Marvel’s ‘Gift’ to the Fox Network
True Blood star Stephen Moyer leads a talented cast as Reed Strucker in Fox’s newest hit series The Gifted. Created by Matt Nix (Burn Notice, The Comedians), this series is in line with the X-Men film series and take place in an alternate universe where the famous group of mutants and The Brotherhood still existing is being questioned.
Told through the experiences of the Strucker family after discovering the children carry the X-gene; an indication they are superhuman beings known as mutants. The dilemma with this realization is that the patriarch Reed is a District Attorney who happens to prosecute these superhumans with special powers. He’s now in the position where he’s on the other end of the situation; protecting his children from the perils his office puts on mutants every day.
Even though this is the first season and we’re halfway through the first season, there is much potential for longevity. The story is honoring the long legacy Marvel has built.
The story takes place in Atlanta where the Struckers live a seemingly normal life; until the unexpected happens. What could be considered typical teenage angst at a high school dance, Lauren is having fun with her boyfriend while her younger brother Andy is victimized by a group of bullies; unbeknownst to her. It’s at that traumatic moment that causes his powers, which he wasn’t aware of, became surprisingly evident. His powers can be compared to Havoc & Jean Grey.
The powers that Lauren possess would be viewed as controlling air and water; she produces air bubbles that look aquatic what gives a shielding purpose which was on display at the high school dance. While trying to process the newfound discovery of their children being mutants, Reed & his family find help in the form of The Mutant Underground. He reaches out to Marcos aka Eclipse who is the boyfriend of Lorna; she was imprisoned in the mutant wing of the Garland Detention Center. (Side Note: Marcos’ ringtone is the theme music from the X-Men animated series from the 1990’s.)
Which brings us to another story plot..
Not only will The Mutant Underground help the Strucker family & continue the fight for mutant civil rights from local law enforcement, they are also going against a federal task force known as Sentinel Services. If you are familiar with the history of X-Men, then you know the Sentinels are the size of skyscrapers that were created by Bolivar Trask.
These government agents are led by Jace Turner (Coby Bell – The Game, Third Watch) who has his own story to tell. While interrogating Reed, he expressed how he lost his wife & daughter during the July 15th incident; presenting very personal stake in harnessing the control of the mutant community. The incident he is speaking of is regarding a battle between the infamous X-Men and The Brotherhood. There’s no logic in why your family would be considered collateral damage when you’re an agent for Sentinel Services.
Like most incidents in this world, an entire community is found guilty on site for the faults of a few. Due to the acts of a select few of mutants who wish to and intentionally cause harm to humans, all who are in the mutant community are subject to being guilty until proven innocent; the latter will purposely take longer than the former. The Mutant Registration Act remains, no matter the timeline, in effect. If only Xavier was still around to balance out the peace with the government. Some forget how much of a history he has with those on the hill.
The Mutant Underground is the civil rights movement consisting of mutants resisting to the command of a society that by many means refuse to embrace them, accept them and learn about them. They would rather attack what they are afraid to understand and ask questions later. Despite having knowledge of this, they have a belief that there are humans who don’t feel threatened and would be willing to live in harmony with said individuals. The problem with that would of course be peer pressure; the fear of feeling ostracized from people you have known for years.
Allow me to introduce you to some of the interesting members of The Mutant Underground:
John Proudstar aka Thunderbird – Blair Redford
The Switched at Birth actor portrays the leader of the group as the mutant who has to ability to search and find other mutants as well as sense danger close by that proves to be helpful in the tightest of situations. He has a relationship with a mutant known as…
Dreamer – Elena Satine
Dreamer (Beautiful Dreamer in the comics) has the power to take away memories as well as give them to humans and mutants alike. She took her power to task to save the man she loves (Thunderbird) with the newest member of the resistance group…
Clarice Fong aka Blink – Jamie Chung
The reality star (Real Word: San Diego) turned successful actress (Once Upon a Time, Gotham) is the second actress to play the mutant who can teleport but not like Nightcrawler; she can produce portals. She has come to terms with her powers and yet she still working on controlling them better. She was found by Thunderbird and two other mutants…
Marcos Diaz aka Eclipse – Sean Teale
Remembered for his role as Louis de Condé in Reign, Sean is the mutant who was a former drug smuggler with abilities to control solar power. It’s so powerful it shoots out of his arms upon injury such as bullet he took for the magnetic love of his life…
Lorna Dane aka Polaris – Emma Dumont
The Pretty Little Liars alum has been cast as the character known as Magneto’s daughter. Although it hasn’t been expressed in the show yet, a true comic book head would know who she is. The question now is whether we will see some rendition of Professor Xavier’s best frenemy come in and fight alongside his baby girl. They compatibility of Lorna and Marcos is so strong; their powers together can mimic the northern lights of Alaska.
The Gifted has the potential to introduce an array of characters to fresh eyes. Bringing about curiosity and a spike in comic book sales due to the interest of backstories of the characters. Now like most shows of this magnitude, there is a character or two created for the series such as Marcos (the same can be said for Daryl Dixon of The Walking Dead), but there is that strong possibility of being brought into the medium of comic books. Especially when the interest grows more for that character.
I feel confident in feeling that I’m not alone in feeling that Lauren is one to watch for as someone who has come into her own as a mutant while still learning something new when it comes to her abilities. She’s also helping her brother Andy long the way as he’s coming to accepting being part of a society he didn’t have much regard for. Their mother Caitlin (Amy Acker – Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D., Suits) has stepped up to the plate and the go to for medical assistance; she’s even surprised herself with what she’s been able to do despite her limited skills. Her knowledge however, makes up for it.
You’ll find that the brother/sister bond between Lauren & Andy will grow stronger as the show progresses due to the former guiding the latter in the matter of sharpening the skills of their newfound powers. Yet like many storylines like this in comics – there’s that strong possibility of getting to the point of opposing sides. Remember when Pyro went from Team Xavier to Team Magneto in X2: X-Men United?
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the Chairman Emeritus himself – Stan Lee. The former editor-in-chief mad a cameo appearance in the pilot episode. Thus, adding a stamp to his cameo book on projects that he co-created in comics and executive produced on either film or television. It’s almost like his appearance makes things official so to speak.
Another inquiry comes to mind. With much mention of both the X-Men and the Brotherhood, one would wonder if there’s a possible cameo made by Stephen’s wife Anna Paquin who was Rogue in the X-Men film series? She was after all a member of both groups. Not only would that be cool on a comic book standpoint, it would also be cool for True Blood fans to see these working together again.
The Gifted premiered on October 2 and had since received critical praises from both fans and entertainment critics. It would be safe to say there is going to be a strong following to this series and a grand fan base to go along with it. This show is another great chapter to the continuing success that Marvel has accumulated for decades. It’s highly recommended that those who claim to have a lifelong love of comics to check out this series. It’s a great live action story told very well by the actors telling it.
You can catch up on Fox OnDemand or the Fox Now app.
That’s my opinion and everyone is entitled to one.
