234 reviews
The Gifted is a series that I won't be harsh on, as it was entertaining, had much potential and an overall good cast, but didn't live up to expectations in the end.
Pros
Cons
To the series credit, it was a fun ride, was getting better and finding itself more after 2 seasons, before being abruptly cancelled by Fox, which has a strong and infamous history of creating good 1-2-seasons series before trampling them over, all because of what - the ratings point?!
Pros
- Near award-winning VFX and special effects, besides the horrible lenses
- Overall good cast, especially worth noting are the acting of Coby Bell, Jamie Chung, Emma Dumont and Grace Byers
- Entertaining storyline, well-woven at times (nothing deep though). The background of characters were well explored at the beginning of each episode.
Cons
- Huge and never-ending melodramatic tone
- Lack of intensity in the story, mostly because of the above
- Cringe-worthy and unbearable parents (especially the mother!), which by themselves and their constantly upsetting attentionate presence, ruined the series on an atomic level
- Not developed enough of serious (and dark) steadiness in the show of the characters' powers, mostly because of the flowing melodrama and weak writing
To the series credit, it was a fun ride, was getting better and finding itself more after 2 seasons, before being abruptly cancelled by Fox, which has a strong and infamous history of creating good 1-2-seasons series before trampling them over, all because of what - the ratings point?!
Very good effort! Why not season 3? What!? Can't believe it! Disney, wake up!
- Spiderphill
- Dec 6, 2019
- Permalink
I'm usually hesitant to watch new TV shows these days as they mostly disappoint me. I am very critical on quality of acting and the plot or the story itself. I'm hooked alright!. Although it is more like the X-men series, it's surprisingly captivating. It emphasized the importance of family and value of human lives. The acting is excellent; the plot is unpredictable. The CGI can be improved, but it's far better than standard TV shows. It's an action show but not too violent. It's a great show to watch for the entire family.
- dseang2000
- Oct 16, 2017
- Permalink
The X-Men are gone. The world has grown to fear and loath the mutants especially after an incident four years earlier. Reed Strucker (Stephen Moyer) has been prosecuting mutant terrorists and for the last 5 years, he's been a member of the Mutant Task Force. His son Andy gets bullied at school and his mutant powers are unleashed. He and sister Lauren are revealed. Reed is forced to go on the run with his family. Reed tracks down the Mutant Underground where he offers imprisoned Lorna Dane in return for transit to Mexico. Jace Turner is a Sentinel Services agent driven to catch fugitive mutants due to a personal loss.
This is as good as network live action X-Men TV show is probably going to get. It gets to the main theme of persecution of minorities. It's not prestige TV. It doesn't have the dark style or experimentation. It has action with some limits. There is a bit of network blandness that bleeds into the show. It has a lot of lead characters but is able to maintain focus on them. The brother can be annoying which happens with some rebellious youth. I would love more daring in the writing but this is fine for network TV. At least, it's not Inhumans.
This is as good as network live action X-Men TV show is probably going to get. It gets to the main theme of persecution of minorities. It's not prestige TV. It doesn't have the dark style or experimentation. It has action with some limits. There is a bit of network blandness that bleeds into the show. It has a lot of lead characters but is able to maintain focus on them. The brother can be annoying which happens with some rebellious youth. I would love more daring in the writing but this is fine for network TV. At least, it's not Inhumans.
- SnoopyStyle
- Apr 17, 2019
- Permalink
Please Make SEASON 3....We all enjoyed, want ANSWERS and more of the season.
PLEASE FOX OR MARVEL OR DISNEY.....WE ALL WANT SEASON 3
PLEASE FOX OR MARVEL OR DISNEY.....WE ALL WANT SEASON 3
This is very reminiscent of Heroes and the first episode hasn't shown something we haven't seen before.
There are some token characters and basically if you've seen any of the trailers out there you've seen the first episode. The little sentinels look a little bit too much like the robots from the Matrix.
Acting is good, CGI is bearable but could do better.
Not sure where the plot is going.. is it just mutants vs the Sentinel program? Anyhow it's not a bad start but it's not great either. At this stage it's decent but it could go either way.
There are some token characters and basically if you've seen any of the trailers out there you've seen the first episode. The little sentinels look a little bit too much like the robots from the Matrix.
