Chapter 1: A New Hope

After a pair of rather underwhelming episodes of X-Men '97, I approached episode five with some trepidation. If the downward trend continued, my enthusiasm for writing these reviews would diminish significantly. Analyzing a show's shortcomings can be enlightening and enjoyable, but when you're invested in a series that has the potential to excel, it can also be disheartening.

The very fact that you're engaging with this review indicates that things have taken a turn for the better. To put it simply: we are back in action!

Section 1.1: Episode 5 - Remember It

In my opinion, "Remember It" stands out as the finest episode of X-Men '97 to date. For those who recall my thoughts on the initial episodes, that’s quite a bold statement.

This episode features two intertwining storylines. The primary narrative, or A-Story, centers on Magneto, Gambit, and Rogue, who find themselves in a complicated love triangle as they journey to the mutant nation of Genosha, which has recently gained UN recognition.

Meanwhile, the B-Story explores the emotional distance growing between Scott and Jean following the revelation that Scott was involved with a clone of Jean, leading Jean to develop feelings for Wolverine. Yes, that’s right—two love triangles in a single episode!

The fact that I didn’t even recognize the dual triangles until now speaks volumes about the writers' skill in handling this well-worn trope. The tensions that give rise to these love triangles are both realistic and nuanced. While X-Men comics often resemble soap operas with superpowers, the storytelling here manages to avoid being juvenile. The choice to treat these situations with sincerity rather than humor is commendable and effective.

These characters feel authentically human.

Rogue's internal conflict is particularly compelling, as she grapples with choosing between a love she cannot physically share and a powerful partner she can. Her struggle, skillfully interwoven with the political landscape of Genosha, adds depth to the narrative.

Transforming Rogue's romantic dilemma into a choice that could have broader implications for all mutants in Genosha elevates this episode, as does the subplot involving Scott being interviewed during his emotional turmoil with Jean. This context amplifies the significance of Scott's feelings, affecting how mutants are perceived publicly.

And let’s not forget the action sequences—absolutely breathtaking! I’ve mentioned this before, but the fight scenes truly outshine those in the X-Men films. The creators make the X-Men appear exceptionally cool while engaged in battle. I realize "cool" is not a precise term, but it aptly captures the essence of what they achieve. Watch the episode and see if you disagree.

Section 1.2: Episode 6 - Lifedeath Part 2

When I first saw the title of this episode, I felt a wave of dread. The previous installment, "Lifedeath Part 1," was the weakest story yet. I wasn’t particularly excited to revisit Storm and Forge's hasty romance.

However, the episode commenced, and I was taken aback…

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you're not caught up, stop reading now!

Are you ready?

Charles Xavier is not dead. A central theme of the series has revolved around leadership struggles following Xavier's supposed demise at the conclusion of the original series. While we never witnessed his death, we also had no evidence to suggest he was alive. Given the nature of superhero comics, especially involving X-Men, I shouldn’t have been too surprised by this revelation, but I still found it shocking.

Xavier is alive, walking with mechanical legs, and engaged to Lilandra, the Empress of the Shi'ar Empire. This may sound bizarre, but the Shi'ar Empire plays a significant role in X-Men lore, even if it has yet to appear in any film adaptations due to its eccentricity.

The narrative quickly clarifies Xavier’s situation without convoluted exposition, allowing us to delve into the heart of the plot. Lilandra's sister, named Deathbird, opposes their interspecies romance and demands that Charles erase all memories of his life on Earth to prove his loyalty to the Empire.

In classic X-Men fashion, this storyline resonates with the series' more relatable themes regarding racism and cultural erasure, illustrating what it means to be deemed "one of the good ones." Despite the somewhat cliché alien backdrop, the story remains rooted in Xavier's experiences of discrimination, culminating in a satisfying resolution full of unexpected twists.

Unfortunately, the B-Story continues the thread with Storm and Forge, which feels significantly weaker. It focuses on Storm's struggle with a psychic barrier while on a quest for an item to save Forge after his encounter with a demon.

This demon, known as the Adversary, feels irrelevant. It seems intended to exploit Storm's fears, yet its role in the narrative feels random. Is it feeding on her fears? Inducing them? Storm experiences hallucinations that are both real and harmful, but the rules governing this creature are unclear, turning what could be a compelling exploration of her insecurities into a confusing subplot.

I’m not one of those fans who demands rigid explanations for fantastical elements, but this feels like the writers are simply asking the audience to accept the presence of the demon without justification. The lack of coherence in this subplot detracts from the overall quality of the series, not to mention the underdeveloped romance between Storm and Forge.

Final Thoughts

In summary, these two episodes might rival the excellence of the first two. While episode six has its flaws, they never reach the depths of the previous weak plotlines. The standout moments of episode five elevate it above even the high points of episode one.

Overall, X-Men '97 remains a remarkable series. If not for one disappointing subplot, I would almost label it as perfect. As it stands, it’s incredibly close.