X Men Animated Series Season 2 Episode 4

X-Men: The Animated Series . Few drawing testify from this era are held in as high regard. It was pretty much 10-Men , Batman: The Blithe Serial , and Gargoyles . Everything else was merely below them.

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Which is not to say X-Men didn't have its bug. In fact, when people remember information technology fondly, they're more often than not remembering Seasons i-3, but thanks to the character designs available at the time the series was in development, X-Men made the early '90s relaunch and the designs fabricated famous by Jim Lee the most iconic wait for the mutant heroes. Just watching these episodes takes me right back to junior high and high school, when I was at the acme of my love thing with the X-Men , and if yous're interested in such a trip downwards retentivity lane by way of Hulu or your own personal library, here is a handy guide to all the episodes you absolutely should not skip.

Night OF THE SENTINELS, Office 1

Season 1 Episode 1

Because you should always watch the pilot, fifty-fifty information technology's terrible, which this episode is not.

It introduces all our key players, manages to go in a lot of characterization without dropping tons of backstory (in fact, the 1 scene where the characters discuss their pasts is very natural and endearing), establishes the dynamics between those characters, and sets up the major themes and conflicts of the series. While some moments are a little clunky, a few snippets of dialogue are forced or poorly done, and Morph'southward express mirth volition make you want to jab Wolverine'south claws into your ears, information technology's a solid debut with some fantastically wry humor. Most of it relating to Rogue, because she's her own divide category of awesome.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 2

Nighttime OF THE SENTINELS, Part 2

Flavor i Episode 2

Sure, Morph was created simply to dice and he wasn't an overly likable character, but the bespeak is that even if you didn't similar him, yous could run into why his friends did, so yous cared when he died, non considering you lot were grieving him but considering his friends were. It also gave immediate depth to Wolverine, who was established in Office 1 as a gruff, pissy loner who didn't seem to similar anyone. Everything well-nigh Wolverine in this episode proved he was so much more than that.

"Night of the Sentinels" established that, while notwithstanding working within the constraints of Standards and Practices, this evidence was going to draw the risks and consequences of battle, be information technology Morph's decease or Beast's incarceration, equally well as an adult human relationship betwixt Scott and Jean. Not to mention that people who don't necessarily go forth can exist on the same side. It's simply the 2d episode of the show, and it ends on such a bloodshot note with the noble, moralistic leader questioning his own control decisions in individual (since he could never do it in front of his troops) and leaning on the adult female he loves in his moment of uncertainty, while a scared kid finally finds a identify to vest and acquire about herself.

Not all pilots have rewatch value, only this one does.

ENTER MAGNETO

Season 1 Episode 3

This one almost didn't make the listing. Sure, it's the debut of Magneto, merely I feel there'due south a much more interesting story told about him in the post-obit episode.

The reason this 1 qualifies is that it truly is a recreation of the X-Men's starting time mission from their 1963 debut. Details were obviously changed due to the characters involved, but the story of Magneto commandeering a military base to launch nuclear missiles on an unsuspecting human population is pretty damn classic and certainly sets the tone. Aside from Wolverine's incredibly narmy "Mission achieved, buddy," to Cyclops, which he would never in a million years say to anyone, let lone ol' Cyke, this ep is pretty solid.

DEADLY REUNIONS

Season 1 Episode 4

A banquet, to be sure. The relationship and disharmonize betwixt Magneto and Professor X is distilled and so perfectly in this episode. It's simply beautifully done.

On elevation of that, you lot have that Sabretooth sub-plot where he plays Jubilee. And listen, anyone who'south going to get down on a thirteen-year-onetime for non being the best guess of character, especially when the offender in question strongly reminds her of one of her new guardians who himself is a killer who managed to rehabilitate himself… like… don't pretend you lot didn't do at least i incredibly stupid thing at that historic period. Nosotros all did. It'southward only near of united states weren't in a position where our screw-up could endanger our lives.

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The other fantastic bit in this episode is Rogue administering CPR to Cyclops, probably a first in children's television set. And her commentary during that unabridged scene is the best. "Come on, pretty boy. Make a girl experience welcome." God. Rogue for president. The only thing that kills the scene for me is that she can't command Cyclops' optic blasts when she absorbs them, which she should be able to do. His inability to close his blasts off is not inherent to his power, information technology's a upshot of childhood brain damage. But that's one tiny nitpick. Bated from that, this one is solid gold.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 5

CAPTIVE HEARTS

Flavour 1 Episode 5

The story itself is great: The Morlocks, introduced here, kidnap Cyclops as a prospective "companion" (read: baby daddy) for their leader, Callisto. The Morlocks themselves are an intriguing concept and a commentary on minority ghettoization. The Morlocks can't "pass" as X-inactive humans. They look different, audio different, maybe even smell different (I mean, definitely after hanging out in the sewers, but that's another thing). And seeing Storm be a consummate fucking badass is never a allow-down.