Acting is good, CGI is bearable but could do better.
Not sure where the plot is going.. is it just mutants vs the Sentinel program? Anyhow it's not a bad start but it's not great either. At this stage it's decent but it could go either way.
- mossikukulas-21314
- Oct 2, 2017
- Permalink
I'm hooked after seeing the first episode, it's a great installment in The X-Men Universe. I was wondering will sink like the first episode of Inhumans. But it didn't sink it sailed in my book, the effects are incredible, and the CGI is not over used.
I love characters played Amy Acker and Stephen Moyer, who play parents trying to protect there two teenage kids who have mutant powers, and are hunted. The series has other characters, but the family is the driving force of the show. It deals with people being badly judged just for being different, so much of that goes around in real life too. I hope the show will go on for a while, I wonder if any the actors from the X-Men movies will make an appearance here, I hope.
I love characters played Amy Acker and Stephen Moyer, who play parents trying to protect there two teenage kids who have mutant powers, and are hunted. The series has other characters, but the family is the driving force of the show. It deals with people being badly judged just for being different, so much of that goes around in real life too. I hope the show will go on for a while, I wonder if any the actors from the X-Men movies will make an appearance here, I hope.
- DarkVulcan29
- Oct 2, 2017
- Permalink
I really enjoy this series, good plots, good acting/actors, lots of potential...and each episode has improved as writers and directors are finding their groove.
But, please - kids, (Strucker brother and sister) - please emancipate yourselves from your constantly whining, hovering, wimpy, classic helicopter parents that are in denial about your powers and holding you back from maturing! They (parents) are the only part of the show that I cringe at, every time they are in front of the camera.
But, please - kids, (Strucker brother and sister) - please emancipate yourselves from your constantly whining, hovering, wimpy, classic helicopter parents that are in denial about your powers and holding you back from maturing! They (parents) are the only part of the show that I cringe at, every time they are in front of the camera.
- LouieInLove
- Oct 2, 2017
- Permalink
- stefanijaangelova-47848
- Jan 27, 2022
- Permalink
I do not know how I should feel about this. I guess, I´ve seen worse und worst und this is not so bad. I decided to watch it on a hunch and I do not regret having done so, but there are some things going wrong here. The teenie storylines of Andy and Lauren, yeah, I get those, they are just teens, some things I just overlook, when it comes to them, but not the parents.
I´ve watched, what now, three episodes and I am not satisfied with what I am watching. The father is just not credible, 20 years a prosecutor and he changes to a totally-ok-with-this gullible fugitive over night, just because he loves his family, so a change like that should just be- -what? obvious? It is not, not after 20 years of ruthless prosecution! And the mother? I don´t know who wrote her, but her actions and reactions are often horrifically moronic and annoying. Whoever wrote her part, did not do the show a favor.
Other than that, the acting is mostly decent and the mutant abilities and cgi do not overwhelm. It is interesting to see the mutants generally interact, not just in action scenes, I do like that, even though some lines are cheesy. Someone who has been hunted and discriminated all his life, will not just say "yeah, I´ve done some stupid things out of love too" after yet another incredibly moronic move Caitlin pulled in the third episode jeopardizing the whole underground hq. A grown up woman sleeps with a kitchen knife on a sofa but is still in doubt when she has to haul @ss and get the f... away from her brother´s house? Instead she decides to stay over the night and still has not made up her mind to just get her kids and run when two leaders of the underground operation show up telling her "if we can find you, so can others"?
Who wrote this episode? Can someone tell me who wrote this plainly horrifically moronic character? He should be sued because he is ruining every shred of credibility the show has. Dramatic build-up and inner conflicts and loyalties and taking risks because of them, yes that I get, but not when it goes overboard on blatant stupidity. I would have given the show more than six stars, but moron Caitlin just ruins it sometimes and that is poison for an action / sci fi / fantasy series.
I´ve watched, what now, three episodes and I am not satisfied with what I am watching. The father is just not credible, 20 years a prosecutor and he changes to a totally-ok-with-this gullible fugitive over night, just because he loves his family, so a change like that should just be- -what? obvious? It is not, not after 20 years of ruthless prosecution! And the mother? I don´t know who wrote her, but her actions and reactions are often horrifically moronic and annoying. Whoever wrote her part, did not do the show a favor.
