The Gifted Ep 10 exploited aka The Triple Threat

This review has major, huge, omg spoilers for ep 10, eXploited.  You need to be watching the show live before reading.  As always please don't sue, I don't own anything and don't make John break a table I own.

Quick Summary: Esme using her telepath prowess further divides the team sending the Struckers to confront Jace and Lorna and crew to do a risky save.  As this is happening Clarice, Sonya and the Strucker teens find themselves at the creepy hands of Dr. Campbell.

The Three Faces of Esme: Comic book peeps alerted me to the fact that Esme was going to have sisters/clones etc but it didn't distract from the wth is happening scene at the end.  Esme went full on terror enthusiast.  She didn't have to kill any of the officers and the ways she did were so blatantly cruel.  The scenes were a companion piece to Dr. Campbell literally ending the dream by shooting Dreamer/Sonya.  Neither character felt any remorse about the bloodshed they were invoking. This really concerns me because it seems Esme or at least one of the sisters is still around with the Underground till the end.   Why are they letting someone who gives mutants a bad rap and is a crazy killer around their headquarters???  Is she inside their heads?  Esme and the rest of her clan are so scary because their powers could take over the Strucker kids or Lorna and created huge havoc.  Skyler Samuels plays this villain with umpf.  She made us feel sympathetic for her at the episode's start and then let us see that true side by the end.  Bravo to her!  I am curious if Esme purposely got friendly with Caitlin and flattered her with the leader comment to first get her on the side of the Triple Threat.

The Death Revelations:  I thought Dreamer/Sonya was going to be killed in this ep but predicting correctly still didn't take away the horror and shock of that scene.  Elle Satire was brilliant in this ep.  The first scene with Jace where she goes from being flippant to complete remorse is a watershed moment.  Satire is so heartbreaking in it.  Then we learn that Sonya hid her gifts and worked at a woman's abuse shelter.  We now understand why she implanted that memory in Clarice to save Johnny and the rest of them- she used her gifts to take the bad memories of abuse from people.  Yes, she did this without consent but it wasn't to hurt or control them but rather to help them.  Sonya, it turned out, was a very good person.  Not only did she give up herself to save the Strucker kids last ep but in this one she purposely keeps telling Lauren and Andy not to do it.  Thus she keeps them on guard with Campbell and sets it up that when the bad doc is ready to kill he will turn on her not Clarice.

While I hated to see Dreamer die, her death will further impact the characters.  John has lost now his best friend and girlfriend to Dr. Campbell.  The always balanced John may become unhinged at this.  Lorna has lost her best friend and she already had so many new scars and fresh wounds from her prison stay.  Lauren and Andy watched her die...because of them.  That will haunt both of them.  (Kudos btw to Lind and White who were magnificent in this ep.)  Clarice had learned to trust Sonya and grieved her...will she be able to ever get into a ship with John knowing his past with Sonya who died for her? 

The death I was not expecting was Agent Weeks, whom I really liked.  Esme had him shoot himself which was so unnecessary and was a bloody brilliant surprise.  Turner had been starting to see the light but his partner in crime's death because of a telepath will haunt him further. 

Knock, Knock, Who's There: Not in a million years would Jace Turner think it was the Struckers.  This was such a majestic piece of writing because no one ever has characters do the smart thing and try to find a win-win solution.  It was Esme's idea but it was Caitlin and Reed's follow through that worked well.  Yes, everyone would have been in jail but that was better than being in the hands of Trask.  One breakout at a time.  Reed and Caitlin try to appeal to Jace's heart and the scene is so well shot with it looking like a regular visit among people.  Except one has a gun and the tension is palpable.   Moyer, Bell, and Frances Turner are wonderful together.  It is Amy Acker's last monologue that seals the fate of the characters. It is also a perfect guide on how to act without it making it look like acting- she crushes it ladys and gents. Acker's A game is always strong.

Notice plans where Caitlin is the MVP seem to go right (freeing Lorna and Reed, this one).  While everyone wants to watch explosions etc the Struckers represent the real world approach.  They also didn't think going after the Power Plant to get into Trask without thinking it through was a good idea.  Again they have been proven right. 

Final Thoughts: The Mutant Underground has got to think things through better.  Esme and her other halves are not to be trusted peeps!  There are more and more enemies to fight...they need to find a better way to do so.  What did Dr. Campbell mean about those test results???   We'll find out in January.

The Gifted ep 9 OutfoXed Review

I do not own the show, the characters and of course there are spoilers ahead.

Quick Summary: Esme pushes forward her agenda sending our merry mutants to Trask Industries and a Power Plant.  As Jace launches an attack on them the Strucker parents worst fears come true.

To Fenris or not to Fenris: You can understand completely while the parents would never want their children in harm way and especially why they wouldn't want them using their Fenris like gifts.  Fenris were evil (and hinted at a bit creepy in their relationship with each other) with the ability to kill easily.  Unless John can get them to control (tame) the power the Strucker kids should never ever hold hands. 

Twists and Turns: Since the beginning Andy has been the one to display the more "could turn evil" side.  But in this ep it is Andy who realizes the consequences of their combined power if they use it.   He stops Lauren who wasn't thinking about the countless lives that would be lost if they saved themselves.  Up to this point Lauren has been the level headed one but since she met the other guy she has shown new (maybe not good) sides to her.  Andy meanwhile began to grow in this ep.  Caitlin stated at the beginning of OutfoXed
about her teenager years and then last week said about her experimentation days in college.  Caitlin changed as time went on and is a pillar of reason now.  Maybe Andy is truly his mother's son.

