Mutant X takes the useful SF trope of the mutant minority persecuted by the state and adds potentially interesting spins on which it rarely delivers. The charismatic villain Mason Eckhart of the Genetic Security Agency (Tom McCamus) professes an ideology of service and sacrifice for which many mutants fall, unaware of his genocidal and exploitative real intentions--though his habit of dumping failed minions into glass tubes for subsequent vivisection might give them a clue. A quest for redemption underlies the apparent smugness of Adam (Michael Shea), the good guys' mentor who used to work for the GSA's front, research company Genomex. The shiny, pretty central quartet themselves--fierce acrobatic Shalimar, reliable density-shifter Jesse, laddish electro-boy Brennan and sensible mind-twister Emma--alternately rescue new mutants from Eckhart and neutralise those who are threats. After a couple of pilot episodes that pushed into OTT visual stylishness, the show has settled into mildly repetitive though watchable blandness: for the most part it avoids story arcs and a large cast of regulars in favour of plugging its characters into the stock plots of television SF, such as doubles, vengeance crusades and untrustworthy lovers. On the DVD: Mutant X Series 1, Volume 1 contains the following episodes: "The Shock of the New". Shopgirl Emma discovers her powers of persuasion have made her the target of murderous Mason Eckhart and his henchman Thorne. Rescued by Shalimar and Jesse, she refuses their offer of passage into the mutant underground and is attacked a second time. "I Scream the Body Electric". Captured while rescuing Emma, electricity-shooting Brennan is forcibly recruited into Eckhart's kidnap squads--can he be rescued or avoid corruption? "Russian Roulette". A gun that targets and destroys the DNA of mutants is being tested by Russian mercenaries. Mutant X needs it to cure Brennan and to stop Eckhart obtaining it. "Fool for Love". Shalimar falls for a GSA scientist whose cure for mutancy is more dangerous than either of them know. "Kiloherz". A fiery radical young mutant, Kiloherz, can travel in radio waves and inhabit electronic equipment. Mutant X need to save him from Eckhart and stop him doing too much damage. The DVDs also has trailers, Web links and interviews with Victoria Pratt (Shalimar) and producer Karen Wookey. --Roz Kaveney
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