Alphas

Alphas are mutants. People who have extraordinary abilities that set them apart from – and, in some eyes, above – the rest of humanity. That’s the basic premise of this US sci-fi series premiering in Australia on Friday night. It follows a long line of such shows and if you’ve seen one you know what to expect.

These mutants are more subtle than those in Heroes, whose black & white dichotomies were drawn straight from comic books; they are more three-dimensional than the titular family in No Ordinary Family; they are more relatable than the time-travelling abductees of The 4400. They are no way near as interesting as the ASBO-shackled teens of Misfits. It’s telling that the show was created by the people behind X-Men: The Last Stand)

David Strathairn (slumming it after L.A. Confidential andGood Night, and Good Luck) plays Dr Lee Rosen, a professor who specialises in studying these super-powered Alphas, and who heads a government-sponsored crime-fighting team of them. His team includes Bill (Malik Yoba), a former FBI agent who can summon superhuman strength when his ‘fight or flight’ response is activated; Nina (Laura Mennell), who can persuade the weak-minded to do her bidding, Yoda-style; Rachel (Azita Ghanizada), who seems to be a human forensic analysis machine thanks to her synaesthesia; and Gary (Ryan Cartwright), an autistic dude who can read and control electro-magnetic wavelengths.

During the first episode we meet a future member of the team, Cameron (Warren Christie), a former Marine sniper whose hyperkinesthesis gives him super-sized reflexes and perfect aim.

It’s all generally par for the course, and it takes itself pretty seriously. Hence, the promise for the show lies in its characterisations. Cartwright, in particular, brings a compassionate conviction – for the style of show it is – to his portrayal of someone afflicted with autism, albeit one with super powers. That his powers seem the end result of drawing to their (il)logical conclusion the natural abilities of many autistics helps. Mennell, meanwhile, revels in the selfishness her powers allow her, but she’s not a bad person, just a human one. Souped up. And Strathairn is perfectly believable as the caring professor, but it’s a by-the-numbers role for the most part.

It’s not groundbreaking science fiction but for what it is, Alphas is fine.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Alphas
Premiering Friday February 3
Sci-Fi, 9.30pm