Another turn here- Caitlin took the lead in the parental relationship.  It was her call that Andy and Lauren learn the truth of their powers, that there would be no lies.  

The ending of the ep was a huge whoa.  First off Jace got the upper hand.  The use of the new, scarier spider things was unexpected and welcome!  Dreamer proved herself to be just on the side of good by sacrificing to save the Strucker kids.  Blink was a total heroine as well.  Thus the Dreamer/Thunderbird/Blink triangle is no longer so one sided.  Esme may have her own agenda...whether to help her family or other reasons (too soon to tell).  I totally didn't think our mutants would be captured and I was left wondering what now???  That is a wonderful place to be as a viewer because it keeps you on your toes.

Kudos: This was Brad Marques's first ever tv ep and he knocked it out of the ball park.  The script added more depth to the characters, provided new arcs for the characters and gave huge surprises.  Director Liz Frielander had the difficult task of taking some pilot like scenes and making them look brand new and even more scary.  The combo of Brad and Liz was perfection.

Amy Acker crushed her scenes throughout as Caitlin.  She showed how Caitlin was trying to process all this new information she was learning.  She reasoned why the truth was important and how their lives would have been different if they knew the kids were mutant along.  Then in the stunning last scene she is completely heart breaking as she loses her children.  This was her nightmare, her worry come true.  If this show was on the air before streaming services and cable, Acker could expect an Emmy nod.

Lorna had a real nightmare maybe provided by Esme or possibly her baby.  Once again Emma Dumont proved why she is a force to reckon with.  Then in the girls night scene with Elle Satire she got to show her comedic skills.  That was such a great scene.  Hats off to Satire who also rocked that part and then got to make us cry during Dreamer's sacrifice. 

Percy Hynes White and Natalie Alyn Lind have the best sibling chemistry around.  There are such good actors- I still marvel (pun intended) at them.  They both got to further push their character arcs and by doing so provided more layers to already complex kids.

Also Jamie Chung has got the humor down perfectly.  And Coby Bell got to be smart -evil this week with a bit of humor added in. 

Final Thoughts: How will this season end?  No clue and that makes me even more eXcited.

The Gifted: Xtremed Gene Vetting

I do not own The Gifted of course.  If I did I wouldn't be writing the blog I would be too busy you know making the show.  Spoilers galore you are forewarned.

Quick Summary: The Mutant Underground tries to help a traitor in their midst spearheaded by Caitlin while Reed meets with his dad and learns shocking secrets (worse than Wes conning people).

Caitlin the Leader: Once again Caitlin was the one leading the charge within the Underground to help Chloe and also showing the compassion.  When Caitlin is making the decisions it seems things work out much easier.  She may not have any powers or gene repression but that doesn't make her any less powerful.  Her reactions and what she decides to do in the next upcoming episodes (after the big reveals) will be interesting.  Not only are her kids mutants but her husband was one.  Will this make her feel like the real outsider, even more than she is?  Could this lead her to a bad mistake?  I look forward to seeing Amy Acker crushing all this future scenes where Caitlin finds herself questioning everything she once knew.

Reed Can Be Red: From my Mentalist days did you know that Reed can mean red?  Could be important or not but given the twins destructiveness and Reed having mutantism in his blood...I think it means something.  I wonder now if Reed's missing screw knee healed quickly because his X gene is not fully suppressed.  I mean it can't be if Lauren and Andy have the great (yet horrifying Von Strucker powers).  The father tried to kill the gene and nearly killed his own son in the process but still Lauren and Andy have the powers.  Now the show seems to be saying Caitlin is only human but...all the other mutants fell for mutants.  Just saying.  She could stay non powerful but imagine the writers giving us the twist that she isn't.  I mean Acker's hair is blonde for a purpose and seeing Reed's relatives were blonde that would explain Lauren's hair color.  Hmmm.

Evil Connections: To have your hero family be connected to super villains is pretty bold and brave.  As the show continues to tell lessons this ep reminds us that history is full of horror and that tangibly is tied to the present and us in it.  Andy drew the wolf in the pilot...not just an easter egg for X Men fans but also a huge foreshadowing hint that yes, the twins would be here.  Bravo to Caitlin and Paul who play the murderous duo.  Although the flashback is short and they are total evil I would love to see more of them. 

Every Moment: This episode was full of secrets revealed and omg moments but what was amazing was that each character and thus their actor got to have something special to do.  Lorna's depression was tackled which gave both Emma Dumont and Sean Teale another chance to shine.  Jamie Chung and Elle Satire had a great scene together where they moved past the Beverly Hills 90120 part of their storyline to help a little girl.  Blair Redford got to show John's emotional side as he said goodbye to his friend Gus for the second time.  (I was truly shocked Pulse died).  Natalie Alyn Lind and Percy Hynes White got to send chills up our spines.  Stephen Moyer was wonderful with his father especially in that goodbye scene and then at the end with his family when he is telling them but can't find the words.  Amy Acker's Caitlin provided the reason and moral voice for the episode but also got to do a great scene with the new girl (which established the new character and revealed a bit about Mrs. Strucker).  The other amazing scenes were with Chloe from the humor with the needle to watching her go. 

