After a few weeks of illness, driving back and forth on a consistent basis, and midterms, I am back and more ready than ever to pump out a Media Monday post! Over the last few busy weeks, I never had a lot of time to consume media. I would find myself only getting time to watch one episode of a show between studying and homework; a stark contrast to my typically media-consuming schedule. One major leap I made the last few weeks was the purchasing of a Hulu account. I used, and continue to use, this app to watch shows I love that Netflix doesn’t have, such as Smallville and The X-Files. Hulu also offers something I think is pretty great; the service streams episodes of some new shows as soon as they air. It has allowed me to check out shows I was afraid I’d never get to see, like Fox’s The Gifted. Thank goodness for Hulu! Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten into this show that I think has room to become legitimately great.
The Gifted is a show that, when announced, I was fairly skeptical about. I’ve enjoyed, for the most part, what Fox has done with the X-Men franchise, but I always get nervous when it seems like companies are trying to milk their products. A show, set in a different X-Men universe from the movies, with a cast made up of less recognizable X-Men characters? It seemed doomed to failure.
However, I was thoroughly impressed with the first three episodes. The show is managing to take characters that most audiences won’t be familiar with, like Thunderbird and Polaris, and make them exciting and interesting. I’m a huge fan of Blink, whose portals are being used in creative ways, and I’m especially a fan of Eclipse, a character I’ve recently discovered is original to the show. The fact that Fox created an effective and interesting original character to help lead the show, and it seems to be working, says a lot about the show.
The plots and conflict so far have been emotional and intense, and that makes me so happy. I’ve always loved the allegory that X-Men presents with real life social issues, and the show is running with that all the way. The Strucker twins, who I believe are being groomed to be the main characters, have their whole lives turned upside down when they accidentally reveal their mutant powers. The way the show handles the average citizen, and their fear and prejudice towards mutants, is really deep and exciting, and I cannot wait to see where the show takes it. I only wish the acting was on par with the storytelling.
I think The Gifted has a lot of potential, and could be taken to great heights. With time, I think the actors will become more comfortable with their characters, and the show will really grow into the deep and emotional plots it is presenting. Much to my surprise, as I had no real expectations going in, I recommend that every comic fan give The Gifted a try, at least the premiere episode. It won’t resonate with everyone, but I feel its becoming some prime superhero television, far outweighing Marvel’s Inhumans.
The Gifted has new episodes Monday nights on Fox, and can be watched on Hulu. I know that I’ll be sticking with this show, and continue to hope it will truly become great.
Until next time!
-Grant
This has been on my backburner to watch, like you I haven’t had a chance to watch much. With more reviewers bringing attention to it, and the show hitting its stride, I am sure sure more people will start watching it, and like any other fox show, I expect it to be canceled midseason. Here’s hoping its not.