Rachel Bellwoar reviews the fifth episode of Marvel’s The Gifted…
For an episode titled ‘boXed in,’ there sure are a lot of secrets coming out. It’s nice to see a show not waver about putting everyone’s cards on the table. Reed’s barely at Mutant Headquarters long enough to reunite with his kids before the bartender recognizes him from coming this close to spilling their location. He rats Reed out quick, putting him back on the defensive, and for a reunion, his storyline’s completely separate from his family’s for the rest of the episode.
As great as it is to have Reed face up to what he’s done right off the bat, the corresponding speed by which he finds a way to prove his loyalty is provided way too easily. His ability to think like Sentinel Services is undeniably useful but within twenty-four hours he’s back in the Mutants’ good graces. Those graces haven’t been tested yet, but they’re better, while Reed’s family barely get a chance to react to what he’s done before everything’s back to normal over dinner. Kate initially shoots him a look before returning to her job as Mutant, MD (medical spinoff possibilities?) but it’s the bare minimum of reprimands.
Blink’s certainly not about to forgive Dreamer for tampering with her memories. Putting it together without anyone’s help, it’s worse for Dreamer, that Blink figures things out on her own, but great for Blink’s character development. Smart, confident, and never doubting in her conclusions, Blink may have started The Gifted physically vulnerable but has gotten to show she’s mentally tough.
The other couple reuniting this week is Polaris and Eclipse. While the episode returns to visuals that have worked for them in the past (the adorableness of their powers interacting; their association with the aurora borealis), they lose nothing in being repeated and cultivate an easy fondness for the duo.
As for their kidnapping Jace, it’s a pretty dead-end storyline. We get some more information about the July 15th incident (like that it started as a peaceful protest), but because Jace contradicts himself, the conversation goes nowhere. Referring to Pulse, he says that not all mutants are terrorists, but then seems to refute his opinion with his next statement.
Pulse may be helping Sentinel Services, but besides his problematic changing of sides, it makes no sense that Jace and his coworkers trust him. There has to be more to it, where they’re holding something over his head, or the brand is indicative of mind control. It’s interesting that Polaris never addresses Pulse as a one-off threat but focuses on the future implications of other mutants being turned. She also never acts like she couldn’t have been next, if their rescue attempt had failed to set her free.
For what little information they get from their hostage, Jace has to restart grieving his daughter when Dreamer makes him forget that she’s dead. It’s a ruthless end to the episode and brings to question whether Dreamer’s powers are ever worth their cost.
Rachel Bellwoar