Questions, Questions: How did Dad Strucker fight off Pulse?  Is it because the Struckers are so powerful?  The fireness reminded me of a cross between Havok and Marcos but unlike the latter he bleed real blood.  Otto was living in his own Underground that he made for himself and like Lauren he hid his powers. 

Is Campbell going to tun into the Cyborg now?

How will the Underground react to the news that Reed's family were villains?  Will this bring up old feelings for Lorna? 

How quick can two weeks pass?

 

   

The Gifted: Extreme Measures, Trust Issues

This is a review for ep 7 of The Gifted, Extreme Measures.  I do not own the show though if Caitlin would like to co-teach with me in real life that would be cool.

Quick Summary: Magic Mike...I mean Marcos is playing with fire when he works for Carmen.  Meanwhile John and Clarice grow closer as do youngins Lauren and  Wes.  Caitlin takes on an even greater leadership role and Reed finds Father Knows Best.  And  Agent Turner finds himself working with pure evil.

Honesty is the Best Policy: Every week there is a lesson to learn and this week was no different.  Honestly, being truthful was the mantra being honed in.  Marcos should have been honest with Lorna right away but she had to find out for herself.  In doing so he ruined (for the time being) their perfect, beautiful relationship.  Now while this is a bump they will overcome it wasn't needed.  The moment in the car feeling their baby he should have spilled the tea to quote the kids today.  Wes is dishonest as well and Reed's pep talk to him was perfect.  You can't blame others for your mistakes, you have to tell the truth and deal with the consequences. Wes and Marcos have some great parallels.  Both are deep down nice guys who committed crimes for others.  Yes, they can say that they had no choice but really they did.  They also end up telling the truth in the end of the hour though the lies come with consequences.

Reed doesn't hold back when he hears the name Trask.  The Underground finding out he is further connected to the bad guys could have proved a problem but he follows his own advice and is honest.  John withheld the truth from Clarice which made her leave and now he is stuck having feelings for two women...and this can only end badly.  So you know be honest.

Love So Shinning and New: This ep showcased all the stages of love.  There was Lauren and Wes who are in the crazy teenage stage.  It is a real stage, not calling them crazy. Lauren was just dating Jack like two weeks ago and now she is over him and into Wes, you can see why her parents are concerned. She doesn't know him only that he is his own Disney park amusement ride. John and Sonya are at the "we will always have feelings but one of us likes someone else stage".  John and Clarice meanwhile are experiencing hot damn what is this with a more mature angle.  Marcos and Lorna are going to be parents and fully in love but they still have their problems, trust being the major one.  Caitlin and Reed meanwhile have the crazy teenage stage, the hot damn feelings and fully in love with years of being together and working out their issues.  There is trust, commitment and the love that the rest of the gang is striving for.  Kudos to the show for not just displaying the younger love stages.  The lessons this show teaches...once again we learn what ship goals should be with Caitlin and Reed.

The Good, the Bad and the Real Evil: If you thought Jace was bad, the Doc shows how pure evil he is.  Using mutants to exterminate other mutants is twisted on so many levels.  Jace's brain is so screwed up right now as well but will he find a way back to the man he use to be?  Will it be in time to save his soul before he does something more horrible than we have seen?

Caitlin The Teacher: I was so getting an Xavier vibe from Caitlin teaching the kids.  Notice how Magneto's daughter is doing the training and preparing the young mutants to fight in the war and distrust humans while Caitlin is saying fight smartly and also keep learning?  Sounds very much like Magneto/Xavier.  They both had two vastly different approaches to solving the problems and Caitlin like Xavier wants the kids to find a place back in the world while Lorna does not.  This could set up a really interesting conflict and I would love to see more Emma Dumont and Amy Acker scenes together maybe even having talks about humanity and such.  Caitlin has become such an important part of the Underground because she has taken upon herself to take a leadership role from the moment she went to get to the medical supplies to save Clarice.  She is the nurse, the healer, the teacher, the one who is honest at all times.  When she doesn't like something she says it and this is so important to the narrative.  Because at anytime any of the other characters could turn evil to be honest but Caitlin is the most pure good character.  It doesn't mean she is always right, of course not, but she does things without malice.  Now the old Caitlin didn't do enough to help mutants, yes, we can all be guilty of that getting involved if it doesn't directly concern us but she doesn't want anyone getting hurt.  Even John and now Clarice have a reason for payback but Caitlin doesn't look to hurt the SS crew or Jace even after what they did to Reed and how they ruined her children's lives.  This is so important for not only the show but as a reminder that revenge and fighting are not always the solution.  The learning to fight scenes are cool but you need the knowledge to see the big picture.  If you don't you could end of becoming Jace, the bad Doc or the other SS members.

Character Scenes Versus Action: The show does a wonderful job with the action scenes but in this ep it was the character scenes especially the small ones that held the most impact. 
*  Sean Teale once again proved why he is going to be a force to recognize for years.  He does such a masterful job showing Marcos's disgust with himself and everything going on- he looks sick.  His best scene of the ep though was after he lit everything on fire.  Teale lets his body do the talking for him.
*  Jamie Chung gets to add another layer to Clarice as she breaks down learning the fate of the refugees.  Chung is heartbreaking and allows the tough facade to slowly crack until finally she needs to hold on to John.
*  Coby Bell continues to amaze as he flips from making the audience want to cry for Jace to then want to shake him and get him over to the mutant side.  It is a tightrope performance that he does with ease.
*  Stephen Moyer and Amy Acker get to prove why they are the leads.  Moyer has a great scene with Wes but it is their two parental scenes that are just perfection.  The acting is subtle but just as powerful as they both show the struggles parents face when rearing kids.  You have to teach them and protect them and sometimes that means being willing to lose them, too.  Moyer's face as he tries not to overact but feels lost and Acker's use of the infection of her voice and trying to calm him while calming herself is just...well masterful.  A+ acting here folks.