Other than that, the acting is mostly decent and the mutant abilities and cgi do not overwhelm. It is interesting to see the mutants generally interact, not just in action scenes, I do like that, even though some lines are cheesy. Someone who has been hunted and discriminated all his life, will not just say "yeah, I´ve done some stupid things out of love too" after yet another incredibly moronic move Caitlin pulled in the third episode jeopardizing the whole underground hq. A grown up woman sleeps with a kitchen knife on a sofa but is still in doubt when she has to haul @ss and get the f... away from her brother´s house? Instead she decides to stay over the night and still has not made up her mind to just get her kids and run when two leaders of the underground operation show up telling her "if we can find you, so can others"?
Who wrote this episode? Can someone tell me who wrote this plainly horrifically moronic character? He should be sued because he is ruining every shred of credibility the show has. Dramatic build-up and inner conflicts and loyalties and taking risks because of them, yes that I get, but not when it goes overboard on blatant stupidity. I would have given the show more than six stars, but moron Caitlin just ruins it sometimes and that is poison for an action / sci fi / fantasy series.
- commandor_data
- Oct 13, 2017
- Permalink
Eventually, "The Gifted" won me over. Whilst it's clearly never anywhere near the top tier of the current TV options available, by the end of the series the show interwove itself more with the wider X-Men film and TV series enough that I was interested enough to not only keep watching, but make the decision that I am interested in a second series.
The show focuses on the Strucker family, led by a reliable pair of genre hands Stephen Moyer and Amy Acker, who upon realising that their children Lauren (Natalie Alyn Lind) and Andy (Percy Hynes White) are mutants, attempt to make contact with the Mutant Underground. The organisation have been put in place by the currently missing X-Men to try and keep them innocent mutants safe from Sentinel services and their shady work with Trask Industries.
AS you can see from that synopsis, there are apparent links to the movie universe in the series (though no major characters from them appear in the series). Without looking to give too much away, the Hellfire Club also begins to feature as the series progresses. These links continue behind the camera, with Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Len Wiseman and Bryan Singer producing in various capacities, with the later three directing episodes too. Together they make a decent looking show whose effects, both practical and CGI are good throughout.
Less successful are the characters and performances that make up the principle cast. Almost all are familiar tropes, angsty teens, heroic mutants, loners who won't join the team, unprincipled scientists out for the greater good. The only touch of variance to any of this comes from Coby Bell's Sentinel Services agent who runs the gambit (pun intended) of a man conflicted by personal loss and a belief in doing what's right. It is pretty slow too, though this picks up as the series goes on. It could do with taking a further step away from weekly stories towards a bigger season arc with a deeper story. The potential second season arc could be that story, if they progress from how the first ends.
I don't think it is as good as any of the DC/CW ouput... or Netflix's Marvel shows, but it's a reasonably serviceable few hours of Network television with a couple of ideas that could elevate it if the production team choose to progress them. (Or Disney might buy Fox and cancel it all so they can make their own X-Men shows).
The show focuses on the Strucker family, led by a reliable pair of genre hands Stephen Moyer and Amy Acker, who upon realising that their children Lauren (Natalie Alyn Lind) and Andy (Percy Hynes White) are mutants, attempt to make contact with the Mutant Underground. The organisation have been put in place by the currently missing X-Men to try and keep them innocent mutants safe from Sentinel services and their shady work with Trask Industries.
AS you can see from that synopsis, there are apparent links to the movie universe in the series (though no major characters from them appear in the series). Without looking to give too much away, the Hellfire Club also begins to feature as the series progresses. These links continue behind the camera, with Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Len Wiseman and Bryan Singer producing in various capacities, with the later three directing episodes too. Together they make a decent looking show whose effects, both practical and CGI are good throughout.
Less successful are the characters and performances that make up the principle cast. Almost all are familiar tropes, angsty teens, heroic mutants, loners who won't join the team, unprincipled scientists out for the greater good. The only touch of variance to any of this comes from Coby Bell's Sentinel Services agent who runs the gambit (pun intended) of a man conflicted by personal loss and a belief in doing what's right. It is pretty slow too, though this picks up as the series goes on. It could do with taking a further step away from weekly stories towards a bigger season arc with a deeper story. The potential second season arc could be that story, if they progress from how the first ends.
