Being Human sacrifices "The War Child"

BBC's Being Human, not to be confused with the SyFy remake, brings its fourth season to a close last night in "The War Child." Annie (Lenora Crichlow) tells the boys about her encounter with grown-up Eve (Gina Bramhill, Coronation Street), and how she must let baby Eve die to save the world. This proves easier said than done, as Annie cannot help but act when Cutler (Andrew Gower) risks everything in a final attempt to kill Eve. Yet, in the end, Annie does the right thing, destroying both herself and the infant, denying Mr. Snow (Mark Gatiss, Sherlock) and his ilk their world domination.

Annie's sacrifice is touching, if regrettable. After losing Mitchell, George, and Nina this year, Annie is the only one of the principal cast left. Each plays a part in saving mankind from extinction, and each pays the ultimate price individually. All except Nina, sadly, get their heroic ending on screen. But Annie's may mean the most because it is last, making it the final piece of the puzzle. At least they all seem to get to enjoy a happy ending together, with baby Eve, though a reunion isn't exactly shown on screen, perhaps for logistical reasons.

Which leaves a brand new trio to continue Being Human next season. Tom (Michael Socha) and Hal (Damien Molony) are drawn together because they have no one else. Each has lost their loved ones, and so they come to stay with Annie. While it's a tad curious that Annie accepts them so readily, the boys bonding is completely within character, given the circumstances. Add in Alex (Kate Bracken), a woman Hal is interested in, until Cutler kills her and she becomes a ghost, and a new set of central characters are firmly established.

In "The War Child," Hal, Tom, and Alex all try to assist Annie in her mission. They protect baby Eve the best way that they know how, and are present for the final show down. But, in the end, this is Annie's sacrifice to make, and her journey to complete, and so they are left on the sidelines to witness the finale. Which is fitting, as they will have their own adventures.

And those adventures are already getting started. The Old Ones may be dead and scattered, but viewers are introduced to Mr. Rook (Steven Robertson), a mysterious human who helps keep the supernaturals a secret from the world at large. Mr. Rook tells a college student that his kind has always been around, but by showing them to the audience in "The War Child," a story seems to be beginning, and it will likely involve the new trio. Why will they get involved with Mr. Rook? Perhaps because Mr. Rook has hidden Alex's body, her unfinished business? And once the truth is known, will they be trying to help or hinder his activities?

Being Human has been renewed for another series of six episodes, and will return to BBC America.

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