Buffy rated 8.8, VH 3.5 WTF?
As has been mentioned on below threads, this show's become big in the UK, and probably was back in 2001, and I think it's unbelievable how underrated this is with the likes of Buffy and Angel when it's superior to them in practically every way.
Let's take the concept. Tempering vampires. Very feasible, since vampirism is presented as a barbaric disease to be overcome, just like primitive human instincts. In most of the first series I've seen so far, the content rarely strays from this concept. Compare this to Buffy, which sidetracks to witches and demons by the second episode, and in later series' completely trashes the initial "Divine Female Slayer" concept by having multiple slayers and anyone with a sharp object able to join in the fun; her little sister, her mother, whoever. VH has a much more realistic vampire hunting agency, with a blonde to outshoot Buffy. Buffy and her crossbow vs. the woman with the gun that vaporises anything = not much of a contest.
And then there's the vampires themselves. As with long established vampire myth, they're portrayed as neither particularly super-human or sub-human; they're a bit of both. Their vulnerabilities to sunlight, staking and dependence on blood are balanced out by the gifts of super-speed, strength and a variety of extrasensory abilities. Buffy vampires get all the weaknesses with nothing in return. They're not even intelligent or capable predators; as is made clear, any human with basic combat skills can overcome them. VH vamps vs. Buffy vamps = So many advantages i.e. Super speed, telekinesis, it's not even funny.
And Dr Murdoch, easily the coolest character in either series, is smartly made the focus of VH as the intellectual who simulataneously studies and teaches the vampires. His prose is a worthwhile addition in reflecting before and after the events of each episode. Buffy's counterpart is some pussy librarian who follows the slayer and her friends everywhere. Put Murdoch vs. Giles, he'd break his *beep* neck.
My point is, this show is clearly superior to its more mainstream counterparts, Buffy and Angel, in every way. Maybe it's so underrated due to apparently never being aired in the US. But regardless, it deserves much more praise.
Link
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/Nykimbur/q.jpg