I like that the characters don't necessarily get along with each other. Makes more sense, since they are randomly thrown together. I also like that they aren't some perfect superhuman with all the abilities and the beauty and the people skills. They have faults.
Gary seems autistic, or at least has Asperger's, by his behavior. In fact, before they show you the strings of energy that he can see, his actions seem very much like it.
Bill has superhuman strength, it says as a fight or flight response. He also seems to have a bit of a bad attitude, which Rachel addresses early in the episode, saying that he takes things without asking. He also teases Gary, and they seem to not like each other very much.
Speaking of Rachel, she has the ability to enhance one of her senses, but this makes the rest of her senses dull, which can get her into trouble and, of course, does.
Nina has the ability to make people do what she tells them to by looking into their eyes. Apparently they can't be wearing sunglasses, as we find out when the character is introduced. It does seem to have limits though, as she couldn't quickly get a guard to do what she needed later in the episode. Now, they all seem to take care of one another, but they don't seem to always get along perfect.
Cameron Hicks, the guy they are trying to find/help in the episode has hyperkinesis, where all his motor skills are heightened. They show that he can toss a quarter into a soda machine from several yards away. He has a military sniper background, but also seems to have had a bad home experience. He has a family that he can't see, including a son.
Dr. Lee Rosen, the "Professor Xavier" of the group, isn't an Alpha. He is a neurologist and physcologist and is basically the glue that holds these very different characters together.
I like that these characters seem more real than a lot of other "superpowered" characters we see a lot these days.
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What is so great about these characters is that they all have very real flaws that are an outgrowth of their abilities and talents.
ReplyDeleteGary has difficulty in social situations, possibly due to endless distraction as a child. Disorders on the autism spectrum are primarily recognized by social difficulty.
Bill has boundary issues, control issues, and little patience, due to his strong physical presence and training.
Rachael has issues with confrontation and expressing herself. A lifetime of observing makes her feel like an outsider and cripples her ability to express herself and participate.
Nina is obviously spoiled and used to getting what she wants. She has issues with empathy but seems to be the most well adjusted of the group (she was implied to be one of the first that Dr. Rosen helped, so this may be the reason.) However, we may not have seen her issues as much yet.
Cameron has performance anxiety due to constantly performing amazing feats and causing those around him to come to EXPECT amazingness from him. Once he feels they expect it, he becomes terrified of suddenly reaching limits that he knows exist, but doesn't know where they are.
Dr. Rosen, as with many of his profession has a tendency to fall into an analytical mindset while speaking with others instead of actually listening to them and relating to them as fellow human beings rather than subjects.