Let’s Talk about X-Men ’97 Episode 1-2

When last we left our Mutant heroes, the X-Men had several consecutive misfortunes.

First, the team learned that the Friends of Humanity had gained new, more potent weapons.

Then, they noticed parts of a Mutant-killing Sentinel at a facility.

Later, they realized that Bolivar Trask is still working with Master Mold, the parent and creator of all Sentinels.

Worst of all and for no apparent reason, the mentor and creator of the X-Men, Charles Xavier, willed his estate to Magneto.

I don’t know whether you’ve watched X-Men: The Animated Series or just, like, an X-Men movie, but Magneto is a longstanding enemy.

Just think about that person you really don’t like. You know the one. Yeah, them. Would you leave them all your worldly belongings?

So, I have questions as we talk about X-Men ’97 episode 1-2, the one where Jean is feeling doubly grey.

Hey, Don’t We Hate You?

The ominous title of this episode is “Mutant Liberation Begins.” And if you’ve watched it, which I presume you have, you get why that’s dark.

Before we get that explanation, we start with a Ferris wheel disaster.

This metal structure has lost stability, and a child is trapped inside. The situation appears grave.

Then, you’ll never guess who shows up to save the day! Of course, it’s Magneto.

While Scott Summers watches the news report, he laments that Professor X didn’t trust him.

Jean Grey perceives the matter differently, believing Xavier’s action demonstrates the hope of she and Scott raising their child in peace.

We cut to Magneto saving someone else. This time, it’s Callisto and Leech in their underground sewer home.

For no apparent reason, the FOH has shown up there to harass them. Magneto once again intervenes and rescues the Mutants.

Bishop, who barely appeared in the first episode, quips, “Seen a lot of futures…but Magneto leading the X-Men? That’s a new one.”

If you’re unfamiliar with Bishop, he comes from a dystopian future wherein Mutants are nearly extinct.

So, his perception of Magneto in charge of the X-Men as problematic, even based on what he’s experienced, is VERY funny.

For his part, Magneto doesn’t seem like he loves being kind to lesser Mutants like the Morlocks (Callisto’s people).

Magneto also seems proud of himself for not murdering the FOH humans. What a hero.

Notably, Rogue and Storm seem more willing to give Magneto the benefit of the doubt.

Rogue points out that many X-Men possess sordid pasts of their own.

For his part, Magneto refers to Storm as the “closest thing to a goddess we have seen.” That’s called foreshadowing, folks.

Odd Memories

 

A couple of weird things happen in this episode. One is that Jean Grey shows Storm the old green X-Men costume.

She discusses a memory of Scott and her fighting on the moon. So, we’re going back to the beginning.

Storm realizes Jean’s real consideration is her child, who will almost certainly be a Mutant.

In fact, if you’re familiar with your X-lore, the kid will be either Cable or – I’m not joking with this name – X-Man. Long story.

Storm indicates that she’s often wondered what it would be like to live as a human. Yeah, they left the writing on the wall here.

Something odder is happening at a different part of the mansion. Rogue and Magneto are discussing their past.

I don’t know the etiquette for saying this, but Rogue almost removes her glove for Magneto. Not a euphemism.

This plot is new for X-Men: The Animated Series/’97, but it’s happened in the comics multiple times.

Magneto’s powers cancel Rogue’s, allowing her to touch someone. In one story, the couple even has a child together.

Those of you shipping Rogue and Gambit may be in for some heartbreak, as a romance signals a good way to humanize Magneto.

Speaking of the villain/leader of the X-Men, the feds arrive and (rightfully) charge him as being a global terrorist, which he totally is.

Scott’s ally, Dr. Cooper, speaks on behalf of 30 armed soldiers. Magneto promptly threatens them with a spinning helicopter blade.

However, Cooper explains that he’ll be placed on trial, a thought Magneto welcomes.

Great, now the leader of the X-Men is under arrest. The new series isn’t off to the best start in terms of X-success.

