TV Talk Week: Monday Night Shows! Recaps and Reviews Part II.

Hello, and welcome back to another edition of The CW Torch, and Part II of my recaps and reviews for my Monday night shows. My last post was all about Dancing With The Stars. But, right now I am ready to give you all of my thoughts on what's been going on, in The Gifted and The Good Doctor.

The Gifted: Season One

As you already know, The Gifted made it on my Most Anticipated Fall Shows of 2017 list, and it is certainly living up to its expectations… in my opinion. Before I get into my review section, I will be recapping what's been going on in the last couple of episodes. If you are interested in reading my thoughts on the premiere, you can check out my blog post, "There's A New Comic Book Adaption in Town, which I will link down below.

https://chynnaw16.wixsite.com/caffeinatedfoodie/single-post/2017/10/10/TV-Talk-Tuesday-Theres-A-New-Comic-Book-Adaption-in-Town

Synopsis:

The Gifted follows the Strucker family, as they are thrust into an Underground refugee camp for Mutants. When the parents, Reed and Caitlin Strucker, find out that their kids are Mutants. Reed Strucker works for Sentinel Services, a Government division which puts Mutants like their children in jail. Unfortunately, Reed doesn't make it to the Underground, and gets put behind bars by the company he works for. As Caitlin and her kids; Lauren and Andy, figure out how they can help the Mutants of the Underground.

What's Been Going on with Reed?

As the Mutants of the Underground take in the Struckers, despite who their father might be. They try to do everything in their power to breakout Reed. At the same time, Reed is questioned by Sentinel Services. They try to give him an ultimatum, but he chooses the high road to protect his family. He ends up being celled right next to Lorna, and begs her for help to break out of Sentinel Services. Unfortunately, she can't use her powers in the cell, but luckily the Underground Mutants are devising a plan to breakout Reed and Lorna. The heist is successful, as the Mutants divert the Sentinel's attention, in order to breakout Reed and Lorna out of a truck that was supposed to transport them to Mexico.

Reed is now back with his family, helping out the Mutants, by using all of the knowledge he's gained from working with Sentinel Services. Reed is becoming an integral piece of information for the Underground, while he tries to reconnect with his own family. Still not coming to terms over the fact that his children have Mutant abilities, and also trying to figure out how it's possible that they are Mutants. When trying to figure out what Sentinel Services is doing to these rogue Mutants, he is reunited with his father. Who he never had a great relationship with as a child, but is forced to talk with him, because his father somehow has ties with Sentinel Services.

In the most recent episode we find out that Reed's Grandparents were Mutants, and also some of the most dangerous Mutants of their time. His father had powers of his own, and was able to make an antidote for Reed. So, that he wouldn’t have to grow up with these powers, but before his father dies after Dr. Roderick Campbell pays him a visit. He warns Reed to make sure that Lauren and Andy don’t use their powers together, specifically while holding their hands.

Making Room for The Struckers.

Before the Mutants found out a way to break out Lorna and Reed from Sentinel Services. They were trying to figure out what to do with Kate, Lauren, and Andy. Some Mutants didn't believe that they should be in the Underground, as they would make the Mutants more of a target for Sentinel Services. But, after Kate helps to save Blink, the leaders of the Underground decide that the Struckers could be very useful. Especially, since Lauren and Andy's powers has helped them get out of very sticky situations. Kate ends up saving another Mutants life, after being shot by Sentinel Services during the truck heist. Still proving to the Underground, that her and her children deserve to be of use at this camp. When she helps the Mutants with another Mutant gone rogue, by waking the victim up from her drugged state. Caitlin realizes that the Rogue Mutant can't talk, because of the effects of the drugs that were created by Dr. Roderick Campbell. So, she uses another refugee Mutant to get into the victims mind, finding out that Sentinel Services killed her son, right before she dies.

But, Caitlin isn't the only one doing her part to help out the Underground, as her children keep proving themselves useful. After Lauren meets and grows feelings for another mutant at camp, she comes up with a plan to distract Sentinel Services during their heist. The mutant she falls for has the ability to create images out of thin air. So, he helps make a mirror image of a street, to turn the truck in two different directions. To blindside Sentinel Services in going the other way, losing track of Reed and Lorna.

