My Mind Is Blown #2

My Mind Is Blown #1

Final Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

Wednesday has recently become my favorite day, thanks in part to the new release of new episodes of X-Men '97. The show captures the best of it predecessor, X-Men: The Animated Series, while simultaneously bringing in something new. It makes me want to go back in time to let the kid upset about The Animated Series ending where it did to let her know something even better would come to continue the story.

Wow, didn't mean to get so deep there. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels the impact that X-Men '97 has on fans of The Animated Series. In fact, Rotten Tomatoes goes so far to call the series "Marvel's best release in years." I only hope that Marvel learns from the present success of this show and gives us more captivating work like this because quality trumps quantity.

So without further ado, let's dive into talking about episodes three and four. A quick recap:

1. Magneto is now leader of the X-Men, and has bought to the forefront another love triangle. (Gambit, Rogue, and Magneto)

2. Another Jean Grey showed up in the mansion, raising the question of who is who.

3. Storm left the X-Men due to losing her powers because of a de-powering radiation blast.

4. Nathan Charles Summer was born. We definitely know Cyclops is the dad, but who is the mom -- Jean Grey or the clone?

5. There is a new mutant, Roberto de Costa, who has been hanging out with the X-Men (well at least on in particular), but has not officially joined the team.

Episode 3: Fire Made Flesh

Many fans of the X-Men, me included, theorized that the Jean Grey we have dealing with the first two episodes was in fact a clone named Madelyne Pryor. (The linked video does a great job explaining her comic book origins.) Beast bluntly reveals this to the X-Men, and understandably, the Jean clone does not take the news well. From her perspective, she had all her memories while the original Jean's mind was fragmented. What is worse, no one, including her husband, Cyclops seems willing to believe in the possibility of Beast's initial tests being wrong.

My heart broke for Jean's clone (I'm going to start calling her Madelyne to differentiate). In less than 24, maybe even 12 hours, Madelyne gave birth, her sisterly best friend lost her powers and left, and now Madelyne's being told she's a clone. She doesn't feel like she has anyone to support her through this. Plus, it seems the creeping thought she wouldn't be viewed as Nathan's mother comes to mind, since Madelyne stakes her claim when Cyclops offers to help her.

Cue Mister Sinister, a crazed scientist from the 1800s who has been obsessed with experimenting on mutants, especially Jean Grey and Cyclops. In a genius and creepy move on the creators' part, Mister Sinister, with the help of a baby monitor, reveals himself to be Madelyne's "father and takes control of her mind. The animation that follows is equal parts beautiful and haunting, only adding to Madelyne's transformation into The Goblin Queen.

I quite prefer this origin story to the one in the comics, mostly because the comics paint a much darker and horrific story. Summing things up, Jean Grey is presumed dead, leaving Cyclops heartbroken. Cyclops meets Madelyne who disturbingly looks like Jean, which Cyclops later confronts Madelyne about (which earns him a well-earned punch.) After almost losing Madelyne, Cyclops comes to terms with Jean's death, admits he loves Madelyne, and marries her.

Great start to a relationship, am I right? In time, Madelyne becomes pregnant and gives birth to Nathan. Cyclops often thinks about Jean (rude), and abandons both Madelyne and Nathan when Jean is found alive. Add in some demonic corruption and learning about Mister Sinister's part in her origins, she snaps and becomes a villain of the X-Men.

Thankfully, the episode gives Madelyne a chance at redemption, having her become the antagonist solely because of Mister Sinister's influence.

Another thing I love about this episode is how they depict Jean Grey. I often found myself underwhelmed by Jean Grey's power in The Animated Series, and felt she often played the damsel in distress. That has changed with X-Men '97, giving Jean Grey a chance to flex her abilities, ultimately saving the X-Men from The Goblin Queen twice.

Once Jean helps Madelyne break free from Mister Sinister's control, Madelyne and Cyclops go to save their son, but are too late. This leads to another bit of heartbreak for the parents, for in order to save Nathan's life, they have to send him to the future with Bishop and stay behind. Madelyne also decides to leave, desperate to start her own life separately from Jean Grey. (Why is everyone leaving!?! Goodness!)

Speaking of people leaving, the end of the episode catches us up with Storm, who is distraught over losing her powers. With an offer from an old friend of Xavier's, Storm starts her journey which hopefully leads to her regaining her omega-level abilities.

As I mentioned in the first part of this series, (yes, this is going to turn into a series. We've got a whole season to get through.) I was concerned about the length of this season. I thought stories were going to feel rush so they can fit into the season. While yes, the creators cut out big chunks of Madelyne's origin story, the story flows amazing well. And even in the midst of such an action pact episode, there is perfectly timed comedy through, mostly in thanks to Beast and Morph.

