The Gifted Review: rX (Season 1 Episode 2)
The first episode of a series is never a clear indicator of its overall quality. Much that exists in that debut gets reworked by the second, third, and fourth episode, so even if the first episode doesn’t grab you, the episodes that come after might be markedly improved.
That is not the case here.
The Gifted Season 1 Episode 2 “rX” leaves one with a fairly conclusive idea that will likely be cemented in the coming weeks: This show is not very good.
Truthfully, this series has a great deal in common with the early episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Both series rely heavily on the built-in universe surrounding them to add texture and a certain level of interest, they feature characters that aren’t very well defined, they also have poor writing, bad production value, and a tone that doesn’t quite work for what they’re trying to do.
Perhaps, one day, The Gifted can do what Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. did and eventually become something worthwhile and interesting, if not good.
For all of the show’s faults, the one that feels the most egregious is that it’s simply boring and not entirely interesting. Normally, “boring” shouldn’t be used as a point of criticism, but for a series like this, one that is supposed to be thrilling and exciting, the interest is constantly bottoming out.
The whole point of telling a story set in the universe of The X-Men is to say something interesting that has intriguing allegorical elements. The films have been doing this for a long time to draw a parallel to being a homosexual teenager. The social commentary one is able to come away with is one worthy of a college freshman studying political science.
The ideas are fine. Yes, it’s hypocritical to care about something only after it has affected you, but it doesn’t take that anywhere or build on it in a way that’s compelling. It finds a surface-level stance and just leaves it there.
Ultimately, it’s a device to get us to spend more time with Amy Acker, which is most assuredly a good thing. “rX” does more to flesh her out with that concept and, in general, gives her more to do here. She gets to sneak into hospitals, steal some medicine, and has a presence that is something more than letting Stephen Moyer take the lead.
A part of this due to the fact that Moyer is separated from the main plot for this episode, and likely the rest of the season. This gives the series a lot of air to breathe and gives Acker a more prominent role in the series. Again, all good things and a smart move on the series’ part.
Its becoming more-and-more difficult, however, to gain a personal foothold in any of the mutant characters. Every single mutant character —other than Blink, Polaris, and the teenage children, Natalie and Lauren — could drop into an ocean and the show would be better for it.
The various mutants are colored by nothing other than just being mutants. They don’t really have personalities or anything definable other than they all look distinct enough to remember who they are individually and what their places on the show are.
That’s the problem with the series overall: Nothing feels that distinct outside of the established world. There’s no reason to care about anything or anyone and The Gifted will continue to fail and disappoint until it overcomes that.
What did you think of this episode of The Gifted? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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The Gifted airs Mondays at 9/8c on FOX.
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Drew Koenig
Drew has an ongoing, borderline unhealthy obsession with pop culture, but with television in particular. When he's not aggressively trying to get out of a perpetual state of catching up, he can be found passionately defending the ending of Lost. More of his online work can be found at The Lost Cause and he also co-hosts The Lost Cause Pod.