Originally Posted by
sunofdarkchild
In theory, I can tolerate the idea that in a literal war and when facing the genocide of millions of mutants, the gloves come off and they cross lines they wouldn't otherwise cross, including killing. The Justice League cartoon's 3 episode pilot had the heroes killing many aliens from the race that was attempting to wipe out all life on earth, even Batman, who was fully established as having an absolute no-killing rule. And none of that killing affected the characters' morality or their usual no-killing rules, because of the way it was presented and the fact that everyone could see there was no choice. The way this is presented doesn't come across that way. For one, the people they're killing are humans, not shape-shifting goo aliens. And the gore factor just doesn't work for characters who are supposed to be as heroic as the X-Men are.
It could have worked if it was only now, when they learn that Orchis was actually against all biological life and not just mutants, that they started brutally killing everyone. Then it would be clear that it's not about revenge, but about saving the world, and the humans serving Orchis would be seen as tragic but necessary casualties. That would be easier to come back from than the direction they've taken since the hellfire gala massacre.