There are also cracking bits of characterization thrown in here, like Storm'due south claustrophobia, a recurring challenge she faces over the class of the serial. It'due south a subtle little annotate that trauma can exist dealt with merely in some cases non entirely overcome. The Scott/Jean/Logan love triangle, which will become a major sub-plot, is established here every bit well.

What really makes the episode stand out to in-the-know fans, however, is how well information technology adapts Uncanny X-Men #169-170. While "Enter Magneto" was the first episode to practice a directly adaptation of a specific issue of the comics, "Convict Hearts" was the starting time i to really practise information technology well. Subbing out Angel for Cyclops immune for a whole new angle on the story by playing with the already existing dearest triangle, reaffirming the strength of Scott and Jean'south relationship and driving home just how shitty information technology makes Logan experience.

The one drawback is the replacement of Tempest and Callisto's knife fight with some weird Dath Maul lightsaber duel, only it's a minor trespass.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 7

SLAVE ISLAND

Flavor 1 Episode vii

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Nosotros can skip straight to this i, because I really don't think an episode about Wolverine'southward savior routine in an Inuit village is terribly compelling, and any set-up for this episode nosotros got isn't super necessary. "Slave Island", while a powerfully oversimplified depiction of the island nation of Genosha (seriously, that's a three-parter, bare minimum), is a roller coaster to picket. The recurrence of Storm'southward claustrophobia in a perfectly organic mode, the question of Gambit'southward morality and loyalty, the cavalcade of cameos (Sunfire, Northstar, Aurora, Feral, Rictor, and so on), and "I am still plugged in!" Merely marvelous. The episode too features the return of the Sentinels and the introduction of Master Mold, establishing that they will be a recurring threat for the flavour.

The but chink in this episode'southward armor is Cablevision, whose graphic symbol made absolutely no sense. Flavor one Cablevision and Seasons 2-4 Cable seem similar completely different characters, and the latter is the i that gets it correct. Here? It's like the showrunners knew they had to throw him in at that place for the salivating fanboys, but just didn't have any fashion to do it, and so… he's simply some former mercenary in the Leader'southward army who sports an 10-Men insignia for… some reason. Personally, I just like to pretend Season i Cable didn't happen and pretend he made his debut in Flavour 2's "Time Fugitives."

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 9

THE CURE

Flavor 1 Episode ix

The first Rogue-centric episode of the series doesn't disappoint at all, taking the pain and loneliness at the core of her character and bringing information technology right to the forefront. And information technology also introduces Angel to set him upward for the following episode, but let's talk Rogue.

The incident where her first buss activated her powers and nearly killed her boyfriend, first mentioned in the pilot, is seen here, providing a context for her hostility toward Gambit for his advances despite her obvious interest. Nosotros also get a subtle look at the different shades of privilege. It's easy for Cyclops to jump on the Mutant Pride rhetoric when his powers, however difficult to manage, won't proceed him from human contact for the residue of his life. He can slip on some ruby quartz goggles and rock Jean's world. And yep, Rogue somewhen opts out of the treatment (never knowing, of grade, that information technology was all a lie), merely the point is that this was presented equally complicated result that affects everyone differently, and it was cracking that Xavier pointed out that information technology's a personal pick that every mutant would have to brand for themselves.

"The Cure" besides introduces some key villains in Apocalypse and Mystique. Upon my first viewing I constitute it odd that Mystique was introduced in a Rogue-centric episode and that their relationship was never addressed, but seeing how information technology played out at the end of the season cast everything in a whole new lite. But overall, this is a powerfully graphic symbol-driven episode with some intense action and key world building with the introduction of Muir Island and Moira MacTaggert'due south mutant research center. Good stuff.

COME THE APOCALYPSE

Flavor ane Episode 10

Angel'due south seeking of the cure delivers him right into Apocalypse's waiting hands. He is transformed into Death (afterwards, Archangel), one of Apocalypse'southward Four Horsemen, who set out to terminate the globe equally we know information technology and so Apocalypse tin build a new one according to his own vision.

I hateful, if that's not enough for y'all… it doesn't accept to exist, considering Rogue's subplot from the previous episode carries over when she confronts "Dr. Adler" only to find that he'southward actually Mystique! Not that they seem to recognize each other. What seems like a plot pigsty turns out to be a plot betoken soon plenty.

But overall, this episode is merely hardcore.

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, Function 2

Season 1 Episode 12

Why did I skip Part one? I'm non gonna lie. I've never actually been a fan of Bishop equally a character, certainly not the style he's depicted in the show. He's cocky-righteous, stubborn, and unwilling to let anyone get a fucking word in edgewise. Whenever he shows up, the entire plot seems to be predicated on him being a stupid, intractable asshole. Lives could exist saved if he'd just shut up for like *five seconds*, hear someone out, and consider his options. Which is not in and of itself so bad – people similar that certainly exist – information technology's but he's never really called on it. Bishop has his moments, I'll grant him that, only virtually of the time he is so utterly frustrating to lookout man that I tin can't even actually appreciate them.

