Top 10 X Men Animated Series Episodes

X-Men: The Blithe Series . Few cartoon show from this era are held in every bit high regard. Information technology was pretty much X-Men , Batman: The Animated Series , and Gargoyles . Everything else was just beneath them.

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Which is non to say X-Men didn't have its problems. In fact, when people remember information technology fondly, they're generally remembering Seasons 1-3, but thanks to the character designs bachelor at the time the series was in development, X-Men made the early on '90s relaunch and the designs made famous by Jim Lee the near iconic look for the mutant heroes. Merely watching these episodes takes me right back to inferior high and high school, when I was at the top of my love thing with the X-Men , and if you're interested in such a trip down retention lane by fashion of Hulu or your own personal library, hither is a handy guide to all the episodes you lot admittedly should not skip.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 1

Dark OF THE SENTINELS, PART 1

Flavour 1 Episode 1

Because yous should e'er watch the pilot, fifty-fifty information technology'southward terrible, which this episode is not.

It introduces all our cardinal players, manages to go far a lot of characterization without dropping tons of backstory (in fact, the ane scene where the characters talk over their pasts is very natural and endearing), establishes the dynamics betwixt those characters, and sets up the major themes and conflicts of the series. While some moments are a niggling clunky, a few snippets of dialogue are forced or poorly washed, and Morph'southward express joy will brand yous want to jab Wolverine's claws into your ears, it'south a solid debut with some fantastically wry humor. Most of it relating to Rogue, because she'due south her own separate category of awesome.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 2

Dark OF THE SENTINELS, PART ii

Season i Episode ii

Sure, Morph was created merely to die and he wasn't an overly likable character, but the point is that even if y'all didn't like him, you could see why his friends did, then y'all cared when he died, not because you were grieving him but because his friends were. It besides gave immediate depth to Wolverine, who was established in Function i as a gruff, pissy loner who didn't seem to similar anyone. Everything almost Wolverine in this episode proved he was so much more than than that.

"Night of the Sentinels" established that, while nonetheless working within the constraints of Standards and Practices, this prove was going to depict the risks and consequences of battle, be it Morph'due south death or Creature'due south incarceration, besides as an adult relationship betwixt Scott and Jean. Not to mention that people who don't necessarily get along can exist on the same side. It's only the 2d episode of the show, and it ends on such a bloodshot note with the noble, moralistic leader questioning his ain command decisions in private (since he could never do information technology in front end of his troops) and leaning on the woman he loves in his moment of incertitude, while a scared kid finally finds a identify to belong and learn about herself.

Non all pilots have rewatch value, simply this ane does.

ENTER MAGNETO

Season 1 Episode 3

This one almost didn't make the list. Sure, it'southward the debut of Magneto, merely I feel at that place's a much more interesting story told about him in the following episode.

The reason this one qualifies is that information technology truly is a recreation of the Ten-Men's showtime mission from their 1963 debut. Details were patently changed due to the characters involved, but the story of Magneto commandeering a military base to launch nuclear missiles on an unsuspecting human population is pretty damn archetype and certainly sets the tone. Aside from Wolverine's incredibly narmy "Mission accomplished, buddy," to Cyclops, which he would never in a one thousand thousand years say to anyone, let alone ol' Cyke, this ep is pretty solid.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 4

DEADLY REUNIONS

Flavour 1 Episode 4

A feast, to be sure. The relationship and conflict betwixt Magneto and Professor Ten is distilled and so perfectly in this episode. It's just beautifully done.

On pinnacle of that, you have that Sabretooth sub-plot where he plays Jubilee. And listen, anyone who's going to get down on a thirteen-year-old for not being the best judge of grapheme, specially when the offender in question strongly reminds her of 1 of her new guardians who himself is a killer who managed to rehabilitate himself… similar… don't pretend yous didn't do at least one incredibly stupid affair at that historic period. Nosotros all did. It's just most of united states weren't in a position where our screw-up could endanger our lives.

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The other fantastic bit in this episode is Rogue administering CPR to Cyclops, probably a first in children'south television receiver. And her commentary during that entire scene is the best. "Come on, pretty boy. Make a girl feel welcome." God. Rogue for president. The merely thing that kills the scene for me is that she can't control Cyclops' optic blasts when she absorbs them, which she should be able to exercise. His inability to shut his blasts off is not inherent to his ability, it'southward a result of childhood brain damage. Just that'south one tiny nitpick. Aside from that, this one is solid gold.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 5

CAPTIVE HEARTS

Flavour 1 Episode 5

The story itself is great: The Morlocks, introduced here, kidnap Cyclops every bit a prospective "companion" (read: baby daddy) for their leader, Callisto. The Morlocks themselves are an intriguing concept and a commentary on minority ghettoization. The Morlocks can't "laissez passer" every bit X-inactive humans. They expect different, audio dissimilar, maybe even smell different (I mean, definitely afterwards hanging out in the sewers, but that's another matter). And seeing Storm be a complete fucking badass is never a let-down.

