Tom: Yeah, well, we won't start liking each other because you're a d***head
Hal: And you're a neanderthal
all the way to
Hal: Why are you doing this?
Tom: Because you're my best mate
The relationship 'tween Tom and Hal in Being Human Series 4 conjured some of the most comedic and downright hilarious moments of the show, no mean feat amongst the oft intense, angst- filled, horrific and tragic personal cages and circumstances of the two characters, but gloriously achieved by a genius synthesis of epic writing and dazzlngly brilliant acting on the part of Michael Socha and Damien Molony.
We all had our fears for series 4. Would the depth of our fandom survive the heart breaking losses of our favourite characters from the previous series? But as a tweeded Hal uttered the sarcasm laced words "have we finished flirting?" to Tom in Episode 2, for me atleast there was an instant 100% investment in what felt like the brewing of a delicious dynamic about to unfold.
What followed was beyond all imaginings, as Hal and Tom yin yanged back and forth between mutual distrust and trust, hating each other and saving each other, their scenes in the cafe as they negotiate the terms of their friendship over wooden stakes, OCD issues and 'chatting up' Michaela, in episode 3 'The Graveyard Shift', their pretending to be boyfriends in Episode 4 'A Spectre Calls' are some of the funniest scenes ever in the history of Being Human.
So, what did the actors think of this relationship they brought to the screen?
In the Being Human Series 4 DVD Extras cast interviews, Damien Molony (Hal) talks about Hal and Tom's relationship:
"Hal and Tom are just absolutely destined to hate each other. But, I think because they’re both on their own – Tom is on his own he’s got no more Mcnair, Hal is on his own – they have to forge a brotherhood together and from about the end of episode 3, you actually start to see the little twinkling of respect for each other and, not a love, but a real kind of brotherhood.”
“They have some very funny scenes together in the café, where Hal is chopping lettuce and he’s just so afraid of getting germs or anything and Tom ceoms in and he’s ‘chop chop chop chop chop’ and Hal I think learns from Tom, Tom learns from Hal and they’re both horrendous with women, so I think it’s very, very funny.”
And in a recent Digital Spy Q & A with Michael Socha (Tom) he revealed:
"I loved Hal's character. Especially in the café scenes, the way Damien dropped the lines, it just f**king creased me up. I'd have to have a couple of minutes just to laugh it all out of my system! It was wicked. Damien is a brilliant actor and such a nice guy to work with, as well."
And somehow, it is good to know the actors had as much fun bringing the comedy as we did watching them bring it... and it all bodes incredibly well for their return in Series 5. Roll on next year!
What were your favourite Hal and Tom scenes in Series 4?
Which did you find the funniest?
To read the Being Human Series 4 DVD Extras Damien Molony interview click here
To read the rest of the Digital Spy Q&A with Michael Socha click here
Great article! ;D Tom is gorgeous too, they are great together and both very good actors. This series had more comedy in it and I personally think all the better for that. :D
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My name is Ciara and I've been on the Kia-Ora!!!! :D
Yes, Michael Socha and Damien together are so awesome in Series 4, their characters are so unlike each other but equally brilliant.
Looking back at the four series altogether, there have been some really unbeatable comedy moments across them all, but i would have to agree with you HalGal, I laughed harder and longer in this series. I wonder if that was a conscious shift in tone..it seemed to me this series was less horror and more humour, there were hardly any werewolf transformations. Which direction shall Series 5 go in?!?
HalGal, the official BBC blog, which I posted over here, said
"Bigger, better, bolder, braver and definitely more terrifying that anything that has come before. Yes, season 5 is promising to deliver all the laughs and fun of season 4 but with a very definitely new and nasty, chilling edge."
So a gear change is in the offing..but no telling if the chilling edge comes from Hal or elsewhere..w new villain is mentioned...but that tension of natures in Hal is part of what makes his character so alluring ...so I am hoping we do get to see some darker Hal... I am also interested in what happens to Tom, he had to grow up a lot in series 4 and what will his Cutler disappointment do to him? some character development potential there. Hal and were united at the end of the last series bu who knows what has been happening over at Honolulu Heights these past weeks!!!
It seems like series 4 had to devote a lot of attention to establishing the new characters and their relationships, Hal and Tom were central to that....perhaps now it will be more outward then inward looking? But I really hope there will always be some comedy sparring between Tom and Hal! some light relief in what sounds like some coming darker darkness...