Misfits returns, and finds itself in an identical position to that which Being Human was in earlier this year: starting a 4th series without 3 major cast members, with 2 newbies entering the fray, and 1 worried fan-base who think their show will never be like it was.

Being Human managed to turn this adversity into a televisual triumph. Can Misfits do the same?

It’s too early to say, but you can see the potential for a great series. Episode 1 hits the ground running, throwing you into the middle of a kinetic, sweary stand-off over a briefcase that leaves you with nothing but questions. It’s a bold start for what is a brave episode.

Brave, because not only does the series opener have to introduce new characters Finn (Nathan McMullen) and Jess (Karla Crome), but it also decides to change the behaviour of the few characters we’re familiar with, thanks to the effect of super-power transmitted jealousy. We’re even given the bluff that Rudy is the new Probation Worker, which we’ll admit had us going for a second. No matter whether you’re brand new to the show or have been with it ever since day one, you’re on uncertain ground. Even the style of storytelling, with flashbacks and Rudy’s untruthful narrations, seems designed to leave you feeling as disoriented as newbies Finn and Jess.

On first impressions both McMullen and Crome fit right in, especially in the claustrophobic confines of the chest freezer. It’s Scouser Finn who comes off as the more interesting character of the two, not simply because of his hilariously anticlimactic telekinesis, but because with his chipper chattering and bizarre sense of humour you’re certain he’s hiding something. Not just hiding it, but tying it to the bed and keeping it locked in a room in his flat. Oh Finn, you naughty weirdo.

Though we barely scratch the surface of her, Jess is clearly the new level-headed soul of the group, rolling her x-ray vision eyes at the nonsense of unfolding events. It’s just a shame we don’t have a more formidable female to keep the boys in check now that Kelly is defusing land mines in Uganda (stretching the spandex of plausibility to breaking point, but worth it just to imagine Lauren Socha shouting ‘Fookin’ land mines!’).

Both fine young actors are overshadowed in the final minute by Shaun Dooley as the new Probation Worker, who steals the entire episode with his locomotive-themed motivational threat that leaves you uncertain whether to laugh or shit yourself in fright. It’s the most memorable moment of the whole hour, which is saying something considering the fact we also see a graphic depiction of a man having his hand sawn off and two people pissing themselves on top of a stack of Cornettos.

Misfits has, to quote Rudy, ‘New powers, a hint of sexual possibility, tears, laughter, horribly graphic violence…’. In other words, everything it had before and everything we loved about it. The cast may have changed considerably, but good news: the brilliance of the show hasn’t.

Aired at 10pm on Sunday 28 October 2012 on E4.

> Buy the complete Series 1-3 boxset on Amazon.

> Order Series 4 on DVD on Amazon.

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