Trask:
More foreshadowing in a huge way here.  Now if the Underground can stay honest and stick together maybe they can win this war but they also have to do more than training- they must learn from their mistakes and learn actual knowledge as well.  

The Gifted ep 6- Got Your SiX

I do not own the show and cannot absorb any light so...yeah not that Gifted.

Quick Summary: Lorna acts as mentor for Lauren and the other young mutants as the boys go breaking and entering and John makes alerting decisions.

ParentHood: Marcos and Reed have a good chat in the back of the truck about what being a father really means.  Scenes like this separate The Gifted from your average tv affair.  These character moments are not used mainly for plot but to show the audience more about them and give the actors a chance to make the characters feel real.  As the two fathers bond Lorna and Caitlin, the two moms, are at odds.  Full disclosure I am not a parent but I totally think like one in my role as a teacher.  So I can relate to Caitlin's concerns.  She should want to protect her children.  Until you have kids of your own you can't understand how hard is it.  I wonder if Lorna's views will change when her child grows.  Sean Teale and Stephen Moyer work so well together, I always enjoy when they have scenes like the ones tonight.  This is the first time we really have seen Emma Dumont and Amy Acker act opposite each other and both make their moments in this ep fantastic.  I hope we get much more Lorna/Caitlin interaction.

The Real Superheros: This ep does a great job of highlighting why the X Men left John in charge of that Underground station: he was already a hero as a Marine.  Military personal give their limbs, their lives, lose their families in order to take care of others, to protect them.  They do this many time even when they hated by they the people they are serving.  There is a great parallel written there by having John and Gus be mutants who served.  The world may hate them but they don't hate the world. John changes his mind about not fighting and the ep explores his guilt of leaving Pulse behind.

Lauren and Andy's Great Adventures: Lauren has always been sensible but between the new guy (who I don't completely trust) and finding a mentor in bad ass (sad with love btw) Lorna, she is changing.  She isn't hiding who she is anymore.  The lie was the church choir popular, normal girl.  The truth is a mutant with great power who is tired of being oppressed.  This storyline gives Natalie Alyn Lind a real chance to shine.   Andy has been unable to control his power but now he is learning to do so- he held it together in the truck.  Although the gift destroyed their quiet life he wasn't happy in that life and now that he is free to be himself he relishes it.  He is needed big time and he has found importance.  Percy Hynes White had some really nice scenes with Moyer.  They have a great father/son chemistry.

Breaking My Heart: Okay, Coby Bell totally brought me to tears again.  Jace the villain, I now feel for.  Losing his daughter twice is too much for anyone to bear.  Jamie Chung is equally impressive as Blink told off John- I felt her pain.  Blink has had great comedic scenes which Chung did fabulously and now with the more emotional ones she proves how versatile she is.

We Will Do It As A Team:  This is the theme for this ep.  Now they must all come together and be ready to fight if they want to win against S Services and the Bad Doctor.  Teamwork is what the military is all about- coming together as a family to achieve the common goal of rooting out evil and protecting the innocent.   Writer Melinda Hsu Taylor's script connects that opening screen with the whole heartbeat of the ep.  These new mutants are a new form of military fighting for all, being brave, risking everything and doing it as one.

Bringing the Wow Factor: There were some major important scenes in this ep so I will just bullet point them for brevity:
+ Caitlin worried about Skyler's blood pressure seems to be foreshadowing that medical issues could plague our mutants (which harkens back to the military)
+ Shatter telling Caitlin about the fate of the school kids was just heart wrenching.
+Marcos taking all the light in was an amazing scene and brought up foreshadowing that Andy's powers don't cause him pain.
+ Wes is an illusionist...could this be a nod to the possibility that he is faking his commitment to the Underground?
+Reed not having his ring was realistic and reminded the audience how much the Struckers have lost from jobs to possessions to friends and family
+ Marcos is in big trouble and I don't just mean with Carmen.
+ The scene where Lorna, Lauren and Wes save the boys is just movie level cool.

The Gifted BoXed In- Ep 5 Revenge Served Warm

I do not own the show, the characters or any cool super powers.  I just own the very old (vista os for real) computer I typed this review on.

Quick Summary: Happy reunions are cut short as Lorna, along with Marcos, takes Jace hostage to gain information and Reed tries to prove his loyalty to the Mutant Underground.

The Theme of Revenge and Its Consequences: Each week the show has a theme.  Love makes the world go around, real heroes don't need mutant powers and you don't understand what a life is like until you lived it.  These are the things The Gifted has taught us so far so this week it taught us something new: the consequences of revenge.  Sure we all like to think we are not vengeful people but then ask yourself when Lorna strapped Jace Turner's neck to the wall did you cheer?  Things are not clear cut in The Gifted world as they aren't all the time in real life.  Lorna was taking her revenge on the man who imprisoned her and then tortured her with mental games of trying to turn on her crew.  She could tell herself she wanted the information about Pulse but deep down she wanted Jace to feel like she had felt: scared and trapped.  She didn't want to give up any information and neither did he.  Lorna didn't let it rest calling in Dreamer who wasn't allowed to complete the work of her power leading Jace to forget his daughter died.  Yeah, that was real unintended revenge that will have major consequences.  Jace is now going to be seeking more pain against all mutants.  In a way Lorna turned him more into a villain as he has turned her to a degree since her prison stay.  Marcos, on the overhand, was not looking for revenge.  His main goal was getting Lorna safe and he had done that.  This new Lorna may impact negatively the relationship with Marcos.  The scene in the car where they talk baby names shows how sweet of a couple they are.  Let's hope nothing gums that up too much.

