I loved season 1 of The Gifted. The story didn't exactly break new ground, but I felt it was overall well done, the characters were interesting, the acting was well done, and in general it was a well rounded drama. So going into season 2, I was hoping for more of the same. I have to admit though, I was a bit disappointed. Season 2 felt like the team was just trying too hard. It didn't have the same flow that season 1 had, characters seemed to make foolish decisions repeatedly, explanations were rushed, it just didn't quite work for me. It's not bad, not by any means, but watching both seasons back to back, season 1 is definitely superior.

Graduation has a much different tone to it from the first season. It's much darker, more mature. The potentials are dealing with adult problems at this point so there's less focus on their school life and there are significantly fewer lighthearted scenes. A big focus is on ethics and character's morals, how the potentials should be used, should they be controlled, how and by whom. It's a valid dilemma and the way it's played out is interesting.

While slow pacing is often an issue in dramas, it certainly isn't here. It starts out fast and never really slows down. And this is where I feel like they were just trying way too hard. This drama has a number of plot twists, more than are necessary, in my opinion. But there's a point where a series of plot twists hit just one after another and you're left reeling. At that point, the pacing was almost too fast to actually be able to process what was happening and what I'd just seen. The plot twists make it worse, but even without them the story is convoluted which is useful to hide the plot holes, but annoying when you're the viewer.

There was an element with the character's that they'd gotten both smarter and stupider in the time between seasons 1 and 2. Obviously their potentials had grown, so from that point of view, they were smarter, but the ease with which Ms. Darin and Supot were able to influence and manipulate them, Pang and Punn, especially, just seemed a bit ridiculous after their past experiences. It seemed weird that Pang, in particular, was duped by both of them. I understand wanting to believe the best in people, but also there needs to be a limit and I would think he would have figured that out. He seemed much smarter in some regards in the first season. There were also some difference in characters, notably Korn, from season 1 to season 2 that were pretty much skated over and never discussed. Obviously there were extenuating circumstances, but there were some aspects there that seemed like they needed to be discussed. I did like seeing the potentials working together more as a group this time around, particularly towards the beginning when things are a little more lighthearted. It's fun to see them interacting together. I especially liked the friendship between Wave and Pang. They've obviously become very close and there are a couple of moments that showcase that bond really well that I liked. I did miss Namtarn though. I'm not sure why she wasn't included in the main cast, but she was one of my favorites from season 1 so I was very disappointed that she was relegated to a guest appearance, especially since the cast was already pretty thin when it came to the ladies.

The product placement was over the top and annoying and distracting. Does it actually work on people? I get so annoyed by it that I vow to never buy whatever it is they're touting, if I could even get it in the US. In any case, they're there and there's a lot of them. You literally couldn't miss them if you tried.

Ultimately, Graduation is worth the watch if for no other reason than it's fun to see the cast back on your screen. It doesn't have the same brilliance as season 1, but its still good. It is not one, however, that I will be rewatching. Season 1 is absolutely worth rewatching. Season 2, once you know what happens, its not worth going through it again.