There are as well cracking bits of label thrown in here, like Storm's claustrophobia, a recurring challenge she faces over the form of the series. It's a subtle piddling comment that trauma tin be dealt with just in some cases not entirely overcome. The Scott/Jean/Logan love triangle, which volition become a major sub-plot, is established here as well.

What really makes the episode stand out to in-the-know fans, still, is how well it adapts Uncanny X-Men #169-170. While "Enter Magneto" was the first episode to do a directly accommodation of a specific consequence of the comics, "Captive Hearts" was the first one to actually do it well. Subbing out Angel for Cyclops immune for a whole new angle on the story by playing with the already existing love triangle, reaffirming the strength of Scott and Jean's relationship and driving habitation just how shitty it makes Logan feel.

The ane drawback is the replacement of Tempest and Callisto's knife fight with some weird Dath Maul lightsaber duel, but it's a small trespass.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 1, Episode 7

SLAVE ISLAND

Season i Episode 7

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We can skip directly to this one, considering I really don't call up an episode about Wolverine's savior routine in an Inuit village is terribly compelling, and whatever gear up-upwards for this episode we got isn't super necessary. "Slave Island", while a powerfully oversimplified depiction of the island nation of Genosha (seriously, that's a three-parter, bare minimum), is a roller coaster to spotter. The recurrence of Storm's claustrophobia in a perfectly organic style, the question of Gambit'southward morality and loyalty, the cavalcade of cameos (Sunfire, Northstar, Aurora, Feral, Rictor, and and so on), and "I am nonetheless plugged in!" Just marvelous. The episode also features the return of the Sentinels and the introduction of Master Mold, establishing that they will be a recurring threat for the season.

The simply chink in this episode'south armor is Cablevision, whose grapheme made absolutely no sense. Flavor 1 Cable and Seasons 2-4 Cable seem like completely different characters, and the latter is the i that gets it right. Here? It's similar the showrunners knew they had to throw him in there for the salivating fanboys, but but didn't accept whatsoever way to practice it, so… he's only some former mercenary in the Leader's ground forces who sports an X-Men insignia for… some reason. Personally, I just like to pretend Flavour 1 Cable didn't happen and pretend he made his debut in Season two'south "Time Fugitives."

THE CURE

Season 1 Episode 9

The first Rogue-centric episode of the series doesn't disappoint at all, taking the pain and loneliness at the core of her character and bringing information technology correct to the forefront. And information technology also introduces Angel to set him upwardly for the following episode, but let's talk Rogue.

The incident where her commencement osculation activated her powers and virtually killed her boyfriend, showtime mentioned in the pilot, is seen here, providing a context for her hostility toward Gambit for his advances despite her obvious interest. Nosotros also get a subtle look at the dissimilar shades of privilege. It's easy for Cyclops to jump on the Mutant Pride rhetoric when his powers, however difficult to manage, won't keep him from human contact for the rest of his life. He can slip on some ruby quartz goggles and stone Jean's world. And aye, Rogue eventually opts out of the treatment (never knowing, of course, that it was all a lie), but the point is that this was presented as complicated outcome that affects everyone differently, and it was peachy that Xavier pointed out that it's a personal choice that every mutant would have to make for themselves.

"The Cure" also introduces some primal villains in Apocalypse and Mystique. Upon my first viewing I institute it odd that Mystique was introduced in a Rogue-centric episode and that their relationship was never addressed, but seeing how it played out at the end of the flavour bandage everything in a whole new light. Merely overall, this is a powerfully grapheme-driven episode with some intense action and key world building with the introduction of Muir Isle and Moira MacTaggert's mutant research centre. Good stuff.

COME THE APOCALYPSE

Flavour i Episode 10

Angel'south seeking of the cure delivers him right into Apocalypse's waiting hands. He is transformed into Decease (later, Archangel), one of Apocalypse's Four Horsemen, who set out to stop the world as we know it then Apocalypse can build a new one co-ordinate to his own vision.

I mean, if that's not enough for you… information technology doesn't have to be, because Rogue'southward subplot from the previous episode carries over when she confronts "Dr. Adler" only to find that he'southward actually Mystique! Not that they seem to recognize each other. What seems like a plot pigsty turns out to be a plot point soon plenty.

Simply overall, this episode is merely hardcore.

DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, PART 2

Flavour ane Episode 12

Why did I skip Office i? I'm non gonna lie. I've never really been a fan of Bishop as a grapheme, certainly not the way he's depicted in the show. He'southward cocky-righteous, stubborn, and unwilling to allow anyone get a fucking word in edgewise. Whenever he shows up, the entire plot seems to be predicated on him being a stupid, intractable asshole. Lives could be saved if he'd but shut up for like *5 seconds*, hear someone out, and consider his options. Which is not in and of itself so bad – people like that certainly exist – it's merely he'south never really called on it. Bishop has his moments, I'll grant him that, but virtually of the time he is so utterly frustrating to watch that I can't fifty-fifty really appreciate them.

