Inhumans Focuses on Filler in “Make Way for… Medusa”

Marvel’s Inhumans, “Make Way for… Medusa” Plot Summary:

Medusa (Serinda Swan) and Louise (Ellen Woglom) work together to track Black Bolt (Anson Mount), who accompanies Dr. Declan (Henry Ian Cusick) to his laboratory. However, Declan is not who he seems.

I’m not going to shy away from the fact that this episode of Inhumans has some issues. Some of them are simple subplot problems, while a few are more logistical.

First, let’s talk about the minor problems. Crystal (Isabelle Cornish), Karnak (Ken Leung), and Gorgon (Eme Ikwuakor) all spend time with the locals, but not much of anything really happens. Their storylines are padding, especially Lockjaw’s injury. As for Karnak, it’s strange that he’s just waiting, but I guess he doesn’t have much choice while he heals. I could’ve done without the goofy pop music during his romantic trip to the beach or the jealousy brewing in the group. The music is something the premiere suffered from as well. Jen (Jamie Gray Hyder) equating sociopathic tendencies with being a New Yorker is pretty funny, though.

On the more technical side, I question how Maximus (Iwan Rheon) was able to orchestrate certain elements of his coup. I just accepted the strike team on Earth as part of the premise, but his partnership with Declan brings up more questions. I also question how so many people are able to understand Black Bolt. I suppose it’s plausible that Declan might have encountered a mute Inhuman during his research, but he’s not the only one to communicate with Black Bolt.

In a more positive vein, there’s something amusing about Louise’s exasperation over Medusa’s actions throughout the course of the episode. While it’s not a perfect fit, think of Louise as Medusa’s straight man. Antics aside, however, the two women still have time to be serious and share their emotions. We’re used to people ennobling those who die for their beliefs. To hear someone, particularly an alien, say they’d rather have living parents than ones that died for their ideals sheds a different light on the matter. Medusa will likely start to feel differently as the season progresses.

We’re at the halfway point for Inhumans. Black Bolt and Maximus will no doubt face each other, but there’s a long way to go. The show needs to start presenting more interesting challenges for the Royal Family. Because, while “Make Way for… Medusa” is generally entertaining, it doesn’t make the best use of the series’ limited time.

Rating: 6 out of 10 (Average)