My Mind Is Blown #1

Final Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

I grew up watching X-Men: The Animated Series. Yes, it came out before I was born, but as the daughter of an X-Men fan, I was exposed to the many iterations of the popular group of characters from a young age. Even as I grew older, I often went back to the films (even The Last Stand) and the shows whenever the need for nostalgia hit me.

When announced that Disney + would become home to a continuation series of the animated series, I screamed, but also felt a sense of dread. Even though I am still a big fan of Marvel, they haven't been as on top of their game in recent years, and I was concerned that X-Men '97 would fall victim to a variety of problems. Once I saw the trailer for the show, most of my concern disappeared.

The show starts a year after the series finale of X-Men: The Animated Series, where we saw leader Professor Charles Xavier, nearly die at the hands of Henry Peter Gyrich. The trailer did an excellent job of demonstrating what kind of show X-Men '97, filled with nostalgia while tackling some of comics biggest storylines.

Speaking of storylines, this is where what little concern I have lies. For this first season, they are only doing ten episodes, which can cause hurried storylines to try and make it fit in the tight amount of time. Based on what was hinted in the trailer, rumors, and actual reports, Disney + was going to attempt some big stories. Were they going to be able to do so without losing the impact they would play on the character? Was it going to be too fast and hard to follow? Of course, there is also the possibility that certain stories could carry over to the next season, which has been confirmed and in development. We'll have to wait and see.

Now I have to admit, I wasn't planning on writing any sort of review on this show, but after the explosive episode, "Remember It," (released April 10th) I couldn't help but feel compelled to do just that.

One quick note: To anyone planning on watching this show, you do not have to watch X-Men: The Animated Series before hand. The show calls back to prior events and gives you the information you need in that moment. Now if you want to, be my guest.

The Nostalgic Introductions

Nostalgia plays a huge part in the new series, bridging it with its predecessor in so many ways. The animation and music bring joy to long-standing fans, especially when you see the familiar introductory sequence.

I'm going to tell you now, you are not going to want to push the skip intro button, and if you are tempted, I'll have to warn you. There are things you going to miss, including some subtle, and not so subtle changes. And unlike X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men '97 does not give us the exact same introduction with each episode. Nerdist does a great job of pointing out the differences with each episode. I could go into detail here, but it would cool to see if you guys could find them without the little cheat sheet.

Episode 1: To Me, My X-Men

It's been a year since the supposed assassination of Professor Charles Xavier. I'm saying supposed because he actually left with Lilandra to go back to the Shi'ar home world so he can be cured from what Gyrich did to him. (X-Men: The Animated Series S5 E10) The episode does its job well, reintroducing many characters and revealing new ones. There aren't any major surprises, unless you count Jean Grey's pregnancy as one. Oh, and the bomb Magneto dropped at the end.

Besides updating us on how the X-Men are doing, we see that human-mutant coexistence has reached the point of tolerance. Gyrich's monologue sets an ominous tone, especially with the fact the last three episodes are called "Tolerance is Extinction." That with Jean's vision while inside his head, it screams a terrifying road ahead for the X-Men.

Now about Jean Grey's pregnancy, if I have learned anything, if Jean Grey is pregnant, it's not her. I don't believe Jean's ever had kids in the comics, which makes me think this is Jean's clone, Madelyne Pryor, but don't quote me on that. But if I'm right, things are about to get really complicated soon.

Moving on, Roberto de Costa's introduction gives me the same vibes as Jubilee's introduction in X-Men: The Animated Series. A mutant is captured, the X-Men come in to save them, only for them to escape the mansion and have to be saved again. Instead of joining the X-Men, at least for right now, Roberto decides to keep a low profile so he doesn't cast a dark shadow on his family's name. I hope there is a future scene where Roberto reveals he is a mutant to his family before they have to see it on the news, though I have feeling it might be the case.

Finally, things are turned on their head with Magneto's announcement. I'm not surprised that Magneto is the one chosen to lead them; it's happened before in the comics. I'm excited to see how each of the X-Men react to the abrupt change, especially one in particular - Rogue. I have my reasons, which will all be revealed in good time.

My Three Favorite Moments:

"I ain't afraid of you, you witch." "Then you are a fool." Girl, I agree. People should really stop underestimating Storm.

