We get a crash course in the concept of cause and effect this week in The Gifted Roundtable 1X07 “eXtreme measures”

While Blink (Jamie Chung) surprised Thunderbird (Blair Redford) with her departure last week, he made up for lost time. When Thunderbird catches up with Blink, he offers to help find the street she kept portalling to when sick.  They find themselves at a house where she was fostered, but Sentinel Services has already been there.  Blink realizes her foster parents are dead and the kids missing, and she vows to take up the MU’s cause.  Meanwhile, Sage (Hayley Lovitt) and Reed (Stephen Moyer) work together to crack the encryption on the hard drives.  Lauren (Natalie Alyn Lind) and Wes (Danny Ramirez) are getting closer, but when Reed accidentally uncovers Wes’s criminal past, she feels betrayed by both.

RELATED | THE GIFTED 1X07 “eXtreme measures” REVIEW

Agent Turner (Coby Bell) is moving forward with the surveillance program, but Dr. Campbell (Garret Dillahunt) has something more subversive in mind.  He wants to plant some of his sleepers in the MU, but before they can do anything, a woman from the DOJ interferes.  Marcos (Sean Teale) gets a call from Carmen (Michelle Veintimilla), who wants to begin their contract.  He lies to Polaris (Emma Dumont) so he can go do his ex’s bidding.  At her home, she plays with his emotions before finally revealing her plan.  The Russians, her competitors, have a shipment of drugs coming in and she wants it torched.  When Polaris realizes his deception, she goes in search of him with Dreamer (Elena Satine) in tow.  When she gives him a chance to reveal the truth later, he lies again.  

This episode was all about the inner conflict within all of us.  What’s inside of our roundtable?   Let’s meet them and find out:

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

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

Jeff (@JeffHarris7) – School Library Media Specialist, Artist, Wannabe Author, and Major X-Men/Comics Nerd

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

[wp_ad_camp_2]

1. None of us (totally) bought Thunderbird’s reason for going after Blink, but do you think she only came back to avenge her foster parents?

Lydia (@lydia_sharp): It probably also has to do with the kids they had been fostering. Blink used to be one of those kids, so she has a connection to them even if she never met them. If there were any kids in the house when Sentinel Services came in, she has to be wondering—fearing—what happened to them. And she knows her best chance at saving them is teaming up with the MU. It’s not just about saving herself anymore.

Carolyn (@CarolynsGeekOut): Jamie Chung’s performance was so awesome.  I don’t think she knew that they were dead. I think she might have gone back to protect them and getting them out of there. When she found out they’d been killed by Sentinel Services her emotions were genuine. Finding out they were dead was the catalyst she needed to join the Underground fully. There was also a nice similarity between the “memory” and her new memory. While she’s in pain, Thunderbird comforted her. It’s going to make things complicated with Dreamer but I hope she ends up with Thunderbird.

Jeff (@JeffHarris7): Blink is a complicated riddle of a character.  There is definitely more to her story than what she told Thunderbird.  Was there someone else she expected to find there?  Maybe one of her foster siblings?  I’m really looking forward to finding out more about her history, and if it connects (at all) to what little we know about her comic book counterpart.  Additionally, I totally sensed some major Thunderblink vibes in their scenes together — their relationship is deepening, and it’s based more on an implanted memory from Dreamer.

Scott (@Scareythoughts2): I think it’s a start, but it would have had more impact if there had of been some flashbacks to actually show the foster parents. Tough for us to feel a sense of vengefulness for some blood splatter. Still, it got her back in the fold so it served its purpose.

Heather (@xoheatherkw): There’s definitely more than just “the underground needs you” to Thunderbird’s reason, imo! I honestly thought that Blink was trying to get back to her family to save them. Especially with other mutants, maybe bringing them into the Mutant Underground for their safety. It was so heartbreaking to see that her family was attacked by SS. I think that it gave her the conviction to rejoin the MU, so she can fight for other mutants that weren’t as lucky. I think the motivation is partly to avenge her family, but also to look out for other mutants.

