Alphas is a new show on SyFy in the Hero's vein. It's about a small group of individuals with extra-human abilities (read: X-Men) who go around solving crimes. Yeah, been there done that. We've seen the X-Men movies, we watched Heroes, and it seems every network has a new "superhero" show out that's ultimately just a remix of the two.
In many respects, Alphas is no different. Instead of a family, such as in No Ordinary Family, we get a group of psych patients who get roped into government work. What's nice about this change is we see these special people not as Superheros, but as people who have to cope with their extraordinary abilities.
One character in particular, Gary has the ability to read electro-magnetic waves in the air. He can watch TV simply by watching what's in the air, or listen to the radio, or a cell phone call. Unfortunately, he's autistic. The great irony of a master of communication who is incapable of communicating, himself.
This character, while initially a little difficult to watch, has really grown on me, and become why I watch the show. His two worlds really demonstrates the human focus of the show. He's not a guy in spandex with a special ability thwarting the plans of an evil mastermind. Instead, he is a severely disabled individual who is highly intelligent, and trying to come into his own.
Gary can do things no one on earth can do, but he faces problems that almost everyone on earth can solve. He has a mother that loves him, and tries to do the best for him, when no one can possibly know what is best for someone as unique as him. In many respects, she, like his co-workers, tell him he's an adult while treating him like a child.
His co-workers find him to be useful, but are clearly set off by his difficulty with communication. It's one thing to know that someone is autistic, it's another to be infinitely patient with someone with autism. Alphas does an amazing job at playing up that difficulty.
Everyone in the main cast has their very human issues that have to deal with, but Gary's character is what really drives the point him. This isn't a show about superheros saving the day. This is a show about real people with real problems trying to get through life despite having extra-human abilities.
No comments:
Post a Comment