Now that's an
intriguing beginning – the menacing, ominous hitchiker turns round,
threatening and doesn't attack the driver – he convinces him to
move on. The driver's already dead, died in a crash several; days
before. Very good beginning, dark, slightly scary and very
intriguing.
So, this is Bedlam
apartments, high end luxury apartments converted from an old asylum.
With a graveyard next door. And a big sign over the roof marked
“SPOOKY!” Yup, laying it on thick with the reasons for the
hauntings. The building was owned by Kate's grandfather (who ran the
mental institute) and is now owned by Kate's father (Warren), who
bought it in an attempt to do something “good” with it after
allegations of dark happenings and patient abuse in the grandfather's
time.
With such a history, of course the flats are haunted. In fact I imagine there's queue of ghosts.
We have Kate, who
manages the flats, with Ryan and Molly who live in them (also looks
like the token POC inclusion, though as is very common on TV they
have chosen a very pale WOC for the inclusion).
And they are joined by
Jed – just out of hospital and on medication for seeing... ghosts.
I'm not entirely comfortable with this – the somewhat demeaning
references to mental illness. The patronising and angry attitude of
both Warren and Kate towards Jed for what they perceive to be his
mental illness. Because he is actually psychic rather than ill this
is never addressed – and his constant response to their rather
snide comments is “I'm better now”. It's a trifle vexatious, the
idea that being “better” (i.e. no longer mentally ill) is the
only thing that would make him a tolerable presence.
In a much haunted building, of course, having someone who can see ghosts is quite useful – especially if said ghostie is going around drowning people to get her bling back (though, personally I think said ghost is just offended by the new decorations – honestly their taste is horrifying).
I actually think it
does atmospheric pretty good. The dripping water and the river scenes
on the computer are actually impressively creepy. In fact, I think
this episode in general does creepy pretty well. And I do like
creepy, yes yes I do.
Unfortunately there is
the inevitable relationship drama. Kate made moves on Ryan then
changed his mind which made Ryan huffy with Kate and Molly not happy
because she likes Ryan – and Ryan doesn't like Jed moving in
because he interrupted Kate and him. It doesn't dwell on it which is
something but relationship dramas always give me headaches. I also
don't particularly like the way Kate speaks to Molly (though Molly
does call her out on having to pick up after her), there's a bit of
snide mockery there that doesn't speak highly of respect.
And it's British. I
know I know, it shouldn't get any points for that, but I always can
immerse myself a lot more in shows set at home.
So anyway, Jed uses his
special gift to save the people from the drowny ghost and also give
the soggy ghost back her spectral bling. Pretty much everyone now
notices that Jed has a gift and the apartments are not all good and
ask Jed to stay – he's about to head out except he looks up and
sees oodles of ghosts and decides to stay. Now, I have to wonder if
the next episode will involve everyone packing and heading to the
hills (since numerous murderous wraiths is hard even for estate
agents to spin, and they can sell us those daft, low sloping ceilings
as “rustic” and “cottagey”). But then, maybe they're due a
huge rent discount for violent haunting? That'd be a hard choice –
cheap London rent vs high possibility of being murdered... hmm...
tough choice
