Welcome once again, dear reader, to Theatrical Thursday. I haven’t managed to see any new movies in the last week (hopefully I’ll get to rent one this weekend), so today I’ll be reviewing two of my current “must-watch” series.
I was annoyed and unsure when SciFi changed its name to SyFy (I mean, come on, seriously? that’s just weird), but I’ve given it a chance because it still airs some of my favorite summer shows (Eureka!). And boy am I glad I did.
Before giving up our cable box (yes, it was awful…I cried a little) and going back to basic, straight from the wall cable, hubs and I watched a show on the BBC called Being Human. It was okay, the premise was pretty cool, but it was hard to relate to the British characters (they were no Doctor, if you know what I mean). Then, out of nowhere, SyFy announces that it’s reimagining the British show for American television. Awesome.
So we tuned in, and have been hooked from the start. Watching Josh, Aidan and Sally as they go through their lives (or afterlife, in Sally’s case) as supernaturals in a normal world is an hour each week that I truly look forward to. The supernatural aspect really adds to the story. Aidan isn’t just any old vampire (and he doesn’t sparkle); he’s a formerly-vicious vamp who’s been off “live blood” for a while to try to regain control of his hunger (think heroin addict on methadone). Josh dumped his fiancée and dropped out of medical school after being turned into a werewolf; he’s melancholic and hopeless, but he has his moments, especially with Nora, his new girlfriend. Sally was murdered by her fiancé, and is trying to cope with a possible eternity of not really being able to interact with the rest of the world.
The show brings interesting new twists to old supernatural characters. Aidan can walk in the sunlight without bursting into flames. Josh definitely isn’t the man who comes to mind when you think “werewolf” (‘cause who can compare with Alcide, really). Sally has learned that ghosts can sleep, and take over people’s bodies, and even become reincarnated. It’s easy to become wrapped up in the characters and story, because they’re obviously well thought out, and the intertwining storylines between the three housemates will keep you guessing. On top of that, the interaction isn’t the whole story. Each character has their own individual plotlines to follow that may or may not have anything to do with their roommates. There’s never a dull or wasted moment in this show.
And now, SyFy has followed up Being Human each week with a new series, Lost Girl. Lost Girl is actually in its third season in Canada, where it is filmed, but SyFy bought the rights to show at least the first two seasons in the U.S., and premiered the series just a few weeks ago.
This one definitely appeals to the “urban fantasy” reader and writer in me. The story centers around Bo, a woman who can’t help but suck the life out of people around her…literally. She was adopted, and knows nothing about her birth parents, but finds out in the pilot episode that she’s part of a hidden world that exists under the noses of the humans around her. Bo is a succubus, part of the fae (think fairy tales, leprechauns, werewolves, etc.) community, and now both light and dark fae want her on their side.
The show hasn’t let on yet as to why she’s so in demand, and keeps alluding to power we haven’t seen yet. There’s obviously a deep plotline being spun, and hopefully the show will get the audience it needs to play that storyline out. Throw in some cops who happen to be fae, a lead character who’s strong, female, and very sexual (she goes both ways, people), and a young human thief as a sidekick, and you’ve got yourself a show. I’ll definitely be tuning in to this one each week, and hope you give it a chance, too.
Disclaimer: I’d make sure to put any kiddos to bed before turning on either of these shows. They’re rated MA for a reason. But it’s a really good reason, and the shows wouldn’t be quite as good if they had to tone down for a younger audience.
So happy watching, dear reader. Let me know if you have a show or a movie you think I should check out. I’m always on the lookout for good entertainment.
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