The Trial of Magneto

The FOH and other anti-mutant groups protest at the United Nations, the location for Magneto’s trial.

Some normies appear as well because the dude has tried to murder a LOT of people over the years.

Some of the X-Men, including Cyclops, secure the building, which irks Jean Grey, whom Scott forgot to tell.

This leaves Wolverine alone at home with the impossibly pregnant Jean Grey. We can all see where this is going.

Sure enough, Jean goes into labor, Logan must drive her to the hospital, and people walking down the streets nearly die due to his driving.

Once they arrive at the hospital, a bigoted doctor refuses to treat them, which strikes me as a cheap shot at the medical profession

.Doctors are renowned for providing treatment to anyone, and they deserve all our enduring gratitude after the pandemic. End rant.

Anyway, a hilarious moment occurs when Rogue siphons the racist doctor and thereby finishes medical school in two seconds.

While Rogue helps Jean Grey birth Cable (tremble in fear, Apocalypse!), the UN building plunges into chaos.

An anti-Mutant named X-Cutioner shows up and attacks. This dude’s pretty tough, and he’s sporting a deadly weapon.

While Magneto argues his case inside the UN courtroom, Scott and the others try to secure the building. And they fail.

Cyclops, buddy, maybe you’re not cut out to be the leader of the X-Men.

You’re taking so many losses I’d swear you were tanking for a better draft pick.

Magneto Makes His Case

X-Cutioner eventually invades the inner sanctum and fires at Magneto. Storm jumps between them.

The blast strikes Storm in the back and thereby demonstrates the episode’s title. This weapon has stripped Storm of her “goddess” powers.

Magneto takes this opportunity to threaten justice upon the judges AND the X-Cutioner.

The dude rips parts of the courtroom from the ground and flies the interested parties high in the sky above the clouds.

Then, Magneto makes his case that he could drop and/or squish all of them and feel justified.

However, the leader of the X-Men chooses not to do that as proof that he is trying to change.

Magneto also allows X-Cutioner to live, a decision I’m confident will in no way come back to haunt the X-Men.

Speaking of which, we have a new X-Men member. It’s little Nathan Charles Summers. You should be running, Apocalypse.

By the way, the U.N. fully pardons Magneto and also welcomes Genosha as a new member.

Magneto’s racking up all the wins while Cyclops keeps taking losses.

Back at the lab, Beast tells Storm that she appears to be permanently depowered.

Soon afterward, Storm gets on a bus and leaves the mansion, as she’s no longer a Mutant. She’s also scared of thunder.

Oh, and Rogue de-gloves for Magneto, something Gambit knows is happening. Big changes are afoot with the X-Men.

Final Thoughts

 

Remarkably, this week’s big twist is neither Storm’s departure nor Magneto and Rogue’s hand-holding.

During the final scene of the episode, the doorbell rings. A person collapses in Morph’s arms. It’s Jean Grey.

That’s a real shock to the other Jean Grey standing in the room. Also, Cyclops is holding their new baby, Nathan, at the time.

Okay, we may be getting Cable AND X-Man. That could be fun.

Anyway, we’re two episodes into X-Men ’97, and it feels perfectly in tone with the original.

Some aspects haven’t aged well, which means the sincere nostalgia may prove counterproductive over time.

For the time being, I’m just glad it’s back, though. And there’s something else we should keep in mind.

We’ve had literally thousands of new episodes of the X-Men since the first animated series aired during the 1990s.

So, the potential stories at play are myriad.

Consider that we’d had about 33 years of Marvel history up until the original show. Now, we’ve had another 27 years since then.

Given the dramatic increase in content in the 1990s and early 2000s, we’re probably talking about more than double the options.

Is Hope Summers a possibility here? Given all the Genosha mentions, I wouldn’t rule it out.

We’ve got eight more episodes to go in season one and season two and three already confirmed. Stay tuned, everyone!

 

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