In what’s probably Sigmund Freud’s favourite episode to date, Misfits explores the ramifications of Curtis’ most-unusual ability, which seems to be more trouble than it’s worth.

This is Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarret) having his eyes opened as to who he really is; learning about his true self (physically as well as psychologically) by being someone else. Holy irony, Batman.

It’s a steep but amusing learning curve and one that’s harder than just learning how to pee with a new set of equipment. Curtis’ ‘Melissa’ is gender camouflage rather than a Jekyll & Hyde alter-ego, and as he becomes more of a ‘Miss Fit’ rather than a Misfit to the men around him, he’s subjected to varying levels of sexual harassment, from the vaguely awkward to the disturbing.

As Melissa, the world takes on a whole new perspective that’s sexually exciting, but also at times sexually threatening. The attempted rape scenes make for as uncomfortable viewing as you’d expect, but are handled well and remind you that for all its super-powers and coarse humour, Misfits is a programme grounded in a gritty reality.

Though Curtis’ exploration and use of his new ability makes for a strong episode, in the back of your head you can’t help but feel it’s still a pretty useless power and that we’ve seen the extent and the drawbacks of it within the hour.

Where is there left to go with it? It’s difficult to see how it’ll be of use in future episodes, but if you can have faith in anyone to make the most of a gender-swap power then it’s series creator/writer Howard Overman. And if anything it’ll mean we get to see more of the brilliant Kehinde Fadipe, who truly owns the episode as Melissa. Watching her we really feel that we’re watching Curtis struggling to acclimatise to a new form, rather than just seeing a female Curtis.

As his alter-shego, Curtis is free to pursue his love of running, but he’s also trapped by a love triangle of his own making with the beautiful Emma (Hannah Britland). The fact that he’s two points of this love triangle, and effectively cheating on himself, is a wonderfully twisted piece of plotting and just the sort of thing you’d expect from Misfits. Simon’s confusion at Curtis’ explanation is adorable and likely the standout moment of the episode.

Elsewhere Rudy (Joseph Gilgun) continues to establish himself as a worthy successor to Nathan, and though he isn’t given anything constructive to do, the small moments we see of him – his relieving himself in a sink because “it’s the more civilized option” to urinating in a vending machine particularly stands out – cements his place as the group’s crudest member. He’s marginally less annoying than Nathan too, much to the relief of many.

And slipped in the centre we have a germinating plot point, as the power broker Seth pays visit to the grave of Shannon Speers. Who is she? What’s his relation to her? And how will it affect Kelly’s crush on Seth? Since we don’t have Simon’s power of premonition we’re just going to have to be patient.

Aired at 10pm on Sunday 6th November 2011 on E4.

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