[wp_ad_camp_2]

2. Marcos found himself back in the fire (yes, we did the pun) this week.  Were we surprised by the dark pleasure on his face when he destroyed those crates?

Lydia: Not surprised at all! We know Marcos has a bit of a hot temper (since we’re punning here) so it’s easy to imagine him getting enjoyment out of destroying things. As long as Hot Hands doesn’t get out of hand (the puns never stop) he’ll get through this trial by fire without any scorch marks. I was more surprised by the fact Carmen kissed him and he didn’t immediately shove her away. And the way he reacted when Lorna confronted him about it? “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know how.” Really? That’s the best you could come up with? You are TOAST. (Here a pun, there a pun, everywhere a fun pun…)

Carolyn: That STRUT tho. He has some issues he’s got to work through clearly. It was a nice balance to Wes’s tale of trying to be better. It’s not something you should balance though, so hopefully Polaris and Eclipse will work out their issues. After all, she’s planning on having their baby and they’re planning a family. I wasn’t particularly surprised, per se, but I liked how it connected the two stories. Polaris is going to have to make some very tough choices otherwise one of the best ships I’ve seen on TV is going to sink. Their love is being tested. As a viewer, I’m excited. As a person…

Jeff: In some ways, yeah, since he’s seemed to be one of the more level-headed members of the group since the first episode, but with his background, he clearly used to do this kind of destruction with his powers a lot when he used to work with Carmen on a regular basis.  It looks like he enjoyed getting a taste of his old habits, which die harder than even he probably thought he did.

Scott: Are we sure he’s not actually “Pyro” of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants?:). I kind of liked it. He always seems to brooding about one thing or another. It was a nice change of pace for the character. I think it’s important to show the darker side of all these characters, because down the road some of them ARE going to think the Mutant Underground is not going far enough. I want to be kept guessing until that happens.

Heather:  I was actually pretty surprised! We haven’t seen that side of him before, and maybe it’s part of the reason that he originally got out. I think he definitely has to work through that, and it sounds like Polaris might have helped him escape Carmen before, and she isn’t dealing with that drama now.  I just hope Marcos can work through it on his own.

[wp_ad_camp_2]

3. It’s clear that Agent Turner is already regretting his decision to ally with Dr. Campbell.  Do you think he’s still doing all this for Grace, or something else?

Lydia: I don’t think he’s regretting it so much as feeling conflicted over it and worried that they aren’t going to succeed. He’s starting to see roadblocks and that concerns him, which is different from being concerned over his moral choice to go down this road in the first place. Who/what is he doing it for? Honestly not sure anymore, and I don’t think he knows, either. So many lines have blurred, and he’s still not thinking clearly. Perhaps that’s a side effect of Dreamer’s strawberry mist.

Carolyn: You know throughout me live-tweeting I kept using that gif of will Arnett from Arrested Development? “I’ve made a huge mistake”? cause it’s kind of true. I think he is doing this for Grace. There was that little hint before he walked into the room. However, if Turner doesn’t heal…if he keeps remembering, is it Turner? Or will he turn into one of Campbell’s hounds? He even brings up Grace later to try and remind him. Even if Turner has some idea that this is bad idea there’s a chance that Campbell won’t let him remember things the way they really happened.

Jeff: I still think it’s MOSTLY for Grace, with a side of revenge, but beyond that… I just don’t know.  I definitely think that he’s second-guessing his partnership after what happened to the woman from the justice department.  How far is TOO far, though, when it comes to Dr. Campbell’s methods?  Where will Agent Turner eventually draw the line?  This is going to get worse for mutants before it gets better.

Scott: I think with each episode he’s becoming more and more conflicted. I think he’s trying to convince himself he is doing that for Grace, but deep down he’s just running on the hatred and anger he has had for so long. He’s much more “eyes wide open” now then he was a few episodes ago. He believes in the cause but he’s not a fool and knows when he’s being played.

