So far this season, we’ve watched Magneto inherit the X-Mansion, Jean Grey be revealed as a clone, and Cyclops impregnate said clone.
Also, we’ve watched Minister Sinister live up to his name by poisoning a baby, Bishop taking that child into the future, and the mother leaving.
I could do an entire Storm section here as she has lost her powers and fallen in love with the dude whose weapon took them.
Folks, all this has happened after four episodes, and I’m leaving out a lot like the Rogue/Magneto romance.
I cannot wait to see what happens next! So, let’s talk about X-Men ’97 episode 1-5, the one where the bodies hit the floor.
Beast’s Got a Cruuuuush
Everyone’s favorite blue scientist, Beast, enjoys a bit of excitement this week.
Reporter Trish Tilby is performing a story about the X-Men and the Mutant gene.
Beast happily agrees to an on-air interview and all but blushes when Tilby compliments him. Beast is in loooove.
That’s only a fractional part of the story, but I’m hoping more comes of the tease.
Instead, we quickly flip to interviews with Jubilee and Cyclops, the latter of whom tries to skip a secret.
Tilby has spoken with the bigoted doctor who refused to deliver Nathan Summers.
Given everything that has happened, Scott Summers didn’t want to admit he had a son since…he doesn’t.
The memory of that doctor loosens his tongue, though. And this leads to an angry, bitter Scott speaking ill of humanity.
Tilby has intended her work to be a puff piece as she has a fondness for Mutants – you’re still in this, Beast! – but it’s not now.
For her part, the real Jean Grey is struggling with the truth as well.
Wolverine finds her hiding away from the camera. She confesses that she’d be a terrible interview anyway.
Jean doesn’t remember which memories are hers as opposed to her clone’s.
As the most powerful X-Men member debates her status, she impulsively kisses Logan.
Wolverine quickly recognizes this moment of weakness for what it is, but I’m not so sure.
We may be reconfiguring the 1990s relationships to modernize them. In fact, we’re about to skip ahead 30 years…
The Chancellor of Genosha
Every episode of the new season has referenced the happenings in Genosha, a place the United Nations agreed was necessary.
Here, all Mutants from around the world can live in a kind of X-gene utopia.
The show uses a wide shot to establish what a paradise Genosha appears to be from the outside.
Then, we watch familiar characters like Leech happily playing on the streets of Genosha.
The Mutants finally seem free to be themselves, relieved of the strains of societal judgment.
Of course, there’s a political component to such international negotiations.
Someone must lead the new Genosha as its Chancellor.
A small board of influential Mutants has made its decision before a few X-Men arrive in Genosha.
While Gambit roams the town, Sebastian Shaw, Moira MacTaggert, Madelyne Pryor, and EMMA FROST offer Magneto the job.
As a reminder, since X-Men: The Animated Series originally aired, Emma Frost has had the biggest comic book glow-up this side of Harley Quinn.
Frost is the lover of Cyclops in the comics, or she had been until he died, which also happens in those comics.
So, while the idea of Cyclops and Jean Grey as a couple is a comic book classic, it is 25 years old now.
They’re setting the table for the classic Cyclops/Jean Grey/Emma Frost love triangle, and it may be a quadrangle since Pryor is there, too.
Of course, Cyclops isn’t there yet, and I’m probably getting way ahead of myself.
The love triangle of note right now is Rogue/Magneto/Gambit, as Magneto accepts the job under one condition.
Magneto wants Rogue to rule by his side as his Queen.
I didn’t know Chancellors got Queens, but I’m unfamiliar with parliamentary procedures in Genosha.
Cyclops Describes Nathan
This is like the Prom episode of X-Men. Everybody’s in a soap opera, and Scott has it the worst of anyone.
Cyclops talks to “Jean Grey,” who asks him to describe Nathan. In a vulnerable moment, he does so.
Ultimately, “Jean” and he kiss, and you can tell where this is going from the quotation marks.
Yup, from Genosha, Pryor has invaded Scott’s mind and is trying to seduce him mentally.
They get interrupted when Jean Grey tears down the walls of the imaginary bedroom and kicks her clone out of her husband’s head.
There’s really not a Hallmark card for that. But the funny part is that Emma Frost makes it clear she was voyeur-ing the whole thing.
The worst part is that Scott knew it wasn’t Jean Grey. He’s been having a mind affair – is that a thing? – for a month now.
Jean screams the whole thing in front of a camera crew, which kills Beast’s chances for the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Cyclops declares his love for Jean and her clone, while she can’t decide whether she loves him or her memory of him.
