Feel free to check out my tits, yeah?
As promised, meta on Alisha from Misfits. And it is EPIC.
“Feel free to check out my tits, yeah?”
From the very first episode Alisha has been my favorite character. Her attitude, her acerbic wit, and the incredulous faces she pulls at other’s shenanigans instantly endeared her to me. More than that, I identified with and strongly appreciated her confidence and gleeful capitalization of her sexuality to get what she wants. As I am also at times incredibly shallow, the fact that she was gorgeous did nothing but reinforce my love for her character.
Since her introduction, Alisha’s sexuality has been her most prominent and defining character trait. Consider for a moment the opening scene of the very first episode of Misfits. The first shot is of her bare feet with the ankle bracelet clearly in focus. The camera slowly travels up her nearly naked body as she puts on her orange jumpsuit, a clear example of the male gaze at work. The locker room sequence shows all of the misfits getting ready and yet, with the possible exception of the lingering shot of Curtis’ naked abs, none of the other characters are so thoroughly objectified. In the same sequence, seconds later, there is a particularly lecherous shot of Alisha’s headless body, focused on her hands pushing up her breasts in the mirror. Clearly we are supposed to view Alisha as an object of lust.
-Beginning is opening scene of misfits
-7:30 Kelly hears Alisha's thoughts
Additionally, lest we presume that her character’s objectification is merely a function of the heteronormative nature of the camera lens; the script goes to lengths to point out her physical attractiveness, perceived desirability and the effect her sexuality has on other, usually male, characters.
-Prior to the influx of Simon/Alisha vids, if you queried alisha misfits this was the most viewed and highest rated video.
So what then does it mean that Alisha, a character so strongly associated with her sexuality, is given the “power” to drive whoever touches her into a “sexual frenzy?”
According to the show’s creator, people affected by the storm received powers directly relating to their emotions at the time of the storm. For many of these characters, those various emotions are rooted in insecurity. Simon, for example, often feels ignored or invisible in social situations, thus he is given the ability to turn invisible. Kelly, for all of her tough exterior, is incredibly sensitive to other’s perception of her. Her ability to read other people’s mind only reinforces the belief that people have a negative perception of her. And so on and so forth.
It came to me as I was writing this essay that while Alisha’s power comes closest out of all of them to being a curse, it could be said that they are all tormented to a degree by their powers. Before he learns to get at least a modicum of control over his powers, Simon is forcibly rendered invisible when he feels sad and ignored. Take for example the scene towards the end of episode three in series one.
-Beginning is Curtis/Alisha reconciling
-8:12 onward Simon turns invisible against his will
After his offer to the group to go out and celebrate getting away with killing and disposing of their probation worker is rejected, Simon has a seizure and turns invisible. It is important to understand that he does not choose to become invisible at that time, but is so consumed by the feeling of being dismissed that it happens involuntarily.
Similarly, Kelly who has only a limited control of her mind reading ability usually has her powers activate as a result of someone thinking negatively of her. It cannot be coincidence that the first thoughts she can hear are Alisha’s derisive assessment of her grooming habits. See the first video, starting at the 7:30 mark. And that when not actively reading someone’s mind in search of information, the majority of thoughts Kelly hears throughout the series are other characters’ unkind reactions to her.
But even if we speculate about the emotional toll other characters go through as a result of their powers, it is still no comparison to the suffering that Alisha has gone through as a result of hers.
Let’s break down essentially what Alisha’s power does. According to her character blurb on E4’s website, when someone comes in contact with her skin “they’re going to be so filled with lust, they can’t think straight.” This leads them to aggressively attack her with the intention of having sex with her, while verbally describing what they feel about her as well as what they want to do to her. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the people that have been affected by her touch do not remember their actions.
-Start around 3:00 to witness Alisha's powers in action and her reaction
As various people throughout fandom and feminist critics of the show have discussed, Alisha’s power in the context of the show and her sexual history comes dangerously close to victim-blaming and feeds into our ever present rape culture.
