The Gifted just wrapped its first season, and if you missed it, here’s a brief look at what made it worthwhile.
Wrapping up on January 15th, The Gifted had a spectacular 13 episode run that gave a unique look at Mutants on the run from the government and each other. Focusing on characters both familiar and new it stood on its own two feet apart from the Cinematic Universe that Fox has developed over the years with the X-Men franchise.
The first season laid out the premise of the series like a chess board. All of the characters were positioned on the battlefield and were explored in detail as they navigated survival in this dangerous world. Over the course of 13 episodes a lot was learned of just who these people are and what it is that they’re fighting for.
All while leaving some pretty amazing easter eggs for the discerning fan.
Parallels Of a Parallel Universe
The Gifted is the story of a a group of Mutants who have come together as a united Mutant Underground. They fight and survive as a group, forever needing to stay one step ahead of the government agency bent on taking them down; Sentinel Services.
For fans of the comic book this name will be immediatley familiar. It’s a reference to the Mutant hunting robots known as Sentinels and has been around since just about the very beginning. This time however the Sentinel’s are not as large and visually intimidating but still pose quite the threat. Under the leadership of Jace Turner (Coby Bell), the task force harnesses these robots along with human agents and conscripted and brainwashed Mutants to eliminate what they see as the “Mutant threat”.
For him it’s very, very personal having lost his daughter in a Pro-Mutant protest gone violent. Flashbacks show just what happened, and it’s very easy to draw parallels to current events here in the real world. In fact, this franchise has always attempted to tackle such issues as racism, sexism and peaceful coexistence between humans and Mutants.
Topics like government surveilance and fear and hatred of “others” littering the news over the last several years, The Gifted takes these messages and uses it to modernize the themes that have been the foundation of the X-Men universe. The characters in this series and their respective story arcs vary throughout as they struggle with battles on the outside as well as within. How far are they willing to go to survive? Can they protect themselves without resorting to violence?
And although a particular family is at the heart of the story here, The Gifted goes on to show that blood itself is not all that is required for family. Common traits, differences and and a vicious common enemy have a way of bringing even the unlikeliest of people together.
Post X
The X-Men.
Tasked with protecting a world and species that fears and hates them. That has been their mission since their inception. But throughout the entire first season of The Gifted; no X-Men.
Several references to them are made however. And all with the same message. The X-Men are no more.
Before they left, and the reasons behind this are still vague, the X-Men established the Mutant Underground. A place that could shelter Mutants who would inevitably find themselves on the run. And in charge of this organization they placed their trust in John Proudstar a.k.a Thunderbird (Blair Redford). But even though they are not seen and are only mentioned several times their presence is still felt. In the stories that are still spread about them to the Mutants in the Underground who still look up to the missing heroes, they are still a part of this story. And it always felt like they could reappear here at any moment.
Although they did not, it’s almost inevitable at some time in the future. What’s an X series without X-Men!?
Blink And You’ll Miss It
As with most comic based shows and films there are usually a ton of small details that will fly over the heads of many. But to the trained and discerning eyes and ears of the initiated, the small details, easter eggs and cameos add to the fun of this show.
And there were many.
Besides the X-Men proper, many of the groups from throughout this franchises extensive history were mentioned or featured. The Mutant Liberation Front and The Hellfire club got their moments to shine, as did the anti-Mutant religious zealots known as the Purifiers. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants were also impressively name dropped.
Arguably the two main protagonists of this show are the Strucker siblings. Lauren (Natalie Alyn Lind) and Andy (Percy Hines). Two teens just coming into their powers. The Strucker name is not as well known but traces its origin back to 1985 in the pages of Uncanny X-Men # 185. Dreamer (Elena Satine) and Shatter (Jermaine Rivers) should also be remembered as members of the on-again, off-again allies of the X-Men known as the Morlocks.
One of the larger roles in the first season was that of Lorna Dane a.k.a Polaris (Emma Dumont). Like her comic book counterpart she has the power of magnetism just like her father, the king of all “X” villaiins; Magneto. Although not implicitly stated on-screen, a quick flashback scene of hers leads one to see where they’re going with this.
These are just the tip of the iceberg, there was sooooo much more. Whether or not they neccessarily lead to anything in the future of the show remains to be seen but honestly, they don’t need to. They can just be the fun extras that they most assuredly are and that is just fine.
And there is a future. Thanks to a host of positive reviews and solid ratings, Season 2 has been greenlit and will premiere hopefully Fall 2018.
Mike Harris hails from the suburbs of Chicago and has been a fan for most of his life. Working as an industrial radiographer and raising a family with his wife take up most of his time, but there’s always room for Star Wars books and podcasts! Just looking to give back to Star Wars and the fan community, it’s been a source of fun and learning for him for so long.