All this has now pushed John's want for peace and not going against the government into a black hole.  The regular mutants of town are now being locked up and gone after since the prison break- an act of revenge for the mutants winning that battle from Jace.  The death of Jace's daughter at that hands of a mutant explosion has propelled Jace on this path of hate.  One can understand him leaving Dallas but to take a job that imprisons mutants who "pose a danger"?  Yeah, not a good idea for a man who has a reason to not be fair to mutants to take a job where he gets to exact revenge over them.

Revenge is not worth it.  Jace has let the charming father/husband go in exchange for someone who will stop at nothing to get his prey.  The SS crew already shoot at kids and unarmed mutants without warning, this is not a peaceful, justified organization.  Now while it is understandable why Lorna wants revenge her taking it may 1.) lead her down a more villainous path.  2.) create friction with Marcos 3.) cost more mutants their lives.  The cost of revenge already hit the innocent Mrs. Turner who had to tell her husband their daughter was dead, whom else will it touch?

Strucker's Atamony: Andy got a chance to be a hero without using any mutant ability- he saved a life with his blood.  Caitlin did a great job saving Trader but Lauren proved to be the real amazing one.  First of all her idea of using her shields to stop the bleeding was brilliant.  Secondly she remained very calm and focused through it, even calming her mother and telling her to sew him up.  Lauren continues to be a fascinating character.  Caitlin, Andy and Lauren have all proved themselves valuable to the mutants and their cause.  Thus it was good that Reed made a profound play to show his loyalty.  By putting his neck on the line to keep the police away from the Underground and offering up information he has, he has secured a tentative future with the Underground.  This makes sense on two levels.  First of as a prosecutor he needs to do something because that is what his old job entailed and secondly his imprisonment made him realize what he has to do- help the mutants.  My one nitpick- having Reed announce the decision to stay and help the mutants.  It should have been a family discussion where they all agreed to work together for the cause.  Plus the character of Caitlin has had a leader role previously and it would be an error to have her play second fiddle to her hubby.

Be Our Guest: This ep got to shine the light on some of the guest cast.  Sage had a larger role to play, Shatter was almost ready to mutiny, Fade gave Reed a shot of comeuppance, Trader was near death and Dreamer nearly got her head portaled off by Blink.  Having a familiar guest cast of mutants to interact with the others and make ripples in the storylines is wonderful.  What makes it even better is that these talented actors have immediately made the audience engage with his or her character so that you care about the role and what is happening on screen.

Kudos for Bell: Once again the acting is so stellar on here I could praise each performer every week.  This time though the applause meter has to go off the charts for Coby Bell.   Now if you ever have seen Bell in another role you know he oozes charisma.  This role is a real departure for him because Jace Turner is a villain.   Bell has had to make Jace engaging while turning down his natural charm since the pilot.  That is a feet in itself.  With this episode he has to make Jace stay in the villain role while also making you feel for him.  It is a lot to ask any actor for but Bell showcases his talent in the opening scene and the closing one.  He is heartbreaking and Jace is now not "just the bad guy".  The layered performance gives layers to the character and I am interested in seeing where he goes next with him.

Minor Nitpicks: Did I miss the explanation of how Reed is able to hobble around now that he is missing the pin in his knee?  Wouldn't that hurt an awful lot?   Shouldn't the mutants have another way to get to the Underground other than driving or blinking?  It would make sense especially seeing The Machine...I mean there are cameras on the streets.

Ep 4- Exit Strategy- Power Is Not Just a Mutantation

I own nothing except the cat who covered his eyes when Marcos threatened to blind the person.  Spoilers galore so go watch live instead.

Quick Summary: Before Lorna and Reed are never seen again a six member team and the Strucker kids opt to save them but the past comes haunting back threatening their futures even more than Jace can.

The Past Is Gonna Get You: Last week's theme was the power of love and how it can be great but lead you to be stupid.  This week that theme is referenced again while also adding on the past coming back to haunt your future.  If you ever read a Nathaniel Hawthorne story you know how fraught with possibilities this can be.  Marcos has to confront his past head on.  Not merely as his ex getting in his face but also the dark side of him.  Until this point Marcos has been shown to be a real hero so it is great to see the layers to the character.  Sean Teale was really revealing in getting more of this meaty material to show the depth of his abilities.  We can assume that Lorna was what saved him from being a thug forever that helped to torture others.  Now though that he made that deal with Carmen he will have to confront who he was and who he is now.  Also how will this effect the baby who has dark genes from Lorna as well?  Instead of stopping a story line the ripples of this will be felt through.   What will Lorna do when she finds out the truth?  Right now it is a secret but after the horror she went through will she take her anger out on Carmen and unleash her dark side? 

