Mutant X - Series 2

Customer Reviews:

Mutation Exultation.......2007-03-10

`Mutant-X' has a style all its own. It may be cheesy some of the time (okay, a lot of the time), but it's such absorbing fantasy that you can always forgive the corniness because it works on so many levels. And this season gets off on just the right foot too- picking up right after the end of season one, with no extended explanations of what these characters are all about (for once a programme that recognises we viewers are not so stupid as to forget the events of the previous season). At the beginning of season two it's seemingly undefeatable jacked-up mutant Gabriel Ashlock who becomes the main focus of our team's super-hero energies, replacing Mason Eckhart to some extent as the source of all evil goings-on. While the producers of the programme were probably right to move away from Eckhart post season one, as the episodes where he opposed the Mutant-X team were beginning to get a bit repetitive, this season is definitely the poorer in comparison for the lack of such a ruthless evil genius as Eckhart. Plus his absence also highlights the weaknesses in the members of our Mutant-X team e.g. Brennan almost completely takes over this season. I lost count of the number of episodes that explore his dubious past and very quickly found his hostility and plays for power within the team tired and annoying. While the leader of the team, Adam, doesn't convince quite as well as the worthy leader without such an evenly-matched opponent to contrast and pit his wits against in season two. Further into the season the Mutant-X team take part in more self-contained adventures than ever before, with the majority of episodes involving the team out on location, away from Sanctuary and Genomex, and fighting previously unseen mutants in new situations. But unfortunately, it's these smaller stories that are the biggest weakness of this season in comparison to the first. Too often for me the stories focused more on action and stretched an idea too thinly- season two definitely lacks the intriguing plots that allowed so much exploration of character in season one. As a result there are very few stand-out episodes in the second season that possess the high imagination and engrossment of the majority of season one.

Some of the better episodes in season two are...episode 12- `At Destiny's End' which focuses on Emma and her empathic ability. She's definitely my favourite character in the show and the actress who plays her manages to balance the conflictions of her character's abilities brilliantly, so any chance to see her do what she does best (even if it's not the best story in the world) is a good episode in my mind. Episode 13- `Within These Walls' reunites Adam with an old flame AGAIN, but the story is better than most and the latest baddie's mutant ability is pretty cool. Episode 17- `Final Judgement' is another flawed story, but its occasional flashes of brilliance and in particular a shock ending make it one of the highlights of season two. Episode 20- `Reality Check' is very imaginative and has Shalimar and Emma battling an evil interrogator, which is enjoyable stuff. Finally, episode 22- `Lest he become' brings season two to a close. In comparison to the finale of season one it's considerably less involving, much more plodding and unfortunately...just doesn't succeed as a season finale. Very dissappointing. A shame the season had to end on such a dull note.

Now that the visual effects (after some teething problems at the beginning of season one) are able to compete with the shows smart look, cool dialogue and extraordinarily beautiful mutants `Mutant-X' is finally a complete package. It may be aimed towards a niche market of core science-fiction fans and it may be cringe-worthy a lot of the time, but I think it's television that has a really broad appeal. Shalimar, Brennan, Jesse and Emma...keep on rockin' you crazy kids! I'd give the season 3.5 stars for keeping me glued, but not breaking new ground. (The extra's are too numerous to mention- no fan of Mutant-X could wish for more!)

DVD Review:

DVD Review List

DVD Review