And then, because "Days of Future By, Office i" is pretty much merely a love letter to Bishop, I don't see it every bit terribly necessary, especially when you get all the backstory and characterization on him that you demand in the first few minutes of Part 2, which is pretty great. It references the comic all the way down to Mystique's disguise. Gotta honey that attention to detail. Information technology also explains why Rogue didn't recognize Mystique before (she'd only known her in one of her many disguises) and why Mystique would drop a multi-ton auto on her girl (she knows Rogue's powers very well and knew that she would be fine).

What's also really potent about this episode is how it leads right into the finale with the abduction of Senator Kelly and the strong hint that it was Magneto's doing. This episode focuses on the legislation that would pb to Bishop's Sentinel-infested hereafter, but not the Sentinels themselves. Of course, the finale will be all nigh the Sentinels, who may become an even bigger problem because Senator Kelly was kidnapped. Bravo.

THE Concluding Decision

Season one Episode 13

When an episode opens with Magneto getting his ass kicked, y'all know you're in for a ride.

This isn't the last we meet of Gyrich, Trask, and the Sentinels, simply it's the final we'll run across for a while, and information technology's one hell of a send-off. Yes, Magneto kidnapped Kelly, and yes, he was going to impale him, simply the Sentinels got there outset and now they want to supervene upon his brain, and that of every prominent globe leader on the planet, with computers. So the 10-Men get to stop them, and it is just… it'southward a lot of trashed robots.

At that place are then many strong action moments in "The Final Decision." Wolverine'southward blind fight in a darkened mine shaft with multiple Sentinels is simply seen in snippets whenever they burn down their lasers. Visually brilliant. Magneto's eleventh hours help and Xavier's ejector seat finishing blow. Just awesome.

But this episode is chock full of great character moments too. Rogue finally (sorta) kissing Gambit over her hand, Cyclops leading the charge in what could very well exist a suicide mission, and Jubilee passionately rejecting beingness sidelined, insisting that she's one of the squad and knows what risks it entails. And Magneto, even after having fought the 10-Men and spent decades going round with Xavier, pleads with them not to become and yet respects the hell out of them for doing information technology. "You're all fools… heroic fools. The dauntless are always the first to dice." David Hemblen's delivery still gives me chills 25 years later.

And lest we forget, of form, the joy of Scott's proposal to Jean immediately crushed past foreshadowing of something… sinister.

TILL DEATH Exercise U.s.a. PART, PART ane

Season 2 Episode 1

Scott and Jean are getting married! And Beast is habitation! And he caught the bouquet! And in that location's evidently an anti-mutant hate group that'south sprung upwardly and is totally manipulating the media to make mutants looks bad. And Magneto'due south in danger and needs Xavier'due south help? And Morph'south alive! Simply he's evil. Ohhhh, shit.

How a single season premiere tin can pack so much in without feeling crowded is a attestation to the writing. None of these elements feel inapplicable, clunky, or out of place. It'southward all just brilliantly woven together to prepare the stage for every one of this season's storylines, and damn! At that place's even room for some character beats, like Morph's pointed resentment toward Jubilee for feeling that she replaced him, and Rogue'due south "serves him right" when Gambit blacks out from kissing her, which is both sincere and tinged with business organisation. Lenore Zann as Rogue, every bit always, knocks information technology out of the park.

Such a good episode. Without contest, the best season premiere of the series.

TILL DEATH Do US Part, PART 2

Season 2 Episode 2

So, Mr. Sinister has been hanging around, watching everyone since the pilot, which is when he picked up Morph'due south dying if non dead trunk and healed it, but not without making his eye sockets look like he merely got a bad nose job. Scott and Jean's honeymoon is cut short by the Nasty Boys, and tin can I but say it is Astonishing that Hairbag was declared street legal in both the comics and the show. How did that pitch meeting go down? "Yeah, let's take a fuzzy, ape-like character similar Beast, simply he'due south stupid and has toxic jiff. Oh, we should make him…Jamaican!" I just… how did that ever happen?

This episode is a satisfying wrap-up to the story started in Part i, especially because Morph isn't fine at the finish. He runs off with his head still full of demons. And Xavier and Magneto meet up in Antarctica only to be buried in an avalanche. Whaaaaat?!

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 5

REPO Human

Season 2 Episode five

Allow'southward set up bated that this episode will be mined for stock footage for the rest of this series, mainly the same scene, which anyone should be able to recite word for word by the tertiary time they use it. This is information technology. This is the episode that deals with the Weapon X portion of Wolverine's backstory. It also invitee stars Blastoff Flight, which is a existent treat, though the way they shoehorn every grapheme'due south proper noun into the dialogue and then that the audience will know it is fairly awful. Similar… we don't need to know everyone's proper name in the first scene. And I'k pretty sure that after all that they skipped Aurora. Like seriously, at that point, what was holding them back?

