Opening updates! The real Jean is in it with her ponytail, we've got Jubilee and Longshot facing off against Mojo (because of the plot of the episode), a scene from the Iceman episode with X-Factor to remind you about when present-day Forge first appeared (including a very extreme close-up of him just to make sure you see him) as well as the Inner Circle...which actually had no bearing on the episode other than to just show them (and Emma) off.
There's nothing more expected of an X-Man leader than putting the team through Danger Room sessions and getting into a love triangle.
Honestly I'm kind of disappointed we didn't get to see Scott and Jean at the UN summit for Genosha's admittance...trying to focus on Mutant politics rather than their shaky marriage.
Jubilee is 18! Our cute firecracker is finally a legal adult but still ready to party at the arcade! Can you imagine how different this story would've been had Magneto actually been willing to go to an arcade?
Then again...who in their right mind plays a random game console you have no memory of being in your room? I guess age didn't quite come with maturity by that point, Jubes.
Honestly I found skinny Mojo more off-putting than fat Mojo, though while he sounds different from what I remember from the original series, David Errigo Jr. gave him a lot of manic and shameless producer energy which you kind of need for Mojo.
I love how they got stuck in a 8-bit beat 'em up actually reminiscent of legit X-Men beat 'em ups of that era complete with a bit of a nostalgia trip (featuring Thunderbird! Domino! Blob! Sunfire! Sauron) and of course the final boss is classic Magneto on Asteroid M, though it made me miss Magneto's old suit and helmet.
The overall theme of the first segment was Jubilee coming of age and dealing with the rapidly changing situations with her family while longing for the older days, presented in video game form, while still limiting herself and her potential which she then sees realized in her adult clone. Similarly Roberto is still hesitant to embrace his Mutant side and hasn't quite gotten the hang of using his powers yet, let alone admitting it to his family.
Of course who better to voice Jubilee's older clone with a mature but similar attitude than the original Jubilee voice herself Alyson Court? And surprisingly enough she actually sounds like an older version of Holly Chou's Jubilee compared to her old Jubilee voice.
Hey, the actual Spiral! Voiced by Abby "I'm your girl!" Trott! Still slaving under Mojo, but looks like she was in charge by the end of it.
What's a better birthday gift than a first kiss? And maybe more the way she pushed him onto her bed and the scene faded out...did our little Jubilee just climb the stairway to adulthood?
Speaking of intimacy, Ororo and Forge are living together and getting pretty close, especially when Forge is quite a catch with his good looks, natural charm, and chili that would make Oliver Queen jealous. The horseriding doesn't hurt either.
Oh hey, X-Factor picture! And wait...is that Bastion!?
Of course Storm's main priority is getting her powers back because she feels directionless and like a shell of herself without them...even though as just Ororo Munroe she's still got the bearing, beauty, and charisma of a Goddess. Forge definitely approves!
Let this be a lesson...never come up with plans that can be co-opted and upgraded by the government into something worse and could be used on a superpowered minority group. It can also kill your love life.
"I love you!" Dang Forge, the segment hasn't been that long! Not surprised he got slapped though, Forge is a sweet talker but that can only take you so far.
Storm can't catch a break! She gets a mohawk, loses her powers, the man she was falling for and who claimed to be helping her is partially responsible, and on top of that now she has to deal with the Adversary!