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

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. 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 2 contains the following episodes: "The Meaning of Death". A plague that kills mutants forces Adam to work with Mason Eckhart and the invulnerable mercenary Marlowe in the knowledge that any cure he comes up with will lead to a double-cross. "Lit Fuse". Brennan is attracted to energy-absorbing Ashley, who is being set up for betrayal by bounty-hunter Cross. When she absorbs Brennan, things get really complicated. "In the Presence of Mine Enemies". Jesse's hacker girlfriend Toni is forced by Eckhart to betray Adam's hideout Sanctuary and the computerised journalist Proxy Blue. Can the tables be turned? "Crime of the New Century". Youthful mutant firestarter Joshua is kidnapped, rescued and then turned over to the GSA by a renegade FBI agent. "Dark Star Rising". The survivors of a commando team have been altered into mutancy by scientists and want vengeance for their dead squad members. Mutant X helps them stop Eckhart getting the secret serum. The DVDs also contain trailers, a feature on the elaborate stunts and interviews with stunt coordinator Paul Rapovski, show runner Howard Chaykin and Victor Webster (Brennan). --Roz Kaveney

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. 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 3 contains the following episodes: "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Adam's invisible ex-lover Danielle needs stabilising by a gene resequencer which has been stolen from him by Eckhart's agents. "Double Vision". New mutant Maddie splits Emma into two--one Emma is completely ruthless and prepared to destroy Eckhart and the GSA at huge cost in life. "Blood Ties". Jesse meets his father again and is recruited by him to a vengeance crusade that may be a cover for industrial espionage. "Altered Ego". A mutant's power changes Adam into a ruthless villain determined to destroy his friends. The DVDs also contain trailers, a file on Genomex, interviews with the makeup artists and with Lauren Lee Smith (Emma). --Roz Kaveney

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. 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 4 contains the following episodes: "The Lazarus Syndrome". Both Emma and GSA agent Pamela are targeted by Caleb, a vampiric mutant whose kiss drains life force from mutants and who rises again each time he is killed. "Interface". Emma tries to convert her school friend Michelle, a GSA agent and super-hacker; their escape from GSA is easy, perhaps too easy. "Presumed Guilty". A memory-stealing mutant frames Adam for a murder and Eckhart exploits the situation to find out Mutant X's whereabouts. "Ex Marks the Spot". Shalimar's unreliable former lover Zack involves Mutant X in the heist of a Faberge egg in which important genetic code has been hidden. The DVDs also contain trailers and interviews with Michael Shea (Adam) and show runner Howard Chaykin. --Roz Kaveney

Who could imagine making a cheap horror film might put you in a dangerous situation? A group of three Americans learn just this, from their experience of making a horror flick in Russia.