| Melissa "Oregon" Shawcross | |
|---|---|
| File:Melissa Shawcross.jpg | |
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Portrayed By |
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First Appearance |
1.01 |
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Last Appearance |
4.06 |
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Relationship Status |
Single |
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Relationship History |
Tony Shales (former affair) |
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Friends |
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Occupation |
Student Union president (formerly) |
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Housing Status |
Student house (The Fresh Meat House) |
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Other Names |
Melissa (real name) |
Melissa Shawcross (aka Oregon) is one of the main characters of Channel 4's television series, Fresh Meat who lives in the share student housing with many of the other characters.
Oregon is a literature student and, like JP, from a privileged background. An idealist, Oregon is paranoid about how she is perceived by her peers, and believes that her privileged upbringing will negatively affect this. When she first arrives at university, she gives herself the nickname "Oregon," makes a clear effort to hide her background, and immediately befriends Vod, the most outgoing and party-loving of the housemates.
Oregon attempts to emulate Vod in as many ways as possible, enthusiastically agreeing with every anti-establishment or anti-elitist view Vod expresses even if she is guilty of what Vod is criticising. Despite discovering the truth about Oregon, Vod remains genuinely fond of her, and the two are close friends. She embarks on an affair with her lecturer, Tony Shales, and later unknowingly forms a relationship with his son, Dylan. The relationships end at the end of the second series. Oregon fancies herself as a political activist, but often displays a lack of world-wariness or understanding of contentious issues.