Heather: I kept thinking that Dr. Campbell really needs to work on his evil villain laugh… And any sane person would regret pairing up with him. Clearly Agent Turner feels the same, because he confronted Dr. Campbell about what happened to the DOJ woman. I think Grace is the main reason why he’s still working with Dr. Campbell, convincing himself that working with him will “solve” the mutant problem.  Sort of a “for the greater good” scenario to justify how they’re brainwashing and using mutants for their cause.

[wp_ad_camp_2]

4. Eclaris also suffered a setback, but do you think Polaris was fair to Marcos given the situation?

Lydia:  Lorna let him off easy. Nuff said.

Carolyn: As much as I want to say “no” – the truth of the matter is that he could have been honest. More men need to feel more comfortable with their feelings in regards to this. They have been busy but if they had time to sleep maybe they should have had time to talk. They’re pretty hot-headed (or hot-handed! ha ha) people however so maybe they don’t talk well. Still, their chemistry is undeniable and their love needs this test.

Jeff: I think that Lorna owed it to Marcos to hear his side of the story before she jumped to conclusions and stormed off the way she did.  Her anger was understandable.  I think anyone would feel hurt, being lied to by the person she cares about and trusts more than anyone.  Her mental and emotional state are fragile, and to have Marcos go behind her back and seemingly return to his old life with Carmen had to hit her hard.  Still, like I said, she should’ve let him fully explain the situation before she reacted.

Scott: I think she was fair as she could be given the circumstances. She did cut and run on him pretty quickly, leaving him to fend for himself when they were burning the drugs. Maybe a foreshadowing of how her rage can affect her judgement? Did seem a bit odd that his main mission here could have been carried out with blowtorch and some gasoline, but it furthered the storyline along.

Heather: Eclaris did suffer a (minor) setback. My guess is that Polaris helped Marcos get out before, and from the flashback he seemed pretty content to stay with Carmen. Under that assumption, she’s dealt with it all before, so I think the way she handled it was pretty fair. She even gave him the chance to come clean before confronting him about it, but he didn’t take that opportunity. I hope going forward that he’ll either tell Polaris about when Carmen needs him and/or he comes up with a way to get out of the deal he made with Carmen.

[wp_ad_camp_2]

5. We saw Lauren dealing with Wes leaving towards the end.  How did you feel about his departure?

Lydia: I’m hoping this sets him up to be involved in the fight in a different way, and possibly intersects with the MU down the road. I don’t think we—or Lauren—have seen the last of him.

Carolyn: I want him to come back! I have nothing else to add! they have as much chemistry as Lorna and Marcos! Wes was an awesome character, bring him back as a Hound for tragedy or later in the next season! Wait, more serious thoughts? I want to see him developed. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got.

Jeff: It seemed a little hasty, in my humble opinion.  I had hoped he’d have a longer character arc.  I doubt it’s the last we will see of him, though.  His powers have already come in handy in previous missions, and I’d love to see them pop up again, hopefully still on the side of the Mutant Underground.  Who knows what nefarious purposes Dr. Campbell would put Wes’s abilities to if he were to capture him and turn him into one of his Hounds?

Scott: I’m sure he’ll be back, but quite honestly I wasn’t a fan of the acting of the character. Should have been a bit rougher all around. Seemed way too much of a baby face to have the rap sheet that he did.

Heather: I was a little disappointed, because Wes came clean about his past to the Mutant Underground and didn’t get himself get kicked out. He’s trying to be better guy, so it’s kind of a bummer that it’s the last we’ll see of him. Plus it was interesting to see how Lauren and Wes were working through that this episode. Who knows, maybe the show will bring him back later this season.  

[wp_ad_camp_2]

6. Sage’s quick scan was pretty impressive (and handy)!  What type of mutant and power would you like to see show up at the MU next?

Lydia: Something I’ve been hoping to see but haven’t yet is a mutant who causes mischief with their power, no matter what that power. A “street mutant” version of Loki. A “bad guy” who works for the “good guys” while also driving them a bit insane. I don’t think these mutants have been having enough fun. It’s so intense all the time, and I like the intensity but wish it were balanced out with some regular doses of humor. The running gag about terrible food isn’t enough. I’d love to see more comedic relief in this show, and that can be done through a character everyone loves to hate.

