Rook: “Malevolence and greed are hard wired into your DNA.”
Hetty: “Yeah, and your mum is so fat, her blood type is Ragu.”

Alex (to Tom/Hal, re her father): “I’m not letting a good man die of grief just to protect the fucking Twilight franchise.”

Hetty gave information about Hal to Rook, Eve was mentioned in this episode and we learned that Alex’s surname was Millar, her father was called Brendan and that the Men In Grey made it look like she drowned.

Hal: “I don’t need blood anymore. I’ve been dry for over sixty years.”
Mr Rook: “You’re sweating, Hal. Your hands are shaking.”

Lady Catherine: “If this is a trick, I shall plunge this into your calcified heart.”
Hal: “And you wonder why you’re single.”

Toby Whithouse made a cameo in this episode as a Home Secretary telling Mr Rook that his funds were going to be cut.

Crumb: “You’re going to bum me now.”
Hal: “Ian, I have no intention of bumming you.”

Mr Rook (to Alistair): “This isn’t about my career, these are monsters. You can’t just let them run wild without supervision, without restraint. They’re time bombs.”

Hal explained a lot to Crumb about the vampire’s history with the Devil but it does make me wonder a bit more about werewolves’ origins now too.

Alex (to Mr Rook): “You stole my death. You’re in my sights now, pal. One day, I’m gonna watch you die.”

Crumb (to Mr Rook): “I’m the world’s worst nightmare – the victim who gets superpowers.”

Chronology: A month since the events of “The War Child” as well as 1918, Northern France for the Hal/Emil/Catherine flashbacks.

Is it me or was “The Trinity” the most busiest of episodes we’ve ever had on this show? I’m not knocking it but I’m struggling to remember any other episode that had this much going on, almost all at once. On the plus side, at least there wasn’t a single boring plot and at times, this was scary, touching, funny and character driven. An excellent return for the show and proof that the complete loss of the original cast hasn’t hurt the series one bit.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Being Human - Series 5 Airdate/Cast Pictures & Interviews

Well, the fifth series is finally due as BBC3 decided to get off their backsides and release a trailer and some promotional material for Being Human and it's certainly looking good. So what does the season hold for each of the main characters?

Hal Yorke (Damien Molony): He's still tied up at the start of the series and it seems that Hal getting off the blood is going to be a lot harder, especially with the presence of a new vampire named Crumb (Colin Hoult) around the block as well. Hal will also be getting a job as a Manager at the Barry Grand Hotel when one of the owners takes a shine to him. Also for the most enthusiastic of fans of the OCD vampire, we'll be getting some flashbacks with him as well as developing his continued relationships with both Tom and Alex throughout the six episode fifth year.

Alex Millar (Kate Bracken): She's adjusting to life as a ghost and if anyone thinks she's going to be like Annie, you're mistaken, though Alex has adopted both Hal and Tom as her family now. In the trailer, it definitely seems like her and Hal are having some strong conversations about feelings and she even cheekily kisses Mr Rook (Steven Robertson) on the cheek as well. I am hoping that we actually get to meet her father and brothers at some point in the series but no spoilers so far have indicated that happening.

Tom McNair (Michael Socha): Like Hal, he's got a job at the Barry Grand Hotel but at the same time, when they're not fighting baddies together, it does seem there could be some conflict with both Tom and Hal as well. Also reading on some spoilers, it seems that Alex will be helping make Tom a little cooler around girls and there's rumours from Sci-Fi Now magazine that Allison (Ellie Kendrick) may be returning for an episode as well.

Captain Hatch (Phil Davis): He's the devil! No, really, he is and with Phil Davis playing him, you just know that Hal, Tom, Alex and virtually everyone else (human or supernatural) are basically screwed. It seems that Hatch will go from a decrepit old man residing in the Barry Grand Hotel slowly gaining his foothold over humanity and also throwing things at our supernatural trio without them even knowing it at first. He's the main villain of the season, although Mr Rook, the Men In Grey and Crumb will also be causing problems for our main characters as well.

And here's the main cast shot with Crumb, Tom, Alex, Hal, Captain Hatch and Mr Rook all inside the Barry Grand Hotel (anyone else think it's the same place Doctor Who used for the Whithouse penned episode, The God Complex?). Apparently the first three episodes of the new series have the titles of The Trinity, Sticks And Ropes and Pie And Prejudice. I can't wait to find out what the remaining three episodes will be called but with the rather apocalyptic feel to this upcoming series and the fact that creator Toby Whithouse also seems to penning an upcoming spy drama for the BBC, could Series 5 be the last we see of our new favourite vampire/werewolf/ghost trio? I hope not but it is a possibility though. Also, tiny plug but the US version of Being Human has been picked up by Watch for those who want to give it a whirl.

