For anyone watching the highly acclaimed animated series X-Men ‘97, viewers know that episode 5 has proven to be one of the show’s most daring and emotionally devastating episodes, even more so than some of the original X-Men: The Animated Series’s most shocking storylines. Before getting into the spoiler-filled plot points that showcase the show’s depth and high-stakes action that the show waded into, it is crucial to remember the world that X-Men ‘97 inhabits, with the new Marvel and Disney+ show taking viewers into the aftermath of the original series.

The series takes place right after the series finale of X-Men: The Animated Series, which saw an ailing Charles Xavier taken into space by the Shi’ar Empire to help cure his condition, leaving the fate of mutant-kind in the hands of his X-Men. The new series shows a world that is becoming slowly but surely more and more tolerant towards mutants. Yet, they still face persecution and cruelty from anti-mutant hate groups and villains alike. While much of the series thus far has been action-packed, fun, and full of a wealth of character development, episode 5, "Remember It", brought a depth of emotional storytelling and set up high-stakes consequences, something that the rest of the MCU could learn from.

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Remember It Takes Readers On An Emotional Journey

Magneto, Rogue and Gambit find themselves participating in the celebrations of the rise of Genosha, a nation where all mutants are welcome to live and be themselves. The drama of the love triangle between the three mutants and Rogue’s complex feelings towards both men, and the celebration of this new nation take readers on a dramatic yet fun-fueled episode…until everything changes. In the blink of an eye, the nation is nearly decimated to ashes as a massive Master Mold Sentinel launches an all-out attack. In the fight to save as many people as possible, not only does Magneto sacrifice himself to save Rogue and Gambit, but in a shocking twist, Gambit loses his life as well, but not before using his gift one last time to blow up the sentinel.

It is a risky and calculated move on Marvel’s part, as only five episodes into this sequel series, the creators and heads of Marvel have shown that this beloved franchise is not only not for the faint of heart, but is a step in the right direction for Marvel to prove their heroes are never truly safe. It establishes a bit of the real world to the series, as the heroes are forced to leave behind the hopeful tone of the first four episodes and embrace the reality that human nature isn't flawless, and instead embraces violence far too often. While conflicted by the emotional pain of those final scenes, this episode's true mastery of storytelling is a blueprint that the creative heads of the MCU need to take on themselves.

The MCU Needs High Stakes And Emotional Consequences

The MCU has done this through their first 3 phases, from the tragedy of Tony Stark’s parents and their demise at the hands of the Winter Soldier to the heartbreaking loss of Gamora and then the final sacrifice of Iron Man against Thanos and his forces. While Phase 4 and beyond has had its fair share of fun and engaging storylines, bringing new heroes and villains into the MCU, there has not been as emotional or complete a story that brings that level of danger and shock factor that those moments had.

Not only does the MCU need that sense of loss, but a heightened sense of danger that the fate of the world, the universe, or even a New York neighborhood is hanging in the balance. While X-Men ‘97 is not technically within the same universe as the MCU, the shocking appearance of an MCU animated character before the events at Genosha proves that this universe does have an impact on the greater MCU multiverse.

The depth of the writing in episode 5 of X-Men ‘97 proves the weight of two profoundly iconic characters, like Magneto and Gambit’s loss, is crucial to the future of the storytelling this cast of characters needs, putting everything into perspective about the stakes they are facing. A similar need can be found in the future of the MCU, and upcoming films could hold the potential for such storytelling.

While usually fun and humorously crude, the Deadpool franchise is set to make its MCU debut with Deadpool and Wolverine. The film will hone in on the destruction of the FOX universe, which includes the X-Men, Fantastic Four and more. The exploration of Incursions (universe colliding events throughout the multiverse) in Phase 4 and beyond could set up painful losses in the coming years, both for heroes past, present and in the future.

New Heroes Bring Promise of Major Growth in MCU

If X-Men ‘97’s fifth episode is any indication, the heart-wrenching storytelling and complex character developments are here to stay, and with season 2 in development and season 3 just recently announced, the future of the X-Men and its connection to the larger MCU is sure to be just as compelling. The fan response to this episode proves that the MCU is in need of equally heartbreaking yet profound storytelling. With films slated to be released such as Blade, Deadpool and Wolverine, The Fantastic Four, and The Thunderbolts, the potential for not only loss but real consequences for the future of the MCU and its heroes could be just around the corner, changing the multiverse forever. One thing is certain, and that is, fans can expect years of rich and emotionally-charged storytelling from X-Men ‘97 for the foreseeable future.

X-Men '97

The animated X-Men team returns in the Disney Plus reboot, X-Men '97. With Professor X gone, Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, and the rest of the mutants find themselves under the leadership of Magneto and facing a new threat. X-Men '97 is the first project under the newly created Marvel Animation banner.

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