Carolyn: Shatter! Jermaine Rivers’s character can be shot and has unbreakable skin. He can also make things crystal. Also shapeshifting. I’d like to see some shapeshifters somehow. I don’t know how it would work on a TV show’s budget but turning into things is my jam.

Jeff: I LOVED seeing Sage’s powers shine in this episode.  She’s a character who I really liked when she was given much more depth and nuance in the first X-Treme X-Men title.  When it comes to other powers I’d like to see in action… I’d love to see characters with the powers of intangibility, mind control, or maybe some kind of animal-related mutation.

Scott: Something in the Morlock vein. Someone who can’t really join the Mutant Underground or at least who can’t join the living area that they are in. Someone like Marrow, who can’t really fit in even for mutants but can be part of the underground when they are needed.

Heather: That was really cool to see a bit more of Sage this episode, and who knows how long it would’ve taken without her powers! Shatter! I feel like we haven’t seen much from him yet. As for new mutants/powers, maybe seeing into the future. That would actually be really helpful to avoid SS. Wondering if there will be any direct tie ins to the X-men, because that would be pretty cool too.

[wp_ad_camp_2]

7. Ah, Trask Industries rears its ugly head again.  Any guesses as to what they might be up to now?

Lydia: The same thing they do every night, Pinky—try to take over the world.

Carolyn: In the comics, Campbell’s hounds were connected to Excalibur. In this case it looks like they’re connected to Trask. Clearly this is a reality where Wolverine didn’t succeed. I’m hyped to see where it’s going and developing it’s mythos through the Struckers is a SMART idea. I’m more worried about where the next episode will go. Strucker is working with trask? what the heck?

Jeff: Something deadly.  Trask Industries was responsible for creating the initial wave of Sentinels.  Based on what Dr. Campbell said about his Hounds in this episode, maybe it’s a kind of technology that turns mutants into sleeper agents to use against other mutants, similar to the way that humans were used as Prime Sentinels during the Operation Zero Tolerance storyline in the mid-90s.  I’m intrigued (and nervous) about what light Papa Strucker’s dad (Grandpa Strucker?) might have to share about it in the next episode!

Scott: It looks to me like they are building an army to go hunting mutants. I suspect these in time will become the “Hounds”. Whether they will stay faithful to the version in the comics remains to be seen. I’m very curious who they could get to play Bolivar Trask. Peter Dinklage is the standard bearer for the character so far.

Heather: Well clearly they weren’t dismantled in 2006! My guess is they’re running the Hound program and all its shady brainwashing. I guess we’ll find out a bit more about Reed’s father and the work he did at Trask Industries, we just have to wait a week!

[wp_ad_camp_2]

Final Verdict:  In The Gifted 1X07 “eXtreme measures,” we realize it only takes one bad decision to tear down everything we’ve worked hard to build

Playing off the character building from last week, writer Michael Horowitz brought us another episode filled with backstories and emotional layers.  As if reading our minds (are you a mutant, Michael?) from last week, we got a glimpse into Blink’s childhood.  He also reminds us that the past maybe something you can move past, but only if you choose to.  Marcos fell back into his old ways, while Wes made the decision not to let it affect his future.  Sean Teale brought the feels this week with his performance, and Jamie Chung continues shine brighter every week!

While we may understand why Wes chose to leave the compound, it does feel a bit abrupt.  We were encouraged to invest in him and his budding romance with Lauren, only to have it ripped away within two episodes.  There’s also the matter of having mutants in the MU that we haven’t seen in action…Sage was there for the past 3-4 weeks and we JUST saw a bit of her powers this ep.  We’re still waiting on Shatter!

So, the good news is, Blink is back, and Thunderblink fans might just have a shot at seeing it come to fruition.  The bad news is, Eclaris might be on the outs for a little while and the Hounds are coming.  There’s something to be said for building suspense and momentum, and we’ve learned The Gifted does both expertly!  Oh, there’s also the matter of Trask Industries and those Strucker relatives…

The Gifted returns next Monday, November 20th at 9/8C on Fox.