But information technology's a great episode that really illuminates Wolverine's character, not just in backstory, only in showing that he's a complete human being being. Even a feral killer with knives in his hands breaks down and cries when he stops to accept a minute to retrieve about the horrific nature of what was done to him. That a '90s kids' show would have arguably it's toughest badass evidence emotional vulnerability… respect.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 7

Time FUGITIVES, PART 1

Season two Episode vii

Aaaaaand Bishop's back and annoying as ever, simply at least he seems to have a somewhat better handle on things.

We really showtime with Cablevision – the Real Cable – whose distant future is beingness erased. It turns out that Apocalypse, who is the biggest of all bads in Cable's time, tried to unleash some kind of plague, which Bishop has traveled back in fourth dimension to forbid. However, in doing so he gets the X-Men killed and the antibodies created to fight the plague and thus immunize humanity against futurity illnesses, are never created. It'south a twist and a half, and information technology really puts Cable in a tortured position: to save his globe, he has to ensure the success of Apocalypse, to destroy a past earth, no less.

TIME FUGITIVES, Part 2

Season 2 Episode 8

Cable travels to the past (our present) to stop Bishop. The previous episode plays out once again, seen generally from Cablevision'southward perspective and with his deportment altering the events. In the cease, he uses his knowledge of the 10-Men to solve everything. He sees to it that Wolverine is infected with the plague and so that his mutant healing factor can generate the antibodies everyone will need. Of course, Cable's success required him telling Bishop to simply pipe down and chill out. A shock runs through no one.

This episode is a lot of fun, particularly comparing it to Office 1 scene for scene. What could hands have come up off equally lazy and repetitive turns out to be fascinating and massively enjoyable to picket.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2, Episode 9

A ROGUE'S TALE

Season ii Episode 9

Rogue's backstory!

What could easilyhave been a flashback slideshow manages to influence the nowadays by paralleling the origin of Rogue'south flashier powers (the assault of Ms. Curiosity) with the present day consequences of that action: Rogue absorbed Ms. Marvel'south consciousness to a degree she has with no other person, and now that consciousness is fighting to take command of Rogue'south body.

What makes "A Rogue's Tale" peculiarly powerful is that there are no easy answers. Ms. Marvel'southward life was stolen from her, and by all rights she deserves it back, but Rogue can't only put her back into her body. All she can do is seal Ms. Marvel away at the back of her mind to ensure her own survival. Is it justice? Certainly not. Rogue has stolen this woman's life twice, and she has to live with that. What's more, whatsoever ambiguity about her feelings regarding Mystique is demolished when she realizes that her foster mother had manipulated and used her from the beginning. At to the lowest degree she has her new life with the Ten-Men, but man, this episode is just 22 minutes of i emotional gut punch after the next.

REUNION, PART ii

Flavor two Episode 13

I'chiliad not going to pretend there are NO reasons to spotter "Reunion, Part 1," but unless you're super interested in watching Xavier and Magneto trade barbs with Discount Tarzan or truly absorbing but how much Mr. Sinister likes to employ annoying, cringeworthy henchmen or getting a sense of taste of Morph's foray into local theater, it'south probably all-time to just skip to Function two.

The Brutal Land subplot that's been running through the whole season finally becomes the main plot as the X-Men head to Antarctica on a rescue mission for both the Professor and Jean, who was abducted by Sinister in Part one. Of form, the X-Men end up getting captured with their powers neutralized.

Gambit admitting his dear for Rogue and kissing her also as a front end row seat to Sinister'due south crazy are the real highlights of the episode. In improver, in that location's plenty of activeness, some hetero lifemate bonding between Charlie and Erik, and of form, more characters than you tin can shake a stick at.

It works, though. Not as thematically strong a finale as "The Terminal Decision," but still quite entertaining.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 3, Episode 4

THE PHOENIX SAGA, PART two: THE DARK SHROUD

Season iii Episode 4

There's no real need to watch "Role one: Sacrifice" equally it has no existent part exterior of setting up Part 2, throwing out some bullshit line about Jubilee ever wanting to be an astronaut (what?), and giving the floor to some of Jean's best psi-gasms in the serial.

Hell, Function 2 barely makes the cut equally information technology'south pretty much just an episode most Xavier's night side roaming effectually Manhattan and fucking with everybody. If it weren't for the iconic "I am Phoenix" scene, the delicious shade Xavier and Banshee throw at each other upon first meeting on Muir Island, and Lilandra'due south intro, I'd say skip it.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 3, Episode 5

THE PHOENIX SAGA, Function 3: Weep OF THE BANSHEE

Season 3 Episode v

Banshee! And Black Tom! And the Juggernaut, bitch! Yeah, this is the episode from which near of that meme was mined, simply in all seriousness, it's pretty proficient.

Nosotros're given a very interesting set piece in Cassidy Proceed, a dynamic fight, the introduction of the Shi'Ar Purple Guard, and something for pretty much everyone to do. This is episode is where "The Phoenix Saga" really gets cooking.

