X-Men '97 Season 2, Episodes 1-4 Review (Spoiler-Free)
X-Men ‘97 is a series that owes its identity to nostalgia. The writers and animators are undeniably deep fans of the original X-Men: The Animated Series and the comics that inspired it. This is a show that reveres the past while boldly stepping into a new future. X-Men ‘97 Season 2 lives up to the promise of Season 1, and the long wait between seasons is more than compensated by the quality of the storytelling.
Premiering on Disney+ on July 1, Season 2 continues the story with a darker, more foreboding tone. The series is divided into three parallel timelines, all linked to the tyrannical villain Apocalypse (voiced by Ross Marquand and Adetokumboh M'Cormack in different eras). Half of the X-Men are in the future, where Apocalypse rules over humanity, and the only resistance is the nomadic Clan Askani. The other half is in Ancient Egypt, where Apocalypse is still a young mutant waging war on Rama-Tut (John de Lancie). Meanwhile, a group of mutant heroes—Bishop (Isaac Robinson-Smith), Forge (Gil Birmingham), Jubilee (Holly Chou), and Cable (Chris Potter)—must step up to fill the void left by the missing X-Men and continue the fight for human/mutant coexistence in the present.
The first four episodes handle these multiple timelines with grace. The writers wisely focus on one storyline per episode (or episodes), allowing each group of characters to develop and breathe. This approach maintains a brisk pace while ensuring that each thread is given the attention it deserves. The overarching conflict is clear from the beginning, and Season 2 quickly builds on that foundation.
However, the series sometimes moves too quickly. This was a drawback in Season 1, where the relentless pacing caused some classic X-Men storylines to be rushed through in a single episode. For instance, “Fire Made Flesh” gave a very stripped-down version of Inferno, and “Remember It” cut short the potential of Genosha’s story. In Episode 1 of Season 2, there are moments where the story feels like it's moving forward too fast, not allowing the material to fully develop.
Despite this, the writers' ambition is admirable. The episodes adapt elements of classic '90s storylines like The Rise of Apocalypse and The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix, while also including nods to more recent X-Men comics. Even if you're not familiar with the source material, the series still manages to make you care deeply for the characters and their chaotic lives. Season 2 leans into this strength, focusing on the personal struggles of the heroes.
Cyclops (Ray Chase) and Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale) have reunited with their time-displaced son Nathan (Michael Johnston). But how long can this reunion last, and can they put their responsibilities as parents over the needs of the world at large? As Jubilee is drawn into Cable’s war, how much is she willing to compromise for the survival of her people? Meanwhile, Professor Xavier (Ross Marquand) and Magneto (Matthew Waterson) find themselves locked in another ideological battle, this time over the fate of the man who will become Apocalypse. These questions tie the episodes together, asking a timeless question: is the future written in stone, or can fate be altered?
The Xavier/Magneto Storyline
The Xavier/Magneto storyline is the highlight of these early episodes. Alongside Rogue (Lenore Zann), Beast (George Buza), and Nightcrawler (Adrian Hough), they find themselves stranded in the past during Apocalypse’s first great war. This storyline allows the series to explore Magneto’s complex moral code and worldview. He’s no longer a villain in the traditional sense, but there's still a vast gulf between him and his old friend, Professor Xavier. Setting part of the series during Apocalypse’s early years gives the writers a chance to explore a different side of the character—one that is still malleable and capable of great good.
The Cable/Jubilee Storyline
The Cable/Jubilee storyline is also surprisingly entertaining. It serves as a fun palate cleanser amid the time travel melodrama, while also highlighting the grim state of mutantkind in 1997. Defeating Bastion and Operation: Zero Tolerance was only the beginning of their struggles. This storyline leans into the colorful trappings of the '90s X-Men milieu and gives the series a chance to flesh out several characters further. The writers have done a great job of balancing the dark themes with moments of humor and character development, ensuring that even the most serious storylines have a sense of fun and hope.
