X-Men 97 Episode 6 – Picking up the Pieces

As X-Men 97 nears the conclusion of its electrifying first season, fans are treated to a series that masterfully blends nostalgia with a contemporary edge. Episode 6 took a momentary pause to explore Storm’s dramatic depowering and subsequent recovery, setting the stage for the introduction of the season’s formidable antagonist and building momentum towards a climactic finale. This series revitalization not only pays homage to the beloved 90s animated series but elevates it with a modern narrative intensity, capturing the hearts of both longtime fans and new viewers alike. With its fast-paced storytelling and a deep dive into the emotional and physical battles of its characters, “X-Men 97” promises to deliver an unforgettable end to its debut season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNcQ_s8aJL4

The first season of X-Men 97’s is inn the home stretch, and after a short breather in episode 6 to pick up on Storm’s depowering and later repowering, we finally get down to the business of setting up the season’s Big Bad and setting things in motion for the grand finale.

The X-Men are mourning the death of Gambit in Episode 6, who heroically died saving what was left of Genosha after the Master Mold unleashed a torrent of sentinels to annihilate the mutant island nation.  Rogue, who watched her man die, is bent on revenge and is attacking a government base to get more information on just what is going on – something that attracts the attention of one Captain America, voiced by an unrecognizable Josh Keaton.

Cap is hedging his bets and staying out of the fight, leading Rogue to basically rip away his shield – which is equivalent to his right arm – and throw it into the next county over.  Meanwhile, the X-Men travel to Genosha to help the considerable recovery effort.  Tensions are high, and even the most optimistic members of the X-Men team are betraying a sharp edge.  They truly tried to honor Xavier’s dream, and what it got them in the end was millions dead.

Ultimately, the team regroups with Rogue, after she unsuccessfully tries to get the memories of Henry Gyrich, and they travel to Madripoor for a climactic showdown.

One of the beauties of X-Men 97 is how they marry the style and pacing of a 90s cartoon with a modern, mature tone.  It feels like something that could live next to Eek the Cat or The Tick, even as the mutants bleed and curse and otherwise do things that the BS&P at Fox would have never allowed them to do.  That nostalgic feeling, but with a modern twist.

As a result, X-Men 97 moves fast.  Plot points that may take multiple episodes in other shows are dispensed with in one or two scenes.  It’s the opposite of the “decompressed” storytelling approach that comics have been favoring for the past few decades.  This episode admittedly feels a little rushed as a result, but it also feels like the stakes are high and things are moving at a rapid clip.

Episode 6 also benefits from the show’s clear intent to spread the focus to every member of the X-Men.  Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Beast in particular have some real meaty scenes in Episode 6.  It’s a breath of fresh air from a franchise that – during Fox’s ownership of the movie rights – was driven exclusively by Wolverine.

The one part of the episode that, in my opinion, needs more work is the ongoing Sunspot storyline.  With everything else going on, we’re not spending enough time with him, and the themes it’s trying to convey – of a privileged man who is being forced to hide his mutanthood to please his family – falls quite a bit flat.

That being said, the themes of this episode resonated deeply with me.  The X-Men feel betrayed, hurt, angry, after trying to exist next to people who clearly do not want to see them exist in that world.  It’s something that, all too often, I have to deal with as a queer person.  Maybe I won’t go as far as the X-Men do in this episode, but I can clearly understand and empathize with where they are.

The voice acting has been stellar throughout X-Men 97, and this episode is no exception.  The highlight is obviously Rogue, voiced as always by Lenore Zann.  Zann lets her emotions carry her delivery, and she effectively portrays Rogue as a broken woman, her grief driving her to cross unthinkable lines.  Zann has openly stated on Twitter that her performance was driven by the grief from losing her 17 year old niece, Maia, to cancer.

The show’s visuals are, again, top notch.  One of the show’s board artists is an admitted fan of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and many of Rogue’s moves in the gorgeous opening fight sequence are lifted straight out of that game, including her Rider Kick.  Again, it looks like it can stand next to the original’s visuals, but in a way that benefits from the passage of time and the money that Disney brings to the table.

Many reviewers are already saying that X-Men 97 is one of the best Marvel shows ever produced.  I’m not quite ready to say it yet, because we have three more episodes to go, and we have to see if it sticks the landing first.  My gut says it probably will, but like the past seven weeks I am waiting with baited breath for the episode to drop on Disney+.  And I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Discuss X-Men 97 on our Animation forum with other cartoon fans.