THE PHOENIX SAGA, PART 4: THE STARJAMMERS

Season 3 Episode 6

Oh, the subtext! Every scene between Cyclops and Corsair is such a tease in the best way. "I'd know my older boy. He had his mother's optics." Well, irony, why don't you just punch me right in the balls?

This is too when we kickoff to really run across Phoenix in all her celebrity, Jean grappling with her new calling as the guardian of a cosmic artifact. Slap on some Shi'Ar political intrigue betwixt Lilandra and D'Ken and you lot've got quite an episode on your hands. Especially since our heroes essentially fail when D'Ken gets his easily on the M'Kraan Crystal and breaches it.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 3, Episode 7

THE PHOENIX SAGA, Part five: CHILD OF LIGHT

Flavor 3 Episode 7

There accept been some emotional moments in the serial up to this bespeak, merely "Child of Light" is the first time the testify ever really broke my heart.

Even being a huge X-Men fan and knowing that Jean would come back (because, let's face information technology, that'south kind of her matter), I found myself wiping my eyes when she flew the Chiliad'Kraan Crystal into the heart of the sun to keep it condom. Her bye to Scott, her thanks to all her friends for the different kinds of strength they've given her… I must take watched that scene a hundred times in my life, and I all the same get goosebumps. Xavier's words to Scott at the end, an effort to console the comfortless, just bury themselves in your heart as ol' Cyke looks out to the horizon, just beginning to grieve.

Shut up! I'chiliad non crying. Yous're crying!

OBSESSION

Season three Episode x

Revisiting Archangel is e'er a skillful move, and the series really captures his bitterness toward Apocalypse.

In the comics, Affections and Archangel are both Warren Worthington Three, simply they're very different characters. Affections was a carefree trust fund playboy who looked the part of a beautiful, divine being. Archangel was a spiritually broken monster who cursed his fate on an hourly basis. And oh boy, did he Hate Apocalypse.

"Obsession" could easily take simply been a grudge match, but it's really almost how Archangel's anger and obsession is ruining him. In his undeterred drive to destroy Apocalypse, he'south only destroying himself.

We likewise get to run across Animal bond with Transport. D'aww…

THE Nighttime PHOENIX, Role 1: DAZZLED

Flavor 3 Episode eleven

So, uh… Jean'due south back. This confused the fuck out of many of united states of america during the first run of this episode, because the episode where Jean returns to Globe alive wouldn't air until the fifth and terminal season. Great job, guys. Simply we become the movie.

Besides, this episode is fun because Dazzler! What I don't get is why the animators felt the need for her auburn dye-chore. This show isn't exactly teeming with blondes, and when they did that probably non-approved cameo of her back in "Mojovision," her hair was the correct color. Eh, whatever.

This episode sets the stage for Jean's descent into madness at the hands of Mastermind while establishing that the Phoenix Force has been altered, i might say corrupted, by its time in Jean's body. It'due south smart and weird, and hey, if anyone knows where I can get a re-create of that song, "Body Heat," let me know in the comments.

THE Night PHOENIX, PART two: THE INNER Circle

Flavour 3 Episode 12

Jean is seduced right into the arms of Mastermind and the Hellfire Gild. Oh, I'thousand deplorable. "The Circle Club" because Really, FOX KIDS? "Hellfire" was just fine in the comics. It would exist the title of a song in a Disney picture show a twelvemonth later. Shit, Sleeping Beauty dropped that bomb in the 1959. The Circumvolve Club? Really?

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Bated from being a fascinating study in brainwashing, manipulation, and ambition, this episode bears the laurels of being ane of the almost faithful adaptations of a comic book to engagement, fifty-fifty more so than "Captive Hearts" and "Days of Future By, Role 2." This episode and the two that follow recreate Uncanny X-Men #132-137 with every bit few alterations every bit possible, and it totally works. The Hellfire Gild are instantly menacing, and the venom they spew at ane another is so cutthroat.

I'm curious as to why the Jean as the Black Queen needed those tights while they were content to let Emma Frost, the White Queen rock out in her full Victoria's Hugger-mugger glory, simply any.

THE DARK PHOENIX, PART 3: THE DARK PHOENIX

Season 3 Episode 13

I feel like even trying to describe this episode would diminish it, but simply put, the Nighttime Phoenix is loose, and she gives the X-Men a run for their coin. They merely survive because she's not threatened plenty by them to feel the need to destroy them. After that, she goes on a fiddling trip, EATS A FUCKING STAR, and heads dwelling house.

Seeing Jean regress to a teenager in her childhood bedroom (anyone else observe she had a fiddling blimp cyclops? Awwww…) was weird and uncomfortable, as was her friend trying to effigy out means to accept her downwards. Ultimately, she seems to exist okay for the moment when the Shi'Ar evidence upward, insisting she be executed.

