Fox’s The Gifted: Is Kate Strucker the MVP of season two?

Fox’s The Gifted season two has shown a different side of Kate Strucker, who may be vital to the Mutant Underground winning their hardest battle yet against the Inner Circle. We look at Kate’s growth this season and what we can expect from her in the final episodes.

Kate Strucker (Amy Acker) has gone from healer to fighter in the second season of Fox’s The Gifted, now streaming on Hulu. Kate, a former nurse, brought much-needed medical know-how to the Mutant Underground when she joined them as an ally in the first season. This season, she was even made an honorary Morlock when she put her life on the line to procure supplies for injured Morlocks. If she can sway Erg’s (Michael Luwoye) anti-human heart, she is definitely skilled!

Kate is the only person in the Strucker family who doesn’t have the X-gene—her children both inherited the gene from their father—but this has not stopped her from being the family’s biggest badass.

While in season one of The Gifted Kate showed that she had medical knowledge, she also demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for empathy. Though she spent most of her adult life as a human set against the interests of mutants—due to Reed’s job as a mutant detention attorney—Kate has always had the ability to look past people’s differences. Mutant, human, friend, or foe, if someone needs help, Kate is there to provide it. She is someone who does not take the Hippocratic Oath lightly.

In season two, a new aspect of Kate’s personality came to the fore—her fiery spirit. Estranged from her son, Andy (Percy Hynes White), who joined the Inner Circle, Kate became more ruthless, using her medical knowledge to hurt and torture, not just heal. There have been numerous instances when Reed (Stephen Moyer) has been shocked by the lengths his wife will go to in order to save their son.

Admittedly, Kate is acting out because of her mama-bear instincts, and though they might seem extreme, she is an ordinary woman up against extraordinary circumstances, with very little support. That often leaves her with little choice.

However, one of Kate’s more remarkable characteristics, that has come to the fore in recent episodes of The Gifted, is her confidence in her daughter Lauren’s abilities. While Reed has been worrying about Lauren’s powers getting out of control, Kate has been encouraging Lauren (Natalie Alyn Lind) to be the best there is at what she does.

This is a rarity in genre television where female characters are almost constantly told to stay behind or eschew their powers. In fact, Kate inspires Lauren to continue fighting and accepting her powers, who in turn inspires Reed to do the same thing. The Gifted has completely subverted the trope with Kate—making her the go-getter who is always called upon for away missions, while Reed stays home.

Plus, Kate is leading by example. Being non-powered hasn’t stopped her from exercising her mind and body so she is ready for any fight. In episode fourteen of The Gifted season two, when Lauren’s powers were still repressed, Kate saved the Morlock refugees with her quick-thinking and bravery.

With The Gifted season two coming to a close, Kate Strucker is set to play an important role in the Mutant Underground’s fight against the Inner Circle, and the Purifiers. She is undoubtedly the bravest member of the Strucker household, and the most level-headed. As a fighter, and as Lauren’s champion, Kate is an invaluable asset to the severely-depleted Underground. What battle will Kate win next? We can’t wait to find out.

The Gifted: Dawn Of The Mutant Age airs Tuesdays on Fox. For more on The Gifted and everything Hulu related, follow us on the Hulu Watcher Twitter Page @HuluWatcherFS or on the Hulu Watcher Facebook Page.