Despite the fact I cannot get the Lemonheads' song out of my mind, I still find it difficult to remember that all Being Human show titles are named after singles.

It's really crazy how well they manage to fit a title to an episode, and "It's a Shame About Ray" was no exception. Well, except that it really isn't a shame about Ray. 

He was kind of a turd and his crusty heart brought back Sally's body in the flesh, so... screw Ray!

Oh, how I have missed Sam Huntington on my TV screen. When Being Human Season 2 ended with the ringing of a gunshot in the woods, I never imagined Josh would be cured of his werewolfism (ummm...I don't think that's a word, but I'm running with it). He’s actually human again.

It’s been 15 months since that gunshot, so we don’t know everything that happened, but I'm so damned happy the love between Josh and Nora was strong enough to withstand that shocking turn of events. After all, it was Nora who desperately wanted to be cured, and she was the one left behind. They’re stronger than ever now and all of their energy has been turned to finding Sally and Aidan. You have to check out the Being Human quotes because as a pair, they were on fire.

Aidan was busily talking himself out of dying when he was dug up by a random dude looking for a cure for vampires. Since Aidan was gone, all vampires caught the flu. A human virus killing vampires. I guess that’s kind of ironic, isn’t it? From feeding on the blood of infected humans they were dying at an alarming rate of the flu. Unless I'm wrong, that's a first in the world of vamps in entertainment. Kinda cool that something so simple could do them in. The rumor was Aidan had pure blood and could save them all. Well, not so much. 

As Aidan tried to keep his mental faculties, he turned to his friends to keep him going. Sally and Josh were in the forefront, as humorous as ever, and even Bishop popped in to whine and be annoyed by the three of them and their banter. The best moments are always when the group of them are tossing out the lines left and right. Their natural chemistry plays so well. I thought the first scene with the lobsters was going to be them now, and we'd be looking back on their success at getting there. I liked the writers' take better. 

The hour essentially changed the course of Being Human and set it free from its British predecessor once and for all. While the other show had already taken its own course, comparisons were still rampant. I can safely say nothing we saw in this premiere mirrored what was seen in an episode of the equivalent by the same name. Not even close. This was completely original and extraordinarily clever material.

Josh and Nora were successful in bringing Sally back, and she brought Stevie and Nick (or Stevie Nicks, as Josh originally thought) back with her. They may have been in limbo, but I can't imagine hell being that much worse. They were emotionally exhausted and living a nightmare so many times they lost count. The good news?

Josh and Nora didn't just bring Sally's soul back, but her body as well. The witch who prepared the salve from Ray’s heart said she wouldn't be exactly human, but she’s obviously corporeal. That’s something I would never have dreamed was in her future. 

Were Stevie and Nick brought back inside her body, or did their souls make their way into their own bodies? I thought Sally was saying they were inside her, but Nora wondered if they awoke in their own bodies in their coffins. Wouldn't they need some cream for that? Just a little salve?

It should be interesting to see the story played out, as well as whatever the heck will happen with Ray’s body now that his own witchy heart blood returned to it in the forest. Will he awaken, making Josh a werewolf again? Certainly two of our protagonists can’t be so humanoid... can they? Oooh! Next week should be named after a Stevie Nicks' song. I doubt it will be, but wouldn't that be cute?

Whatever happens, it’s a great start to Being Human Season 3. We never have to worry about Mother again, as she succumbed to flu, and the Dutch seem to be gone as well. A clean slate for the vampires would be welcome. No, it was needed in the worst way. They overdid the vampire lore with Mother and Suren, and someday, if Being Human is resurrected again, I hope they show Aidan as the father of all vampires with an ode to Bishop. Some things are better left unsaid.

"It's A Shame About Ray" was a genuinely refreshing way to breathe new life into the third season of a successful series. After only two seasons, the three of them have managed to do a pretty good job of being human, haven't they?

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.