Gen V Season 2

So… Season 2 of Gen V is over and what a fun ride it was. I feel like this season wasn’t advertised much, but within the first episode, it became clear why: “Make America Super Again!” and “Trad Supes” and “Didn’t this used to be the diversity centre?!” … this show is leaning even harder into its social commentary themes than S1, to the point where it no longer feels like satire and just seems like our world.

Although I saw this season’s big twist coming, this didn’t lessen my enjoyment, and the young cast are as easy to root for as they were last season. I missed the focus on mental health and the various analogies that the supes’ powers facilitated - I felt that was one of the show’s biggest strengths - but it made sense given what they’d all experienced. I thought this season approached the awful passing of Chance Perdomo in a thoughtful way. The world lost such a wonderful actor in that young man, and I really missed him in this show.

Some spoilers ahead…

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I really appreciated that it was the older Black uncle-figure who showed the kids how to stop Cypher “getting in their brain” / controlling them, and also that he was able to repel Cypher/Godolkin’s influence despite his powers being diminished - because resisting the narrative that others try to place in our minds is what Black people always have to do to navigate this world.

“We beat you… all of us. Even the useless ones.”

I loved how one character’s seemingly sh!tty (pun intended iykyk) power helps save the day - it felt so fitting, given Godolkin’s dismissiveness of the more unique abilities. It really felt like teamwork and community vs toxic individualism, and I loved that. I also felt this helped highlight how eugenics and prejudice go hand-in-hand - a thing everyone would do well to remember as we continue to slide into f@scism.

I do feel that things were wrapped up a little too swiftly at the end, but I still think it was a great season of TV. Also… what’s the deal with Sage? I keep thinking she’s playing some kind of long con on everyone, but it’s yet to materialise. I live in hope…