X-Men '97: Episodes 7 Review/Spoilers

[Rift]

We open up to a funeral. The X-Men are grieving a serious loss: Hellion's screentime. For he hasn't appeared on the show yet, while Glob freaking Herman has. Also, they're sad Remy is dad, so they bury him too. Nobody even bothers mentioning Magneto. Rogue's not at the funeral, as she's busy going on a rampage at a secret US government facility. She wants to know where Gyrich and Trask are.

Meanwhile, Scott is begging the UN for help. They've gone a week without finding a new survivor, but even one more could give people hope. But the gubmint guy said that that racial tensions are high, and they can't keep helping the mutants because it's

it's

He says it's

bad optics

Get it? Because he's talking to Cyclops. Haha. Anyway, Cyclops hangs up on him. He vents to Jean, saying how he let his guard down. Jean tries to tell him that no one could have predicted this, though Scott points out that Magneto did. He warned them repeatedly. And now he's gone, and so is Madelyne. Jean sympathizes, talking about how, after losing Storm, having something like a sister felt comforting. (And just like sisters, they both banged the same guy and one tried to continue an affair while the other dehumanized her as an "it.")

The team head to Genosha to help. Amelia Voght is one of the staff helping out at triage. Beast talks with her a bit before ditching her to hang with Trish, that reporter lady. Trish shoos away the camera so she can speak to the grieving Hank alone.

Meanwhile, Rogue meets with Captain America at a secret base in the snowy mountains. What appears to be a cabin is actually a secret facility with a large work station underneath. Caps explains that the Avengers are waiting for Hellion to appear, too; they want to recruit him. In the meantime though, they're trying to appeal to the mutant demo by helping with the Gyrich situation. He'd been tracking the guy, but a covert division of the UN had him secretly transferred out. This was their base before they fled, leaving only "OZT" on their computer screens. Cap was at least able to track Gyrich's location to a facility in Mexico City, so once he gets the clearance, he and the Avengers are going after him.

Rogue points out that the covert division should be dealt with before they disappear again, so they should go now. Captain America wants to go through proper channels, since a guy dressed as an American flag rushing into a facility, immediately busting heads and breaking the law sends a bad message. Rogue says that the message is that he stands with mutants! But Cap still wants to do things by the book. An enraged Rogue takes his shield, flies out of the building and throws it into the mountains.

Back on Genosha, Jubes and Sunspot are helping out with the recovery. Strong Guy tells them that a war is coming, which spooks Sunspot. Jubes says that her parents are worried, and tells Sunspot that he should tell his mom. What if he'd been on Genosha during the attack? What if, instead of hearing that he's a mutant from her own son, she hears about it from the news when he's listed as a fatality? She'd be left burying a stranger. This finally convinces Sunspot to come out to his mom, albeit with Jubilee's help.

Meanwhile, Trish and Beast debate the merits of mutants rioting in the streets as a form of protest. (Get it?) Beast is pro, Trish is con. Beast says that Hellion would be pro. Trish has no idea who that is. Beast dismisses her because she doesn't get it.

Anyway, Gyrich is being held in a "facility," which is basically a glorified resort where he seems to have free reign. She busts some heads and finds Gryich. He has telepathy protection now, and they won't work on their upcoming enemy. Rogue instead opts to use her powers to suck the life out of him and get information that way. Then she passes out.

Back on Genosha, Jean and Cyclops go through the ruins of the big temple. They hope to find even one survivor, with Scott hoping to find Madelyne. Jean's left reeling with the psychic echoes left by all the pain, suffering, unfulfilled dreams, lost futures, missed opportunities and lack of closure - all of which are on repeat. Seeing Scott apologizes to Jean. Not for this, but for everything with Madelyne. The two talk a bit before Jean falls to her knees, sensing some sort of telepathic presence.

It's Maddy!

Actually no, it's Emma. She underwent secondary mutation and entered her diamond form to keep herself alive.

Morph calls the gang back to the Blackbird. He got a message from Trask, who is remorseful for what has happened. He tells them that Sinister is behind this. They should meet him at the UN Peace Legion in Madripoor, which will be cleared out for them.

Meanwhile, Jubes and Sunspot ignore the mission to go to Brazil and see Sunspot's mom. Sunspot comes out to her. She's relieved, and states that she always knew her baby was a mutant. Mother's intuition. Also, four of their homes burned down after his 16th birthday, and he lost a yacht. She and his father agreed not to force him out, but to let Sunspot tell his secret when he was ready to share it. They're glad he could share it now, and that he had someone like Jubilee to help him. They love and accept him.

Well, "accept" him - they still want him to stop hanging out with the X-Men and stay in the closet while in public, since all the mutant/human tensions make having a mutant son a PR nightmare. Anyway, anyone want spritzers?

Back in Mexico City, Rogue has been saved by Nightcrawler. Rogue is feeling down, but Nightcrawler is there to support her during her grief, and remind her that Gambit and Magneto's deaths wasn't her fault.

