Our Misfits gang have stopped rapists, comic book freaks, and even the Nazis. Their mission this week? Have some ice cream and, err… save Rudy’s penis…

In what’s likely the best safe-sex advert you’ll ever see, Rudy gets bladdered at a party that appears to the set of a Skins trailer, and has a one night stand with a girl who promptly gives him a super-STD. One that would make even Superman cross his legs and wince.

There’s a marvellous balance between body horror and slapstick. It’s not an easy line to tread but it’s pulled off skilfully, with scenes like Simon’s vision and Rudy constantly wagging his rotting privates at horrified people. Wisely the audience are left to imagine the damage. It’s the first rule of horror: don’t show the monster, or the alien… or the stricken genitals.

In the perilous position of losing his penis, Rudy chases around trying to remember and then find the girl he slept with (Ankles, Collar bones or Ready-Brek). In that respect it’s a little like The Hangover – or it would be if Bradley Cooper’s cock had been in danger of dropping off – but once the giggly novelty of his curse wears off the sense of urgency sadly dissipates and the episode becomes more of an examination of who he is.

It feels a little like this is the make-or-break episode for Rudy, and that if you haven’t warmed to him after his self-examination and heartfelt speech to scorned Leah in the club then you never will.

Joseph Gilgun excels in bringing an unseen vulnerable side that we always knew Rudy had, but which is masked with crudity, and if you felt that Rudy was a little too one-note then this episode certainly goes to pains to try and change your mind.

The storyline that perhaps should be getting more attention is the one that’s left in the background. We said a couple of weeks back that if there’s anyone who can make the most of a body-swap storyline it’s writer Howard Overman, and surely enough this week we see the result of Curtis’ fascination with masturbation, and it’s worse than getting hairy palms or God killing a puppy: it’s pregnancy.

Aggravatingly, however, it’s not so much a plot line as it is an excuse to move the pieces on the board for the bigger story-arc that’s been building since the start of Series 3 – which is a shame as Curtis/Melissa being pregnant could have so much potential. It feels like a brilliant idea tossed aside all too readily.

Essentially aborting both his child and his power, Curtis becomes a pawn for Seth. We’ve all been able to guess Seth’s plan ever since we saw him standing over his dead girlfriend’s grave so it’s not as great a dramatic surprise as it should be. The prospect of what may come of it is exciting, however.

Overall it’s the weakest episode of the series; a slight dip in energy made noticeable by the fact the previous five episodes have been so damn good.

But don’t worry, now that Curtis can raise the dead there are two words guaranteed to bring you back next week: ZOMBIE CHEERLEADERS.

Aired at 10pm on Sunday 4th December 2011 on E4.

> Buy the Series 1-2 boxset on Amazon.

> Order the Series 3 DVD on Amazon.

What did you think of the episode? Let us know below…