Cyclops' beginning fight sequence. I'm not a big Cyclops fan, but this scene! In fact, Cyclops has some of the best quips throughout this episode.

"Omega level mutant detected." Storm gets the respect she deserves during a battle with Master Mold and its sentinels. And the music, it only added to the moment

Episode 2: Mutant Liberation Begins

After watching for about five minutes, I could tell this episode belonged to Magneto. He commands many scenes with not only his powers, but also with his words. For those of us who watched The Animated Series, Magneto was more times than not an antagonizing force against the X-Men. There were times we saw the better parts of him come to the forefront, and his reasons for his actions made him relatable. It will be interesting to see his character arc throughout the season.

While talking about the previous episode, I mentioned I was excited to see the different reactions, especially Rogue. Although I don't think it was hinted at during The Animated Series, I knew that, in the different comics, there was a romance between Magneto and Rogue.

For Rogue, a big part of their romance lied in the fact that she was able to touch him without draining him, something she has noticeably struggled dealing with. Even in the first episode, she appears dishearten watching everyone dancing closely to each other, while she had distance herself for fear someone would touch her.

I can only imagine what it is like in her shoes, having to cover as much of your skin as possible and not being able to touch another human being sounds like the makings of a miserable life. Plus, with the common origin story of her powers manifesting while she has her first kiss, it is one of the most traumatizing power manifestations I've seen or read. I have always admired the balance that is Rogue; even though her powers are a difficulty, she does not let the struggles that come with it define her.

Rogue does bring a great point to the rest of the team when discussing said elephant in the room, even if there is a chance her reason for saying it was based on past feelings. There are things all of them have done in their past they would rather forget about so it doesn't take away from the people they become. With that in mind, Magneto should be given the same grace as the rest of them have received.

Continuing, Magneto's trial speech, specifically the "protection is extermination" part, significantly parallels with Gyrich's monologue from the previous episode. It boils down to what is probably the biggest fear of humans and mutants alike -- being wiped from existence from the world by one or the other. Honestly, it also shows how similar Gyrich and Magneto are in the way they fiercely protect their "people" in extremes. The difference between them lies in this fact: Magneto is willing to change while Gyrich continues to spew hate from his prison cell.

Magneto later demonstrates, although difficult and against his nature, that he is trying to be a better person. This is admirable in the face of Storm losing her powers when protecting Magneto from the X-Cutioner's altered gun, which leads to Storm leaving the mansion with only a written letter addressed to Jean.

In the meantime, Jean and Cyclops have to deal with another act of prejudice when she goes into labor. The doctor automatically ends up on many a fan's hate list when he declares he won't deliver their baby because they are mutants. Thankfully, Rogue was there and able to siphon the experience she needed to deliver Jean's and Cyclops' healthy baby.

I will say this, the doctor's...concerns are understandable. In times of extreme pain and stress, for example, labor, it isn't guaranteed that even the most experienced mutant would be able to control their powers. Depending on the mother's abilities, a c-section could prove nearly impossible. But with that in mind, the doctor also swore an oath: "Do no harm." Refusing to deliver the baby would be detrimental to both mother and child. Hopefully in time, there would be protocols in place to ensure equal care for mutant and human alike.

On top of all of this, another Jean Grey shows up at the mansion, exhausted and torn up. With her comes questions, some I'm sure will be answered in the next episode. Who is the real Jean Grey? What does this mean for her relationship with Cyclops? Who is behind the clone?

My Three Favorite Moments:

The conversation between Jean and Storm: I love that these have found a sister in each other, someone they can talk to about their fears and daydreams.

"Oh, to play by the rules, and still they come for you.": Sometimes people get mad at you no matter what you do, right or wrong.

Jean goes into labor with Logan being the only one available: There aren't any words to describe how funny their scenes are. Just watch the video so you can enjoy Logan freaking out.

I hope you enjoy reading! The first five episodes of X-Men '97 are available on Disney +. New episodes are available every Wednesday after 3am EST.

The plan is to have the next part (episodes 3 & 4) up in a couple of days, with the next (episode 5) following soon afterwards.

Update: My Mind Is Blown #2 (episodes 3 & 4) is available.