TV Review: The Gifted Gives X-Men The Much Needed Revamp It Deserves

I am already IN LOVE with The Gifted. It is reviving and can continue to revive the X-men universe in ways that Legion did, as well. Who knew this world would do better on TV than film? Frankly, I am a comic-book nerd, and have a special bond with the X-men universes considering it was made in reflection to the Civil Rights movement. The right to be considered equally human even if you are physically or biologically different is a challenge that has plagued humanity’s history, and frankly it sucks. Luckily, this show revitalizes the approach to this dilemma with action, intrigue, and relationships you can ship all day: #Poclipse #Eclaris lol!

I love the idea of mutants. The idea of exceptionally powerful human beings is hypnotic because who has not wished they had the power to save and do good. Who has not wished they could fly into a burning building and save residents or heal cancer patients with just their hands? Yet, The Gifted has the opportunity to show human beings are not human because of their power but their journey to empowerment. The way Stephen Moyer’s Reed Strucker reacts to his kids being mutants is proof that clearly his organization is taking extra, illicit measures to “protect” humankind. His fear for them and already displayed manipulations to protect them, i.e. Eclipse/Polaris pregnancy, focuses on the vigor from which we protect our “family unit”, but yet X-men is all about re-learning what it is to be family. It is more than blood; it is a bond. From Blink’s eagerness to save Polaris, whom she just met,  to Thunderbird’s understanding that Eclipse is a hot-head with a heart; all these characters have no ties beyond the ones they have made. Yes, they are being hunted, but their choice to protect each other and, over time, love and respect each other is integral to what X-men is all about, and I am excited to see The Gifted capture that.

Yes, I know it has only been one episode, but I am giddy to see the dynamics between characters like The Strucker family and Polaris. How will they grow to like and understand each other is the heart of X-men and the core to recognizing we are the same because we are different. We all have unique gifts to offer, but the fact that we have something beautiful to offer makes us the same. Moreover, it is just cool to be an X-men.  The Gifted Airs Monday Night At 9 on Fox.