The Gifted – eXtraction and X-roads

Season 1 of The Gifted comes to a close with a double episode, and in typical season finale style shakes up the status quo so we can get a fresh start next season.

Title: “eXtraction” and “X-roads”

Directed by Scott Peters and Stephen Surjik
Written by Michael Horowitz, Matt Nix, and Jim Garvey

Cast:

Stephen Moyer as Reed Strucker
Amy Acker as Kate Strucker
Sean Teale as Marcos Diaz / Eclipse
Natalie Alyn Lind as Lauren Strucker
Percy Hynes White as Andy Strucker
Coby Bell as Jace Turner (credit only)
Jamie Chung as Clarice Fong / Blink
Blair Redford as John Proudstar / Thunderbird
Emma Dumont as Lorna Dane / Polaris
Garret Dillahunt as Dr. Roderick Campbell
Skyler Samuels as Esme Cuckoo / Phoebe Cuckoo / Sophie Cuckoo
David Norona as Senator Matthew Montez (as David Noroña)
Jeff Daniel Phillips as Fade
Sharon Gless as Ellen Strucker
Andrew Benator as Aide (Hound)
Erinn Ruth as Evangeline
Vinesh Chachra as Agent Novak
Matthew Cornwell as Hound Tech

Premise:

Dr. Campbell attends an anti-mutant summit, attempting to take the Hound program national, and some of the team at Mutant HQ goes on a dangerous mission to stop his efforts.

As the first season closes, Polaris learns more about her past and makes a crucial decision that could have impactful consequences. Meanwhile, the Mutant HQ comes under attack and, with everything to lose, relationships are put to the test and alliances shift. (From Trakt.)

High Point:

I enjoyed the Struckers interactions, they really do feel like how you expect a non-dysfunctional family to interact in difficult situations.

Low Point:

I understand that the politics of the situation are how they show how high stakes are, but they aren’t the most entertaining of stories.

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6 While they tell it well, the story isn’t anything new.

Effects: 6/6 The green magnetic effect of Polaris feels off, but I attribute that to knowing magnetic waves don’t do that.  Everything looks great, and different powers have different visual effects.

Acting: 6/6 Stephen Moyer’s face when he hears his mom is spot on.  Amy Aker’s portrayal of a strong yet still motherly woman nails it.  Sean Teale’s frustration, Natalie Alyn and Percy Hynes as kids, everyone does a fantastic job.

Production: 6/6 They’ve expanded sets and props

Story: 5/6  None of the bad choices the characters make feel like they are made purely because of plot reasons.

Emotional Response: 5/6 Very engaging without feeling forced.

Overall: 5/6

In total, “eXtraction” and “X-roads” receives 36/42