Review: Misfits 2.4

The (frankly frightening) video-game gunman, Tim.

This week's eerily perfect episode was great in many areas, but perhaps the best aspect was that it managed to transform a basic Freak of the Week plot into a vital step in the series' mythology. It took a smorgesboard of ideas and crafted them into an enjoyable and thrilling hour of drama that blew me away and gave me plenty to chew on afterwards.
     The main plot this week was that of the group's encounter with a man whose fascination with a Grand-Theft-Auto-Style video game had led to him seeing the world around him as the game, hereafter refered to as Tim. Unfortunately, this means that he thinks and acts like the protaongist of the game, a gun-obsessed gangster just ouit of prison with matters to settle...
     Around this madman's travels across the estate, there were other important developments. The gang was intorduced to a "new boy", Ollie, with the power of teleportation, who was quickly killed by the gunman. Being a peace-loving hippie, his heart went immediately on the donor's list - and into the waiting body of Nikki (Future Girl from Episodes 2 and 3, if you remember. Had to look that one up on Wikipedia.) who gained her benefactor's power. Elsewhere, and Curtis and Alesha broke up after a heated argument while running from Tim.

Cocky environmentalist Ollie.

     After introducing the new boy, the episode took now qualms in immediately throwing the group into the action. Tim is an incredibly effective villian visually, possessing a strange form of the Uncanny Valley effect; something just wrong, like in an overly realistic video game. This set of unnerving mannerisms, combined with his relative mental illness (the now-infamous "This is not a game - this is my life") make him the first really frightening villian. He thinks like a demented child but he is prepared to kill anyone who gets in his way. In a way, it seems to be a strange sort of anti-gaming Anvil, but it comes off more of a parody of such materials.
     There was a real sense of momentum here, with the ominous threat of Tim hanging over the group's backs wherever they went. Eventually it came to the pivotal moment, where Future Simon revealed his purpose; saving Alesha from Tim's threats. Now the team no longer has Superhoodie looking out for them, and Alesha is left with knowledge of the future.

Nikki teleports into the morgue.

     I just love this episode. There isn't a dull moment, as it weaves between tense drama and intriguing plot developments, all the while managing to fit in great character pieces and awesomely fluent power useage. Tim's visions in particular held their own Uncanny Valley tones, with renders of everyone in the cast. The episode also took time to connect some of the strands left by Episode Two, such as demonstrating Nathan's ability to see the dead. Series Two of Misfits has got really strong writing, and I'm left waiting inpatiently for Episode Five.

Thanks.