In The Gifted Roundtable 1X06 “got your siX,” we learn that war is not the only thing that can get complicated

Fresh off their harrowing escape from Sentinel Services, the MU gang are dealing with a growing number of refugees. Their actions have caused retaliation against all mutants, and it’s only getting worse each day. Wanting to find out more about what happened to Pulse, Reed (Stephen Moyer) and Marcos (Sean Teale) come up with a plan to get answers. They have to break into a Federal building to do it, so they seek Blink (Jamie Chung) out for help. Unfortunately, she’s still furious about Dreamer’s (Elena Satine) actions, so when John doesn’t give her a reason to stay, she portals away. Now without an easy way in and out, Andy (Percy Hynes White) volunteers to help by using his powers. Reed is reluctant, but agrees to the plan.

RELATED | THE GIFTED 1X06 “got your siX” REVIEW

While they are gone, Lorna (Emma Dumont) is busy training the new arrivals to use their powers, some of whom are children. Kate (Amy Acker) is not thrilled about Lauren (Natalie Alyn Lind) being included and puts her foot down. However, when the team runs into trouble on the way back, she allows her daughter to go with Lorna and newcomer Wes (Danny Ramirez) to save them. Let’s not forget Agent Turner (Coby Bell), who is defying a mandatory leave and makes a deal with Dr. Campbell (Garret Dillahunt) to be reinstated. After reliving the loss of Grace a second time, he loses whatever restraint he has left and sets in motion a plan for revenge.

We’re seeing the groundwork being laid for an intense showdown in the future! What does our roundtable think? Let’s meet them and see:

Lydia (@lydia_sharp) – Author, Editor, and Marvel addict

Carolyn (@CarolynsGeekOut) – Senior Writer at Marvel Report and contributor to Screenrant

Ander (@AnderWriter) – Co-host of Omni-Comics podcast and Aquaman super fan!

Scott (@Scareythoughts2) – Writer and Podcaster for the Pop Culture Café. Husband. Reverse Philanthropist. Watch far too much TV

Heather (@xoheatherkw) – Quality control scientist, dog mom, fangirl extraordinare

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1. Now that we’re done being distracted by his free flowing locks, do you agree with the X-Men that Thunderbird is the best leader for the MU?

Lydia (@lydia_sharp): Somebody has to do it, and I think he’s done a pretty great job so far. Every leader has their moments when they feel unqualified, weighed down by the sheer enormity of the task and responsibilities. Holding other people’s lives in your hands can get heavy. Fortunately, Thunderbird has super strength.

Carolyn (@CarolynsGeekOut): He wins best hair in the MU, the X-Men Universe, and all universes (sorry Wolverine). but after that, I still think he is the best leader simply because even with his experience and training he still cares about his cohorts, friends, and allies. Thunderbird has the qualities every great leader needs – he’s been one of the downtrodden, he’s been powerful, he knows what it is to be both and knows that being powerful means respecting the weak. Just because he’s a leader doesn’t excuse his actions. Good leaders aren’t always “people” people, but I’m really proud of what we’ve seen him do so far. #TeamThunderbird for leadership. The X-Men knew what they were doing.

Ander (@AnderWriter): Thunderbird is the best! He’s probably my favorite character on the show and is easily the best leader for the Mutant Underground. They’re lucky to have him around!

Scott (@Scareythoughts2): So far yes. He certainly seems the most level headed, both for strategy and combat readiness. Nice touch bringing up his military background. I suspect in future episodes if there is any contact made with the core X-Men that it will be through him. Even if it’s a pre recorded message or something of that nature.

Heather (@xoheatherkw): I do think that he’s the best leader for the MU. It was enlightening to see some of his backstory with the Marine Corp, as well as a little heartbreaking because he’s just trying to give back to his community as both a Marine and a mutant, and it didn’t go over well. Being in the military is a tough job, but I’m sure it helped him develop leadership skills, and taught him to make tough decisions. And honestly, being a part of the MU probably requires a lot of tough decision making. I’m sure the X-Men saw those leadership skills as well as his desire to help, and that’s why they wanted him to lead the MU.

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2. Speaking of the X-Men, do we believe they’re really gone/dead? Where else could they be?

Lydia: This is something that’s really been eating at me since the start of this series. Where are they, and what happened? I want to believe they aren’t gone forever, but that’s just me being hopeful. Either way, gone or not gone, I’m eager to see what they do with this particular thread in the show.

Carolyn: Honestly I’m planning on looking into some comics about this, but there’s something to be said about them being in hiding. same with the brotherhood (I would love, LOVE for Mystique to be a big Sentinel Services reveal and then just disappear into the mists but I know that’ll never happen). The timeline isn’t clear but if this is the same Logan timeline (Is it? Is it not? I can’t remember), then the X-Men are in hiding and the government is working to eradicate the mutants.