So, considering "Days of Hereafter Past, Role i" is pretty much just a dear alphabetic character to Bishop, I don't run across information technology as terribly necessary, specially when y'all go all the backstory and characterization on him that you need in the first few minutes of Part ii, which is pretty great. It references the comic all the mode down to Mystique's disguise. Gotta love that attention to detail. Information technology as well explains why Rogue didn't recognize Mystique earlier (she'd merely known her in 1 of her many disguises) and why Mystique would drop a multi-ton machine on her girl (she knows Rogue's powers very well and knew that she would be fine).

What'southward also actually stiff about this episode is how information technology leads correct into the finale with the abduction of Senator Kelly and the strong hint that it was Magneto'south doing. This episode focuses on the legislation that would lead to Bishop's Sentinel-infested future, only not the Sentinels themselves. Of course, the finale will be all about the Sentinels, who may become an even bigger problem considering Senator Kelly was kidnapped. Bravo.

THE Last Determination

Flavour 1 Episode 13

When an episode opens with Magneto getting his donkey kicked, you know you're in for a ride.

This isn't the last we see of Gyrich, Trask, and the Sentinels, but it'southward the final nosotros'll see for a while, and it's one hell of a send-off. Yes, Magneto kidnapped Kelly, and yes, he was going to kill him, only the Sentinels got at that place commencement and now they want to supervene upon his encephalon, and that of every prominent globe leader on the planet, with computers. And then the X-Men go to stop them, and it is just… it's a lot of trashed robots.

At that place are so many potent action moments in "The Final Decision." Wolverine'due south blind fight in a darkened mine shaft with multiple Sentinels is only seen in snippets whenever they burn down their lasers. Visually bright. Magneto's eleventh hours aid and Xavier's ejector seat finishing accident. Just awesome.

But this episode is chock full of great graphic symbol moments too. Rogue finally (sorta) kissing Gambit over her hand, Cyclops leading the charge in what could very well be a suicide mission, and Jubilee passionately rejecting being sidelined, insisting that she's 1 of the team and knows what risks information technology entails. And Magneto, fifty-fifty subsequently having fought the X-Men and spent decades going round with Xavier, pleads with them not to go and all the same respects the hell out of them for doing it. "You're all fools… heroic fools. The brave are always the first to die." David Hemblen's delivery withal gives me chills 25 years later.

And lest we forget, of grade, the joy of Scott's proposal to Jean immediately crushed by foreshadowing of something… sinister.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 1

TILL Expiry DO US Part, PART 1

Season 2 Episode i

Scott and Jean are getting married! And Beast is dwelling house! And he caught the bouquet! And in that location'southward manifestly an anti-mutant hate group that'southward sprung upward and is totally manipulating the media to make mutants looks bad. And Magneto's in danger and needs Xavier'due south aid? And Morph's live! But he'southward evil. Ohhhh, shit.

How a single season premiere can pack so much in without feeling crowded is a testament to the writing. None of these elements feel inapplicable, clunky, or out of place. It's all but brilliantly woven together to gear up the stage for every one of this season'southward storylines, and damn! There'south fifty-fifty room for some character beats, similar Morph's pointed resentment toward Jubilee for feeling that she replaced him, and Rogue'due south "serves him right" when Gambit blacks out from kissing her, which is both sincere and tinged with concern. Lenore Zann equally Rogue, as ever, knocks information technology out of the park.

Such a good episode. Without contest, the best season premiere of the series.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 2

TILL Expiry Exercise US PART, Function ii

Season 2 Episode ii

So, Mr. Sinister has been hanging around, watching everyone since the pilot, which is when he picked up Morph's dying if not dead body and healed it, only not without making his eye sockets look similar he just got a bad nose job. Scott and Jean'due south honeymoon is cut short by the Nasty Boys, and can I just say information technology is AMAZING that Hairbag was alleged street legal in both the comics and the show. How did that pitch meeting go downward? "Yeah, let's have a fuzzy, ape-like character like Beast, only he's stupid and has toxic breath. Oh, we should make him…Jamaican!" I just… how did that ever happen?

This episode is a satisfying wrap-upwardly to the story started in Function 1, specially because Morph isn't fine at the end. He runs off with his head still full of demons. And Xavier and Magneto meet up in Antarctica simply to be cached in an barrage. Whaaaaat?!

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 5

REPO MAN

Season 2 Episode v

Let's gear up aside that this episode will be mined for stock footage for the rest of this series, mainly the aforementioned scene, which anyone should be able to recite word for word by the third time they use it. This is information technology. This is the episode that deals with the Weapon X portion of Wolverine'due south backstory. It also invitee stars Alpha Flight, which is a real treat, though the way they shoehorn every character's name into the dialogue so that the audition will know information technology is adequately awful. Like… we don't need to know everyone's name in the first scene. And I'm pretty sure that after all that they skipped Aurora. Like seriously, at that point, what was belongings them back?

