Kyle XY is A-OK
Science Fiction Series Focuses More on Real Issues Than Fantasy
An ongoing series shown on ABC Family, Kyle XY features a young man with superhuman abilities, but it's the heartbreaking aspects of teenage life that make this show work
“Kyle XY” is the type of made-for-cable series that puts the “original” back in original programming. Instead of turning into a "gimmick" show, this family drama focuses more on issues that face real teenagers and less on the science fiction aspects of the series.
The talented Matt Dallas plays the title role, a young man whose first real memory is waking up in the Seattle woods without a bellybutton, clothing or any knowledge of who he is or how he ended up there. He is a real “tabula rasa,” a blank slate that’s just waiting to be filled with as much knowledge as he can hold.
After wandering stark naked into town, the young man ends up in police custody. Because he doesn’t speak or seem to understand English, detectives think he may be austistic and call Nicole Trager (Marguerite Macintyre) in for a consultation. A psychologist who works with emotionally troubled kids, Trager is at first annoyed and then intrigued by the boy, especially his ability to create photo-realistic drawings with crayons.
Opening her home and later her heart to the boy, who takes the name Kyle, Trager introduces him to her husband Stephen (Bruce Thomas), son Josh (Jean-Luc Bilodeau) and daughter Lori (April Matson). Kyle’s wide-eyed innocence, charm and superhuman abilities win the Tragers over and they become his new foster family. Josh thinks Kyle is an alien, though, and Lori, who constantly worries about her popularity, hates having to babysit a 16-year-old.
Season 1 of “Kyle XY” focuses several episodes on Kyle’s search for his true identity. Told from his point-of-view with the help of an internal monologue, he has to figure out things as mundane as basic bodily functions and, before taking a history test, reads an entire set of encyclopedias. After a few swim lessons from his cute neighbor Amanda (Kirsten Prout), he skims through the water like an Olympic champion. Kyle also discovers that he has feelings for the sweet and kind Amanda, but she, unfortunately, already has a boyfriend.
As Kyle learns more about the human condition, Lori deals with some rites of passage that come with being a teenager and Josh, who has struggled with his classes, finds himself forced to take remedial courses. Ironically, Kyle has the least trouble of the three in high school, making friends with outsiders and effortlessly stopping bullies.
While Kyle unravels the mysteries of being a teenager, there are mysterious strangers observing him and his interactions with the Tragers. Someone obviously knows who Kyle really is and they want him back.
Season 1 of “Kyle XY” currently is available on DVD and Season 2 debuts on ABC Family on Monday, June 11.
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