Misfits

Series five, episode eight

Having started with a literal bang, ‘Misfits’ doesn’t, we’re relieved to report, go out with a whimper. The return of series creator Howard Overman for tonight’s last-ever episode – ‘grand finale’ doesn’t feel appropriate for a show that so knowingly and consistently undercuts any delusions of grandeur – helps, although any hope of former cast members also coming back is forlorn. Still, a line-up boasting the likes of Joseph Gilgun, Sean Dooley and Karla Crome is always worth watching, as it’s probably the performances rather than the tired concept that have kept ‘Misfits’ going into its twilight years.

Tonight sees the gang relieved of their community service and contemplating life after the orange jumpsuits. Rudy (Gilgun) is happily at the centre of things, sending Jess (Crome) into the arms of a nutter with a taste for parallel futures and learning some uncomfortable truths about Helen, Karen and Sam. At its height it was nigh-on essential (and, lest we forget, Bafta-winning); this is merely decent, but E4 will still be the poorer for its passing.