TOBY WHITHOUSE ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS (PART 3)
Being Human creator Toby Whithouse is back to answer the final batch of questions asked by you guys, the fans. He's chosen the questions himself and the answers are entirely his own words. That's how Lord Toby rolls.
Don't forget to check part one and part two of this session to see all the answers in full...
WorldsGayestNinja wrote: As Lauren put in Series 1: "You know all the things you were scared of as a kid, all the monsters under the bed? They're all real."
Was there anything from your childhood you can remember being afraid of, that may or may not have influenced parts of the show?
Now that's an interesting one... I'm not sure if it's something that I was scared of, but certainly I always loved the notion of a secret world that existed just under the surface of our won world. I didn't like books or films or comics that were clearly taking place in a different world to mine. If it was my world, it meant I could daydream and imagine it really was happening, and obviously that's a theme I've tried to extend into Being Human.
But you've got me thinking about fears...
I guess I'm fascinated by, and a little afraid of, the notion of corrupt authority, because that makes me feel truly powerless. And I wonder if that was thinking behind making Herrick a policeman. There's nothing more frightening than malevolent authority - who do you turn to? To have someone that evil in a position of such power and more importantly trust is a horrifying thought.
You get a special prize for asking an interesting question. (There isn't a prize.)
aquamarine_jo ·É°ù´Ç³Ù±ð:
What do you think of all the analysis and theories on twitter and various blogs and forums?

Do you 
a) Throw things while shrieking how on earth did they miss that, it was so obvious!!
b) Make copious notes in a small black book thinking I'd never have come up with THAT!
c) Don't read them (except this one of course!) for reasons of sanity...
I absolutely love the passion and speculation of the fans. If I'm honest sometimes I have a little giggle when you all scuttle off down a blind alley. I remember reading a theory that the guy who delivered the pizza in episode 1 series 1 MUST BE A VAMPIRE because... I forget the reason. But it made sense to you.
Or when you see some graffiti on the wall of a location, you think we're giving you secret messages / hints. We're not. Someone just forgot to wipe the graffiti off the wall. Often you'll work out the end of a story, but just as often - you don't. Though there was one occasion when I thought "That's a better story than the one we've got" (no, I won't say what it was).
But most of the time I'm just a happy and bemused spectator.
Snowracer_247 wrote:What would happen if you took Toby Whithouse, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and Joss Wheadon and locked them in a room for three days, during which they were only fed Twinkies? 

a) Would they come out carrying the most brilliant script for a TV-series ever?
b) Would they try to stun eachother to death with witty remarks?
c) Would the room simply explode due to overload of brilliant ideas?
d) Would the accumulated wit negate eachother and result in something totally numb and pointless - like Tru Blood?
It's a terrifying image. Seriously I'd be too nervous to open my mouth. Those are heavyweight geniuses and if I'm honest I'd feel a bit of a fraud in their company. I wouldn't want to expose my shortcomings and so I'd be constantly trying to steer the conversation away from storylining, onto anecdotes and gossip.
HAz152 wrote: Will the characters of the becoming human web series make an appearance in being human?
Again, you'll have to wait and see, but certainly we've all been mightily impressed with the performances in Becoming Human and it's great to know that we have this perfect little ensemble there if we need them. I quite like cross-over episodes, but as it really depends on whether we can find the appropriate story.
DJ2JD wrote: Will we meet any of the "Old Ones"?
Well, we've already met two - Ivan and Hetty. But yes, we've got one more waiting in the wings...
Alanna wrote: Hindsight being what it is, is there anything from series 1 or 2 that you don't think worked out quite the way you wanted it to?
Blimey, what a question. Um, I think I'd do some of series 2 differently. Arguably I think it was a mistake to have our heroes oblivious to Kemp and Jaggat's evil plans for so long. I might even shift the reveal of Jaggat's identity to the end of episode 7, so the audience would be no further ahead of the plot than the characters.
But to be honest we learn more from our mistakes than our successes. I know I keep banging on about this, but series 3 has been a fantastic experience for me because we were able to utilize all the knowledge we'd gained over series 1 and 2. We knew what the pitfalls were, what our strengths are. And I think that's given this series a confidence we didn't have before and - I think - made it the best series we've ever done.
Comment number 1.
At 10th Feb 2011, MacMinx wrote:So far, I'd have to agree; series 3 is shaping up to be the best so far!