THE Dark PHOENIX, Function 4: THE FATE OF PHOENIX

Season 3 Episode 14

Xavier's human relationship with an alien empress is certainly put to the test when pretty much every spacefaring race back Lilandra upwardly in insisting on the Phoenix's execution. Xavier jacks some Shi'Ar legal loopholes from Lilandra's brain and demands a trail by gainsay. The 10-Men fight the Majestic Guard on the moon to decide Jean's fate, but in the end Jean insists that she must die, considering she tin't control the Phoenix. Her plea to Scott… you tin hear that desperation in her vocalization, and props to Catherine Disher for a chore well done.

Unlike in the comics, Jean's resurrection is immediate, accomplished by the Phoenix, now freed from the effect of Jean's emotions, channeling a portion of each X-Human being's life force into Jean to restore her. It'south non the downer ending from the comics, but then again in the comics, in that location was no fourth dimension after the M'Kraan Crystal situation Jean was thought to exist dead. And so, information technology appears her little time out was simply moved. And it nonetheless works.

Common cold COMFORT

Flavour 3 Episode 15

Yay! Iceman! This episode is equally much about introducing 10-Cistron as it is well-nigh Iceman and his backstory with the 10-Men, which seems more volatile than information technology was in the comics. It'south an interesting angle. Bobby Drake didn't want to save the world. He wanted to become a life and live it happily with the adult female he loved, who in the terminate merely wanted to save the world. It's not the first time this series has taken a adequately adult look at relationships, none of this will they/won't they bullshit, simply 2 people who care nigh each other and accept personalities that come into conflict. Tasty! Not to mention we go a lilliputian foreshadowing that never actually pays off in Cyclops and Havok's imperviousness to each other's powers, because they're brothers.

Also, fans of the DiC dub of Crewman Moon are in for a special treat if they listen closely. Denis Akiyama, who voices Bobby Drake/Iceman hither is the voice of Malachite, and Terri Hawkes, who voices Lorna Dane/Polaris, was none other than Sailor Moon herself!

NIGHTCRAWLER

Season 3 Episode 18

I honey me some Nightcrawler, so I was ready and willing to take every weird curve ball this episode threw at me. Similar… why are merely iii X-Men on vacation, and why is Wolverine forth with Rogue and Gambit? Explicate to me how that happens?

This episode was famously controversial for its direct accost of organized religion, specifically Christianity, and for having the nerve to air the morning of my brother's Bar Mitzvah, forcing me to wait SEVERAL HOURS to see it.

It'southward a good, solid ep, even with all the ridiculous shit thrown in similar Wolverine going to church and reading out of the Bible. I know what they were going for, and I could run across why Wolverine would be a tempting grapheme to try it with, but I just didn't buy it. Now if it had been Rogue or Gambit, that I'd accept bought.

Ane MAN'S WORTH, PART 1

Season 4 Episode 1

We were teased with an adaptation of The Historic period of Apocalypse , but there's no real style to do it justice in a elementary 2-parter. What this episode really ends up beingness is a companion piece to "Days of Future Past" (thematically) and "Time Fugitives" (structurally).

As with all time travel episodes, Bishop features front end and center, and he's actually a lot easier to accept here. This might exist because he has his sister, Shard, around to accept the edge off. Bishop, Shard, and an alternate Wolverine and Storm in her Grace Jones-inspired punk look, travel all the fashion back to 1959 to salvage a young Xavier from an assassination try on the office of Master Mold's forces.

Historic period of Apocalypse was well-nigh showing the widespread and profound event of Xavier's absence from history. This episode gives us very little of that and is focuses instead on the solution, simply it's yet a fun lookout. Wolverine and Storm'southward bizarro romance kind of makes sense in context and becomes the emotional throughline of both parts. Having these characters deal with literal racism, a marvelous opportunity given the time flow and the fact that three of our ring of time travelers are Blackness, was refreshing in a series that mainly trades in apologue. In Tempest's words, information technology's so pathetic it's nearly quaint.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episode 2

Ane MAN'South WORTH, Office 2

Season iv Episode 2

To be honest, I'1000 non sure why this was actually a two-parter, as function two is a whole lot of bike-spinning. Zero really new happens. Fitzroy turns out to be a rather ineffectual villain whose defeat is and so easily accomplished it makes i wonder what the disharmonize actually was.

My best judge is this: there are two moments in this episode that arrive worth it: Forge and Shard's cede and the tearful goodbye of a badly in love alt-Storm and alt-Wolverine. The get-go typhoon of this script was probably too long for one episode, but couldn't stand to lose any of that stuff, so they foiled the rescue attempt, took the last few scenes, and padded it out to a total episode in society to make a two-parter.

Practise I heed? Not really. It makes for the rare occasion where a Part 2 is inferior to a Part 1, merely any.

