10 Things to Remember Before Watching X-Men '97 Season 2
Xavier Entrusted the X-Men with Magneto
Picking up where the original series left off, Season 1 found the X-Men without their leader, Charles Xavier. It comes as a surprise when Erik Lehnsherr arrives at the manor, revealing that his arch-frenemy left the school to him. Although this naturally raises suspicions, Magneto has seemingly changed. While hesitant, he’s open to creating bridges between humans and mutants as Charles did. Magneto is even willing to stand trial for his past crimes. Even if Magneto has changed, the world hasn’t. Magneto remembers why he grew to hate humans when Genosha is attacked. Falling back into his old ways, Magneto causes a blackout, leading to mass casualties. He once again finds himself fighting against the X-Men, although more than ever, Magneto’s actions feel almost justified.
Bastion’s Uncertain Fate
The true villain of Season 1 was Bastion, a human–Sentinel hybrid who masterminded the Genoshan genocide. He was also a key figure in Operation: Zero Tolerance, turning humans and mutants against each other with Prime Sentinels becoming dominant. Things escalate quickly when Bastion decides to wipe out mutants and humans alike with Asteroid M headed towards Earth. The U.S. government only makes matters worse by sending missiles. Despite Bastion’s actions, Cyclops still attempts to save him as all hell breaks loose. Bastion decides he’d rather perish than accept help from the X-Men. What remains to be seen is whether Bastion blew up along with Asteroid M or somehow survived. If the other characters got lost in time amid the explosion, maybe Bastion did too.
Mister Sinister Is Alive (Barely)
Bastion’s partner in crime was Nathaniel Essex, aka Mister Sinister, an old enemy from the original series. Beyond Operation: Zero Tolerance, his sinister actions this past season included creating a Jean Grey clone and infecting newborn Nathan. Summoning the Phoenix again, Jean ultimately gives Sinister his comeuppance, removing the mutant DNA that he extracted. Sinister is reduced to a frail and even paler imitation of himself. As much as Sinister has made Jean suffer, Morph has an even longer history with the manipulative menace. The tables are now turned with Sinister helpless and Morph facing their former tormentor. While Sinister is weak, he’s still out there, meaning he could always make a comeback with his powers regained. Surely, there’s another sinister scheme up his sleeve.
Rogue & Magneto Hooked Up
In one of the season’s most surprising revelations, we learn that Magneto and Rogue were a thing… and they totally did it, right? While the original series tiptoed around the notion of sex, intimacy was clearly a struggle for Rogue, who couldn’t touch someone else without absorbing their powers. Magneto turns out to be an exception due to the unique nature of his abilities. So, even if there’s an age difference and they were often on opposing sides, it isn’t shocking that these two would seek comfort in one another. Even so, Rogue’s heart belongs to Gambit. Once Gambit dies, though, Rogue seeks vengeance much like Magneto would, showing that their bond wasn’t purely physical. There’s a part of Rogue that relates to Magneto’s ideals.
Wolverine Lost His Adamantium
In a scene that the Fox Kids censors never would’ve allowed back in the day, Magneto rips out Wolverine’s Adamantium. Wolverine thus spends the Season 1 finale incapacitated. When he last see Wolverine, Morph attempts to comfort him by taking Jean’s form. Of course, we don’t think Morph is just impersonating Jean when they say they love Logan. The finale leaves Wolverine’s fate uncertain, although the Season 2 trailer suggests that we won’t be out of commission for long. Just as Storm lost her powers only to get them back, it appears that Wolverine will be using his metal claws again soon enough. The question is, “How did Wolverine get his Adamantium back?” For that matter, where in time are Wolverine, Morph, and Storm?
Xavier’s Life Off Earth
The original series ended with a dying Xavier leaving Earth with Lilandra Neramani, who takes him to the Shi'ar home planet. With no word from Xavier, the other X-Men assume their leader is dead. About halfway through Season 1, we learn that Xavier is not only very much alive, but he’s also engaged to Lilandra. There’s a catch, however. With their union being met with prejudice, Xavier must wipe his memories of his world. Refusing, Charles chooses battle while still trying to find a peaceful resolution. Before he can, a crisis on Earth sends Xavier fleeing home. While Charles ultimately chooses his X-Men, that doesn’t necessarily mean his life with Lilandra is over. Now, however, they’re separated by space and time.
Madelyne Pryor / Goblin Queen
Jean and Cyclops plan to start a new life, but matters get complicated. How complicated? Well, another Jean shows up, and she’s the real deal. The Jean that Cyclops conceived a baby with was Mister Sinister’s clone. Sinister takes control of Clone Jean, who becomes Goblin Queen. Although Sinister created Goblin Queen, her feelings for Cyclops and Nathan were real, breaking free with the real Jean’s help. Adopting the name Madelyne Pryor, she leaves the X-Men, but remains committed to helping her infected son. Madelyne entrusts Nathan with Bishop, who searches through time for a cure. Madelyne’s memories rub off on Jean, who now finds herself attracted to Wolverine. Cyclops is also emotionally torn, although it may not matter since Madelyne dies on Genosha… presumably.
Nathan Is Cable
With little Nathan carrying the techno-organic virus, his only shot is in another time. Shortly after Bishop leaves with Nathan, fellow time traveler Cable returns. Cable made several appearances in the original series, although it isn’t until he comes face to face with Madelyne that she connects the dots. Cable is a grown-up Nathan. Just as Cable is reunited with his mother, they’re pulled apart again, possibly for good. Failing to prevent the attack on Genosha, Cable eventually resurfaces. He’s given a chance to briefly reconnect with his father and Jean, who considers Nathan her son even if she didn’t give birth to him. Cable receives a proper goodbye from his parents this time. While his status is uncertain, we doubt this is farewell forever.
Gambit’s Sacrifice on Genosha
Most would agree that Season 1’s most powerful moment takes place during the Genosha attack, as Gambit faces off against the Master Mold. Gambit knows this is his last stand, going out in a blaze of glory. His sacrifice leaves the team emotionally gutted, especially Rogue. It’s not uncommon for X-Men characters to return from the dead. The ending of Season 1 even hints at a possible comeback for Gambit, as Apocalypse finds one of his cards in Genosha’s rubble. Hell, one of Season 2’s episodes is titled “The Dead Man’s Hand.” How can that not be referring to Gambit?! If Apocalypse is behind his resurrection, though, this likely won’t be the Gambit we know, but rather, one better suited for the Horsemen of Apocalypse.
Trapped in Time
The Season 1 finale leaves us with the X-Men scattered across time. In the future of 3960 A.D., Cyclops and Jean not only find a young Nathan, but also Mother Askani. In the comics, Askani is Rachel Summers, Jean and Cyclops’s daughter from an alternate universe. She previously made a silent cameo in the original series. Meanwhile, Beast, Magneto, Nightcrawler, Rogue, and Xavier wind up in Ancient Egypt, where they encounter En Sabah Nur, who is destined to become Apocalypse. Apocalypse’s presence has loomed over this continuity since the OG show’s first season, his last appearance up until now being in Season 5’s “The Fifth Horseman.” With Apocalypse also up to something in modern day, the past, future, and present will inevitably collide.
Are you looking forward to Season 2? Let us know in the comments.