The Gifted Episodes 1-4 Reviews: Who Knew We Needed More Mutants In Our Lives?

"The Gifted" is latest in the long line of Marvel properties to hit TV/movies. It airs Mondays on Fox. The Strucker family is composed of father Reed (Stephen Moyer of "True Blood"), mother Caitlin/Kate (Amy Acker of "Person Of Interest") and teenagers Lauren and Andy. Reed works as a District Attorney who regularly prosecutes mutants. The X-Men are referenced in this show but have long since disappeared. Mutants are the Enemy #1. If captured are sent the "relocation centers"-- never to return. Little does Reed know that his own children are mutants.

When the kids destroy a school gym during a dance (after Andy is bullied), the family must go on the run. Sentinel Services is in hot pursuit. The Struckers seek help from the mutants. The main mutant characters are:

Eclipse/Marco- he is able to control light. Eclipse has been affectionately nicknamed "Flashlight" but some fans since his power is pretty lamo.
Blink/Clarice- Blink's superpower is teleportation. She initially has trouble controlling her gift.
Polaris/Lorna- can control metal/magnetism and is also bipolar. Polaris the love interest of Eclipse. She is also the daughter of X-Men villain Magneto.
Thundercat/John- he is an Apache tracker with super strength as well as other abilities.
Dreamer/Sonya- she see can interject or remove memories from others.
Pulse/Gus- can disrupt electronics and mutant powers. He was previously Thundercat's bestie but now works for Sentinel Services
Trader- has the power of invisibility. We dont know much more about him yet.

Both Reed and Polaris end up in prison. Polaris finds out she is pregnant. The rest of the Strucker family joins the Mutant Underground. Blink is saved by Caitlin (who is a nurse) after she blows a gasket while saving everyone else by opening a portal to escape.

In episode 4 "eXit Strategy" the mutants and the Struckers try to stop a convoy that is taking Reed and Polaris to a relocation center. The mutants powers are short circuited by Pulse (who is apparently now under the control of SS). Polaris eventually uses the metal screw in Reed's leg (since she can only control metal objects) to escape. They join back up with their loved ones.

The main themes of "The Gifted" thus far are two fold: 1. The importance of family (both born and selected) and what we will do to protect them; and 2. The effects of marginalization on a group. The mutants could stand in for any persecuted group these days- immigrants, the LGBTQ community, African Americans, the homeless, etc.

Grade: 4 1/2 (out of 5 Monsters). "The Gifted" is a surprise hit. I hope they can keep up the momentum. Episode 4 was a bit slower. The previous three were action packed though so I'll let it slide. I am liking "The Gifted" MUCH better than the other recent superheroes premiere "Inhumans". That one is unfortunately a dud.