Review: Misfits 3.2

Curtis uses "Melissa" to get running again.

One of Misfits' great virtues is that it isn't afraid to ridicule its own characters. This week was a centric for Curtis, and opposed to his heroic episode in Series One this week decides to focus very much on the more negative sides of his character that shone through in Series Two. It also confirmed my feeling that Seth, originating in the Christmas Special, is going to become a much more important character. I'm still a little put off by the developmental focus, but that's really because the series is making up for Simon and Alesha's heavy development in Series Two.
     Not content to lead a life without his old passion, Curtis uses his power to enroll in a women-only running team. As "Melissa," he meets Emma, a fellow runner, who then flirts with him in his male form, blissfully ignorant of their encounter. Kelly, using her specific knowledge of rocket science, helped to fix Seth's car. Meanwhile, Alyssa is then being hit on by social worker Shaun. Talking to Emma as Melissa, Curtis accidentally finds out that she thought that he was crap in bed. He asks Alesha for advice and she reveals that even Simon is better in bed. She gives him a big verbal talking-down to, telling him that his ego is ridiculous. (Something that I pointed out last series). 
     Using his female self, he "experiments" with the female body. Kelly watches as Seth visits the grave of his deceased wife. Simon discovers Curtis' secret and Kelly sees it out of context, leading her to think that he;s cheating. Melissa and Emma get very drunk together, and he/she bonks her. Later, Curtis and Simon discuss hwo to clarify his sexual orientation, and then as Curtis he approaches her and apologises.

Emma

     After thoroughly creeping Melissa out, her coach then gives her a date-rape drug. Rudy wanders in and based on her drunken advancements starts acting like a cunning linguist, throwing Emma off in the process. Creepy Coach guy proceeds to try and rape her, but the drug's effect kicks in and his power is reversed, leaving Curtis wandering around in a golden dress while the coach is confused. Emma visits Curtis at his flat and they nearly recompense - but for Emma finding the golden dress and suspecting Curtis of bonking... himself.
    Kelly confronts Melissa about Simon in front of Alesha, and he has a big outburst before having to escape because of his "period". Simon reveals what was going on to the rest, and Curtis heads off to tell Emma about his power. She's been taken in by the Coach, and Curtis finds out, only just managing to save her from rape. He reveals to her the power and they chat. Emme goes away (the running club was temporary, it seems) and Curtis lives happily ever after. 
    It didn't feel like the writers knew what to do with Rudy this episode, and he just seemed to float in and out borrowing Nathan's background jokes. This came in addition to an episode where the characterisation was just excellent, and any problems I had with Curtis beforehand have all been quashed. I wish I knew the name of the actress playing Melissa, but when that's my only complaint then we're getting something right. Oh, and there was a strange focus on cunnilingus. Overman has a weird mind..

Kelly helps Seth with his car.

     For those who thought that Series Two focussed too much on Alesha and Simon... this episode is for you. Curtis' characterisation was fully explored for the first time since the first series, and it made up for the problems with his character that had emerged inbetween. Instead of a freak-of-the-week, we got a brillaitn examination of a person's self-identity and the bias within society, presented in a funny-as-hell context.

Thanks.