That this character, which was once in control of her sexuality and reveled in it, has been cursed with a power that strips her of that control has some very unfortunate implications. It would seem as if her powers are a punishment for her previous behavior, including her tendency to use her sexuality as a tool to get what she wants. The view that the show is making a connection between Alisha’s behavior and her power is not unfounded. Take for example her character blurb on E4’s website, the last line of which reads, “Alisha soon discovers it’s much more of a curse than a blessing as she has to adapt to life with her new power, forcing her to reassess her relationships with the opposite sex.” Say what, now?
Alisha is the only character whose powers are described as a way to teach her a lesson and promote character growth. The only one. That the show has taken it upon itself to punish Alisha for her “bad behavior” concerning using her sexuality as a tool is deeply unsettling.
Especially when you think about it in the context of the larger narrative society has regarding female sexuality. Stretching back as far as the stories of Lilith and Eve and the forbidden fruit, woman as sexual being has been a phenomenon to be alternately feared and maligned. After-all, who could resist the allure of a woman?
The problem with viewing female sexuality as this overwhelming force against which no man has any defenses, or rather one of the many problems, is that it completely absolves men of culpability for their actions while placing the blame and responsibility squarely at the feet of women for being so damn irresistible and enticing as to force men lose control and act upon their “natural” urges. This is complete bullshit.
Another problem presented by the presentation of Alisha’s powers as a moral consequence of her behavior, is the way in which that plays into the myth of female sexuality as a tool to be used against men to force them to do our bidding. This myth conveniently leaves out the fact that in order to leverage her sexuality and gain agency, that is in order for men to be so enthralled by her that they do submit to her whims, Alisha (and other women) would have to first be seen as a sexual object. That is the only way that works. In actuality, female sexuality as a mechanism by which to gain power only operates in a patriarchal society which already objectifies women.
The manner in which Alisha’s powers manifest are incredibly disturbing not only because of the aforementioned implication behind her character specifically getting such a power or the innate wrongness of such a power to begin with; but also because of the emotional damage that it inflicts on her. Damage the show has not spent nearly enough time showing.
It is clear from her reaction in the third video, the one which shows the scene in the pilot wherein Alisha discovers what her power is, that she is initially scared and rightfully freaked out by what has happened to her. However, by the third episode, we are treated to a montage of scenes involving Alisha strolling through a crowded club, willfully touching everyone within reach (including women who are affected by her power) and engaging in vigorous casual sex with said people.
-Beginning is Alisha club scene
-7:25 onward for Curtis/Alisha sex & conversation
What she does in that scene and later with both Ben and Curtis is tantamount to rape. Remember, the people Alisha touches are not in control of themselves and their actions and most importantly do not remember their actions. Even if the person she touched is attracted to her naturally to begin with, once she touches them they cannot give their consent to whatever happens.
Thankfully the show does address this briefly. First, in the scene immediately after Alisha has used her powers to have sex with Curtis. Unlike other tv shows, Misfits doesn’t gloss over the fact that Alisha had sex with Curtis without his consent. He is very angry with her and the ensuing conversation is incredibly illuminating.
Alisha: Don't freak out.
Curtis: You can't be doing that to people.
Alisha: Trust me you enjoyed it.
Curtis: That wasn't me.
Alisha: (looking upset) But you were so up for it, you kept telling me how much you want to be with me.
Curtis: When I want to tell you something, I'll tell you myself. You don't know what I'm feeling.
Alisha: Yeah, I've seen the way you look at me.
Curtis: Yeah, well I won't be looking at you anymore.
Alisha: Yes, you will.
Curtis: You think cause you're beautiful you can treat anyone the way you want?
Alisha: (Crying) Yeah, that's pretty much how it works, haven't you figured that out yet? {More on this later.}
Curtis: You're so messed up and you don't even know it
Antonia Thomas knocks it out of the park in the scene after Alisha and Ben have had sex and Alisha recognizes that he doesn’t remember. The way her fingers clutch at the sheets and she uses it as a shield. The dazed and disconnected look on her face as Ben rambles about not remembering and not usually “doing stuff like this”. Finally, the way her eyes start to well up at the end of the scene, all of this reflects a character seriously breaking down as she realizes just to what extent her powers have fucked up her life.