I don't think it is as good as any of the DC/CW ouput... or Netflix's Marvel shows, but it's a reasonably serviceable few hours of Network television with a couple of ideas that could elevate it if the production team choose to progress them. (Or Disney might buy Fox and cancel it all so they can make their own X-Men shows).
- southdavid
- Jul 12, 2018
- Permalink
I wasn't captivated by the show. I think it suffers of the same problems of other current super hero shows: the writing. Some lines of dialogue are unnecessary (If someone just had an obvious meltdown, there is not need to ask "Are you ok?"). Something that I just don't get is people with super powers sunning away instead of using the powers.
I also find particularly annoying is the Strukers, especially the parents, so dramatic and unnecessarily over protective, wanting to "help" but not by letting their kids use their powers. I find the mom particularly guilty of this in almost every scene that she is in (which again, is mainly the poor writing).
This show has so much potencial, but so far is being wasted. Comic book based shows need to be written by comic book writers or at least by people familiar with the style. soap operish drama should stay in soap operas.
- tigrezangelietr
- Oct 25, 2018
- Permalink
A guy who can interact with the computer and hack every network and computer at will sources out his services for scraps of cash to random bums of the street basically. Why doesnt he conjure up some money with his power and enjoy life?
There are so so many such stupid mistakes. Then theres the dull story that doesnt really progress much and the ever annoying mother. Not sure if its the actress of the character (or both) but boy is she annoying ALL THE TIME. Everything is always wrong for her.
In general Im baffled how these kind of shows make it to season two while shows that are leagues and leagues ahead dont. Its sad.
- sumtim3s00n
- Sep 25, 2018
- Permalink
This is one of the better mutant TV shows I've seen, but I don't think that's saying much. The representation of powers and hype behind these mini x-men is interesting to watch to say the least. But the writing is whats really throwing it into the ground. Everything must be politically correct and every problem must be a close call that has some family learned lesson involved.
Every episode up to this point is just showing the kids get stronger while the parents say the same thing every episode about how this is a parents worst nightmare. The episodes will and can feel like they're on repeat from how the episode unfolds. I honestly believe the Von Strucker parents are the weakest link in the show and it needs to be patched up quickly. But the writing of everyone in the show is not far behind. If you can get past the cheesy, one-lining, over sensitive, cliché writing Then this show is definitely passable. But everyone should know by now from how FOX is.
Every episode up to this point is just showing the kids get stronger while the parents say the same thing every episode about how this is a parents worst nightmare. The episodes will and can feel like they're on repeat from how the episode unfolds. I honestly believe the Von Strucker parents are the weakest link in the show and it needs to be patched up quickly. But the writing of everyone in the show is not far behind. If you can get past the cheesy, one-lining, over sensitive, cliché writing Then this show is definitely passable. But everyone should know by now from how FOX is.
- Healing_Process
- Dec 4, 2017
- Permalink
At the start the plot is slow but it gets awesome later in the series. It presents some cool mutant abilities which I haven't seen in any other show.The drama is on point!
The premise and the first couple of episodes of the show are quite engaging and show a lot of potential for the series.
Especially some of the characters were interesting and I really wanted to know what would happen to them.
However, after a while the storylines get increasingly dull and don't really do the characters justice. I ended up forwarding a lot until the end of the show because I wanted to see what would happen to my favourite characters but that was really the only reason.
The actors of the main family truly did a great job at working with the script they got but they could have done so much more with some great scripts. Two actors who especially stood out were Stephen Moyer as Reed Strucker and Natalie Alyn Lind as Lauren Strucker. Blaire Redford also has time to shine in his role of John Proudstar / Thunderbird, but I would have loved to see a little bit more about him and his backstory.
However, after a while the storylines get increasingly dull and don't really do the characters justice. I ended up forwarding a lot until the end of the show because I wanted to see what would happen to my favourite characters but that was really the only reason.
The actors of the main family truly did a great job at working with the script they got but they could have done so much more with some great scripts. Two actors who especially stood out were Stephen Moyer as Reed Strucker and Natalie Alyn Lind as Lauren Strucker. Blaire Redford also has time to shine in his role of John Proudstar / Thunderbird, but I would have loved to see a little bit more about him and his backstory.