Meanwhile, Gyrich is recovering from his attacks, barely breathing and in requiring an oxygen masks. He's greeted by a pink-skinned man, who is annoyed that Gyrich nearly ruined his surprise. The man smothers Gyrich to death.

The team (with Rogue, sans kids), head to the UN building in Madripoor, where they find that all the guards were knocked out by sleeping gas. Using a clue Trask gave them, they discover a secret passageway that leads them into a lab. A lab full of high-tech cybernetic robots on display - far, far more advanced than anything they've seen before. There are more unconscious guards. Rogue notes how they all have the same "OZT" logo as the guards in the facility in Mexico, and on the screens in that mountain facility.

They spot Trask on the roof, about to jump. He laments about how he only meant to protect normal people, but he have become death. Rogue wants to know what OZT stands for. Morph realizes that the people behind these robots are building a new type of Sentinel - Trask confirms this, and says that it will be worse than what they saw in Genosha.

Trash doesn't want Sinister to make him even more of a monster than he already is, so he attempts to jump to his death. Rogue saves him, saying that if he really wants to help, they can still use any information he can provide. But Trask apologizes, for he has nothing else he can share with them. He has nothing. Rogue says, "same, sugah."

And then she drops him. His body descends through the air until he hits the ground. The X-Men are horrified and disapprove. Except Wolverine, who says that they all wanted to do it. And maybe Jean approves too - she didn't even try to stop Rogue from doing it. But Rogue is unrepentant.

Anyway, Trask's body was made into a super-Sentinel/corpse hybrid. Robot programming now takes over, and he immediately starts whaling on the X-Men. They're only saved by Cable, who uses an electromagnetic cluster grenade to shut him down. The others are confused as to how Cable got here. Jean reads his mind and sees that he's actually Nathan. Cable dismisses her, as she's not his mom. He's also not here for a tearful reunion - they need to act. Sinister is involved, but he's working for someone bigger.

Bastion.

We cut to Sinister and Bastion discussing things. Bastion dismisses the X-Men enemies of old for failing since '92. Sinister reminds Bastion that he was one of those villains once. Bastion agrees, but states that unlike them, he evolved. Also, his guys recovered an alien satellite that the X-Men used to chat with the Shi'ar. They have footage of Lilandra announcing her engagement with Xavier. Now, the Xavier the world thought dead? Who's assassination lead to all the recent mutant sympathy in the first place? Yeah, revealing this to the world would make the mutants out to be big liars selling an even bigger lie.

The last scene shows that Bastion has Magneto tied up to a chair and wearing an inhibitor collar. Bastion starts shaving him.

Overall, good ep, good ep.

[Jackraow21]

Sounds amazing. Despite the fact that Wolverine once again does nothing. At this point I’m hoping a suped up Magneto Prime Sentinel tears his adamantium out a la Fatal Attractions, and he leaves the team like he did in the comics. Let’s just pick up with Logan in Season 2 when maybe the writers have an idea of how to use him for something other than wallpaper. Or maybe spin him off into his own cartoon even.

But obviously can’t complain too much since he’s getting a live action movie this summer. Aside from that complaint as a Wolverine fan, though, this issue sounds great. Especially can’t wait to watch the Cable scene.

[DragonsChi]

Called it! Magento is....JOSEPH!

[Primal Slayer]

It was another great episode.

Morph is essentially pretty Omega with this upgrade right? If he can turn into any mutant and take on their powers....it kind of begs the question why they dont have him doing more.

I think the weakest link is Sunspot...sorry but his storyline in the middle of this is just taking up space that I want dedicated towards others.

Emma is a diamond baby! Nice to see it though....I wish the reveal was more dramatic. Have Jean still sense her but have Emma break out of the rubble herself.

Rogue's revenge....has been done great. Loved every second of it.

I need Storm to rejoin the team ASAP, we need some weather up in this b.

The big fight scene at the end was fun, though yeah....we need more info on Morph and their limitations.

Sounds amazing. Despite the fact that Wolverine once again does nothing. At this point I’m hoping a suped up Magneto Prime Sentinel tears his adamantium out a la Fatal Attractions, and he leaves the team like he did in the comics. Let’s just pick up with Logan in Season 2 when maybe the writers have an idea of how to use him for something other than wallpaper. Or maybe spin him off into his own cartoon even.

But obviously can’t complain too much since he’s getting a live action movie this summer. Aside from that complaint as a Wolverine fan, though, this issue sounds great. Especially can’t wait to watch the Cable scene.

Wolvy got A LOT to do in the original series. Him taking on a more supporting role for 10 episodes isnt hurting him.

[Havok83]

Nothing new of the intro. It reuses shots from past ones.