-Beginning is relevant scene
Alisha is now untouchable. And that is a big fucking deal. As I have mentioned earlier, touch is one of the most important things to a human being. It is life affirming, a way of giving comfort, and overall a very significant part of our sensory experience. Because of her power she is unable to experience all of those very important functions of touch. This is incredibly isolating and dehumanizing; to be deprived of even the simple joy and comfort of skin to skin contact is incredibly painful.
And let's not forget about sex. One of the reasons I feel some people had trouble understanding or really sympathizing with Alisha initially is because when she is first introduced to us her sexuality is such an overwhelming character trait and that can be off putting to some. But sex is important. For those who possess a healthy sex drive, sex is just as important any other basic need like food and water. Think I'm over-exaggerating? Regardless of your views on sexuality, promiscuity, sexual mores and the context in which sex acts should take place it cannot be denied that sex is important. Sex is at a very basic level a way in which to give and receive pleasure and connect at least physically with another human being. As a result of her power, Alisha is deprived of this.
Enter Superhoodie/f!Simon.
My shipping preferences aside, Alisha’s interaction with f!Simon, indeed her relationship with both Simons, is incredibly important to both our understanding of her and her growth as a character.
Regardless of whatever feelings she grows to develop for both Simons it is unquestionable that a significant factor in her initial reaction to f!Simon stems from the fact that he can touch her. Given that she has been deprived of touch for weeks now, it is almost indescribable how deeply affected Alisha is by that fact alone.
[I have chosen not to include a video to illustrate my point in this section, simply because of the overabundance of choice. But seriously, head over to youtube and check out the wide array of Simon/Alisha vids. Watch one, and witness her visceral reaction every time f!Simon touches her.]
Through her interactions with both Simons we discover Alisha’s vulnerabilities. It is clear that the isolation caused by her power has made her very lonely.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Being able to touch someone.”
It also becomes apparent that her power is wreaking havoc on her self-esteem, the way she sees herself and breeding insecurities regarding the nature of her interaction with men.
“Sometimes I think it’s difficult for pretty girls; people don’t see past their looks.”
“You told me I was beautiful today.”
“I know, everything that happens to Simon, has already happened to me.”
It made me feel - ever since I got this power. Blokes, you know. Doesn’t make you feel very good about yourself.”
“It’s not down to you, none of us asked for this.”
That p!Simon tells her she’s beautiful without any ulterior motives, in fact as a statement of fact and not particularly motivated by anything, is something that really touches Alisha. Because for most of her life, her beauty & her sexuality and other’s desire of her has been tightly entwined. She probable hasn’t heard anyone call her beautiful without trying to get in her pants in a very long time.
Her discussion with f!Simon and his reassurance that “none of them asked for this”, that she doesn’t deserve what her power has done to her, also means evidently means so much to her. Especially in light if her next scenes with Curtis where he unintentionally makes her feel as if their inability to touch is her fault.
Insight into her feelings and how her power has affected her are not the only things gained from Alisha interacting with both Simons. Her exposure to f!Simon and the realization that the previously dismissed creepy kid is the one who saved her makes Alisha that much more open and aware of what is going on around her.
Take her reaction to Ollies death for example. Would Alisha have been concerned over his death a couple of episode ago? And what about her new sense of responsibility reflected in her agreeing something needed to be done about the Gamer dude?
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“I can be nice -“
Vs
“You think because you’re beautiful you can treat anyone how you want?”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much how it works; haven’t you figured that out yet?”
The difference between these two quotes illustrates the growth that Alisha goes through as a result of her experiences with both Simons. What a change!
The second quote is especially informative in understanding the Alisha we meet at the beginning of the series. Rude, self-involved, and used to using her sexuality to get whatever she wants, she is a product of her experiences as a pretty girl.*
*That is a whole ‘nother essay.