Lauren also uses her powers to make a bridge for the truck to go over, before almost being stopped by Sentinel Services. As for Andy, he is doing everything he can to help out the Underground, whenever he can.

Trouble in the Underground:

John- A lot has been going on for Thunderbird, as he tries to deal with Sentinel Services gaining on their every move. While simultaneously trying to handle everything that comes with being a leader, things spiral out of control in his relationships. His girlfriend, Dreamer, gave Blink a memory of theirs, so that she could be able to use her powers again. But, that bites Dreamer in the back, when Blink finds out that these memories aren't hers. Thunderbird tries to tell Blink that he had nothing to do with putting that memory into her mind, but Blink doesn't believe him. Only wishing that he told her from the beginning, that these images of her making out with him, aren’t real. Forcing Blink to run away. Thunderbird does everything he can do to find Blink, and to return her to the Underground. But at the same time, he finds out that his best friend Pulse (played by Zach Roerig), is being used as a rogue soldier by Sentinel Services.

Blink- After leaving the Underground, Thunderbird eventually finds Blink. She is still pissed off at Thunderbird, for how he lied to her, but knows that he can help her out with something. She wants to find this road that she kept opening when she was sick, and can only do that with Thunderbird's help. Together they find the road, leading to Blink's old foster home. Only to find a bloodbath, finding out that Sentinel Services murdered her foster family, in cold blood. She is still trying to cope with being back at the Underground, finding a friend in one of the refugee Mutants. Who just so happened to be staying with the same foster family, Blink used to live at.

Lorna and Marcos- After being reunited from the heist, everything seems all fine and dandy for soon-to-be-parents, Lorna and Marcos. We even got a very cheesy glimpse into how they first fell in love, which included creating an aurora. Until, Marcos decides to find help in a former flame, Carmen (Michelle Veintimilla). Carmen somehow has enough connections to find out where Lorna and Reed are being held. But, the only way Carmen was going to help, was if Marcos returned a few favors. Some of which involved torturing Jace Turner, and blowing up a truck full of drugs. Lorna finds out that Marcos has been lying to her, and witnesses Marcos blowing up the truck. This causes friction between the lovebirds, which John wants patched up. Lorna tries to distract her anger, by teaching the young Mutants how to use their powers. Basically, avoiding their problems.

My Thoughts:

So far, I am still enjoying The Gifted, with nothing to really complain about. I love all the characters on the show, except for Dreamer and Dr. Roderick Campbell. We are getting more background on these characters, which I am very excited about. Especially, since I have never read the X-Men Comics or watched a lot of the X-Men movies. One character story, that I was really intrigued by was actually, Jace Turner. It was really interesting and heartbreaking to see why he has so much hate against the mutants. I also loved seeing Lorna and Marcos background story, of how their relationship started.

I am also really happy over the roles that the Struckers are taking on, because for some reason I thought they were going to be held against their will at the Underground. But, obviously that's not the case, as they are being extremely helpful to the Underground, in any way possible. However, I don't think Andy is being used to his full potential, and would love to see more growth from him.

I am really interested in this idea of Mutants gone bad and haywire by Sentinel Services. And am looking forward in seeing how the Mutants deal with this epidemic.

All in all, I am very happy that I took on this show, and can't wait to see how season one concludes. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves Superhero shows, as much as I do. I am surprised that it is not getting a ton of viewership, and would definitely encourage more people to watch it. Because to me, it is a really good show. It is getting me more interested in the X-Men world, making me want to pick up the movies, and possibly comic books!

Here is a look at the next episode, which will be returning in two weeks.

The Good Doctor: Season One

For The Good Doctor, I am going to do my recap a little bit differently. I will mainly be talking about the things that have caught my eye when watching The Good Doctor. After that we will be getting into the review portion, and how things are going for me with This show.

So, if you read my review and recap in my Monday Night Premieres post, you would know that I had my hesitations on this show. I didn’t like how the Board of St. Bonaventure's Hospital, basically hired Dr. Shaun Murphy, because they felt sorry about losing his brother at a very young age. When they really could've just kept him on as an intern, based on his credentials. But, obviously that was a tough decision for them, because of his Autism. After the premiere, I was going to give The Good Doctor, one more chance. And I am glad I did, because it is exceeding my expectations, and the other 3 million people who watch it.

So, What Changed?