Ander: I’m still trying to figure out when in the X-Men timeline this takes place. If it’s around the time of Logan I could definitely see them being gone. A part of me hopes that they’re still around though, just off doing their own thing.

Scott: I would suspect they could be off world bunking down with the Shi’ar Empire as guests of Lilandra. Making a conscious (and possibly mistaken decision) to let wounds heal from the 7/15 event. They could be in the Savage Land too, which would make an appearance by Ka-Zar, Zabu or Shanna pretty freakin’ cool.

Heather: I hope they’re not gone (or *gasp* dead!). I think they’re in hiding. Considering they’re likely very high priority for the government/Sentinel Services to track down, I hope they’re laying low.

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3. Thunderblink suffered a setback this week. Are you as conflicted as John is over this pseudo-love triangle with Clarice and Dreamer?

Lydia: Yes. And I was really shocked to see Clarice leave. I didn’t think she’d do that, but now I’m wondering what she’s planning. Whatever it is, I have a feeling it will just land her back in the Mutant Underground.

Carolyn: Absolutely. There was a real moment of Thunderblink rising through and I’ll treasure that. I also like how we’re staying with Clarice. She’s still a main player even if she’s not with the MU at the moment. It breaks my heart, but I have a feeling that she’s getting better. At the very least, it proved that John is a good leader for the MU because he knows what’s up with trying to help her feel better. He also feels conflicted over his and Dreamer’s actions. Mental Health can’t be trifled with (and I stand corrected from my previous statements about it being a good idea. I learned.)

Ander: Yeah I am conflicted because I love ThunderBlink! But Clarice definitely has reasons for being upset, I would be too! Hopefully she’ll be back and they can work through this together.

Scott: I have a solution but the internet will yell at me for suggesting it.:/. Having said that, I haven’t seen such drama over implanted/transplanted memories since Willow and Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I hope the angle doesn’t drag on too long.

Heather: Yes! I definitely think Johnny is between a rock and a hard place here. It’s definitely “complicated,” and I just think he’s doing the best he can, especially with the stress of leading the MU on top of attempting to have a personal life. I was hoping it would go a different direction after Blink brought up the elephant in the room, but I certainly hope it isn’t the last we’ll see of Thunderblink 😉

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4. It’s always hard to see your children grow up, but when they’re mutants, it’s even more complicated. How did you feel Kate and Reed handled the situation?

Lydia: Better than most would, even though they make mistakes. I wish they were my parents. Truly.

Carolyn: Excellently, but there’s something to be said about Caitlin and how refusing to let Lauren train is a reflection of privilege. She’s a good mom, but it’s still controlling to not let your kid be who they are. Both of them came out on top with it though in the end. The Strucker parents are REALLY giving me a class in good allyship and also showing me what I want to see in people who support me. Incredible writing.

Ander: Honestly, I think the Strucker parents don’t realize the magnitude of the situation they find themselves in. They’re new to this lifestyle and they’re treating it like it’s something they can easily work around. Polaris, Thunderbird, Eclipse, and all of the other mutants have lived through this persecution a lot longer and have a better grasp on the situation. It’s time the Strucker parents accept the fact that their life has been completely changed and there are new rules now.

Scott: We’re all a little mutated, so I think parents deal with this each day. They handled it okay, Reed especially. Kate needs to ease off the gas a bit or she’s going to find her daughter start to rebel and fall more under the influence of Lorna, which I think over time is going to be a very bad thing.

Heather: I thought they handled it really well, although I think Caitlin needs to be a bit more realistic. Polaris is just trying to teach the newbie mutants to protect themselves. No matter how much they all want things to go back to normal, it’s not gonna happen (at least not in the near future). I do understand Caitlin’s desire for restoring some normalcy, but I think they need to land on a middle ground. I think Caitlin realized that when Lauren wanted to help get Andy, Reed, and Marcos back from the SS roadblock. Then Marcos coming in with clutch mutant parenting advice! It’s clear that Reed was just trying to get through to Andy and attempt to understand what he’s going through, so I’m glad it worked out well by the end of the episode.

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5. Turner has made a pact with the devil this week. Where in the hierarchy do you think Dr. Campbell is in relation to Sentinel Services?

Lydia: Turner had the authority to refuse Campbell’s request in an earlier episode, and the only reason they’re working together now is because Campbell preyed on Turner when he was weak. So my guess is that Campbell is below Sentinel Services in the hierarchy. But I think he’s still a pretty high rung on the anti-mutant ladder, just not at the top.

Carolyn: HAHA. Turner KNOWS what Campbell is doing which is why he didn’t want his help initially. Now that he’s been hurt he’s heading further down the dark path but Turner is officially complicit, and potentially in the making for the next big bad if something happens to Campbell. He’s the big bad, and it looks like in 1×07 we’ll finally get what his plan is. clearly he’s the cigarette smoking man of the bunch.

