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Brief Summary
A scared Emma DeLauro negotiates her way through the patrons of a nightclub, bumping into a handsome man, sending him images of fear and panic. She is followed by two obvious government agents. Outside, her pursuers are closing in, but she is rescued by a strange young man capable of disappearing like a ghost or blocking bullets like a granite statue and a lithe woman who displays cat-like agility and mind-boggling fighting capabilities. An older man, dressed entirely in black, helps Emma escape in a state-of-the-art aircraft.
The older man introduces himself as Adam, and his companions are Shalimar, and Jesse. They are Mutant X.
Upon arrival at their dwelling, Sanctuary, Adam explains that the three youngsters are “children of Genomex”, a research facility that doubles as a secret government agency. He describes the unforseen side effects of the experiments, resulting in men and women endowed with superhuman abilities. Emma insists she doesn’t know what he is talking about, because she doesn’t have any special powers at all.
Paul Breedlove, scientist founder of Genomex informs Mason Eckhart, head of security, of  his intentions to go public and make amends for the misguided research and experiments the organization has performed on innocent human beings. Eckhart, whose imune system was destroyed in an unexplained incident he regards as Adam’s responsibility, murders Breedlove with the help of his second in comand, Frank Thorne, a mutant telekinetic himself. Eckhart casts the blame on unknown mutants. In the light of Breedlove’s murder, the Genetic Security Agency is created to round up all the anomalous creatures and restrain them in stasis pods.
Brennan Mulwray, the young man Emma bumped into, having met with his felon friends and set up a heist, hotwires a car with his electric power and takes it in a joy ride, but he is seen. Upon his return, he and his accomplices meet the head of the plan and are instructed on a bank robbery they’re supposed to perform.
Since Emma flatly refuses to acknowledge her powers, Adam decides to give her a new identity and hide her from the government agency that is rounding up all new mutants.
 The bank robbery goes on smoothly, but Tony, Brennan’s accomplice decides to sell his story to Proxy Blue, a virtual tabloid newspaper. Of course, it ends up in Eckhart’s ears. Alison Turner, a telekinetic in the Underground, is supposed to guide Emma to her new location, but she is given the slip. She seeks Brennan in the bar they met before. Thorne shows up soon after and tries to recruit Brennan, but Emma warns the electric throwing man against it.
 Mutant X located Alison Turner’s car and followed Emma to the bar.  While Brennan and the young girl are chased by Thorne and other agents, the team show up and manages to rescue Emma. Brennan is captured.
Theme of the Episode
Trust, alliances, who your friends are. Danger, the ancient fear of the prey, running away from the predator. The horror of being different from the rest of mankind.
Plot Holes
Absolutely none. This episode sets the stage, introduces us to the characters and opens the door to the brave new world of new mutancy. No explanations are given, only introdutory information.
Creepy Moments
Emma’s frantic escape attempt in the nightclub, her projection of her own panic into Brennan’s mind.
Mason putting on his exoskin under a white light.
Paul Breedlove’s murder, cut to ribbons by his own collection of vintage vinil records, telekinetically used as throwing knives by Frank Thorne.
Touching Moments
The conversation between Brennan and Emma when they meet again in the bar. They talk about their powers and the grief they can give them. Two freaks, two outcasts exchanging
Was It Centric?
 Not really. This episode is an introduction and it has to give fair amount of screen time to all characters. Perhaps Emma is alloted a little more attention, since she is the cathalist of the team formation. Other than that, all others share virtually the same amount of importance.
Best Character Award
Even though this episode should be regarded as a team effort, Emma must be commended as best character. Scared, fragile, in total denial, running on pure adrenaline, she gives everybody the slip and behaves like an animal with her back to the wall. Until she relaxes enough to trust Mutant X, she is prey and knows it. Emma’s shortcomings, as well as her potential, are obvious. Besides, Lauren Lee Smith is a very talented young actress, stablishing Emma as a beloved character from her very first scene.
Best Lines
Proxy Blue – “One thing is for sure. It’s getting weirder out there every day.”
Frank Thorne – (Studying Eckhart’s faux skin.”) “Ah... good to go.”
Adam – (To Emma) “Jesse is very sensitive. Shalimar is very territorial and very protective of the people she loves. That includes Jesse.”