I do wish Age of Apocalypse had gotten the proper treatment. Y'all could work an unabridged season or at to the lowest degree a Phoenix Saga-length multi-parter out of it. But that's okay. Like I said, the "what could have been" factor of the alt-Wolverine/alt-Storm romance is pretty trippy, and I believed it just enough that I found the erasure of that love from existence a true sacrifice.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episode 6

SANCTUARY, PART one

Flavour 4 Episode 6

Easily the most baldly political episode of the serial, we notice Magneto finally throwing in the towel on his goal of mutant domination of the Earth, opting instead to simply create a refuge for his people, a homeland of their ain on Asteroid M, a sanctuary of his own creation set up in orbit around the Earth. Naturally, this raises some suspicion on the part of the government, so Xavier and a few 10-Men head up to Asteroid M (conflated here with Avalon, the '90s analogue on which it is based) to see what it's all about, and information technology turns out Magneto… is completely sincere about this relatively peaceful solution. It seems Charles has rubbed off on him a little in that he's no longer seeking a war with humanity. He but wants to be left alone.

Of course, his newest kiss-ass, Fabian Cortez, is nevertheless craving some of the old militant Magneto and is disappointed when his idol tells him to chill the fuck out, which leads to some Grade A betrayal.

SANCTUARY, Function ii

Season 4 Episode 7

Under Cortez'south new doucheocracy, Asteroid Yard'due south defensive missiles are a nuclear holocaust waiting to happen, so the Ten-Men – a surprisingly small number of them; where is everyone else? – head back up into infinite to deal with it. Magneto, thought dead, manages to pull himself together once the Earth'due south electromagnetic field heals him, and he takes it upon himself to kill his own dying dream of a mutant homeland.

In that location'southward also a nice subplot running through both these episodes of yet some other one of Xavier's ex-girlfriends, Amelia Voght, a story that was toned downward and made considerably less rapey for the series. It'due south interesting, though, to meet a blueprint in Xavier's past of forsaking his own personal life for the sake of his dream and his students. Besides, we all know he loves Magneto the most.

Oh, and as if that weren't enough, the button on the end of this episode shows us that Apocalypse is still around and up to no good.

BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL, PART 1: THE END OF TIME

Season 4 Episode 8

In the distant future, Apocalypse has an existential crunch, wondering if he'due south doomed to fight mutantkind but never win for all time. So he ditches linear time and makes for the Axis of Time. Meanwhile, on his mode home from 1959 in "One Human'southward Worth," Bishop gets thrown off course and ends up at the Axis of Time, dealing with Bender, a profoundly annoying Robin Williams/Jim Carrey pastiche of manic "humor." Also, Scott and Jean try to get married again, and Mr. Sinister manages to fuck it up AGAIN, this time direct past having the Nasty Boys attack and kidnap Jean. That's… that's a lot.

Okay, breakup? I give Bishop a lot of flack, virtually of it deserved, only I tin can't assistance simply admire how well his arc for the series is written. Every time we revisit him, nosotros choice upwards more or less where we left off, and we become to see how his journeys through time alter the timeline, leading ultimately to this episode where I observe myself totally on Bishop'due south side in dealing with Bender. I but want him to clobber that wacky little fuck. Shoot him, Bishop. Shoot him with my blessing.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 4, Episode 9

BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL, PART 2: THE PROMISE OF APOCALYPSE

Flavour four Episode 9

With the X-Men, Apocalypse, Cable, Bishop, and Mr. Sinister & the Nasty Boys already in play, this episode brings Magneto, Sabretooth, Mystique, Archangel, Psylocke, Shard, and the freakin' Shi'Ar Empire into the mix just to make sure we've got all our bases covered.

The plot to capture the near stiff psychics in existence continues. Meanwhile, in the hereafter, Cable and Tyler seek to foreclose all of this past commandeering the last working fourth dimension travel device from the authorities and travelling back far enough to destroy Apocalypse's Lazarus Sleeping room at its point of origin. First they've only got to get to it.

BEYOND Skilful AND EVIL, PART 3: LAZARUS CHAMBER

Flavour 4 Episode 10

Cable hijacks Graymalkin (which totally looks similar a behemothic Metroid, am I right?) to travel back in fourth dimension, but Apocalypse knocks him off course somehow. It seems to backfire as it sends Cable right onto the X-Mansion's front lawn in the present twenty-four hours. Cable finds that his interests and the 10-Men'south align, and subsequently Wolverine beats some information out of Sabretooth, a programme is formed and put into motility. The squad heads to Egypt to bust into the Lazarus Sleeping room, but they're met my Apocalypse'southward new Iv Horsemen. Great designs on those guys. What appeared to be a rash activity backfiring in Apocalypse'south confront turns out to be part of his plan all along, as information technology led Xavier right to him.

Beyond GOOD AND EVIL, Role 4: Cease AND Commencement

Flavor 4 Episode eleven

Everything comes to a caput every bit information technology's Apocalypse versus… pretty much everyone. Alliances are forged in the heat of battle that take the characters by every bit much surprise every bit the audition. Wolverine and Magneto saving each other'due south asses? What?

