‘The Gifted’ Season 2, Episode 13 ‘teMpted’ Recap: Misunderstandings

The devastating loss of the Mutant Underground’s leaders leaves The Gifted in shambles. With morale reaching an all-time low, the remnants of the Atlanta station desperately tries to hold things together. Meanwhile, the Underground’s informant tries to gather information from the Inner Circle. As this happens, the Morlocks go about their usual way of life.

In this week’s episode of The Gifted, John Proudstar/Thunderbird (Blair Redford) fails to unite what remains of the Mutant Underground. Meanwhile, Lorna Dane/Polaris (Emma Dumont) risks her life to find out what the Inner Circle is planning. When a Morlock supply run goes wrong, Clarice Fong/Blink (Jamie Chung) enlists Caitlin Strucker (Amy Acker) and Marcos Diaz/Eclipse’s (Sean Teale) aid. Unexpectedly, Lauren Strucker (Natalie Alyn Lind) goes on a journey of self-discovery.

Demoralized

FOX

John kept losing people ever since his return from The Purifiers’ custody. With the leaders of the Mutant Underground dead, John carried the weight of the responsibility as the only leader left. Also, he recently lost Clarice to the Morlocks, since she chose to join them. With that, John was in no shape to lead, but he did what he could. Other members of the Underground headed to their base, but upon finding out that they have no definite counterattack plan, they leave. John and the remnants of the Atlanta station are on their own.

Irresistible Power

FOX

Lauren knew that Andy Strucker (Percy Hynes White) was preying on her mind’s weaknesses during their shared dreams, so she decides not to sleep. Lauren has an argument with her father, Reed Strucker (Stephen Moyer) about the strange music box before she accidentally falls asleep. In the dream, Andy, under the control of the Frost Sisters (Skyler Samuels), convinces Lauren to join him. Lauren may have been resistant at first, but when she wakes up, she knew that she could not handle her desire for power anymore. Upon seeing Lauren gone, Reed brings John with him to find Lauren. Reed realized that the only way he could get Lauren to come back is if he told her the truth about the music box. Finally, when they reach Lauren, Reed tells her about the time when Reed discovered the music box as a child. He knew how overwhelming the feeling was when he used his powers, so he knew how Lauren felt. With that, Reed convinces Lauren to take medication, just as he does.

Mutant Care

FOX

The Morlocks took their supplies from warehouses since preferred to avoid contact with the outside. However, the police are more vigilant, thanks to the recent Mutant Uprisings. The Morlock raiders, including Blink, were on the run before they had the time to prepare. One of the cops shoots Glow (Laysla De Oliveira) just as Blink portals everyone out. When they arrive back in the tunnels, Glow’s condition worsens. Despite Erg’s (Michael Luwoye) prejudice against humans, Blink brings Caitlin and Eclipse to help with Glow’s situation. Caitlin May have stabilized Glow for now, but she needed equipment to synthesize a formula that could help Glow’s blood clots. The problem was that what they needed is in the trashed clinic under massive Purifier surveillance. Despite this, Erg, Blink, and Caitlin head to the clinic.

They knew better than not to expect the Purifiers from showing up, so they acted quickly. As if on queue, the Purifiers start blasting at them. Erg holds them off just in time as the formula finishes. Back at the tunnels, Eclipse gives some of his blood to Glow, since they have similar blood structure. Luckily, Caitlin and the others return just in time to save Glow. Before Caitlin and Eclipse leave, Erg marks Caitlin with an ‘M’ on her cheek using dirt from the tunnels, symbolizing his and the Morlocks’ acceptance of her as one of their own.

Suspicious

FOX

Polaris may have found out a fraction of the Inner Circle’s plans, but she risked her cover blown. Max (James Carpinello) knew that someone was snooping inside his room, and he suspected Polaris. Polaris caught a whiff of his suspicion, so she contacts Eclipse immediately. They both knew that they had to get Max out of the picture somehow. With that, Eclipse suggests kidnapping and torturing Max. Neither of them liked the idea, but they had no choice. After Polaris recognizes Max’s exit patterns, she gives Eclipse the time and place. However, Max came prepared. Max manages to shoot Eclipse, but in the end, Max dies, taking his exploding car with him.

‘The Gifted’ Season 2, Episode 13 ‘teMpted’ Final Verdict

Reeva and Jace’s absence in the recent episodes raises questions, but they may be off somewhere doing something relevant to the plot. With only three episodes left in the second season’s lineup, the show is taking its time to set up something big in the season finale. They still have enough time to improve the story further, but so far, the plot is compelling. After all, we still do not see how the Mutant Underground would be able to fight against both the Inner Circle and The Purifiers.

The Gifted continues Tuesday, February 12th with ‘calaMity’ at 8/9c on Fox.