Merely it'south a great episode that really illuminates Wolverine's character, not just in backstory, but in showing that he's a complete human existence. Even a feral killer with knives in his easily breaks down and cries when he stops to have a minute to call back about the horrific nature of what was done to him. That a '90s kids' bear witness would have arguably it's toughest badass testify emotional vulnerability… respect.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 7

TIME FUGITIVES, PART 1

Flavor two Episode 7

Aaaaaand Bishop's dorsum and abrasive as ever, but at least he seems to have a somewhat better handle on things.

We actually starting time with Cablevision – the Real Cablevision – whose afar future is being erased. It turns out that Apocalypse, who is the biggest of all bads in Cable's time, tried to unleash some kind of plague, which Bishop has traveled back in time to prevent. All the same, in doing so he gets the X-Men killed and the antibodies created to fight the plague and thus immunize humanity against future illnesses, are never created. Information technology'south a twist and a half, and it really puts Cablevision in a tortured position: to relieve his world, he has to ensure the success of Apocalypse, to destroy a past world, no less.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 8

Time FUGITIVES, Office 2

Season 2 Episode eight

Cable travels to the past (our present) to stop Bishop. The previous episode plays out over again, seen more often than not from Cable'due south perspective and with his actions altering the events. In the stop, he uses his noesis of the X-Men to solve everything. He sees to information technology that Wolverine is infected with the plague then that his mutant healing factor can generate the antibodies everyone will need. Of course, Cable's success required him telling Bishop to only pipage down and chill out. A shock runs through no ane.

This episode is a lot of fun, particularly comparison it to Office 1 scene for scene. What could easily take come off equally lazy and repetitive turns out to be fascinating and massively enjoyable to lookout.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 9

A ROGUE'S TALE

Flavour 2 Episode 9

Rogue's backstory!

What could easilyhave been a flashback slideshow manages to influence the present past paralleling the origin of Rogue's flashier powers (the set on of Ms. Curiosity) with the present twenty-four hour period consequences of that action: Rogue absorbed Ms. Marvel'south consciousness to a caste she has with no other person, and at present that consciousness is fighting to take control of Rogue's trunk.

What makes "A Rogue'due south Tale" especially powerful is that at that place are no easy answers. Ms. Marvel's life was stolen from her, and past all rights she deserves it dorsum, but Rogue tin't simply put her back into her body. All she can do is seal Ms. Marvel away at the back of her mind to ensure her own survival. Is it justice? Certainly not. Rogue has stolen this woman's life twice, and she has to live with that. What'due south more, any ambivalence about her feelings regarding Mystique is demolished when she realizes that her foster mother had manipulated and used her from the beginning. At least she has her new life with the X-Men, but human, this episode is just 22 minutes of one emotional gut dial subsequently the next.

REUNION, Office 2

Season 2 Episode xiii

I'm not going to pretend there are NO reasons to watch "Reunion, Part one," but unless you're super interested in watching Xavier and Magneto trade barbs with Discount Tarzan or truly absorbing just how much Mr. Sinister likes to employ annoying, cringeworthy henchmen or getting a taste of Morph'south foray into local theater, it's probably best to only skip to Part 2.

The Roughshod Land subplot that's been running through the whole season finally becomes the master plot as the 10-Men head to Antarctica on a rescue mission for both the Professor and Jean, who was abducted by Sinister in Part 1. Of course, the X-Men end up getting captured with their powers neutralized.

Gambit admitting his beloved for Rogue and kissing her as well every bit a front row seat to Sinister's crazy are the real highlights of the episode. In addition, there's plenty of action, some hetero lifemate bonding between Charlie and Erik, and of class, more characters than you can shake a stick at.

Information technology works, though. Non as thematically strong a finale equally "The Final Determination," but still quite entertaining.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 3, Episode 4

THE PHOENIX SAGA, PART 2: THE DARK SHROUD

Flavour 3 Episode 4

There's no real demand to watch "Role 1: Sacrifice" as it has no existent function exterior of setting up Part 2, throwing out some bullshit line nigh Jubilee e'er wanting to be an astronaut (what?), and giving the flooring to some of Jean's all-time psi-gasms in the serial.

Hell, Part 2 barely makes the cut as it'south pretty much just an episode almost Xavier's dark side roaming effectually Manhattan and fucking with everybody. If it weren't for the iconic "I am Phoenix" scene, the succulent shade Xavier and Banshee throw at each other upon first meeting on Muir Island, and Lilandra'southward intro, I'd say skip it.

THE PHOENIX SAGA, PART three: Cry OF THE BANSHEE

Season 3 Episode 5

Banshee! And Black Tom! And the Juggernaut, bitch! Yes, this is the episode from which most of that meme was mined, only in all seriousness, it'south pretty good.

Nosotros're given a very interesting set slice in Cassidy Keep, a dynamic fight, the introduction of the Shi'Ar Imperial Guard, and something for pretty much anybody to do. This is episode is where "The Phoenix Saga" really gets cooking.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 3, Episode 6

THE PHOENIX SAGA, Role 4: THE STARJAMMERS

Season three Episode 6

Oh, the subtext! Every scene between Cyclops and Corsair is such a tease in the all-time mode. "I'd know my older boy. He had his mother's eyes." Well, irony, why don't yous merely punch me right in the balls?