“Feel free to check out my tits, yeah?”
From the very first episode Alisha has been my favorite character. Her attitude, her acerbic wit, and the incredulous faces she pulls at other’s shenanigans instantly endeared her to me. More than that, I identified with and strongly appreciated her confidence and gleeful capitalization of her sexuality to get what she wants. As I am also at times incredibly shallow, the fact that she was gorgeous did nothing but reinforce my love for her character.
Since her introduction, Alisha’s sexuality has been her most prominent and defining character trait. Consider for a moment the opening scene of the very first episode of Misfits. The first shot is of her bare feet with the ankle bracelet clearly in focus. The camera slowly travels up her nearly naked body as she puts on her orange jumpsuit, a clear example of the male gaze at work. The locker room sequence shows all of the misfits getting ready and yet, with the possible exception of the lingering shot of Curtis’ naked abs, none of the other characters are so thoroughly objectified. In the same sequence, seconds later, there is a particularly lecherous shot of Alisha’s headless body, focused on her hands pushing up her breasts in the mirror. Clearly we are supposed to view Alisha as an object of lust.
Click to view-Beginning is opening scene of misfits
-7:30 Kelly hears Alisha's thoughts
Additionally, lest we presume that her character’s objectification is merely a function of the heteronormative nature of the camera lens; the script goes to lengths to point out her physical attractiveness, perceived desirability and the effect her sexuality has on other, usually male, characters.
-Prior to the influx of Simon/Alisha vids, if you queried alisha misfits this was the most viewed and highest rated video.
So what then does it mean that Alisha, a character so strongly associated with her sexuality, is given the “power” to drive whoever touches her into a “sexual frenzy?”
According to the show’s creator, people affected by the storm received powers directly relating to their emotions at the time of the storm. For many of these characters, those various emotions are rooted in insecurity. Simon, for example, often feels ignored or invisible in social situations, thus he is given the ability to turn invisible. Kelly, for all of her tough exterior, is incredibly sensitive to other’s perception of her. Her ability to read other people’s mind only reinforces the belief that people have a negative perception of her. And so on and so forth.
It came to me as I was writing this essay that while Alisha’s power comes closest out of all of them to being a curse, it could be said that they are all tormented to a degree by their powers. Before he learns to get at least a modicum of control over his powers, Simon is forcibly rendered invisible when he feels sad and ignored. Take for example the scene towards the end of episode three in series one.
-Beginning is Curtis/Alisha reconciling
-8:12 onward Simon turns invisible against his will
After his offer to the group to go out and celebrate getting away with killing and disposing of their probation worker is rejected, Simon has a seizure and turns invisible. It is important to understand that he does not choose to become invisible at that time, but is so consumed by the feeling of being dismissed that it happens involuntarily.
Similarly, Kelly who has only a limited control of her mind reading ability usually has her powers activate as a result of someone thinking negatively of her. It cannot be coincidence that the first thoughts she can hear are Alisha’s derisive assessment of her grooming habits. See the first video, starting at the 7:30 mark. And that when not actively reading someone’s mind in search of information, the majority of thoughts Kelly hears throughout the series are other characters’ unkind reactions to her.
But even if we speculate about the emotional toll other characters go through as a result of their powers, it is still no comparison to the suffering that Alisha has gone through as a result of hers.
Let’s break down essentially what Alisha’s power does. According to her character blurb on E4’s website, when someone comes in contact with her skin “they’re going to be so filled with lust, they can’t think straight.” This leads them to aggressively attack her with the intention of having sex with her, while verbally describing what they feel about her as well as what they want to do to her. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the people that have been affected by her touch do not remember their actions.
-Start around 3:00 to witness Alisha's powers in action and her reaction
As various people throughout fandom and feminist critics of the show have discussed, Alisha’s power in the context of the show and her sexual history comes dangerously close to victim-blaming and feeds into our ever present rape culture.
