Warning: This review contains full spoilers for the first three episodes of X-Men ‘97, which are now streaming on Disney+. You can also check out our spoiler-free review of Episodes 1-4.
X-Men ‘97 Season 1 ended with the merry mutants being scattered across time and the tease that Apocalypse would have a big part to play in Season 2. The series has never been one for wasting time, and so the first three episodes dive headlong into that new status quo and reconnect with our heroes across three time periods. While the new season initially moves a little too quickly for its own good, it certainly delivers a wild, engaging, and nostalgia-filled ride.
It makes sense that Disney opted to debut these first three episodes together, as each focuses on a different faction of X-Men and a different timeline. That seems to be the ideal approach, rather than attempting to blend all three storylines together simultaneously.
Kicking things off, “Days of Past Future” looks ahead to the far future, where Cyclops (Ray Chase), Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale), and others have thrown their lot in with Mother Askani (Gates McFadden) and her clan. This episode basically acts as an adaptation of The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, with an emphasis on young Nathan (Michael Johnston) and the reunion between these parents and their time-displaced son.
Emotionally, this reunion gives the episode all the hook it needs, especially in light of the farewell between Scott/Jean and Cable last season. It deftly cuts to the core of what made The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix such a seminal storyline and seizes on that parental dynamic. My only complaint here is that this is another case where one episode doesn’t seem quite enough to do the material full justice. I would have liked to see the Scott/Jean/Nathan story play out even longer. But alas, this series is ever marching forward.
As a huge fan of Rick Remender and Jerome Opena’s Uncanny X-Force, I was also very pleased to see this episode draw on that run as well, specifically with the introduction of the Final Horsemen. Here, too, the only problem is that these characters don’t play a big enough role. Maybe the series should have spent multiple episodes in the far future before wrapping things up?
In any case, X-Men ‘97 returns to the present for “A Force to Be Reckoned With,” as the adult Cable (Chris Potter) recruits Jubilee (Holly Chou) and Sunspot (Gui Agustini) to join his new X-Force squad. Tonally, this episode serves as a very fun change of pace, and one that really leans into the over-the-top nature of those classic X-Force comics. Sure, it would be nice if the roster included more of those traditional early X-Force characters, but the spirit is there, regardless. We even get a new, bespoke intro sequence out of the deal.
Episode 2 is a great ‘90s-flavored romp, but its main appeal rests in the uncomfortable dynamic between Cable and Jubilee. On one hand, you have the hyper-militant, gun-toting soldier who believes that the ends always justify the means. On the other hand, you have one of the youngest and most idealistic members of Xavier’s school, one not willing to sacrifice her morals even in these dark days. A fitting conflict for an episode so geared toward this more aggressive brand of mutant super-team.
It’s also satisfying to see X-Factor utilized so well in this episode. It makes sense to bring them in as the government-sanctioned answer to the X-Men and X-Force, especially as we see how quickly they become pawns of an administration not overly sympathetic to mutant rights. Polaris (Carolina Ravossa) is definitely the standout character here, as she gets a small but vital character arc over the course of Episode 2.
Finally, Episode 3 flashes way back into the past to explore how the other half of the X-Men are getting along with the young En Sabah Nur (Adetokumboh M’Cormack). Here, X-Men ‘97 has an opportunity to do something new with Apocalypse, a villain who was hardly a stranger to the spotlight in the original series. It gives us a chance to connect with a much younger and relatively more innocent version of the character, one who still views himself as a freedom fighter rather than a full-blown, Darwinian conqueror.
Most of the X-Men are little more than window dressing in Episode 3, but that hardly matters when the emphasis is on the fascinating dynamic between Magneto (Matthew Waterson) and En Sabah Nur. The rapport between the two characters is a thrill to watch, particularly thanks to the excellent dialogue and delivery from Waterson. Magneto clearly believes he can rewrite fate and shape his powerful young friend into someone who will save mutantkind rather than oppress it. He’s probably wrong, of course, but it’s sure fun to watch him try. And with Episode 3 ending on a cliffhanger, there’s no concern about this chapter of the series being given enough breathing room. Season 2 is off to a terrific start.
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