This is also when we first to really see Phoenix in all her glory, Jean grappling with her new calling as the guardian of a cosmic artifact. Slap on some Shi'Ar political intrigue betwixt Lilandra and D'Ken and y'all've got quite an episode on your hands. Especially since our heroes substantially fail when D'Ken gets his hands on the M'Kraan Crystal and breaches it.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 3, Episode 7

THE PHOENIX SAGA, Role v: Child OF LIGHT

Season three Episode seven

There accept been some emotional moments in the series up to this point, but "Child of Low-cal" is the showtime time the show e'er really broke my center.

Even existence a huge X-Men fan and knowing that Jean would come back (because, permit'southward face it, that's kind of her thing), I institute myself wiping my eyes when she flew the One thousand'Kraan Crystal into the center of the sunday to keep information technology safe. Her farewell to Scott, her thanks to all her friends for the different kinds of strength they've given her… I must have watched that scene a hundred times in my life, and I still get goosebumps. Xavier'southward words to Scott at the end, an endeavour to console the inconsolable, just bury themselves in your heart every bit ol' Cyke looks out to the horizon, only starting time to grieve.

Close up! I'm not crying. You're crying!

OBSESSION

Flavor 3 Episode x

Revisiting Archangel is always a good move, and the series actually captures his bitterness toward Apocalypse.

In the comics, Angel and Archangel are both Warren Worthington 3, merely they're very unlike characters. Angel was a carefree trust fund playboy who looked the part of a beautiful, divine being. Archangel was a spiritually broken monster who cursed his fate on an hourly basis. And oh boy, did he Detest Apocalypse.

"Obsession" could easily take just been a grudge match, just information technology'southward actually about how Archangel's anger and obsession is ruining him. In his undeterred bulldoze to destroy Apocalypse, he's simply destroying himself.

We likewise get to run into Beast bail with Ship. D'aww…

THE DARK PHOENIX, PART 1: DAZZLED

Season 3 Episode 11

And then, uh… Jean's back. This dislocated the fuck out of many of us during the showtime run of this episode, because the episode where Jean returns to Earth live wouldn't air until the fifth and terminal flavour. Great job, guys. But we get the picture.

Also, this episode is fun considering Dazzler! What I don't get is why the animators felt the demand for her auburn dye-chore. This bear witness isn't exactly teeming with blondes, and when they did that probably non-approved cameo of her back in "Mojovision," her hair was the correct color. Eh, whatever.

This episode sets the stage for Jean'southward descent into madness at the hands of Mastermind while establishing that the Phoenix Force has been contradistinct, one might say corrupted, past its time in Jean's body. It's smart and weird, and hey, if anyone knows where I can get a copy of that song, "Trunk Heat," let me know in the comments.

THE Nighttime PHOENIX, PART 2: THE INNER Circle

Season 3 Episode 12

Jean is seduced correct into the artillery of Mastermind and the Hellfire Club. Oh, I'm distressing. "The Circle Club" because Actually, FOX KIDS? "Hellfire" was but fine in the comics. It would be the title of a vocal in a Disney movie a year later. Shit, Sleeping Beauty dropped that bomb in the 1959. The Circle Gild? Really?

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Bated from being a fascinating study in brainwashing, manipulation, and ambition, this episode bears the honor of being one of the most faithful adaptations of a comic book to date, even more so than "Captive Hearts" and "Days of Hereafter Past, Part two." This episode and the 2 that follow recreate Uncanny X-Men #132-137 with as few alterations as possible, and it totally works. The Hellfire Club are instantly menacing, and the venom they spew at one another is and then cutthroat.

I'm curious as to why the Jean as the Black Queen needed those tights while they were content to let Emma Frost, the White Queen rock out in her full Victoria's Secret glory, but whatsoever.

THE DARK PHOENIX, Office 3: THE Dark PHOENIX

Flavour 3 Episode xiii

I feel like even trying to describe this episode would diminish it, but simply put, the Dark Phoenix is loose, and she gives the X-Men a run for their coin. They merely survive considering she'southward not threatened enough by them to feel the need to destroy them. Later that, she goes on a niggling trip, EATS A FUCKING STAR, and heads habitation.

Seeing Jean regress to a teenager in her childhood bedroom (anyone else notice she had a trivial stuffed cyclops? Awwww…) was weird and uncomfortable, as was her friend trying to figure out ways to accept her downwards. Ultimately, she seems to be okay for the moment when the Shi'Ar show upwardly, insisting she be executed.