That this character, which was once in control of her sexuality and reveled in it, has been cursed with a power that strips her of that control has some very unfortunate implications. It would seem as if her powers are a punishment for her previous behavior, including her tendency to use her sexuality as a tool to get what she wants. The view that the show is making a connection between Alisha’s behavior and her power is not unfounded. Take for example her character blurb on E4’s website, the last line of which reads, “Alisha soon discovers it’s much more of a curse than a blessing as she has to adapt to life with her new power, forcing her to reassess her relationships with the opposite sex.” Say what, now?
Alisha is the only character whose powers are described as a way to teach her a lesson and promote character growth. The only one. That the show has taken it upon itself to punish Alisha for her “bad behavior” concerning using her sexuality as a tool is deeply unsettling.
Especially when you think about it in the context of the larger narrative society has regarding female sexuality. Stretching back as far as the stories of Lilith and Eve and the forbidden fruit, woman as sexual being has been a phenomenon to be alternately feared and maligned. After-all, who could resist the allure of a woman?
The problem with viewing female sexuality as this overwhelming force against which no man has any defenses, or rather one of the many problems, is that it completely absolves men of culpability for their actions while placing the blame and responsibility squarely at the feet of women for being so damn irresistible and enticing as to force men lose control and act upon their “natural” urges. This is complete bullshit.
Another problem presented by the presentation of Alisha’s powers as a moral consequence of her behavior, is the way in which that plays into the myth of female sexuality as a tool to be used against men to force them to do our bidding. This myth conveniently leaves out the fact that in order to leverage her sexuality and gain agency, that is in order for men to be so enthralled by her that they do submit to her whims, Alisha (and other women) would have to first be seen as a sexual object. That is the only way that works. In actuality, female sexuality as a mechanism by which to gain power only operates in a patriarchal society which already objectifies women.
The manner in which Alisha’s powers manifest are incredibly disturbing not only because of the aforementioned implication behind her character specifically getting such a power or the innate wrongness of such a power to begin with; but also because of the emotional damage that it inflicts on her. Damage the show has not spent nearly enough time showing.
It is clear from her reaction in the third video, the one which shows the scene in the pilot wherein Alisha discovers what her power is, that she is initially scared and rightfully freaked out by what has happened to her. However, by the third episode, we are treated to a montage of scenes involving Alisha strolling through a crowded club, willfully touching everyone within reach (including women who are affected by her power) and engaging in vigorous casual sex with said people.
-Beginning is Alisha club scene
-7:25 onward for Curtis/Alisha sex & conversation
What she does in that scene and later with both Ben and Curtis is tantamount to rape. Remember, the people Alisha touches are not in control of themselves and their actions and most importantly do not remember their actions. Even if the person she touched is attracted to her naturally to begin with, once she touches them they cannot give their consent to whatever happens.
Thankfully the show does address this briefly. First, in the scene immediately after Alisha has used her powers to have sex with Curtis. Unlike other tv shows, Misfits doesn’t gloss over the fact that Alisha had sex with Curtis without his consent. He is very angry with her and the ensuing conversation is incredibly illuminating.
Alisha: Don't freak out.
Curtis: You can't be doing that to people.
Alisha: Trust me you enjoyed it.
Curtis: That wasn't me.
Alisha: (looking upset) But you were so up for it, you kept telling me how much you want to be with me.
Curtis: When I want to tell you something, I'll tell you myself. You don't know what I'm feeling.
Alisha: Yeah, I've seen the way you look at me.
Curtis: Yeah, well I won't be looking at you anymore.
Alisha: Yes, you will.
Curtis: You think cause you're beautiful you can treat anyone the way you want?
Alisha: (Crying) Yeah, that's pretty much how it works, haven't you figured that out yet? {More on this later.}
Curtis: You're so messed up and you don't even know it
Antonia Thomas knocks it out of the park in the scene after Alisha and Ben have had sex and Alisha recognizes that he doesn’t remember. The way her fingers clutch at the sheets and she uses it as a shield. The dazed and disconnected look on her face as Ben rambles about not remembering and not usually “doing stuff like this”. Finally, the way her eyes start to well up at the end of the scene, all of this reflects a character seriously breaking down as she realizes just to what extent her powers have fucked up her life.
