Misfits – Series 1

(Don't say 'Skins meets Heroes'. Don't say 'Skins meets Heroes'. Don't say 'Skins meets Heroes'…)

Misfits is essentially Skins meets Heroes. (Shit.) Reviewing this show is unusual in that I only tried out the first episode a few days ago and now, after just six episodes, it's already over. That is what's so great about it though – it remained a consistently entertaining show over those six episodes and, unlike the other two shows mentioned, hasn't even had a chance to outstay its welcome.

The premise? Five social misfits are undertaking their enforced community service when a freaky storm hits and gives them all special powers. Their probation officer, also caught up in the storm, becomes a psychopath and tries to murder them all, getting killed himself in the process. The youths thus have to deal with two secrets – covering up their probation officer's death, and the new abilities that they've acquired. As it turns out, these guys weren't the only ones affected by the storm…

Yeah, so it won't win any awards for originality. In addition, the mythology is a bit hard to swallow – perhaps that's an obsolete comment to make for a show about superpowers, but it holds. Throughout the series, it's never made entirely clear (except perhaps in Alicia's case) whether these characters have control over their abilities and can use them at will. The spontaneous use of their powers, besides being conveniently helpful to the narrative at any given occasion, is unsatisfyingly random. Added to this, some of the powers that show up in peripheral characters are frankly a bit shit (power to make people bald, anyone?) but then again that just adds to the whimsical nature of what is essentially a teenage comedy-drama-hybrid-thing in the mould of Skins.

And this is where Misfits succeeds. In the same manner as Skins, we're introduced to a set of characters who are not only quite heavily stereotyped, but all rather reprehensible in their own way. I watched the first episode and immediately hated every single one of the bastards. It says something of a show that, after only six episodes to play around with, I like them all now! You could argue that it was easier to do here as there were only five characters to focus on, and Skins (like Lost before it) certainly gives credence to the idea that the 'character-centric episodes' format does help to create more of an empathy with the protagonists. Take Nathan, if you will. He's the quintessential mouthy twat, in the manner of Tony or Cook from Skins, a deplorable bellend who initially filled me with feelings of annoyance, hatred and mild indigestion (that last one was probably just from the curry I ate). But once some crazy stuff happens to him in the second episode – something I daren't spoil here as it's one of the strangest, sickest and funniest twists I've seen in television of late – and he reacts to these bizarre situations with a very human attitude, I began to sympathise with him. By the finale, I actually loved him for his aforementioned twattishness and was sad the series had already finished. The other characters went through less of a transformation (at least my perceptions of them did) but, on the whole, they were a lot more endearing to me than I thought would be possible in such a short timespan. Bravo to the show's producers for picking such an impressive young cast.

Misfits is, as it stands in the current TV climate, a rather unique show. Despite being obviously concocted as a mixture of previously successful formats, the uneasiness and darkness of the probation officer's storyline, along with the surreal humour on display throughout, makes it stand out. I do seriously recommend it (it should all still be on 4od for at least a few weeks) and hey – it's only six episodes, so you're not committing to a crumbling mess of a show of Heroes-like proportions.

On a final note, how awesome were the closing credits in the last episode?!

Glee – Season 1

No, I'm not being an idiot, I realise it's only halfway through the first season of America's latest hit show, but given that the back nine episodes are being produced separately and won't air for months, now is as good a time as any to offer an opinion.

What can I say? This show has just been fun. It's uneven to be sure – the contrast of the 'gleeful' musical numbers and zingy one-liners with the heightened melodrama and occasionally intense conflicts is rather jarring. But none of that detracts from the fact that the show is just fun. Fun to watch, fun to listen to, fun to buy the songs off iTunes. Seriously, this programme must be making FOX a fortune with its craftily chosen selection of songs being covered by an often vocally stunning cast, be they taken from old Broadway shows, modern-day R&B crooners or stomp-along rock anthems of yesteryear. As I say, the cast are mighty talented and Ryan Murphy has created a mostly intriguing set of characters that make the long bits of 'TV show' between each tune not just tolerable, but very enjoyable to watch. Standouts for me so far are Kevin McHale's wheelchair-bound Artie, Chris Colfer's extremely gay Kurt (the scenes with his down-to-earth dad are quite touching) and, strangely, Heather Morris' clueless cheerleader Brittany who kills with every one-liner she's given (which is good, as she does usually get just one line). Hairography – "It's like cool epilepsy!"

I initially didn't take to the two characters who are supposed to be the leads, Rachel and Finn, particularly as the whole point of the cooperative glee club was that everyone should be as important as each other, but fortunately that wasn't an issue as they took a bit of a back seat as time goes by. Plus I've warmed to Rachel a lot more – what a voice! I both love and hate what they've done with the 'adults' on the show though. Will Schuester obviously loves this club and is trying his best to help them succeed, and yet almost every episode I felt like he had made another poor teaching decision. Jayma Mays as guidance counsellor/love interest Emma was done very well to start with as, let's face it, she is adorable, but a combination of less screentime and poor dialogue meant I was quite apathetic to how the finale turned out in that regard. Praise of the highest order, however, must be given to Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester, the cheerleading coach hell-bent on destroying Will's ambitions, and one of the finest comic creations in quite some time.

So a terrific start for Glee. Sure, there were big mistakes with not one but two awful pregnancy storylines, but for the most part the show is sheer fun without the songs, and a complete marketing and creative triumph with them! Hey, with what other show would it not seem completely pathetic to end with a Top 5 list?!

Top 5 Songs

5. "Sweet Caroline" – Perhaps it was because it was Puck's first (and so far only) solo, but I loved this short version of a Neil Diamond song that showcased better vocal talent than the unusual Finn

4. "Dancing With Myself" – Again, another solo from one of the smaller players, Artie, that's great in its own right but made better with the visuals of his lonely wheelchair dancing.

3. "Don't Rain on My Parade" – They needed a killer song for sectionals, they got one. I hear Lea Michele's already being compared to Barbara Streisand (because they're both Jewish?!) so the show might as well embrace it!

2. "Somebody to Love" – As you might have seen, I'm usually more a fan of the solo offerings, as they usually have more to say about the character singing them. But this Queen song was done extremely well, and is probably my favourite ensemble effort, except for...

1. "Imagine" – Yes, it was a bit corny having a deaf choir sing John Lennon's classic. And yes, it even felt a bit rude that Mercedes and the rest of New Directions would butt in with their harmonies. But dammit if it wasn't also the sweetest thing I've seen in a long time. Consider my cockles truly warmed.

Got your own list? Feel free to post in the comments!

(For all you regular British people out there, I hear Glee will be airing on E4 in the new year. I heartily recommend it.)