THE DARK PHOENIX, PART 4: THE FATE OF PHOENIX

Flavor three Episode xiv

Xavier'southward relationship with an alien empress is certainly put to the test when pretty much every spacefaring race dorsum Lilandra upward in insisting on the Phoenix's execution. Xavier jacks some Shi'Ar legal loopholes from Lilandra's brain and demands a trail by combat. The X-Men fight the Imperial Guard on the moon to decide Jean's fate, merely in the end Jean insists that she must die, because she can't control the Phoenix. Her plea to Scott… you can hear that desperation in her voice, and props to Catherine Disher for a job well done.

Unlike in the comics, Jean'due south resurrection is immediate, accomplished by the Phoenix, now freed from the result of Jean'southward emotions, channeling a portion of each X-Man's life force into Jean to restore her. It'south not the downer ending from the comics, simply then again in the comics, there was no time after the M'Kraan Crystal situation Jean was thought to be expressionless. And then, it appears her piddling time out was but moved. And it still works.

Cold Comfort

Flavour 3 Episode 15

Yay! Iceman! This episode is as much about introducing Ten-Cistron as it is about Iceman and his backstory with the X-Men, which seems more volatile than information technology was in the comics. It's an interesting angle. Bobby Drake didn't desire to save the world. He wanted to get a life and live it happily with the woman he loved, who in the terminate just wanted to salve the world. It'due south not the offset time this series has taken a adequately developed look at relationships, none of this volition they/won't they bullshit, just 2 people who care well-nigh each other and have personalities that come into disharmonize. Tasty! Non to mention we become a little foreshadowing that never really pays off in Cyclops and Havok'due south imperviousness to each other's powers, because they're brothers.

Also, fans of the DiC dub of Crewman Moon are in for a special care for if they listen closely. Denis Akiyama, who voices Bobby Drake/Iceman here is the voice of Malachite, and Terri Hawkes, who voices Lorna Dane/Polaris, was none other than Crewman Moon herself!

NIGHTCRAWLER

Flavour three Episode xviii

I love me some Nightcrawler, and then I was ready and willing to take every weird curve ball this episode threw at me. Similar… why are but three Ten-Men on vacation, and why is Wolverine forth with Rogue and Gambit? Explicate to me how that happens?

This episode was famously controversial for its direct address of religion, specifically Christianity, and for having the nerve to air the morning of my brother's Bar Mitzvah, forcing me to expect SEVERAL HOURS to see it.

It's a good, solid ep, even with all the ridiculous shit thrown in like Wolverine going to church and reading out of the Bible. I know what they were going for, and I could come across why Wolverine would be a tempting character to effort it with, but I just didn't purchase it. Now if it had been Rogue or Gambit, that I'd have bought.

ONE MAN'South WORTH, Function 1

Season 4 Episode 1

We were teased with an adaptation of The Age of Apocalypse , merely there's no real way to do it justice in a unproblematic ii-parter. What this episode actually ends up being is a companion piece to "Days of Future Past" (thematically) and "Fourth dimension Fugitives" (structurally).

Equally with all time travel episodes, Bishop features front and heart, and he'southward actually a lot easier to take here. This might be because he has his sister, Shard, around to take the edge off. Bishop, Shard, and an alternate Wolverine and Storm in her Grace Jones-inspired punk await, travel all the mode back to 1959 to save a young Xavier from an assassination effort on the part of Master Mold'south forces.

Age of Apocalypse was virtually showing the widespread and profound effect of Xavier'southward absenteeism from history. This episode gives united states of america very little of that and is focuses instead on the solution, simply it's notwithstanding a fun watch. Wolverine and Storm's bizarro romance kind of makes sense in context and becomes the emotional throughline of both parts. Having these characters bargain with literal racism, a marvelous opportunity given the time period and the fact that three of our band of fourth dimension travelers are Black, was refreshing in a serial that mainly trades in allegory. In Storm's words, it's and then pathetic it's almost quaint.

I MAN'South WORTH, Office two

Season 4 Episode 2

To be honest, I'm not certain why this was really a two-parter, equally part two is a whole lot of wheel-spinning. Aught really new happens. Fitzroy turns out to be a rather ineffectual villain whose defeat is so easily accomplished it makes one wonder what the disharmonize actually was.

My best judge is this: there are ii moments in this episode that get in worth it: Forge and Shard'south sacrifice and the tearful goodbye of a desperately in love alt-Tempest and alt-Wolverine. The first draft of this script was probably as well long for 1 episode, but couldn't stand up to lose any of that stuff, so they foiled the rescue effort, took the last few scenes, and padded it out to a full episode in order to make a 2-parter.

Do I mind? Non really. It makes for the rare occasion where a Part 2 is inferior to a Part i, merely any.

