Back in the early winter of 2009, a group of 5 young people who had fallen on the wrong side of the law in one way or another were thrusted upon our screens. Following a freak storm this group of individuals were granted one superhuman ability each and I, like many others, found myself hooked instantly. Fans will likely already know that be aware that I am talking about the E4 sensation known as ‘Misfits’. The combination of beautiful and sarcastic Nathan [Robert Sheehan], who cares little for boundaries, the introverted and slightly odd yet adorable Simon [Iwan Rheon] and the brash, loud mouth nature of Kelly [Lauren Socha] made these 3 stand out as my favourite characters and really gave me a reason to come back every week. Nathan for me was the best of the best and there wasn’t a single week which went by without this character giving me ample reason to wholeheartedly laugh out loud so, needless to say I was saddened by the departure of Robert Sheehan from the show at the end of season 2.
Season 3 arrives and we are introduced to a new main protagonist in the form of Rudy [Joe Gilgun] and at first, I disliked him because I felt he was too much of a blatant attempt to replace the gaping hole left by the absence of Nathan. Though their characters were different, the similarities in mindset and nature were not even remotely subtle and I think I started off almost with the intention of hating him but as the week progressed I grew to love him more and more. (Not anywhere near as much as Nathan but my animosity had subsided) Season 3, though it did have it’s questionable moments, really intrigued me. It was great to see Simon come out of his shell and I love anything with a little time space continuum disruption and duality so, although I was still missing Nathan I was doing okay.
October 28th 2012, I am excited. Season 4 of Misfits is starting and there I am laying on my bed waiting to see how this all kicks off and…wait…just wait one goddamned minute, what is this? What is this?! Alisha, Kelly AND Simon are gone?! (*kneels down with his hands thrown towards the heavens and screams a very elongated “wwwwwwwhhhyy?!”) I swear, at this moment I damn near boycott the show altogether. Sure, Rudy is still here but come on. Now, without giving too much away, I have just watched this season’s third episode and I have to say that if I didn’t already love Rudy, I bloody well do now. Fans of Joe Gilgun already know he is a credible actor, but even if you have only seen him in Misfits portray, almost, polar opposites of the same character you know he can get his thespian on like a bawse. (Get his thespian on? Seriously…? That’s what you’re going with? Loser.) This episode sees him pushed a little further and deliver even more and now I’m just thinking please give Joe more air time because he deserves it and is more than capable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m marginally intrigued by the slightly tense will they/won’t they relationship between newcomers Finn [Nathan McCullen] and Jess [Karla Crome] (Marvel calibre name right there) and the seemingly sociopathic probation worker is sure to present something worth waiting for but generally, I don’t care too much about this season. Or at least, I didn’t until this episode. Now I am actually doing something I haven’t done for a while – anticipating the next episode. If writer Howard Overman can deliver more episodes like this one, then my waining faith if the show my very well be restored.
All that aside, how do you feel about the show? Do you enjoy it anywhere near as much as you did with the original cast? Do you prefer it how it is now? How do you feel about the departure of certain characters and the arrival of new ones? Who or what keeps you watching and what would you hope to see more of or see developed into bigger story arcs? Throw your answers at me, as well as anything else related to Misfits! I’m more than interested.
If you haven’t seen episode 3 then head on over to 4oD to check that out and if you don’t know Joe Gilgun outside of Misfits then please check him out too. ‘This Is England’ and ‘Lockout’ are good places to start.
Don’t forget to share this with everyone you know by using the handy links below (5 Point Rhyme) and, until next time, I leave you with this:
Much Love,
Jack
As I See It 