The Gifted Season 2 Episode 2 Review: unMoored

This The Gifted review contains spoilers.

The Gifted Season 2, Episode 2

The Gifted Season 2 premiere was a bit too busy for my taste, resulting in some truly heavy-handed moments, but “unMoored” doubled down on its emotional beats in a much more organic way that had me excited to see what will come next in Season 2.

Tonight’s episode made me desperate to learn more of John’s backstory. When we opened with a flashback to when Mutant Rights lawyer Evangeline Whedon first approached a purpose-less John on leading the Mutant Underground, I thought we might be getting a proper Thunderbird-centric flashback episode. Sadly, this was not to be—sigh, the lot of an ensemble drama, I suppose.

Instead, the flashback is used as a way to set up the Mutant Underground’s next step in attempting to fine the Inner Circle and, hopefully, get back Andy and Lorna. John, Marcos, and Caitlin travel to Philadelphia to ask Evangeline for help deciphering the bank records they have relating to the Mutant Underground. At first, she’s unwilling to help—after Atlanta, the Mutant Underground can’t risk losing even more members, power, and public opinion.

Marcos and Caitlin’s desperate loved ones act doesn’t work on Evangeline, but a guilt trip from John does the trick. It was Evangeline who brought John into the Mutant Underground, and now she feels some kind of responsibility for him. She gives him the name of a Mutant separatist who lives in the tunnels underneath D.C. He might be able to help John and co. find the Inner Circle.

Meanwhile, back at the Hellfire Club, Draco Malfoy—er, sorry, Andy—continues to have dreams of Lauren, suggesting that the dreams Lauren was having in the season premiere were, in fact, shared. In one, Lauren throws herself off of a skyscraper in order to keep Andy from activating their destructive powers, and it leaves Andy shaken. During his training with Reeva (which, let’s be real, feels less like training and more like a test), he is unable to effectively use his powers.

While Andy confides somewhat in an unhelpful (and, to be fair, distracted by her new baby) Lorna, he doesn’t do the same for an increasingly suspicious Reeva, who sends Fade to follow Andy and determine where his loyalties lie. When Andy tries calling Lauren at the clinic, Reeva seemingly has all of the proof she needs, and is ready to up and kill Andy—a confused, homesick 15-year-old boy.

Poor, sweet Andy decides just in the nick of time that he will tell Reeva the truth, committing more fully to his new family. It’s enough for Reeva—at least for now, who embraces Andy and lets him live another day.

This was a great Reeva episode, much more effective than the context-less slaughter she committed in the premiere’s opening act. When she tells Andy the story of her childhood friend whom she watched die, it isn’t an act. She wants to connect with Andy—yes, because she wants his power on her side, but also because she truly believes in their cause. I don’t doubt for a second that she would have murdered Andy, but I also think she would have done so truly believing that it is for the greater good, for the future of innocents like Andy or Dawn.

That doesn’t mean Reeva isn’t dangerous, of course. It makes her more dangerous. She can’t be reasoned with in the same way a less rigid believer might have been. Reeva is going to follow this quest for the creation of a Mutant Homeland through no matter what, and she is willing to pay a very high cost in order to make it happen. While some, like two-thirds of the Frost sisters may be willing to follow Reeva to that high cost, Esme seems to be beginning to have doubts. What would she have done if Reeva did kill Andy? And who would her sisters choose if forced to pick between Esme and Reeva?

While most of the Hellfire Club is having a pretty tense time this episode, Lorna seems to be loving life. She’s all about being a new mom and it’s nice to see a character that has been so continuously tortured in the past (sometimes literally) get a moment of peace and happiness. It doesn’t last, of course. The episode ends on the rather dramatic cliffhanger of Lorna realizing that baby Dawn has a bad fever. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if it was just like a totally normal new mom overreaction and Dawn is fine? I don’t that’s what’s happening here. Presumably, whatever Dawn has will bring Lorna back to Marcos in some way. Good thing, too. That dude’s losing it.

Speaking of losing it, Reed really needs to open up to someone about his increasingly volatile powers. He burns right through a file cabinet like it’s butter and still doesn’t feel the need to open up to Caitlin or Lauren about it—a choice that only serves to push both of them away. Basically, the Strucker family is a hot mess… like, even moreso than last season. And, like last season, Lauren is the only one who is speaking her emotional truth and calling others out on their bullshit in productive ways. 

Guys, Jace Turner is back! He’s not doing great. He’s basically the Fox Mulder of the situation, unable to let go of his work within the Sentinel Services even after he has left Sentinel Services. Though his wife pleads with him to live in the here and now, to be with her and give their new life a chance, Jace is not so great at that. Instead, he

Additional thoughts.

I would have liked to see what would have happened if Reeva and Andy went up against each other properly. Perhaps this moment will come in a later episode?

You know, Lorna could have just breast fed Dawn in front of Andy. Like, remove the stigma, you know?

Speaking of which, Lorna was like the most well-rested mother I have ever seen in my life—especially considering she seemed to have zero parenting support from anyone else at the Hellfire Club.

Dude, Caitlin couldn’t have stuck around Marcos’ baby shower a little longer? He was at one of his lowest points and she’s just like: Welp, thanks for that sip of champagne. I’m going to take a bath. Good luck with your pity party. Then again, this was probably super realistic. Caitlin doesn’t have the emotional bandwidth right now to comfort Marcos’ past that weak toast. She has her own pity party to attend.

Kayti Burt is a staff editor covering books, TV, movies, and fan culture at Den of Geek. Read more of her work here or follow her on Twitter @kaytiburt.