Then, we have tuxedo-class Gambit, who is ready to make his move. That’s when Rogue flies in and breaks his heart.
Rogue friend-zones him. Nobody ever says no to an offer to be Queen.
Before the heartbreak can set in, we dance! Yes, apparently Genosha has the hottest nightclubs this side of Ibiza.
Queen Rogue has her coming out party during this event, and the worst part is that Gambit must watch the whole thing.
On the bright side, Rogue finally kisses someone without ruining a life. Also, Gambit and Madelyne Pryor have a spark.
And Then the Murders Began
A couple of moments of joy unfold, but their happiness is fleeting.
Rogue has the epiphany after her kiss that Queendom is not worth sacrificing her love of Gambit.
Sure, Magneto’s hot, all-powerful, and the new ruler of Genosha, but Gambit…I dunno, has a weird accent and can make beignets?
Before Rogue can tell Gambit he’s back out of the friend zone, Madelyne Pryor gets brain-shot by a psychic beam.
At this point, Cable appears from the future to warn everyone that “he’s coming.”
The first person Cable warns is Pryor, who is dazed but seemingly okay…until she notices Cable’s eye.
A mother can always tell her child. This time-traveling middle-aged man is Nathan Summers, and she knows it.
Alas, Cable’s sentient time-travel device goes off, leaving his phantom voice to say, “I’m so sorry, mom.”
A suddenly determined Pryor simply states, “Sorry for what?” She has hope again.
A lot is happening in this episode, and I say that before the walls explode.
Rogue awakens to discover herself trapped under a pillar, which is a trivial concern for someone with her abilities.
The very real concern is the Sentinel attacking Genosha.
Gambit informs Magneto that it’s a “Godzilla Sentinel. You go at it, you end up dead.”
The camera cuts to Sebastian Shaw and Madelyne Pryor, who appear dead on the ground. And we’re just getting started.
The multi-headed Sentinel obliterates countless Mutants. You can read a body count here if you’re interested.
However, the damage could have been worse. Alas, Genosha is protected by its heroes.
To Me, My X-Men
The loves in the triangle – Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit – instantly drop all their prom drama when disaster strikes.
This trio turns into a formidable group willing to put their lives on the line to save the less powerful citizens of Genosha.
Eventually, the Godzilla Sentinel strikes the shielded Magneto with a blow that knocks him across the island.
Furious, Magneto remembers the torments of his youth and stands up, screaming “THEY SHALL BE AVENGED!!!”
Magneto then throws a monorail (!!!) at the Sentinel. Welcome to Disney+, X-Men!
Meanwhile, the Morlocks hide underground, knowing all too well that “the X-Men are no friends to the Morlocks.”
Immediately afterward, a Sentinel head tracks them, only for Gambit to eviscerate it. Welcome to the new Genosha!
Soon afterward, Magneto arrives and shields the Morlocks from the Godzilla Sentinel.
Rogue deduces what’s about to happen but cannot stop it. The satisfied Sentinel states, “Omega-level threat eliminated.”
Magneto isn’t shown on camera since he’s just dust now, but he’s very, VERY dead.
The End or The Beginning
Image: Disney
Rogue starts to have her revenge, but Gambit knocks her out of the path so that he can attack instead.
The Godzilla Sentinel impales Gambit, who smiles as blood drips from his mouth. And here’s what’s important.
Image: Disney
Gambit’s final words are, “The name’s Gambit, mon ami. Remember it.”
Fans of X-Men: The Animated Series are broken-hearted at Gambit’s noble sacrifice, but we’re also marking out.
Photo: IMDb
Those are the words Cable stated to Apocalypse, knowing that thanks to time travel, they’d meet again.
Remember when Cable appeared earlier, only to blip out? Yeah, I’m pretty sure he’s gonna fix this.
Cable and Tiny ‘Pool. Photo: Inverse
For now, the entire island of Genosha is in shambles, and multiple X-Men are dead, though.
On the plus side, Gambit’s powers overcharge the Godzilla Sentinel, leading to its destruction. Who’s Omega-level now?!
SuperHeroHype
How bad is the damage? I didn’t even get to mention my second-favorite character, Nightcrawler, who Bamf-ed in and out of the action but is now presumed dead.
This episode was oversexed right up until it was brutal. So, if you like sex and violence, Episode 1-5 is one you’ll deem a masterpiece.
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Featured image: Marvel