Thanks Mr W for answering more questions. Really picked some great ones to answer, although sorry to Tom in Oz - I feel your pain! :)
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Comment number 2.
At 10th Feb 2011, C Billington wrote:Funny - I've never really seen Ivan as an "Old One". He was only 237 for heaven's sake - still a spring chicken in vampire terms, surely? Let's look at the evidence!
1) Own teeth - check
2) Musical taste - check
3) Decent car - check
4) Eye-candy girlfriend - check
5) Snogging girlfriend in carparks - check
6) Designer stubble - check
7) Self-esteem ("Yes - and maybe one day I could look like s&%$ too") - check
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Comment number 3.
At 10th Feb 2011, lycan666 wrote:Reasons to be cheerful part 3. (Ian Dury RIP)
Glad we'll be seeing/hearing more olde ones. Hetty was funny being a 303 year olde child of 6ish, do vamps usually recruit adults? as we haven't seem many young vamps (could be they have a consience or is the vampire way?)
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Comment number 4.
At 10th Feb 2011, Troy_Baker wrote:On the front cover for the series one DVD who's Idea was it to put the Ghostbusters car and Thriller Jacket in the back ground? :)
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Comment number 5.
At 10th Feb 2011, HAz152 wrote:Thank you Lord Toby for some more brilliant and fascinating answers, and thanks even more for answering my question. I know there was a lot of brilliant questions there so for you to answer mine is a real honor.
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Comment number 6.
At 10th Feb 2011, Alanna wrote:Thanks to Toby for answering my question! =) I like the idea of Jaggat's reveal to the end of the series - it didn't bother me while watching the series but yeah, that would have been a nice twist!
And yes(!) - if what we're getting from series 3 so far has been the result of learning from "mistakes", I'm glad they're there! =P
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Comment number 7.
At 10th Feb 2011, MacMinx wrote:Really glad I'm not the only one hanging around the blog today when I'm supposed to be working!
Isn't it interesting that even someone like Toby, who we all think is a genius, thinks he'd feel a bit of a fraud in front of those other 'names'?
Wish he would tell us which story he thought was better than the one he came up with, though!!
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Comment number 8.
At 10th Feb 2011, Zoya wrote:Another brilliant lot of Q&A. And you'll never be a 'fraud' compared to Whedon and Moffat and the like, that's a group you most definitely belong in!
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Comment number 9.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:Brilliant questions some i hadnt even thought off my self.
Ivan was an old one? he was 237 compared with Hetty he was a baby.
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Comment number 10.
At 10th Feb 2011, WorldsGayestNinja wrote:Ahh, thankyou Toby for answering my question!
It was interesting to hear those little thoughts, sounds like someone didn't like the Superhero days. ;)
Do you think Herrick will go back to being a policeman, once he's back in the land of the living so to speak?
Awh, you got my hopes up then. No special prize for me. ;)
To be fair, getting a question answered is prize enough.
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Comment number 11.
At 10th Feb 2011, Dorina wrote:Toby, thanks so much for taking time and effort to answer some of our questions...even my silly one! I love the fact that you have a read of this blog from time to time and as far as the BH bloggers are concerned you ARE a heavyweight genius!
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Comment number 12.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:Just watch new clip, lol tippical George
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Comment number 13.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:Ive got the most annoyin song stuck in my head,
Do it like a dude, god its annoyin
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Comment number 14.
At 10th Feb 2011, C Billington wrote:Remember series 1?
Just found an unreleased Reggae (yes, that's REGGAE) version of Girlfriend in a coma by the Smiths.
Gilbert will be turning in his grave.
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Comment number 15.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:I loved the charater off Gilbert he was sweet to Annie
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Comment number 16.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:"How do u think this ends?"
"I dno we kiss?"
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Comment number 17.
At 10th Feb 2011, ewan wrote:A clip for Sunday night for those that want to see
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Comment number 18.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:Seen it
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Comment number 19.
At 10th Feb 2011, ewan wrote:Authority figures being evil - Yep that is scary, Then again authority is one of those scary words - denoting control. take for example two definitions.
they're an expert in
they're the authority on
the second sounds a little scarier doesn't it?
One thing the Lucy reveal if it had happened later who would have stopped Kemp from killing Nina he's not the type to back down to a phone call now is he. So there's something that save the reveal from being completely a bad idea.