Series 5 Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk9TmICVJ6o&feature=player_embedded  
Toby Whithouse Introduction/Cast Interviews: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/beinghuman5/

Series 5 of Being Human airs Sundays at 10pm on BBC3 from February 3rd.

Being Human - Series 5 SFX Spoilers/Preview

With the show due back very soon, the promotion for Series 5 of Being Human has kick started and SFX Magazine has given us some interesting bits from the cast (including Phil Davis) and creator, Toby Whithouse. These include ....

5x01: Tom and Hal have been sacked from their jobs, we're reintroduced to Mr Rook and have two other villains in Captain Hatch and a vampire named Crumb (Colin Hoult). Also, we're meeting the first supernatural trinity as well. (Toby Whithouse).

5x02: Honolulu Heights is haunted and Captain Hatch gives an impressive baddie speech. (Daragh Carville).

5x03: Julian Barrett plays a deluded werewolf named Larry and Amanda Hale plays an unlikely Regency Ghost. Also a great comedy episode for Tom. (James Mathieson).

5x04: A big episode for Crumb and also another werewolf guest with Ricky Grover playing an innocent one named Bobby. (John Jackson).

5x05: A big lead up to the climax when all the stories start crashing into each other, also has a rather exciting five minutes and features Kathryn Prescott as Natasha. (Sarah Dollard).

5x06: The finale will feature cameos from characters from last year (none of the original cast). We're also told what Captain Hatch's plan is and we get to see it played out. (Toby Whithouse).

Now onto the grittier stuff - Captain Hatch is actually the Devil himself and he's able to get people to kill themselves with words. It also Mr Rook is an ambivalent character. Sometimes he'll be an ally to the Honolulu Heights gang, sometimes he won't be. We'll also be getting some more flashbacks with Hal as well as seeing him taking on a manager's position in the Barry Grand Hotel where Hatch is residing. Hatch is also twisted by his own malevolence, hence his current physical condition as well and his arc is about his slow climb back to power.

Being Human's fifth series will return on BBC3 in February.

Being Human - Series 5 First Clip - EDITED

With the new series of Being Human due to start early next year, T4 decided it was time to interview Kate Bracken, Damien Molony and Michael Socha yesterday morning.

The interview was pretty short and I got the impression myself that the presenters didn't even know what the show was actually about but the main cast were fair game in explaining the basic premise of the series while letting us know that Julian Barrett will be guest starring in the series as well as answering questions that revealed that each actor had more in common with different supernatural types, compared to the ones they're known for onscreen. Could you imagine Kate as a werewolf or Damien and Michael as ghosts? Now you can.

Of course during the four minute segment, we did at least get one exclusive clip from the first episode of Series 5. In the clip Hal is still bound to the chair, being spoon fed by Tom and getting into a panic because the B&B is messy. He even asks Tom to blindfold him at one point because of the mess and he's sporting some facial hair. Alex meanwhile quips about her brothers being messy, perving on the Wales team and both her and Tom talk about her finding her door. A brief but entertaining little scene.

I was going to do another blog, but I figured editing this one would just suffice. Sci-Fi Now magazine have published some more spoilers about the new series and it seems that both Tom and Hal will get jobs working in the Barry Grande where villain Captain Hatch is residing. It also seems that Mr Rook will be both an ally and an enemy to the gang in the upcoming fifth series as well.

Also CultBox has managed to post a synopsis for the first episode of the fifth series as well ...

"Hal, Tom and Alex are three housemates with some serious issues on their hands, and they’re not all about the washing up rota. Hal is a 500 year-old vampire, Tom is a hardened werewolf and Alex has recently had the misfortune of becoming a ghost.

"Strapped to a chair in the living room, Hal is finding it tough going cold-turkey – mostly because the mess Tom has made is really bothering him. But when Tom and Alex release Hal, they’re not to know it’s far too soon to be letting a blood-thirsty vampire onto the streets...

"When Hal recruits Crumb as a vampire and welcomes him to the supernatural world, the meek becomes mighty and we see what happens when a bullied man finds his bite. Meanwhile, Rook – head of a shady government department in charge of keeping the supernatural world secret – is given some devastating news."
 