I do wish Age of Apocalypse had gotten the proper treatment. You could piece of work an entire season or at to the lowest degree a Phoenix Saga-length multi-parter out of it. But that's okay. Like I said, the "what could have been" gene of the alt-Wolverine/alt-Tempest romance is pretty trippy, and I believed it just plenty that I constitute the erasure of that love from existence a truthful sacrifice.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episode 6

SANCTUARY, Part i

Season 4 Episode half-dozen

Easily the most baldly political episode of the series, nosotros find Magneto finally throwing in the towel on his goal of mutant domination of the Earth, opting instead to simply create a refuge for his people, a homeland of their own on Asteroid M, a sanctuary of his own cosmos prepare in orbit effectually the Earth. Naturally, this raises some suspicion on the part of the government, so Xavier and a few Ten-Men head up to Asteroid Thou (conflated here with Avalon, the '90s analogue on which it is based) to encounter what it'due south all about, and it turns out Magneto… is completely sincere about this relatively peaceful solution. It seems Charles has rubbed off on him a petty in that he'south no longer seeking a war with humanity. He just wants to exist left alone.

Of course, his newest kiss-donkey, Fabian Cortez, is still craving some of the sometime militant Magneto and is disappointed when his idol tells him to chill the fuck out, which leads to some Form A betrayal.

SANCTUARY, Part 2

Season 4 Episode 7

Nether Cortez's new doucheocracy, Asteroid M'south defensive missiles are a nuclear holocaust waiting to happen, so the X-Men – a surprisingly small number of them; where is everyone else? – head back upwardly into space to deal with it. Magneto, thought dead, manages to pull himself together in one case the Earth'due south electromagnetic field heals him, and he takes it upon himself to kill his own dying dream of a mutant homeland.

At that place'southward also a nice subplot running through both these episodes of nevertheless some other ane of Xavier's ex-girlfriends, Amelia Voght, a story that was toned down and fabricated considerably less rapey for the series. It'south interesting, though, to see a pattern in Xavier'south by of forsaking his own personal life for the sake of his dream and his students. Besides, we all know he loves Magneto the almost.

Oh, and as if that weren't enough, the button on the end of this episode shows us that Apocalypse is yet effectually and up to no good.

BEYOND Expert AND EVIL, Part 1: THE Cease OF TIME

Season 4 Episode 8

In the afar futurity, Apocalypse has an existential crisis, wondering if he's doomed to fight mutantkind only never win for all fourth dimension. So he ditches linear time and makes for the Axis of Time. Meanwhile, on his way home from 1959 in "One Human's Worth," Bishop gets thrown off course and ends up at the Axis of Time, dealing with Bender, a greatly annoying Robin Williams/Jim Carrey pastiche of manic "humor." Too, Scott and Jean endeavour to get married over again, and Mr. Sinister manages to fuck information technology upwards Over again, this fourth dimension directly by having the Nasty Boys attack and kidnap Jean. That's… that'southward a lot.

Okay, breakdown? I requite Bishop a lot of flack, most of information technology deserved, just I can't help simply admire how well his arc for the series is written. Every fourth dimension we revisit him, we pick up more or less where we left off, and nosotros become to see how his journeys through time change the timeline, leading ultimately to this episode where I find myself totally on Bishop'due south side in dealing with Bender. I just want him to clobber that wacky trivial fuck. Shoot him, Bishop. Shoot him with my blessing.

BEYOND Adept AND EVIL, Role ii: THE Promise OF APOCALYPSE

Season 4 Episode 9

With the Ten-Men, Apocalypse, Cable, Bishop, and Mr. Sinister & the Nasty Boys already in play, this episode brings Magneto, Sabretooth, Mystique, Archangel, Psylocke, Shard, and the freakin' Shi'Ar Empire into the mix just to make sure we've got all our bases covered.

The plot to capture the nigh potent psychics in existence continues. Meanwhile, in the future, Cable and Tyler seek to forestall all of this by commandeering the last working time travel device from the government and travelling back far enough to destroy Apocalypse's Lazarus Chamber at its point of origin. Starting time they've just got to get to it.

Across Expert AND EVIL, Office 3: LAZARUS Bedchamber

Season 4 Episode x

Cablevision hijacks Graymalkin (which totally looks like a giant Metroid, am I right?) to travel back in time, but Apocalypse knocks him off course somehow. It seems to backfire equally information technology sends Cable right onto the 10-Mansion's front end lawn in the present day. Cablevision finds that his interests and the X-Men's align, and later Wolverine beats some information out of Sabretooth, a plan is formed and put into motion. The team heads to Egypt to bust into the Lazarus Chamber, only they're met my Apocalypse'south new Iv Horsemen. Neat designs on those guys. What appeared to be a rash action backfiring in Apocalypse'south face turns out to exist role of his plan all along, as information technology led Xavier right to him.

BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL, PART 4: END AND BEGINNING

Season 4 Episode 11

Everything comes to a caput equally it's Apocalypse versus… pretty much everyone. Alliances are forged in the rut of boxing that take the characters by every bit much surprise as the audience. Wolverine and Magneto saving each other'southward asses? What?

Also, Bishop earns my respect when he blasts Apocalypse out of frame just to shut him upwardly. This was originally intended to exist the series finale, but I'g kind of glad it wasn't. For one, X-Men stories should not stop on a scene with Cable, and two, it's not the almost emotionally resonant victory and doesn't really tap into any of the series' major themes or character arcs. That doesn't arrive whatsoever less fun, though.