John's past is also haunting him this week and gave Blair Redford a great chance to explore more dimensions to heroic John. He thought his best friend, Pulse, was dead when he left him but as a Marine you never leave a man behind.  How will this effect him going forward?  Will he continue to go on the offensive?  Eventually could he try to get Pulse back to his side? 

Dreamer and John seem to be bonding again as Dreamer's action has set Clarice into being almost hopelessly in love with John.  Kudos to Jaime Chung for showing us this new Clarice that we haven't seen before.  Sarcasm stripped away she also was letting her guard down.

Heroes Don't Need Powers: Caitlin starts off this trend this week by being the voice of reason and coming up with their best plan to get Lorna and Reed back.  She also joins up with the Mutant 5 even though she can't "shoot lasers out of her hands."  She isn't expecting them to fight her battle for her, she is very brave and chooses to put herself in harm's way to get her husband and Lorna back.  Suburban Caitlin is long gone and Warrior Caitlin has taken her place.  She later uses her nursing needle skills to stop an armed S Services guy!   Root would have even be proud.  Then she proceeds to pick everyone up at the final rescue moment after stealing a vehicle.  Heroes can be anyone who is willing to put themselves on the line.  Amy Acker, once again, shows all the outstanding acting traits that make her...Amy Acker.  After creating such iconic characters in the past a "regular person" might seem boring to audiences but thanks to the writers and Acker's performance Caitlin is astounding.

Even when Pulse is negativing the mutant powers Marcos won't give up.  Luckily he had that gun with him though.  John proved to be powerfully strong as himself.  It made total sense he would be being an Apache and former Marine. 

Performances and Plotting:  The scene at jail where Reed tries to explain he changed and Lorna totally shuts him down...that was amazing.  Huge applause to Stephen Moyer and Emma Dumont.  The action of the episode was terrific as directed by Karen Gavoila who is a seasoned director.  The ep was written, I believe, by two women, which is in it's self very cool.  Come to think of it sexual stereotypes were turned on their head.  Carmen was the "bossman" now.  Lorna saved Reed and herself.  Caitlin came in for the sweeping save.  Clarice once again proved to be a huge asset.  If not for Lauren, Andy wouldn't have blown the tire.  It wasn't just the boys out there "saving the day". 

This ep turned the show on its head because until this point it was all about saving Lorna and the Struckers getting back together.  But now that they are together there still are a mountain of challenges and for the Struckers the war has become a place for them, too.  What I loved though was that it was unexpected that Lorna and Reed's prison story lines were resolved.  This shows me that there will be more twists and turns as time goes on.  Usually shows wait forever for things to happen and lose audiences along the way.  The plot tonight will further push the future story lines.  Each week The Gifted ends up me waiting to see more which is its power whether human or not. 

Exodus- Love Makes the World Go Around

This has spoilers for ep 3, Exodus, of The Gifted so don't read until you watch.  I own nothing and sadly Blink won't be making any portals for any of us.

Quick Summary: As Lorna and Andy take their anger out on doors, Dreamer creates a cupid conflict, Blink once again saves the day, Caitlin learns the true powers at work and Reed makes a choice.

Love Is a Many Splendor Thing: The theme for this ep was all about the power of love and how it can lead to stupidity, powers beyond belief and never going to give up attitude.  There are positive effects and happiness but also it can cause negative consequences and pain.  Caitlin decides to go get help to get Reed out of prison or wherever he is.  The kids love her so much they won't let her go it alone.  It leads them to Uncle Danny's who doesn't want to get involved.  When he sees the ones he loves threatened though, he acts to try to protect them and then does find out important information.  Out of love he tells Caitlin to let it go and live in the cabin with the kids but her love for Reed won't let her. 

Meanwhile the opening flashback shows Lorna and Marcos probably at the beginning of their relationship.  Lorna at this time just seems happy and not willing to do anything to destroy the Underground she helped create.  She loves her powers.  Now being stuck in jail for being a mutant you have to wonder if she loves it as much.  Marcos will do anything out of love to get Lorna back and honestly he isn't too concerned what may happen to Clarice.

Then we have the revelation that Dreamer and "Johnny" were once an item.  She clearly is still in love thus why she gave Clarice the memory of a kiss with John.  Even if it pains her to see another woman loving her guy, she loves him- she couldn't have him die.  Clarice is only able to open the portal to save the SUV because she thinks she loves John.  Love is a very powerful, positive thing the show implies.

Then we have Reed who has planned all along to fall on his sword to protect his family but when he realizes that doing so will hurt innocent mutants he can't go through with it.  His love for every human being outweighs everything else in that moment and that is really important.  Like last ep, a Strucker parent has gone through a year long character arc in one 43 minute show.  Props to Stephen Moyer here for his scenes in this ep which really got to showcase his talent.  By the end Reed has become a hero like Cailtin last ep, willing to fight for the mutants. 

Tempers Flare: Hmm could the show be hinting at a more villainous turn for Lorna and Andy down the road?  Both characters open doors in unique ways this ep.  Lorna is going through hell and back in prison.  It would be understandable if the effects of her torture make her even angrier at the world.  Especially if gulp something happens to the baby.  Played by Emma Dumont, a villainous Polaris would still be a hero because Dumont has already made the character charismatic and engaged the audience into her plight.

Andy blows the meters and then the statue and then the door.  Three explosive examples that came from his anger he couldn't control.  Percy Hynes White does an amazing job of showing this other side to Andy that becomes almost scary to watch.  Could Andy turn evil and get back at all those that tried to hurt him?  And gulp if something happens to a member of his family...Andy's wrath could be deadly. 