Proxy Blue – “Call me paranoid, but I figure the paranoid shall inherit the earth.”
Paul Breedlove – “I intend to go to the press next week with full disclosure of what’s been going on since the inception of the program.”
Frank Thorne – (To Paul Breedlove) “Please, call me first. We must approach this with... finesse.”
Brennan’s Accomplice – (To Brennan) “You! You have stones of steel!”
Adam – “Ruby is a telepath.”
Ruby – “I prefer Esper. It just sounds... sexier.”
Alison – “So, what is your power?”
Emma – “I don’t have any powers.”
Alison – “Ah! The power of denial.”
Mason – (To Paul Breedlove) “If only you had kept your mouth shut, everything would have been fine, but you had to beat yourself up with guilt over the mess you’ve made and now, I have to use your lemons to make lemonade.”
Mason – (Setting Breedlove’s office on fire.) “So much for the paper trail.”
Alison – “I have to tell you, girl, I understand you decision completely.”
Emma – “What decision?”
Alison – “Not to join Mutant X. I mean, it’s not like every new mutant is a hero.”
Mason – “Don’t get carried away, Mr. Thorne. We are all just easily bought by flattery and bigger paychecks.”
Emma – (To Brennan) “One day I’m salesgirl of the month at Letterman & Stokes, and you’d be surprised at how persuasive I can be when it comes to misses and petites.”
Emma – (To Brennan) “I used to love to get dates to jump up through hoops Saturday night.”
Brennan – (To Emma, about the goons ready to take them.) “You know, any time you’d want to make these guys jump through hoops would be fine with me.”
First Times
As the series pilot, this is first time galore.
-Proxy Blue, the cutting edge virtual tabloid reporter gives her first account of weird
things happening in the world.
-We are introduced to Shalimar’s animal powers, Jesse’s density control, Emma’s mind reading powers, Brennan’s tesla coils and Adam’s brain power.
-The commlink rings are displayed for the first time. They are first used as a digital camera.
-The Double Helix, known to some fans as the Flying Sow, Adam’s hatchless stealth VTOL aircraft flies for the first time.
-The visual cloak, high tech blindfold used to prevent strangers from discovering the hideout’s location is used on Emma for the first time.
-Stormking Mountain, location of Mutant X hideout, and its holographic side show up in all its glory.
-The Zen hideout itself, Sanctuary, makes its first appearance. After the Helix’s hangar, we see the pond and waterfall, then the Dojo.
-Genomex shows up for the first time.
-The exoskin that covers Mason Eckhart’s body is presented also for the first time. Also, the wig, the gloves, the tinted glasses and the black pinstripe suit.
-Sanctuary’s laboratory, the MadChair, the laser diagnostic beams are all there.
-“My Friend’s Bookstore” and a mutant shelter are there.
-The Underground is presented.
-The computer command chair.
-The stasis pods show up.
Unexplained Events
Irrelevant at this point in the series. Nothing is really explained and everything is just presented. The plot, the premise, the relationships, the characters, everything is supposed to be developed and made clear as the series progresses.
Things We Notice
Everything! The sleek camera work, the crooked angles, the tinted scenes, yellow, green, red. The cool soundtrack, techno, 50’s style rock’n roll, the manipulation of the theme music to create mood. Costumes, Adam’s black clothes, Shalimar in white, Emma’s red coat, Brennan sleeveless T-shirt. Art direction, Sanctuary’s Zen atmosphere, Genomex scary cutting-edge invasive science environment, the intersting props and sets. The interactions between actors: Shalimar/Adam (father figure/daughter, with a slightly flirtatious undertone), or Shalimar/Jesse (big sister/little brother), Emma butting in this cozy family arrangement, Brennan/Emma (flirtatious, possible dating material, slightly manipulative). Eye-bulging wire-fu and fight choreography. Everything!
Purist Reaction
This pilot episode deserves five Wadjets, and more Wadjets there were, more would be alloted.
This was the episode that hooked us all up. Everything about it screams potential, everything about it makes us want more. We want to know more about these characters, we want to root for them, we can barely wait for the following episode to know what shall become of the team and their foes. This is Mutant X at its still unsurpassed best.
Falconia
Discussion of this episode
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