It's a great episode to lookout man. If nil else, for Apocalypse's little sashay downward the aisle of telepaths.

Family TIES

Season 4 Episode 17

We finally get the blanks in Magneto'southward backstory filled in. He already had our sympathy for losing his family unit, but actually learning the details… it's just horrifying. No wonder he went off the deep end.

This episode also reveals the Link betwixt the master of magnetism and the twins Quicksilver and Carmine Witch (yay! Scarlet Witch!). To put information technology but… who'due south your daddy? That'southward right, Mags learns that he has not one merely ii kids, and they don't like him very much. And there's too some blah plot most the Loftier Evolutionary. Whatever. Magneto and his children are the heart of this episode, and they're what make it worth watching.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 5, Episode 4

NO MUTANT IS AN Island

Flavor 5 Episode iv

This episode actually takes place directly after The Phoenix Saga, but for some production reasons got pushed back to Season v. Information technology's a shame really, considering it really gives Scott some space to grieve for Jean and explore his backstory when he goes back to the orphanage he grew upward in. The Mr. Sinister connection is curiously glossed over, and instead we're treated to a 1-fourth dimension advent by someone Jessica Jones fans will know very well, the Imperial Homo himself, Kilgrave.

While this episode does kind of stick out like a sore thumb, it is nice to run across a character really going through the complicated feelings that surround loss, and consider how little really good fabric Cyclops gets considering Wolverine is such a fucking diva, this was a really nice opportunity to give him the spotlight and actually get to know him amend. Information technology's too bad it came so late in the run that practically nobody saw it.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 5, Episode 6

BLOODLINES

Flavour 5 Episode 6

Nightcrawler discovers what we already knew, that Mystique is his female parent, which makes Rogue his foster sister.

But expect! There'southward more! In her extensive career as a spy, assassin, and terrorist, Mystique managed to accept a tumble with Sabretooth at some point (I would beloved to know more about the circumstances surrounding that little tryst), which also makes the mother of… wait for it… Graydon Creed, the former leader of the Friends of Humanity, who's setting all this upwards to get back into their good graces now that movement has outgrown him. And, y'all know, he did sort of abandon his position to spend some fourth dimension in a mental hospital.

As one can imagine, in that location'south more than enough venom to go around between all parties involved, and tensions run loftier. Family drama, am I correct?

All that would be good enough, but what really elevates this episode is the moment where Mystique within the span of a few sentences, goes from telling Nightcrawler that she's a terrible person for abandoning him to grudgingly revealing that she regrets it and is haunted by what she did, and yet doesn't believe she deserves to be forgiven. Easily i of my favorite episodes of the serial.

DESCENT

Flavor v Episode 13

Nosotros're taking a break from your regularly scheduled mutant adventures to explore the origins of Mr. Sinister in Victorian England, where he was simply Nathaniel Essex, and how his encounters with an ancestor of Charles Xavier played a part in the man he became.

Why this episode is coming here, rather than the season that was all about Sinister is beyond me, simply the fact that the writers went balls out and decided to do a completely isolated period piece is kinda admirable. Fifty-fifty if we've passed the threshold beyond which the animation for the prove went sharply downhill. This episode isn't specially well written nor animated, merely the sheer novelty cistron of it, the spectacle, makes it worth a watch.

GRADUATION Twenty-four hours

Season v Episode 14

At that place's a hint of 1992's X-Cutioner's Song hither with an set on on Xavier (hither an assault that proved life-threatening, rather than a deliberate assassination endeavor), but a briefly features Sunfire makes a valid indicate. Xavier was nearly was privileged as a mutant can go. He was famous, rich, and could easily pass for man, and he was yet attacked out in the open on a live, global broadcast. Information technology give Magneto the perfect excuse to finally commencement his war on humans. In honor of Xavier, the Ten-Men ready out to stop Magneto, simply discover he may hold the key to saving Xavier's life.

What's truly amazing nigh this episode is how the writers managed to bring and so many characters back for the finale, and making every appearance seem completely natural. Someone needs to impersonate Xavier to give a message to the media? Morph steps in. We need the foremost expert on mutant biology to assistance Xavier? Call Moira on Muir Isle. When human medicine fails, and nosotros need something more advanced? Lilandra and the medical technology of the Shi'Ar Empire. Can't contact her without boost to Jean's telepathic powers? Magneto can help with that. Magneto, who nearly flies into a rage when Jean asks how much he loves Charles Xavier. "He was my only equal. I owe him my life!"

Information technology would have been enough for Charles to get closure with each of his X-Men, but acknowledging his lifelong bond with Magneto, completing the arc Morph began in the very first episode, honoring the 2 nearly important women in his life, Moira and Lilandra… it was so much more anyone asked for, and it was brilliant. This was one hell of an episode and one hell of a finale. The only thing information technology lacked was some other half-hr and a better animation upkeep. This is the perfect fashion to end an Ten-Men rewatch.