Besides, Bishop earns my respect when he blasts Apocalypse out of frame just to shut him up. This was originally intended to be the serial finale, but I'grand kind of glad it wasn't. For one, X-Men stories should not end on a scene with Cable, and ii, it's non the most emotionally resonant victory and doesn't really tap into whatsoever of the series' major themes or character arcs. That doesn't make it any less fun, though.

It's a great episode to watch. If null else, for Apocalypse's picayune sashay down the alley of telepaths.

FAMILY TIES

Flavor 4 Episode 17

We finally become the blanks in Magneto's backstory filled in. He already had our sympathy for losing his family, but actually learning the details… it's just horrifying. No wonder he went off the deep terminate.

This episode besides reveals the Link betwixt the master of magnetism and the twins Quicksilver and Cherry Witch (yay! Cherry-red Witch!). To put information technology but… who's your daddy? That's right, Mags learns that he has not one but two kids, and they don't like him very much. And there's also some apathetic plot most the High Evolutionary. Whatsoever. Magneto and his children are the middle of this episode, and they're what make it worth watching.

NO MUTANT IS AN ISLAND

Season 5 Episode 4

This episode actually takes place straight later on The Phoenix Saga, merely for some product reasons got pushed back to Flavor 5. It's a shame really, because it really gives Scott some space to grieve for Jean and explore his backstory when he goes back to the orphanage he grew upwards in. The Mr. Sinister connection is curiously glossed over, and instead we're treated to a ane-time appearance past someone Jessica Jones fans will know very well, the Imperial Homo himself, Kilgrave.

While this episode does kind of stick out like a sore thumb, information technology is dainty to meet a grapheme actually going through the complicated feelings that environment loss, and consider how little really good fabric Cyclops gets because Wolverine is such a fucking diva, this was a really nice opportunity to give him the spotlight and actually become to know him better. It's too bad it came and so late in the run that practically nobody saw it.

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 5, Episode 6

BLOODLINES

Season five Episode six

Nightcrawler discovers what we already knew, that Mystique is his mother, which makes Rogue his foster sister.

But expect! There'due south more! In her extensive career as a spy, assassin, and terrorist, Mystique managed to take a tumble with Sabretooth at some point (I would dearest to know more most the circumstances surrounding that little tryst), which besides makes the mother of… wait for it… Graydon Creed, the onetime leader of the Friends of Humanity, who's setting all this upwards to go back into their good graces now that movement has outgrown him. And, you know, he did sort of carelessness his position to spend some time in a mental hospital.

As one can imagine, there's more than plenty venom to go effectually between all parties involved, and tensions run high. Family unit drama, am I right?

All that would be good enough, only what really elevates this episode is the moment where Mystique within the span of a few sentences, goes from telling Nightcrawler that she'due south a terrible person for abandoning him to grudgingly revealing that she regrets it and is haunted by what she did, and yet doesn't believe she deserves to be forgiven. Easily one of my favorite episodes of the series.

DESCENT

Flavor v Episode xiii

We're taking a break from your regularly scheduled mutant adventures to explore the origins of Mr. Sinister in Victorian England, where he was simply Nathaniel Essex, and how his encounters with an ancestor of Charles Xavier played a part in the man he became.

Why this episode is coming here, rather than the season that was all most Sinister is across me, simply the fact that the writers went balls out and decided to practice a completely isolated period piece is kinda admirable. Even if we've passed the threshold beyond which the animation for the show went sharply downhill. This episode isn't peculiarly well written nor animated, but the sheer novelty factor of it, the spectacle, makes information technology worth a watch.

GRADUATION Solar day

Flavor v Episode xiv

There's a hint of 1992's X-Cutioner'due south Song here with an assault on Xavier (hither an assault that proved life-threatening, rather than a deliberate assassination attempt), but a briefly features Sunfire makes a valid point. Xavier was nearly was privileged as a mutant can become. He was famous, rich, and could easily pass for human, and he was still attacked out in the open on a alive, global circulate. It requite Magneto the perfect excuse to finally start his war on humans. In honor of Xavier, the X-Men set out to stop Magneto, just discover he may hold the key to saving Xavier's life.

What's truly astonishing about this episode is how the writers managed to bring so many characters back for the finale, and making every appearance seem completely natural. Someone needs to impersonate Xavier to give a message to the media? Morph steps in. We need the foremost expert on mutant biology to aid Xavier? Call Moira on Muir Island. When human medicine fails, and we need something more than avant-garde? Lilandra and the medical applied science of the Shi'Ar Empire. Can't contact her without heave to Jean's telepathic powers? Magneto can aid with that. Magneto, who virtually flies into a rage when Jean asks how much he loves Charles Xavier. "He was my only equal. I owe him my life!"

It would have been enough for Charles to get closure with each of his X-Men, but acknowledging his lifelong bond with Magneto, completing the arc Morph began in the very first episode, honoring the two near important women in his life, Moira and Lilandra… it was then much more than than anyone asked for, and information technology was vivid. This was ane hell of an episode and one hell of a finale. The just thing it lacked was another half-hour and a better animation budget. This is the perfect style to end an 10-Men rewatch.