The first time I had heard of this show was in someone's dorm. It was one of those glittering generalities, "misfits is awesome!" or anything else in that vein. Didn't really pay it much mind because it was around the time that Skins began its fourth series, and the third one was pretty lame.
Yet fate is a tempting mistress. Day in and day out, small glimpses of the show would waft over my eyes through the numerous gifs created by tumblr fiends. They mostly consisted of Nathan, the main character, because he is attractive and the networking site is 78% female. I wasn't intrigued to be honest, but I took note.
And here I am now, six episodes in with the first episode of the second series currently buffering in another tab. I took the usually salty and regrettable medicine of peer pressure, and thankfully it was worth it overall.
Probably due to forced pretensions or my actual beliefs, I cannot simply stick with a show simply due to beautiful people, or because it is there. One or two resounding qualities must surface before it becomes a staple watch (which explains why I haven't dug into Mad Men despite the large goldmine that is Christina Hendricks). Anyways, MisFits has a unique, fantastic story and a great cast, although it does pander to the senses a bit too much for my taste.
This show does follow the plot formula of Skins: introduce a motley crew of East Britons with varying degrees of character and personality, then create each succeeding episode around one particular character and their own problems. THis formula does not truly merit on its own, but due to the great writing and implementation. It proves trues for MisFits as well, as it allows you to get an overall cross section of the bearings of what the show has to offer, then slowly digs into the nooks and crannies of each individual's life.
Apart from Skins, this formula is fantastic because of the premise. Five rough ne'er-do-wells doing community service, who after enduring a lightning and hailstorm receive supernatural powers? It seems and is far-fetched, but the creative special effects and the repercussions that come attached with each power really shake up what could be another slightly unorthodox teen drama.
And it should be noted that the powers also correlate to the personality of each character, in exceeding ironic ways. Alisha, the self-proclaimed freak, is a walking aphrodisiac; Nathan, the self-aggrandizing, atomically obnoxious protagonist, is immortal; Curtis, as fast on the track as he is with women, can involuntarily rewind time; Simon, the truly creepy yet rejected filmmaker, can become invisible; and Kelly, the gangsta chick with a heart of gold, can read thoughts. These are ubiquitous superpowers, but what makes it great is that not only does each person feel no impulse to service and duty, but they immediately realize the devastating side-effects of having those powers.
These setbacks are what ultimately kick off the main storyline, and force them to utilize their powers to cover any tracks. One really great example is the episode centered around Curtis. It not only showed the extent of his true free will over the situation, but also how one minor change could lead to an even worse conclusion. Plus, awesome electro music played after he rewound time. That's pretty neat.
Only two acting credits really deserve any special dissection- Nathan and Simon. Not only do they display the most creative characters of the bunch, but they must consistently keep up that act for the rest of the show's duration, and have succeeded in doing so. I don't fall for every one of Nathan's attempts at comedy or ridicule, but whenever I do its well worth. Plus his Irish accent gives him this other layer of nonchalance, like he might throw gold dubloons at you while setting your car on fire (horrible Irish jokes, I know...). Simon deserves mention because he is the creepiest teenager I have yet to see in television. He doesn't even do much, but his constant filming of everything, cringe-worthy attempts at social interaction, and those damn grey eyes that pierce into your soul and threaten to display the skeletons of your closet to the world... it is truly a harrowing performance.
My only dislike is the gratuitous amount of "shagging," references to "shagging," etc. Yes, we are teenagers and creating jokes about sex is a thing that tends to happen, but it doesn't mean that it should be the only resort to filler. According to my knowledge it is broadcast in an adult swim format (when normal boring people are asleep) which definitely allows for a good amount of leeway, but there should still be some red line between a television show and an R-rated film right? I live in America, so excuse me if I don't "get" my UK counterparts.
For comparison: This show is better than Skins in terms of having a unique story, but not individual characters. I love you, Cassie.