- claire-90304
- Apr 6, 2020
- Permalink
For all fans out there loving the Heroes series The Gifted will be a great follow up in the realm of X.
Amy Acker is an amazing actress and brings depth and focus to the story. The cast are carefully picked and the result is great. The Gifted series will give any watcher a great episode of the Marvel X world.
The X world are filled with Mutants and we normal humans don't really understand how to handle the situation. Some act in fear and some with rage. The Gifted deliver a great aspect of the issues between mutants and normal humans.
Watching The Gifted won't waste your time.
Amy Acker is an amazing actress and brings depth and focus to the story. The cast are carefully picked and the result is great. The Gifted series will give any watcher a great episode of the Marvel X world.
The X world are filled with Mutants and we normal humans don't really understand how to handle the situation. Some act in fear and some with rage. The Gifted deliver a great aspect of the issues between mutants and normal humans.
Watching The Gifted won't waste your time.
- bonewisher
- Oct 16, 2017
- Permalink
I'd never continue watching this show. The dialogues are SO FREAKING RIDICULOUS. So much forced drama and overreaction by the characters, its incredible. I dont know how this show is rated 7.5.
Its hardly watchable to be honest.
Its hardly watchable to be honest.
When it's really going it's perfect. It has its ups and downs though on occasion strays into mediocrity for a few episodes before coming back with a bang. Overall the character arcs are greats and even the filler episodes entertain enough to get by. Hoping we get to see the next story in season 3!
- muamba_eats_toast
- Apr 2, 2019
- Permalink
Very good. LOTS of marvel characters that work well within a television show as opposed to a big screen adaptation. Loved the cast (especially seeing Amy Acker in a tv show again,, oh how I loved Fred in Angel!!)(yes,, I know she's been in other series,, but I haven't watched most of them).
Just watch it already!
Just watch it already!
- reddiemurf81
- May 23, 2020
- Permalink
Disclaimer: I have written this review based on all the episodes, which are out, currently that is only episode 1 :=)
A show being set within the X-Men universe that followed a completely different cast and narrative than that of familiar characters we've previously seen portrayed.
My initial thoughts were negative, to say the least. I mean just hear how does the above read. Scary!
I was pretty sure this show will fail. So naturally, when I was given the chance to watch the pilot and bolster my ego by proving myself right on why this show would fail I jumped at it.
Now I can say with confidence that not only am I impressed with the direction and vision for this show, but I have a genuine interest on where this story will end up. On of the most interesting, to me, parts of this series so far is, that it isn't just trying to spin things in a new way, it's just trying to use genre identities to cover new ground. I didn't expect such a high quality from creator Matt Nix.
To sum it up, gave this show a shot.
A show being set within the X-Men universe that followed a completely different cast and narrative than that of familiar characters we've previously seen portrayed.
My initial thoughts were negative, to say the least. I mean just hear how does the above read. Scary!
I was pretty sure this show will fail. So naturally, when I was given the chance to watch the pilot and bolster my ego by proving myself right on why this show would fail I jumped at it.
Now I can say with confidence that not only am I impressed with the direction and vision for this show, but I have a genuine interest on where this story will end up. On of the most interesting, to me, parts of this series so far is, that it isn't just trying to spin things in a new way, it's just trying to use genre identities to cover new ground. I didn't expect such a high quality from creator Matt Nix.
To sum it up, gave this show a shot.
- thefolenangel
- Oct 2, 2017
- Permalink
My rating for this TV series is getting lower by the episode. Very good start from ep01, but getting bored now. It's boring fighting against human beings. Add evil mutants to the script to increase the tension. Just My 2 cents. Hope this series will get better, do not want to see it axed.
After the first three episodes, it's clear the writers can't steer clear of toxic cliché and tired stereotypes. There's too much useless babbling -- "where did you get this car, these eats are sticky" is what the son is whining about when the family is desperately on the run. The mother is an adamant soccer mom who doesn't seem desperate at all: she's gonna get answers to her questions or nobody goes any further... oh darn, the police have arrived.
This show is okay for a time killer, but nothing profound or groundbreaking is happening.
This show is okay for a time killer, but nothing profound or groundbreaking is happening.
- vicstevinson
- Oct 16, 2017
- Permalink