T4 Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91PrF2IOnu8 
Cult Box Spoilers: http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/5696-being-human-series-5-story-details-revealed

Being Human's fifth series will air on BBC3 in February 2013.

Being Human - Series 5 First Trailer/Casting News

With the fifth series of Toby Whithouse's supernatural drama, Being Human due to air in early 2013, BBC3 have released some clips of the new series in their trailer for the first few months of the new year.

The clips from the new series seem to be the new gang checking out the antics at Melville Insurance, a shirtless Hal talking about them being at war as well as a chained man surrounded by a gang, Alex looking spooked in one scene and even Hal and Tom as waiters embarking on a food fight as well. I can't wait to see that particular scene play out. That being said, I don't think we got any clips of either the Men In Grey or Captain Hatch though.

Elsewhere, Mighty Boosh actor, Julian Barratt will be appearing in an episode of the upcoming fifth series as Larry. He can be seen in the trailer in what looks like he's either attacking or defending himself from something or someone. However the nature of his role has not been disclosed but either way, this is another nice coup for what's looking like a fantastic series ahead.

Series 5 Trailer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0127by8
Casting News: http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/being-human/23753/the-mighty-booshs-julian-barratt-to-appear-in-being-human-series-5

Being Human's fifth series will air on BBC3 in early 2013.

Being Human - Series 5 Details From SFX

There's only a few weeks left of filming for the fifth series but it seems that SFX have got some interesting spoilers for Being Human.

- First of all, writer wise, Toby Whithouse will be writing 5x01 and 5x06, Daragh Carville will be penning 5x02, Jamie Mathieson will be scribing 5x03, John Jackson's written 5x04 and Sarah Dollard has scribed 5x05.
- The Old Ones are officially done with. There'll be something in the first episode that puts that arc to rest.
- This series will be about the Men In Grey and Captain Hatch (Phil Davis).
- No details revealed about Hal, Alex and Tom surprisingly enough in the interview.

- Phil Davis's Captain Hatch will be in all six episodes of Series 5 and he really is a nasty piece of work or described by Whithouse - "manipulative, obsequious and cruel".
- Mr Rook is also a major player throughout the fifth series as well.
- Episodes 2-5 will have the usual array of guest characters, though no actors were mentioned but knowing this show's penchant for good casting, we can only imagine.
- Despite the episode reduction, Whithouse has insisted that the show's balance between a series arc and stories of the week hasn't been affected.

Being Human's fifth series will air on BBC3 from early 2013.

Being Human - Series 5 Update

A little bit of an update since the last time I posted about the show.

According to Twitter, it seems that half of Being Human's fifth season has been filmed with Damien Molony (Hal) tweeting a picture of the script for the finale. There's still another month and a bit to go on production of the new series and while we haven't gotten anything too spoilery over the last few weeks, I did remember reading something about two new characters called Vernon and Clara, though what their connection will be to our main characters shall be interesting to see.

Elsewhere former cast member Russell Tovey has recently been reported to have said that he wants a George/Nina spin-off with former co-star Sinead Keenan apparently backing him. Of course, Tovey has recently been doing some audio projects in relation to the show, so more than likely he was probably joking about a spin-off. Besides, George/Nina are both sadly dead, so I guess unless Toby Whithouse wants to do a show about ghost-werewolves, I guess we shouldn't hold our breaths.

Series 5 Filming Pictures: http://beinghuman-fans.livejournal.com/347443.html#cutid1
Russell Tovey Report: http://www.digitalspy.ie/tv/s116/being-human/news/a407263/russell-tovey-wants-being-human-spinoff-for-george-and-nina.html

Being Human's fifth series will air on BBC3 from 2013.

Being Human - Series 5 Casting News

And we have a major casting for the fifth series of Being Human announced ...

Phil Davis (Quadrophenia, Silk) will be appearing in the series as a character called Captain Hatch. The character in question will be a wheelchair bound man, embodying the worst of humanity and also he'll be a rather disgusting creature too. According to the press, his identity could be something that will rattle your soul with fear. I'm intrigued.

So far, we haven't had too much information about the upcoming series, but Davis's character sounds bloody intriguing (a new Type, perhaps?) and given that he's a consistently reliable actor, I'm sure he's going to be wonderful in the role. Keeping with spoilers, it seems that a Tweet from a production member has Alex's surname as Millar rather Mayhew.

Press Release: http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/08/13/phil-davis-joins-being-human-cast/

Being Human's fifth series will air on BBC3 in early 2013.

