Misfits Season One Review

First things first, I appraise Netflix for exposing me to British television. I become more and more impressed with each series I watch. In the UK, there dramas are much more evolved then what we see here in North America, and they have better taste. Just my opinion!

Misfits is a ‘science fiction’, superhero-esq drama where five young adults lives are changed after an ominous storm passes over their heads and strikes lightening at their feet. Their lives are changed forever, but not necessarily by their newfound abilities, but probably because of their shared experiences in community service. The main cast are young offenders. Each character is serving the community for different reasons, which is partly what the show explores. Misfits also explores the challenges young adults face in the real world, which is why Misfits is such a gritty and edgy show. The show doesn’t hold back on the dark, gruesome details today’s youth are exposed too.

The first season is only six episodes long, each hovering around the fifty minute mark. The episodes are put together well enough that each character finds screen time, and the writers and directors did a solid job in giving each character the spotlight in an episode, allowing the misfits to develop at the same pace. Each character is unique, and it’s their quirks that builds their chemistry. There is Simon, the awkward, antisocial boy who has the power to turn invisible. Nathan was kicked out of his home by his mother, so lives in the community center. He is the clown of the group, and his power isn’t revealed until the last few minutes of the season finale. Kelly, a rough and tough girl has the power to read people’s minds. Curtis was supposed to be an Olympic athlete, but was banned due to an encounter with drugs. He can turn back time. Alisha’s power is the strangest. Whenever a person touches her, they feel the sudden urge to have sex with her. Alisha is trying to cope with her own need for attention. What makes Misfits fun to watch is the main characters don’t have complete control of their powers, and it often gets them into more trouble then the powers are probably worth.

The six episodes are loosely tied together by a main plot, and to be honest, this plot is cliche and seems too mature for the characters. In the pilot, the misfits end up killing their probation officer after the storm that gave them their powers amplifies the probation officer’s rage. The misfits bury him by the river. By the second episode the audience learns that the new probation officer is the fiancé of the dead one, and she assumes the misfits must’ve killed him. The problem with this plot is it turns the new probation officer into the antagonist, which is fine for the most part; however, the writers tried to paint her as a bad person. She ends up stalking the kids, treating them like shit, and tricking Simon into thinking she likes him so that she could uncover the truth. It’s not until the end of the season we see she is just a heart broken woman who wanted to find peace, and suddenly the misfits become the evil force as one of the characters tries to guard their secret, ending in her demise. The audience also isn’t exposed to the potential emotional impact murder would have on the youth. They seem to brush it off as nothing. To out it bluntly, the main thread of the first series smells like a gimmick to keep the audiences attention.

What I found cliche about the plot is its use of “we must not be discovered.” This plot is seen in most popular North American dramas such as Dexter, Breaking Bad, Weeds, and The Shield (to name some).

I think if Misfits went for a more episodic approach, developing all the characters, even the fiancé, and then at the end of the season sparked this plot line, then the season would have been excellent. Not to say it isn’t great. I just think the main plot worked against the show rather then for it.

The misfits and their interactions with the world is what makes the first season both entertaining and memorable. In one episode, Curtis becomes trapped in a time loop where he tries to rectify the past. It had a similar plot to the Butterfly Effect, and it showcased how each character ended up at the community service. Another memorable moment was when Alisha abused her powers to gain attention from other guys, and used her power on Curtis. Only Curtis became upset that he was used as he had feelings for Alisha. He wanted something real, not artificial. It was fun to watch Kelly’s attitude and see how it was a defense for her self conscience state of mind. Nathan uses humor and bullying as a defense mechanism also, to hide from his friends how sorry of a state he is in. And Simon I personally connect with because of his awkwardness. Watching him encounter situations he isn’t comfortable with such as asking a girl out, or even trying to get the attention of the other misfits is well acted and written. Best of all, each of the powers the misfits have is a reflection of their persona.

One last kick ass thing about Misfits is the the opening sequence. A catchy, gritty song combined with an awesome animation. I never skipped the intro.

Misfits is great television because of the strong cast of character. It seem the writers wrote to the strengths of the actors. I suggest this show to any one looking for something edgy and dramatic.