As a superhero fan, naturally, I was excited for us to watch Misfits. I love thinking in terms of superpowers and the endless possibilities that amount from obtaining them. Admittedly, I am one of the few people you will ever meet that watched all ten seasons of Smallville, prayed for the improvement of Heroes, and even dabbled in Alphas this past summer. Like Logan mentioned in his post, Faye Woods equated Smallville and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (another superhero-y program I enjoy) to Misfits, emphasizing the supernatural abilities and the premise to take down evil.
Oddly enough, as discussed in class, Misfits really dismisses whatever responsibility or internal struggle such powers usually bring…no moody talks at daybreak about the weight of the world on one’s super-powered shoulder or the pressure to fulfill some grand destiny. The fact that the characters’ lives really haven’t changed much affects me more than the idea they won’t be fighting a “big bad” or “ultimate villain”. Nothing is questioned, just accepted and a part of them. If fact, the “evil” they do fight attacks as a pack of nice, generous, and thoughtful human begins. Donning a bit of a pastel fetish, but stereotypically “good” people nonetheless. They swarm like a zombie attack, engulfing the natural order as if “good” were actually bad.
This works as a fun form of personal expression, just as when Nathan preaches from the top of the community center for everyone to be themselves, not what society wants of them. On the flip side, normally the characters with abilities mature and learn to live as society does want them to, as a savior, do-gooder, and dependable force of justice. These added quirks serve simply as another aspect of them, not a complete derailment of change to life as they know it. Perhaps superpowers don’t automatically lead one to a life of fame or glory; perhaps superpowers can just as easily come from you being you in a truer sense.
(Cheesy, yes, but that’s how “super” discussions must always end)
The fact that the characters were not transformed into “good” people after getting their powers is what really drew me into the show. I’ve tried to watch some the American superhero shows but the typical plot lines of using their powers for good and saving the world always seemed too cheesy to me. Instead of feeling happy for the characters and rooting for them to be better people, I would laugh at how unrealistic it was (taking out the obviously unreal aspect of super powers). My whole family absolutely loved Heroes, but I just could never get into it. Misfits brought a new angle to the superhero genre that I really liked. I thought that if this was most realistic portrayal of the impossibilities of super powers. These kids would not reform their lives because they could hear people’s thoughts or turn invisible. Yes, they’re lives changed, but like Nathan said in his speech, they are meant to make mistakes…and they happen to pretty good at it. Misfits didn’t force anything with its characters; it all seemed very natural. This unique spin on a superhero show is what got me to check out other episodes. I am currently at the end of the second series, and although it took some unexpected turns, the charm and humor I loved about the episode we watched has remained a constant throughout.
I thought what you said about traditional superheroes feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders is really interesting. You’re totally right – our misfit heroes definitely do not view their powers in that way. What I think “Misfits” does do, though, is respond to that notion in a very unique way. Rather than bearing a weight of responsibility, their powers cause them to bear the even greater weight of their own issues and insecurities. Their powers force them to confront themselves and really look inwards, as opposed to focusing their energies on the world around them. That’s not to say that Clark Kent and Peter Parker don’t have to look inside either, but it’s a great conceit for a show that is really just about exploring youth.
I think Maija has a great point. Their struggle with their powers isn’t about added responsibility, but about how much they really have to confront who they are. Even Nathan desperately needs to know his power because he has this obsession with being special or the best. It is incredibly fitting and symbolic that he receives a power that doesn’t reveal itself for a long time, because that causes him to think about who he is.
I’m also fascinated by the idea of superheroes and various media that explore this sub-genre. I loved the first season of Heroes, though over time I became much less enamored with the show. Other than that though, I’ve never really gotten into any TV shows that are based around superheroes or superpowers, despite my love of comic book movies and cartoons growing up. I think ideally, I would like a show that is a mix between Misfits and Heroes. What I loved about Misfits is what everyone has been saying. These kids didn’t suddenly decide they needed to save the world just because they got powers. They just kept being unruly teenagers, while slowly maturing in the same way that all teens do. However, I don’t know if that would be enough to keep me coming back every week. I admit I’m a sucker for a show with a rich mythology or some sort of overall arc. Elements like the mysterious hoodie guy intrigue me, rather than the “freak of the week” kind of episodes. In that sense, although we talked about how an American adaptation would almost definitely add some sort of conspiracy angle to the show, I have to admit something like that would probably get me more invested in the show long-term.