— The Gifted Class XV, poster —
"Ever wondered why the school is so eager to have talented students but never cares how they're doing? Let me tell you a story of a school called Ritdha Wittayakom and a program called The Gifted."
— Pang, Episode 1 intro
The Gifted (นักเรียนพลังกิฟต์) is a Thai TV series produced by GMMTV and Parbdee. Its story is based on Sand Dhammarong Sermrittirong's 2015 thesis short film of the same name which he also adapted into a novel. The series aired on One31 and LineTV from 5 August 2018 to 4 November 2018. All 13 episodes are available on GMMTV official YouTube channel
. Its sequel, The Gifted: Graduation, premiered on 6 September 2020.
The story follows Pang, a lowest class student stuck within the strict hierarchical system of Ritdha High School, who is suddenly accelerated to the elite Gifted Program after passing the school's unconventional Placement Exam. The secretive program is a special class where students are trained to awaken and control their supernatural abilities. In parallel with the development of their new powers, Pang and his classmates begin investigating school's mysterious past while a conspiracy unravels.
No relation to the X-Men TV show of the same name, The Gifted (2017).
This page may contain unmarked spoilers!
This series provides examples of:
- Absurdly Divided School: Not only are students divided into classes based on academic excellence, but different classes also have different levels of quality when it comes to food, dorms, bathrooms, and privileges in every aspect of school life.
- The Bad Guy Wins: Despite this, it doesn't have a Downer Ending, but more of a "Ray of Hope" Ending. The story continues in The Gifted: Graduation.
- Break Them by Talking: Director Supot's preferred method when it comes to confronting Pang. Justified, because he's unable to use his power on Pang. His way with words makes him dangerous even when not using his special ability.
- Cool Teacher: Mr. Pom is a devoted and nice teacher who is generally liked by the students. His Mind Wipe power is instrumental at maintaining the status quo at Ritdha High School. Ms. Ladda is much stricter and less approachable, but she's able to keep her cool and mannerism even in the middle of a disaster.
- Divided We Fall: Whenever a student starts acting in a secretive or arrogant manner and decides to work alone, they get defeated by the system.
- Ensemble Cast: Started this way, with every Class XV student getting their own episode.
- Evil Counterpart: Supot is this to Pang. They happen to have exactly the same power, and therefore are unable to use it on one other.
- Freudian Trio: Pang as The Kirk, Namtarn as The Spock and Ohm as The McCoy.
- Heroic BSoD: Pang in the final episode. Not only was he outsmarted by Director Supot, but the relationship with his friends appeared to have completely fallen apart due to ideological differences, manipulation and betrayal.
- Homoerotic Subtext: Between Pang and Wave toward the end of the series. Amplified in The Gifted: Graduation.
- How Do I Shot Web?: For some students it takes an unusually long time to figure out or develop their potential. Good for Pang, since those who take their sweet time often happen to have a remarkably powerful ability.
- I Just Want to Be Normal: Mon and Korn. Justified, since the side effects make their powers appear more like a curse than a blessing.
- Incomprehensible Entrance Exam: Ritdha's Placement Exam has nothing to do with one's academic skills. Its real purpose is to activate students' dormant potentials.
- Mysterious Past: The director, the teachers, the former students and the school itself, all appear to have a mysterious past. Namtarn and Pang are most eager to connect the dots and get to the bottom of The Conspiracy.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Director Supot tries to convince Pang that the reason they share the same ability is a reflection of their personalities and that deep down they both love controlling other people.
- Not Wearing Tights: No flashy costumes whatsoever. It's either formal attire (for adults), or school uniform with basic accessories (for students).
- Official Couple: Claire and Punn. A surprisingly stable example, for a relationship between The Diva and The Smart Guy with a Split Personality.
- Power at a Price: All superpowers have a negative side effect. They range from mild (nosebleed) to severe (dissociative identity disorder and suicidal tendencies).
- Product Placement: Of unsubtle kind, as is the case with most GMMTV series.
- Psychic Powers: Psychic powers seem to be much more common than physical powers.
- Ship Tease: Pang and Namtarn, in earlier episodes. Subverted with Wave and Namtarn, in later episodes.
- Superhero School: Downplayed. On the surface, Ritdha High School is just a regular school with an elite Gifted Class for students who excel academically. The general public and the majority of students have no knowledge of the Gifted students' real abilities.
- Troubled Teen: Every Ritdha student is troubled in some way, but the series is mostly consistent at avoiding Teens Are Monsters trope, no matter how bad things get.
- Unwitting Test Subject: The Placement Exam itself is an example of Not What I Signed on For. Also, low class and rebellious students are often subjected to various mind-altering procedures, without their consent or knowledge. Some of it is For Science! and some of it is because He Knows Too Much.
- Variations on a Theme Song: Claire's episode.
For more tropes, check out the characters page.