Ander: I don’t think Campbell is the boss but I do think he has a considerable amount of power and influence when it comes to the Sentinel Services. They probably have some sort of agreement with one another.

Scott: He did make a pact with the devil, but you can see the hesitation in his eyes when he did it. He did kind of begin to fall to the dark side as I predicted last roundtable. I think he’s got a bit of a fall to go yet, but ultimately I think he’s going to turn out to see the light by season’s end. I think Dr. Campbell is the mad scientist where Sentinel Services is more the security and attack dog side of it. I also think Dr. Campbell has some powerful friends that will to come to light over the course of the season.

Heather: Ouch, yeah that’s not really a good idea. Considering Dr. Campbell had that mystery guy with the tattoo at the meeting with Turner, my guess is that he’s a key part of that program. In terms of hierarchy, he’s probably pretty high up. Maybe lead researcher for the program? Aka lead shady af researcher. Whether Dr. Campbell’s program is within the Sentinel Services, or just a different branch, it can’t be good. My guess is brainwashing and/or mind control, to the extreme. I wonder if Dr. Campbell’s specialty is neuroscience…

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6. It’s been announced that we’re getting another (von) Strucker family reunion in 1X08. Are we excited? Worried? Something else?

Lydia: EVERY episode of this show simultaneously worries and excites me. That’s why I love it!

Carolyn: The MCU and the X-men universe at last cross over…HA. It’ll be interesting. If they really are villains and the “fenris” of the comics, I’m excited to see how they spin it without the HYDRA connection. Maybe then we can get Andy and Lauren some code names for themselves? I’m thinking Force for Andy, and Field for Lauren (or Fields). I’m sad they don’t have code names yet.

Ander: Hmm…yeah it should be interesting. The Struckers are pretty cool characters so seeing a family reunion will be cool to see.

Scott: I’m more curious how FOX will handle the more taboo aspects of their comic relationship if it’s mentioned at all. I would guess no, but this is the same network of “the Family Guy” so who knows? I don’t think anyone thought that this was a coincidence when the family was named Strucker this season. I’m wondering whether FOX and Marvel share rights for Baron Von Strucker like they did with Quicksilver, or if a deal was made. Lots of possibilities with this pair coming on board. Would be very cool to see Fenris at some point.

Heather: All of the above?? I’m intrigued to see how the show will handle it. I guess I’m leaning a bit more towards excited.

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7. We’ve seen a few backstories in the past weeks. Whose would you like to learn more about next?

Lydia: Blink! Her thread seems very twisty and complicated and about to unravel. I’m here for it. Also, Sage. She’s always been kind of in the background of these episodes, so we don’t know much about her. I’d love to see her have a bigger role than just watching the monitors, at least once. But also, her fierce loyalty to the MU had to be earned somehow, and I want to know her story.

Carolyn: Shatter and Sage – and more of Blink!

Ander: BLINK. I want to see more Blink. Everyone could use more Blink. Did I mention Blink?

Scott: Shatter. Jermaine Rivers has done a great job portraying him so far and I can see him going full time cast down the road.

Heather: So many things! More of Blink, and who she’s trying to find. I’d really like to see more of Dreamer’s abilities (more so interested in seeing the side effects). Maybe a little more of Polaris’s backstory too. Pulse and Thunderbird’s backstory, and what they did to Pulse in the Hound program to make him work for SS.

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Final Verdict: While we are excited at the growth we’ve seen, the MU is on a path to death and destruction in The Gifted 1X06 “got your siX”

This week was a bit slower paced in the action, but there was no less drama than before. Writer Melinda Hsu Taylor focused on the characters themselves, giving us backstories and insight into how they are with others. We were also given some hints about Reed’s family, which sets us up for the arrival of Andreas and Andrea two episodes from now. While having powers is great, we enjoyed just seeing the emotional interactions between people. We’re also always impressed with the work that the visual effects team does, led by visual effects producer Dadrian Flavors. This was especially fun when Wes was creating his illusions.

The only thing that bugged us a bit this week was Lorna. She started out as so multi-dimensional, with layers of complex emotions that drew us in. After all we’ve seen of her so far, it felt like a letdown to see her turned into just another angry mutant with a vendetta. Granted, this wasn’t a Lorna-centric episode, but we’re hoping the old her will come back to us.

What do we want to see coming up? We want Blink back, of course! It killed us to see her walk away from the MU and back to being alone. We’re also worried about Andy. He’s too withdrawn for our taste, and the fact that his power feeds on his anger doesn’t help things along. We’re equally concerned about Turner, because we’ve seen what happens to people who let their hate take control. Needless to say, there’s a lot of chaos bound for everyone on the show, and we’re popping the corn for next week’s episode!