Also you have to wonder if Dreamer could do something bad later on...can't be with the one she loves, doesn't get credit for helping to save them.  Lots of mental anguish there.

Foreshadowing:
-What will Blink find positive to channel into if it isn't John?  They seemed to have sparks before this how will that effect the Underground, their relationship?  John doesn't seem to want complications but if he falls will he do everything for love like the rest of them?

-Andy and Lauren are always together when their powers seem to work.  Could they be the evil Strucker children from the comics?  Or could Reed's dad...and maybe mother be the ones who caused the problem in Rio?  Andy is destructive so...this could be very bad.  What happens if one sibling goes bad and the other stays good?

-What was that look at the end with Caitlin?  You know Amy Acker didn't throw that in there because she was thinking about eating sushi later.  Is she up to no good, has a secret, going to save Reed no mater, just heard a machine talking in her ear...wait wrong show.  Anyways something big is coming.

Kudos:
Once again Amy Acker was a stand out this time with the last scene and when Caitlin was speaking with her brother.  The range of emotions she went through in two minutes just wow.

Stephen Moyer really gets a chance to show his talent off as he brings us on Reed's journey of enlightenment.  Can I also compliment both Moyer and Teale for doing great American accents.  When an American does say a British accent everyone raves but we just expect our Europeans actors to prefect the hardest accent around- the non accent.

Teale and Dumont and Chung and Redford do a really nice job of creating the young love here.  It is important for the audience to care for the characters and for their relationship.

Natalie Alyn Lind really makes Lauren feel so real.  Coby Bell is killing it as a villain.  Elle Satine did wonderful work as Dreamer.  Jeffrey Nording as Danny was also a welcome sight.  The special effects continue to amaze and the writing and direction were once again top notch.

Bottom Line: 
The Gifted continues its serialized story with such fast paced story telling that the hour zooms by.  The writing, direction, crew work is outstanding and the talented actors elevate the material like Polaris can make herself fly. 

The Gifted- rX Creating the Mother of All Eps

Okay spoilers abound so watch the show first and I don't own anything involved in it or else Zingo would be mine.

Quick Summary:
Blink is collapsing and the whole Mutant Underground is going to go with her if Caitlin doesn't get the right medical supplies to save the day.  Meanwhile Polaris is showing her true colors and trying to stay alive while Reed makes a deal with a devil.

Societal Concerns: 
What already sets The Gifted apart from the regular tv show is that it is trying to make the viewer think (while also enjoying all that is to be seen).  The beginning of the hour finds the Struckers not doing much when a mutant child displays her gift at a bowling alley.  Sure, Reed doesn't turn them in and offers advice but this isn't anything that effects them so they look the other way.  Time to just continue to bowl.  Then later on Caitlin sees first hand the prejudices mutants face and is shocked by it.  Until it touches you, you only think you understand.

This sets up a character arc (in just one ep- tres amazing) for Caitlin.  She goes from pretending like this issues weren't a real problem a year before to really becoming one of the best ally's of the mutants.  She isn't just in this fight now because of her kids, she has to do.  While Andy's powers awakened from fright at the bully treatment, Caitlin's "powers" awaken when she realizes her past mistakes.  She now instead of not acting, goes full throttle to help Blink and really the rest of the mutants.  Their fight is now her fight.  Golly, she even leaves her kids to go into brutal harm's way to save Blink.  It is one thing to be a warrior with powers or SWAT behind you but another to do it just as a normal person in scrubs. 

Character Reveals:
This ep does a wonderful job of revealing who these characters are, showing they are more dimensional.  John stays with Blink and is protective.  Blink has something in her past...something about that road but she can't talk about yet.  Lauren finds how powerful she can be and is heroic and Andy shows that he can start fostering his great power.  Marcos is intense but probably because of what happened to him as a kid.  He found the love that he longed for with Lorna and a place to call home.  Polaris acts tough but is scared for herself, for Marcos and for their baby.  Jace has some humanity in him but has let grief and anger cloud his judgement.  Reed is all about his family but is there something less heroic about him or is just playing into Jace's hand for now?

The biggest character reveal is Caitlin who does a wonderful 180 as she finds who she is and who she needs to be in this new, scary world that she now lives in.  Caitlin is powerful without having any mutant gene. 

Bravo, Bravo:
This is an ep that allows two of its female cast the real chance to shine.  Jaime Chung has to portray everything happening to Blink while lying down.  The performance could be cliche, laughable or not as impressive in lesser hands.  Chung, though, makes the audience feel like we are on that horror rollarcoaster with Blink.

Amy Acker gets to do a year's worth of tv acting in one episode.  Caitlin Strucker changes so much and has a lot of action.  Acker does a masterclass in acting in each of the scenes she is in.  From the bowling where we see a different Caitlin to the scene where the doctor assumes Marcos is beating her and realization comes to Caitlin.  Any young actors wanting to learn how to act...watch Acker in this ep.  Always a scene stealer as the lead actress here Acker is such a wonderful, commanding force.  Like Caitlin who has found her leadership abilities, the show is allowing Acker the chance to showcase her talent not just as the wonderful supporting character but as the one leading the series into a more special place.  Caitlin and Acker have at least one thing in common: they are a secret weapon.