There are a few reasons as to why I decided to keep watching The Good Doctor…

Freddie Highmore as Dr. Shaun Murphy…

One of the main reasons as to why I am loving this show so much, is Freddie Highmore's performance as Dr. Shaun Murphy. I feel like he is playing this mental disability really well, and since having taken a class in college on Disability Awareness. I have relatively good knowledge on what it is like to be someone with Autism. I mean, I don’t know what it is like to live with a person with Autism, but I do know the signs and how to adapt sports play with their disabilities. I think that Freddie Highmore's acting is superb with this role, and as he handles high stress situations. He is making me fall in love with Dr. Shaun Murphy more and more, but not in the Cinderella Story type-way. I am really enjoying how he is dealing with adulthood and living on his own, which can be very stressful things to handle for a person with Autism. I also really like his relationship with Dr. Browne, and how she is learning more and more each day on how to work with him. By treating him as any other doctor, which sometimes always doesn't happen.

…Dealing with Prejudice.

A part from Freddie Highmore's acting skills, we are starting to see some prejudices from unlikely people. Which is something the Board thought would happen, and would most likely happen in these situations. But, what I like about how the writers are approaching this, is how who Shaun is receiving prejudice from. For instance, parents of a child with autism. The parents believed that Shaun couldn't handle taking care of their child, because they live with someone like him every day. That was something unexpected, but I thought it was sort of necessary for this show. To see what individuals with disabilities deal with everyday.

Dr. Browne (Antonia Thomas) and Dr. Kalu (Chuku Modu):

These were two characters, who I didn’t really like during the premiere, mainly because they were very cocky doctors. Which is a personality trait, that doesn't always stick with me. I am all for confidence, but cockiness is something I take issues with. But in later episodes, we start to see that both of these characters are more than just charm and smarts. They actually make mistakes and have emotions, like normal people.

As I said earlier, I really like Dr. Browne's relationship with Shaun. I feel like she is getting to know him as a person, and not as his disability. But, apart from that, we are starting to see that doctors can make mistakes. Although this mistake was a big one, when Dr. Browne finds out that her judgment actually caused her to lose a patient. This was the first patient she has lost, and because of this she has to go to a few therapy sessions. To make sure that she is capable of handling this stressful workload. We are beginning to see some cracks in Dr. Browne, and that she is far from perfect. Making me like her more and more, because we are seeing the more human side of her.

As for Dr. Kalu, he is starting to grow on me. We are starting to see his emotional side as well, as he connects with his patients more. What really got me liking him, was when he went out of his way for a patient who was suffering from a stroke. The patient was actually ready to die, but somehow Dr. Kalu changed his mind, or so he thought. The patient kept getting out of his bed, in the hopes that he would start up another stroke. But, Dr. Kalu wasn't letting that happen, because he thought his patient could come out of this alive. He tries to convince his patient, by telling the patient his story. About how against all odds and his parents not really caring about him, he still became a doctor. But, in the end, Dr. Kalu realized there was nothing to do to change the patient's mind. Because he was ready to die, and to be with his wife in Heaven. So, when the patient actually has a stroke, Dr. Kalu respected the patient's wishes, despite how hard a decision it was for him. It is really nice to be getting a more human side of Dr. Kalu, because like Dr. Browne he was very cocky. I am also starting to see that Dr. Kalu is accepting Dr. Shaun Murphy as his coworker, which I am all for!

I Still Don't Like Dr. Melendez…

Although, I was really happy to see him actually let Dr. Murphy, do something during a surgery. Other than just suctioning, he allowed Dr. Murphy complete an important piece of the surgery. But, he still bothers me as a character.

Here is a look at tonight's episode, in case you are curious about watching The Good Doctor!

Hey everybody, so sorry this second part took a bit longer to post than I thought it was going to! I was unfortunately, having issues with my computer starting up today, and was unable to finish writing it over the weekend. But, I really wanted to get it up for you guys today, as promised! However, I might not be able to get my Tuesday Night show Recap and Reviews up by tomorrow. Because that would require me to write the blog tonight, to post it tomorrow, but I am too tired to write it now. So, I will most likely be posting three blogs for Wednesday! Until then, please do enjoy this post, and let me know what shows you are getting into right now!

TTFN,

Chynna Williams @TheCWTorch