My Three Favorite Moments:

The Goblin Queen: I can't choose which moment is my absolute favorite. The Goblin Queen gives us some of the most unhinged dialogue and I am here for it.

This scene: Morph just loves the drama and pushing people's buttons.

How Jean helps Madelyne break free from Mister Sinister's control: It only proves how powerful the love of a child can be.

Episode 4: Motendo/Lifedeath - Part 1

This next episode is split into two segments, both of which thrust two X-Men into the spotlight -- Jubilee and Storm.

"Motendo," the Jubilee-centric segment, was a nice break from the drama and tension from the season. We went down memory lane in true video game fashion, starting with a sentinel filled reminder of The Animated Series' first episode. Roberto and Jubilee also end up in "way back when" Genosha, the Savage Land, and Asteroid M. Apparently, the video game is based on Konami's 1992 X-Men arcade game (which was based on X-Men: Pryde on the X-Men's pilot)

We only have one person (Alien? Blob?) to thank for this --Mojo, a familiar X-Men villain who gains their power and apparently their weight from the ratings on their entertainment. Thankfully, with the help of an old beta version of Jubilee, Roberto and Jubilee are able to get out of the game.

I'm going to toss a quick theory here: I don't think Jean and Cyclops are going to last. The whole Summers vs. Grey: Divorce Court clip could be a bit of foreshadowing. Maybe? Again, just a theory built on a flimsy piece of possible evidence.

While lots of fun, there is a lesson here -- we all have to grow up sometimes. For Jubilee, this was a necessary and well-timed lesson since it appears the X-Men may not get much of a breather before the next big problem.

Quick question: Was I the only one who didn't realize Roberto and Jubilee were together until this episode? I'm going to blame it on the prior craziness and say it overshadowed that fact in my head.

We leave the lovebirds in the mansion to go to the desert where Storm and Forge are working on a way to get Storm's powers back.

Right off the bat, I do wish they gave Storm some extra time this episode since Lifedeath is a major story arc for her. But considering there is a second part to Lifedeath which is supposed to be a whole episode, it might balance out.

A lot happens in eight-and-a-half minutes (approximately, my math may be a little off). We learn some of Forge's story, including the story behind his prosthetics, before we hear Storm lament about how she misses soaring. In response, Forge takes Storm on a horse ride, and for a moment, Storm get to enjoy that feeling she gets while she is in the air. The ride also benefits Forge later when he adds something to the machine that will hopefully reverse the gun's effects on Storm.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who hoped the machine would work on the first try, even though it seemed unlikely. The story would be over too soon if that was the case. To see Storm break when it doesn't work shows how much of her identity lies with her abilities; a big part of her was taken away along with powers. Adding to Storm's pain is Forge's guilt-ridden revelation of his part of Storm losing her powers, namely his barely conceived ideas of the power-damping collars.

This scene made me admire Forge. Yes, he held back some important information, and I am not condoning that. But this is the part I admire. Forge told Storm about his barely-there designs before telling her he loved her. Even though he probably knew Storm would despise him for what he did, thus risking a potential romantic relationship.

In her anger, Storm storms off (sorry, I couldn't help it) and ends up in something worse than losing her powers. A demon calling themselves the Adversary appears, hurting Forge before taking Storm to what I'm guessing is another dimension. (It could also just be Storm's mind.)

I don't know too much about Lifedeath or the Adversary, but from what I remember and researched, I think (don't quote me on this) they might be combining two stories into one. Plus, I think they might be changing up the origins of the Adversary some. This version could be related to Storm somehow, only on the basis that the Adversary and Storm are voiced by the same actress, Alison Sealy-Smith.

This is my ongoing theory: the Adversary feeds off negative emotions like anger or sadness. That could be why it sounds like Storm, because it has decided to make Storm her meal. Or it could just be a manifestation of Storm's pain.

Unfortunately, we are going to have to wait until April 17 before we get answers, since that is when the second part of Lifedeath is scheduled.

My Three Favorite Moments:

"Luckily, I'm giving [the orders]": I want to know who wrote Magneto's dialogue. They deserve a raise. Or maybe an award.

Mojo lost weight, only to gain it back: First Jubilee, then Roberto cracked a joke about Mojo's obvious change. So I guess this is maybe two moments?

"You are a goddess.": Forge's whole "I love you" speech is so touching, but the fact that Forge calls Storm a goddess even though she doesn't have her powers has such a big impact. (Also, swoon!)

***

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.

Part 3 of this series (episode 5) should be up in the next couple of days.