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Comment number 20.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:And if she hadnt been realved we all would be happy for Mitchell finding love again, Instead were all like noooo dont trust her.
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Comment number 21.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:She pretended to cry in the first episode to get his attendion when he was gna walk off.
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Comment number 22.
At 10th Feb 2011, ewan wrote:I think I know what episode this is.
When Aidan was first interviewed for this season there was
1. A cage
2. Snead around the filming area.
I think I see Mitchell and Nina searching for the key. as the full moon closes in.
Thoughts theories opinions?
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Comment number 23.
At 10th Feb 2011, SAINTIXE56 wrote:Hi, new on this blog
Firstly, if you find my english/grammar a bit convolved, let it be clear English was not my father language, so feel free to correct, wont be offended.
Secondly, discovered this show very recently, and take it from me, lucky you; our native TV channels are clueless at inventing such great series;so least thing I could do was to play sleuth and look out for clue.
Killed by a werewolf, a wolf head bullet. Guys , that is an easy one. Georhe and Nina are werewolves, in humane or lupine guise, fact remains they are werewolves. The young chap from ep1 season 3 kills the Marylin Manson vampire whilst in human shape with a wooden stick topped by a wolf head. Bullets dont kill vampires , but a wooden stick regardless of any figure sculpted on its top-end , stuck in the heart area is a dealy bullet for any aspiring blood sucker.
We are reaching mid-season, which one of our 4 furry characters will use Mitchell as a pinball? And why? One can kill through anger, rage or...mercy. Mitchell killed 2 of his species with such aim.
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Comment number 24.
At 10th Feb 2011, aquamarine_jo wrote:Very excited to have my question answered - thank you Toby!
Trouble is I now have more... just what was the story where the fans came up with a 'better' ending??? I think we need to know!
Looking forward to meeting a new Old One - if that isn't a contradiction in terms...
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Comment number 25.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:22 - hI Ewan where did u see Mitchell and Nina lookin for key?
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Comment number 26.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:Was that the On set with Aidan?
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Comment number 27.
At 10th Feb 2011, ewan wrote:25 - I saw this behind the scenes vid
/blogs/beinghuman/2010/07/on_set_with_aidan.html
I figured they have a scene together around the cage, so as there is a full moon - we see McNair transforming.
He mentions only 4 episodes. Just guessing about a key.
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Comment number 28.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:Yhhh throught so but woundnt Nina be transforming to?
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Comment number 29.
At 10th Feb 2011, ewan wrote:Both in the cage - trapped need a key - searching for a key
so Mitchell can get out.
again just a guess.
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Comment number 30.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:I hate for that seen to happen if Mitchell and George stuck in that cage on a full moon.
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Comment number 31.
At 10th Feb 2011, Dorina wrote:Apparently a cage (or cages) and keys are significant to eps 4....this from Sinead's and Lenora's interview/chat on Radio5Live....could be where Mitchell 'swings' in as we saw in that previous blog vid (Aidan's interview) but I'm thinking that this won't be the last time we see cages...or rescues.
Beyond eps 4..I was looking at Ö÷²¥´óÐã3's FB page and the photos they have posred related to series 3...we know that Lia will return at some point...there is a pic of her sitting on an unmade bed...was that from eps 1?( can't remember if she sat on a bed then) or does it suggest her return is linked to the B & B?
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Comment number 32.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:I think Lia returns in Ep 8.
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Comment number 33.
At 10th Feb 2011, joooos wrote:Thankyou for more brilliant answers Toby! I can tell you love your people!..
Thankyou for the link to the ep4 clip Ewan....gonna be another corker of an episode.
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Comment number 34.
At 10th Feb 2011, billybunter wrote:I`d always assumed that Herrick was an "Old One".
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Comment number 35.
At 10th Feb 2011, Saffz wrote:I aways thought Herrick was an Old One he was probs bout 100 when he ruicruted Mitchell?
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Comment number 36.
At 10th Feb 2011, Harry Matthews wrote:I wonder what Toby would name the Series 1 & 2 episodes... :)
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Comment number 37.
At 10th Feb 2011, HAz152 wrote:I just noticed in that picture up there what it says on the sign on the background "Chicken, Steak, Tea" . Im sure we all know what they refer to.
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Comment number 38.