It opens up with Gambit's funeral. Kurt leads the service. Bella Dona and the Thieves Guild members are present. Rogue isnt and Jubilee doesnt understand why. Loga comforts her though

Rogue is then seen flying in a desert and attacks a military base. The commander inside says the place was built to hold the Hulk and isnt worried about her. Rogue makes her way in demanding for Trask and Gyrich's location

Scott speaks with the President who lets him know there's been no sign of them or Val Cooper since the attack. Jean walks in they talk about the attack and Madelyne. Jean said she was looking forward to having a sister after Storm left. They and the X-men then take the Blackbird to Genosha to help with the recovery. Amelia and Mimic are there helping. Trish Tilby show up and talks with Beast

Rogue ends up in a snow area and finds Captain America. Last week Gyrich was transferred and he's been looking. They find computers with OZT on the screen. Rogue gets mad when he says he cant join her in Mexico to follow a lead and throws his shield outside

Strong Guy, Four Arm are also in Genosha. Sunspot and Jubilee talk. She reached out to her parents. Sunspot hsnt called his mother. Callisto and Leech are dead as there is a small memorial for them

Rogue goes to the Mexican jail and surprised that its actually a resort. Gyrich is inside and says he has no idea where Trask is. He tells ehr that Jean's probe wont work anymore. Rogue says its not that kind o probe and touches him. She sees shots of nimrod

Jean uses her psychometry and sees Emma, Shaw and Squidboy as they were attacked. Scott apologizes to jean for whats happened. Jean senses a teleath ahead. Scott thinks its Madelyne but they find Emma in her diamond form. Beast theorizes its a dormant mutation triggered by duress. Scott cries and jean comforts him. Trask contacts the X-men via a video call. He mentions that Siniister got his DNA but he wasnt expecting him to be a mutant killer. Scott says they need to head to Madripor

Sunspot and Jubilee go tho his mother's office and he admits to being a mutant. She already bc things in th house would set fire since he was 16. She and his father felt it was best to let him tell him on his own time. She tells him he must keep it secret bc shareholders wouldnt take it well if there was a mutant in the family.

Rogue wakes up to Kurt and helps her with her grief. They acknowledge that she's his adoptive sister. She cries in his arm and turns around to Jean's hand on her shoulder.

Gyrich wakes up to Bastion suffocating him as he tells him he nearly ruined his surprise

In Madripor, everyone in the building is knocked out by sleeping gas. Morph finds a secret elevator behind a vending machine. They see more OZT labels. Trask is on a ledge about to jump. OZT is some group that rose from his old organization. A new kind of sentinel is being built. The tech is light years ahead of whats currently available. Trask jumps but Rogue catches him and drops him when he says he has nothing. Kurt is shocked at her kill. As she is ranting about what he's done, she is attacked. Trask is revealed to be a Prime sentinel. He rises and his programing tells him to terminate mutants. Jean uses her TK to hold the broken upper half o the building and hurl it. Sh senses Trask's mind ahead.

Morph morphs into Quicksilver but is uneffective. Trask neutralizes Wolverine nad best as well. Jean gets a hit and they battle in the air. He neutralizes her too. Traask is taken down by a cybernetic cluster grenade by Cable. Jean scans his mind and notices that he's Madelyne's son. He tells her she's not her. Scott realizes he's Nathan

Sinister and Bastion are seen talking and disagree about how to handle the X-Men. Bastion was able to hack a video to see Xavier and Lilandra talk about marrying in space. Its then revealed that he has Magneto captured

[Nite-Wing]

No surprise they didn't actually kill the King of mutants
Gambit gets a funeral though so his death seems cemented
If only Jubilee said her lines to Rogues face. I wish Remy's family actually got some lines but oh well Kurt did a fire eulogy.
I hate Sinister taking a backseat to another villain. It just feels wrong

The creatives need to be called out for lying in interviews if they are going to fake out viewers a week later

[ChildOfTheAtom]

idc rogue was right.. never thought id agree with wolverine

[ChildOfTheAtom]

It was another great episode.

Morph is essentially pretty Omega with this upgrade right? If he can turn into any mutant and take on their powers....it kind of begs the question why they dont have him doing more. .

but they aren’t really effective except against xcutioner

[Jackraow21]

Wolvy got A LOT to do in the original series. Him taking on a more supporting role for 10 episodes isnt hurting him.

It’s hurting me though. Ha. But somehow I’ll bear it and will live.

[Jackraow21]

idc rogue was right.. never thought id agree with wolverine

That line sounds very on brand for him.

[ChildOfTheAtom]

That line sounds very on brand for him.

im just in a anti human mood after episode 5.. just glad someone supported rogue choice

[ChildOfTheAtom]

It’s hurting me though. Ha. But somehow I’ll bear it and will live.

yea but it’ll just make his berserker rage moment more impactful and probably really bloody

[Primal Slayer]

but they aren’t really effective except against xcutioner

Choose the right mutant to morph into....

It’s hurting me though. Ha. But somehow I’ll bear it and will live.

Just think about the upcoming movie you get! All the Wolverine goodness!

[Keno]

Wolvy got A LOT to do in the original series. Him taking on a more supporting role for 10 episodes isnt hurting him.

These are more like a poster boy episodes for him rather than supporting role. He didn't even have a single action sequence since episode 1. This definitely hurts due to such useless exposure

[Jman27]

It’s hurting me though. Ha. But somehow I’ll bear it and will live.

maybe he will have a bigger role in season 2 i think its time they do x-23 for example