-Beginning is relevant scene
Alisha is now untouchable. And that is a big fucking deal. As I have mentioned earlier, touch is one of the most important things to a human being. It is life affirming, a way of giving comfort, and overall a very significant part of our sensory experience. Because of her power she is unable to experience all of those very important functions of touch. This is incredibly isolating and dehumanizing; to be deprived of even the simple joy and comfort of skin to skin contact is incredibly painful.
And let's not forget about sex. One of the reasons I feel some people had trouble understanding or really sympathizing with Alisha initially is because when she is first introduced to us her sexuality is such an overwhelming character trait and that can be off putting to some. But sex is important. For those who possess a healthy sex drive, sex is just as important any other basic need like food and water. Think I'm over-exaggerating? Regardless of your views on sexuality, promiscuity, sexual mores and the context in which sex acts should take place it cannot be denied that sex is important. Sex is at a very basic level a way in which to give and receive pleasure and connect at least physically with another human being. As a result of her power, Alisha is deprived of this.
Enter Superhoodie/f!Simon.
My shipping preferences aside, Alisha’s interaction with f!Simon, indeed her relationship with both Simons, is incredibly important to both our understanding of her and her growth as a character.
Regardless of whatever feelings she grows to develop for both Simons it is unquestionable that a significant factor in her initial reaction to f!Simon stems from the fact that he can touch her. Given that she has been deprived of touch for weeks now, it is almost indescribable how deeply affected Alisha is by that fact alone.
[I have chosen not to include a video to illustrate my point in this section, simply because of the overabundance of choice. But seriously, head over to youtube and check out the wide array of Simon/Alisha vids. Watch one, and witness her visceral reaction every time f!Simon touches her.]
Through her interactions with both Simons we discover Alisha’s vulnerabilities. It is clear that the isolation caused by her power has made her very lonely.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Being able to touch someone.”
It also becomes apparent that her power is wreaking havoc on her self-esteem, the way she sees herself and breeding insecurities regarding the nature of her interaction with men.
“Sometimes I think it’s difficult for pretty girls; people don’t see past their looks.”
“You told me I was beautiful today.”
“I know, everything that happens to Simon, has already happened to me.”
It made me feel - ever since I got this power. Blokes, you know. Doesn’t make you feel very good about yourself.”
“It’s not down to you, none of us asked for this.”
That p!Simon tells her she’s beautiful without any ulterior motives, in fact as a statement of fact and not particularly motivated by anything, is something that really touches Alisha. Because for most of her life, her beauty & her sexuality and other’s desire of her has been tightly entwined. She probable hasn’t heard anyone call her beautiful without trying to get in her pants in a very long time.
Her discussion with f!Simon and his reassurance that “none of them asked for this”, that she doesn’t deserve what her power has done to her, also means evidently means so much to her. Especially in light if her next scenes with Curtis where he unintentionally makes her feel as if their inability to touch is her fault.
Insight into her feelings and how her power has affected her are not the only things gained from Alisha interacting with both Simons. Her exposure to f!Simon and the realization that the previously dismissed creepy kid is the one who saved her makes Alisha that much more open and aware of what is going on around her.
Take her reaction to Ollies death for example. Would Alisha have been concerned over his death a couple of episode ago? And what about her new sense of responsibility reflected in her agreeing something needed to be done about the Gamer dude?
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“I can be nice -“
Vs
“You think because you’re beautiful you can treat anyone how you want?”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much how it works; haven’t you figured that out yet?”
The difference between these two quotes illustrates the growth that Alisha goes through as a result of her experiences with both Simons. What a change!
The second quote is especially informative in understanding the Alisha we meet at the beginning of the series. Rude, self-involved, and used to using her sexuality to get whatever she wants, she is a product of her experiences as a pretty girl.*
*That is a whole ‘nother essay.