At 10th Feb 2011, HAz152 wrote:Oh and also i think that thing on the floor near the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Three sign may be another heart, but i cant be sure as it looks like it has a label on it. Could this be relevant because in the last picture there seamed to be a heart there as well?
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Comment number 39.
At 11th Feb 2011, seattlenet wrote:Hi Mr. Whithouse
So I hear you are a fan of the US version of Being Human ;) I was a bit curious to know why you aren't accredited as the creator and writer of the Original Being Human series (format created by???)
I will always be a UK version fan. The writing amongst all of you is brilliant, the musical score, and the chemistry can't be matched!
Barry you are The Man! Thank you for all you do Cheers!
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Comment number 40.
At 11th Feb 2011, C Billington wrote:This fan who came up with a better storyline than Lord Toby could. It was my story about the penguin and the nun, wasn't it?
(The penny begins the long journey)
Oh. Hang on. That wasn't this blog at all, was it?
(THe penny drops)
It was the other one....... the "special" one.
(Splash)
Ah (shuffles a bit and looks at the floor) Okay. I'll just go and keep very quiet for a while, shall I?
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Comment number 41.
At 11th Feb 2011, thebarbster24 wrote:Do we actually know how old Herrick is? I also thought he was an Old One but now that I'm thinking about it, I can't remember if they ever mentioned his age. For all we know, he could have been turned a couple of years before Mitchell.
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Comment number 42.
At 11th Feb 2011, lozzie_lo wrote:41- I dont think they have, Im gonna guess from watchin series 1 loads hes got to be relativily old...maybe like more than 100.
I would like to know how did Toby get inspiration for Being Human??
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Comment number 43.
At 11th Feb 2011, ewan wrote:41 - We find out how old he is this season but wont say how old after all spoilers.
42 - Search YT for being human comi con you should find Lord Toby explain at least once.
Basically Room-mate Drama on one agoraphobic one recovering sex addict and one with rage issues it was not going anywhere till he suggested that George was a bit like a werewolf then all fit into place that Mitchell was a bit like a vampire and Annie a ghost.
That's the basic story if I missed anything out others please fill in any gaps.
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Comment number 44.
At 11th Feb 2011, Mitchelline wrote:Thank you so much Toby for answering all these great questions.
Because I have watched all the episodes so far in a very short space of time I can't remenber if we know much about George's family. Has he ever mentioned them?
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Comment number 45.
At 12th Feb 2011, bexter2001 wrote:Okay now I'm just going to be tortured by the question of which fan-suggested storyline-outcome you considered "better than the one we've got".
I'm going to ask about it EVERY time there's a Whithouse-Question-Time blog, until I catch you at a moment of weakness and you tell us!
I sincerely hope you didn't make it up to flatter us fans because my curiosity over this is going to cause me a lot of frustration!
Interesting to think that Sinead was going to be written out and Annie/Mitchell was not planned... There's an alternate universe somewhere where those storylines never happened and there's a Being Human where it's still just the 'gang of three' in Series 3. In some ways it's appealing to think of that unit being preserved - but by now i think it would all be a bit repetitive and sit-commy. And we wouldn't have Sinead.
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Comment number 46.
At 12th Feb 2011, starry118 wrote:Which is your favorite couple on Being Human? Vote here:
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Comment number 47.
At 13th Feb 2011, Snowracer_247 wrote:Here I have been away for a mere week - sitting through endless, pointless meetings and losing all faith in humanity - while Lord Toby has answered my question. And I haven't even noticed until now! The week got better at once. Yes. Definitely.
And by the way: if those guys started gossiping it would probably be the funniest, wittiest gossip in the world. Of that I am sure.
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Comment number 48.
At 13th Feb 2011, Snowracer_247 wrote:Incidentally: This is how the Internet should be used. This blog is a splendid example of how things should be. Well done, everybody. Well done!
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Comment number 49.
At 14th Feb 2011, smokeybacon wrote:does any one remember a one off episode they did bout a year before the first series came out?? i remember something like that but my mates think im mental?? :L
another thing i think it would be awesome if George and Nina met a new werewolf, who maybe like there child was born from two parent werewolf but because of this has the ability to chose when they transform, but maybe only become a half werewolf during the month and still has control but when it comes to the full moon becomes a uncontrollable werewolf like normal. just think it would be pretty cool :D
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