Also congrats to Matt Nix, Len Wiseman, Sharon Gless, the make up/hair and visual effects crew.  The ep was brilliantly written, expertly directed, Gless as top notch as ever and the crew needs their Emmy STAT.

Exposed- Bringing In New Types of Families

Spoilers ahead for the pilot ep of The Gifted, eXposed, so you know stay away unless you want your surprises ruined. Or you know watch on the Fox app first.

Quick Summary: As the Struckers' lives turn as upside down as the gym that dance was held in, they band together with the Mutant Underground as Sentinel Services are tracking them down.

So Are You Gifted?
I have to admit I am not a huge superhero fanatic.  I love origin stories but then get bogged down in the "if they are so powerful why can't they end this" etc.  So I went into The Gifted as an Amy Acker fan first and foremost.  What I found was a story that can appeal to all groups of people.  Action/Adventure fan? This show has you covered.  Looking for love stories? You can check that off.  Into a bit of horror? You can find that here.  It can be hard to fit into so many categories and still be a quality product but The Gifted does it with ease.  The pilot has a movie tone (of course it is directed by Bryan Singer) but the seeds for an episodic t.v. series are planted here.



Gifted Isn't Just For Mutants:
One of the major wow components of this show is the talent of the actors.  They only have a short time to get the audience to feel for their characters and to find out what happens next.  I already told you I am a card carrying member of the Amy Acker fan club so I know how talented she is.  Her Caitlin Strucker is one of her more "normal" characters but Acker makes her just as important and gripping to watch.  Acker also has the hard task of making a character not resemble any of her other characters she has played or herself, an actual mother and sweetheart of a person.  She allows her face to register ten or more emotions at once as she learns her children have the mutant gene.  When Agent Turner and his merry band of mutant haulers are at the door, Acker shows how Caitlin starts off trying to stay calm but then goes into full no-way-in-hell mode.  It is always a performance worth noting.

Emma Dumont almost reminds one of Root as her character is literally locked up and does put a little hurt on Stephen Moyer's Reed with pleasure.  Like Acker did for POI, Dumont immediately makes her Lorna engaging and the audience wanting to see more of her.  Watch for her to be quite the scene stealer.

The Strucker kids played by Natalie Alyn Lind and Percy Hynes White have a realistic sibling chemistry and were already amazing in their performances.  To be young and already be so good...well we will be watching them for along time.

Sean Teale has already star quality as leader and intense Marcos.  The quiet moment he learns he is going to be a dad registers so well on his face and his anguish at losing Lorna...come on you shed a few tears. You can admit it, we are all friends here.  Jamie Chung gets to play some adorable comedy with the mutant's dog and also show poor Blink's fear and unloved feeling.  She hits the nail on the head for each performance.  Kudos also to Chung for making the portal making be a fearful thing for Blink with what could go wrong with it (and also having to pretend like that). Blair Redford only has a short time on the screen but he made John already distinguishable as the level headed, quieter counterbalance to Lorna and Marcos. Coby Bell is always the performer you belove in his past roles so having him play the villain is brilliant.  Not only is Agent Turner not a cardboard cutout cliche of  a villain but you can't help wanting to see what Bell will be able to offer in the future episodes.  Stephen Moyer has to make you feel for the guy that is prosecuting the mutants.  Moyer wisely slips in slight smiles and efforts to show that Reed is a good guy just not wanting to admit to what was happening might be wrong. 


The New Family:

Family is the real definition of this show. The Struckers are the regular, nuclear family with some heightened teenage angst. The love for their children out weighs anything else even if it means going against the law. Meanwhile the mutants have their own new family- people pushed off from regular society because of being different. The symbolism of their underground headquarters being in a ruined bank is not lost on the viewer.  There are great parallels between the two families. The scene between dads Marcos and Reed is perfect showing that neither man will back down when it comes to protecting their families even if it means going against what they believe in. Reed turning against the system he once worked for and Marcos hiding his intentions from John. The mothers are not similar but they do act the same.  There is Caitlin who can maintain composure until she lashes out enough to ram her mini van at whatever is behind her in an effort to escape with her children.  Lorna is calm until she discovers she's pregnant then she screams breaking the glass.  Family will protect family.  Andy is trying to learn about his powers and they are awesome but scary.  Blink is trying to maintain her portals which are amazing but can be scary, too.  Lauren is level headed, so is John.  See, parallels.  Love when writers do that.


Making You Think:

The show, created by Matt Nix who has a prestige of writing strong women and dynamic villain characters, isn't just entertainment. It raises a lot of thoughts or questions which always makes me enjoy something more (sorry studied literature in college). We love Andy but it is understandable why someone could fear his major powers that he hasn't harnessed yet. Although he didn't mean to he could have hurt a lot of kids in that gym and not just the bullies that deserved to be stopped. Sentinel Services are protecting people they say but inhumanly holding kids and chasing down families with straight out of a horror film spider things -not the best way.


Questions:

Will there be a LGBTQ character eventually? It would have made sense if one of the Strucker kids were given the way the parents easily accepted the mutantism. How did the Sentinel Services actually find Marcos and the Struckers? This seems like it will be a big plot reveal later. Do any of the mutants have jobs? They need a way to pay for food etc. could be interesting to see.


Final Thoughts:

The writing, directing and acting are top notch. Big props to hair and makeup and all the behind scenes crew who put the pilot together. Pilots have to explore a new world in a short time and The Gifted does so with ease. It is a fun ride with depth and the themes of family, love and hopefully finding acceptance.