Let’s face it, “X-Men” fans are getting so spoiled right now. Every other year, we get a new X-Film with more and more mutants, “Deadpool” and “Legion” deliver R rated angles on the universe, while the New Mutants and Cable are on the way in the next year or two. So, the question is: Does “The Gifted” add anything new to the X-Genre? Fortunately, it does and makes a cool show in the process.
Reed Strucker (Stephen Moyer) is a lawyer who prosecutes mutants who openly use their powers for destructive ends. His latest subject is Lorna Dane (Emma Dumont), a magnetic manipulator arrested for attempted murder. Reed is living a good life with his wife Caitlin (Amy Acker) and kids Lauren (Natalie Alyn Lind) and Andy (Percy Hynes White), but when Andy suddenly develops mutant powers, Reed and Caitlin are forced to make an alliance with Lorna’s mutant underground friends to save their family.
“The Gifted” may not be as daring or as creative as “Legion,” but that’s not the point. This show is clearly aiming for a broader audience, right down the family angle of the series. Most of “eXposed” focuses on Lauren and Andy as they navigate their mutant powers as well as the drastic repercussions of this revelation on their family. The familial bond between the Struckers is palpable and should provide plenty of drama going forward.
But that’s only half the drama here, as the show also devotes plenty of time to the mutant underground society formed by Marcos (Sean Teale) as they introduce Blink (Jamie Chung) to their numbers. It’s always fun to have contrasting ideals and the interactions between the underground and the Struckers from here on in should be fun.
“eXposed” is a solid and intriguing opener for the series. There’s a lot to digest, with tons of fun characters and lots of drama, and it makes for a lot of potential. If Fox can get over their prejudice against Sci-Fi, this could be a great staple of the network.
“The Gifted” airs Mondays on Fox.