The Gifted S02E06 "iMprint" Review

Flashbacks on "The Gifted" season two have been effective story-telling devices that enhance the deeper themes and context of the present day character arcs. In episode 6, "iMprint," we're also treated to a well-executed flashback arc that this time explores the origins of the triplets. Meanwhile, Reed's struggles to master his powers escalate, just as the Purifiers further their violent agenda. With more secrets revealed, battles fought, and lives lost, we're going to highlight some of this week's stand-out moments.

Esme and her sisters are finally treated to a back-story exploration, with the greatest revelation being that they weren't triplets but genetically manufactured quintuplet clones. The other two sisters, Celeste and Mindee, died during an escape attempt at age 13 when they worked together to kill their handlers. Her flashback sequences combined with her present-day arc with Lorna and baby Dawn offer a necessary nuance to the story. In order to keep the story from being stale, the writers must work to maintain the moral grey area between the Mutant Underground and the Inner Circle. With the added threat of the Purifiers rising up it adds another dimension to how tragic the inner-Mutant conflict is when there is a far larger threat to their well-being.

If there was ever any question of Jace finding redemption and getting out his downward spiral, they've now been laid to rest and possibly forever. Jace's warped ideology is often painfully hard to watch, not because it's a poorly executed story, but because of how much it resonates with today's society. To the credit of the show's writers, Jace's journey exemplifies how people can weaponise their bigotry once they succumb to scapegoating marginalised groups for circumstantial tragedies. The added layer of introducing Shatter's character-journey before he is tragically shot down by Jace is excellent storytelling. At this rate Jace seems destined to either die a villain or only find redemption if and when he has an epiphany of how far he's fallen and decides to sacrifice himself for a mutant(s) afterwards.

Lauren's trauma from her violent encounter with Andy is on full display when she aggressively pursues a lead with Caitlin to learn more about Rebecca. Her emotionality is truly heart-breaking, as Natalie Alyn Lind beautifully presents Lauren's pain through her expressions. It's understandable that she wouldn't fully communicate her pain through words, as it's a lot to deal with. The question remains as to whether or not these two siblings will be able to find their way back to one another as their respective causes continue to progress down such divulging paths. The dream sequences take on a 'Nightmare on Elm Street' feel as Lauren discovers that an injury in the dream causes her finger to bleed when she wakes. It's yet to be elaborated as to how far this connection will go and whether or not they could go so far as to manifest physically by transporting through one another's dream but it's certainly an intriguing concept to ponder, and the possibilities it offers the story.

The Gifted airs on Tuesdays on FOX at 8/7c.