Being Human - Series 5 Begins

In the past, I've posted the odd spoiler post for Being Human here and there, but usually nearer to transmission of each series but now, with the fifth series starting up, filming wise, I've decided to post some stuff that has surfaced for the upcoming series.

Damien Molony is back as OCD vampire, Hal Yorke and following the success of the character this year, it will be interesting to see where they go with him in the six episodes for Series 5 as he's still living with both Tom McNair (Michael Socha) and newly made ghost, Alex Mayhew (Kate Bracken) in Honolulu Heights.  That place is staying, though I heard some rumours the cafe might not be. Show creator, Toby Whithouse has written the first episode of the new series as well.

Speaking of Alex - yes she's a regular for the new series but whether or not both her and Hal will become an item is apparently undecided just yet. Personally, I want to see her to start looking for her body as well as seeing her father and brothers as well. Two good and needed story arcs for Alex to be dealt with, I think. As for a Hal/Alex romance - not sure. It could work but maybe a snarky friendship could be better too.

As for Tom, no clue what's in store for him. I was hoping that Allison would return for him but Ellie Kendrick has signed on for the third season of Game Of Thrones, so unless they recast the role, Tom is either going to be single for the next series or get a new girlfriend. Still, I can't wait to see the dynamic with Hal/Tom/Alex properly in Series 5. They're going to be brilliant, aren't they?

Now onto some actual spoilers - Steven Robertson will be a regular in the fifth series as Mr Rook (let the domestic staff be better than Kemp please!) and there are two new characters named Patsy and Sophie, played by Claire Cage and Non Haf. I'm not sure what or who their characters are but I am glad they've managed to retain Robertson for the fifth series. Here's hoping Rook will be an amazing character throughout the next series because he's definitely an intriguing one and I want an effective nemesis that isn't a vampire for once. Plus, there's the whole "He Will Rise" thing from last series - I'm wondering what the hell that means too. Hopefully Series 5 will give us a satisfying answer to that one.

Spoiler Thread: http://storify.com/Ruther2/being-human-5?utm_content=storify-pingback&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=sfy.co-twitter&utm_campaign=&awesm=sfy.co_c0zH 

Being Human's fifth series will air on BBC3 in 2013. The first four series are available on DVD.

Top 40 TV Characters Part 8

And here is my final list of sorts of my current five favourite characters on TV.

1: The Doctor (William Hartnell-MattSmith) - Doctor Who

It was always going to be the Doctor who topped this list for me. The most unconventional of leading men and while it might have been easier to have picked a specific Doctor, I've decided that all 11 versions and actors who've played him deserve equal praise. William, Patrick, Jon, Tom, Peter, Colin, Sylvester, Paul, Christopher, David and Matt, you've all been bloody fantastic and I'm sure whoever plays the role next will be too.

2: Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll) - True Blood

Sometimes I hate this show. Picking favourites always seems to be a frustrating task in hand but out of the vampires, I guess Jessica has that wonderful duality of retaining some of her innocence and embracing her more ruthless nature as well. Out of all the things Alan Ball added to the show that did not originate from Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series, Jessica has been by far the best of them, hasn't she?

3: Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) - Game Of Thrones

Again, another show that it was hard picking favourites from. Other candidates did include Daenerys, Jorah, Renly and Arya but as the second season has proven, Tyrion Lannister is a far more interesting leading character than Ned Stark (and I say that as someone who liked Ned a lot) and given that his family are a rotten bunch, it's amazing how Tyrion is not only the best of a bad lot but the best character on the bloody show right about now.

4: Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) - Revenge

Female protagonists like Emily Thorne are sometimes a rarity on television. Like a female version of Dexter Morgan, minus the killings, Emily's trail of destruction in pursuit of avenging her father has been consistently fascinating to watch. Also this show has really opened Emily Van Camp up as an actress with her performances getting increasingly better as the show has progressed. The only characters who come to excelling her are Nolan and Victoria at this point.

5: Henry 'Hal' Yorke (Damien Molony) - Being Human

Had I done this list a year ago, it would've been either George or Nina who would've been my favourite character but it's interesting a difference a series can make. Hal didn't come in as a poorly placed successor to the popular Mitchell - he was his own character, a wonderfully OCD, uptight Old One vampire whose dynamics with everyone throughout the fourth series made him the most fascinating character to watch.

I'll be doing two Honorable Mentions lists next week. If you enjoyed this rundown of favourite characters or want to tell me your favourite characters from the shows I talked about, let me know.