This article contains spoilers for X-Men '97 episode 6
After last week's absolutely devastating episode, X-Men '97 episode 6 slows things down with a visit to the cosmic corner of the Marvel universe and a more personal story back on Earth. While the main X-Men team is absent from this episode, viewers get to check in on Storm and Forge, as well as someone who has so far been absent from the series: Charles Xavier.
While it may not be as heart-wrenching as "Remember It," X-Men '97 episode 6, titled "Lifedeath - Part 2" packs a decent amount of character beats and action-packed moments into its 30-minute runtime, with more than a few exciting cameos for longtime X-Men fans.
Fired X-Men '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Breaks Silence After Episode 5
X-Men '97 former showrunner Beau DeMayo commented on the Marvel Animation for the first time since being fired, discussing episode 5's shocking event.
What happens in X-Men '97 Episode 6?
X-Men '97 episode 6 opens with an epic space battle, pitting the Shi'ar against the Kree Empire. This sequence features an appearance from none other than Ronan the Accuser, a villain who appeared in the MCU played by Lee Pace. He and his soldiers are ultimately defeated by the Imperial Guard, a classic X-Men team that includes the hero Gladiator. With them is Deathbird, who is dismayed to hear that her sister, Empress Lilandra, plans to wed Charles Xavier.
X-Men '97 Episode 6 | |
|---|---|
Title | "Lifedeath - Part 2" |
Written by | Charley Feldman |
Directed by | Chase Conley |
Away from the action, Xavier and Lilandra discuss their future together, and Xavier not-so-subtly hints that he wants to return to Earth. However, Lilandra is not convinced that this is the best idea.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Storm tends to Forge's injury caused by the Adversary, which she identifies as some type of demonic infection. The Adversary gives her no peace, though, as it tries to break her spirit, telling her to leave Forge to die after his invention caused her to lose her powers (a reference to the events of episode 2 of X-Men '97).
A nice touch here is that Alison Sealy-Smith provides the voices for both Storm and the Adversary, making the demonic force sound similar to Storm and giving the slight implication that it is drawing strength from her resentment and fear. Whether this is intentional or not, it adds another layer to X-Men '97's exemplary storytelling, and is a great example of how the show's voice acting sets it apart from other animated Marvel projects like What If...?
Storm has a vision of being trapped in a coffin before Forge uses magic (which is very reminiscent of the kind Doctor Strange uses) to trap the Adversary, at least temporarily. Forge informs Storm that there is a type of cactus called the midnight cholla which can be used to heal him. The two decide to head out together in search of it.
Back on Shi'ar, Deathbird poses a challenge in order to allow the wedding of Lilandra and Xavier. The latter must purge all of his memories of Earth in order to prove his loyalty to the Shi'ar Empire.
Xavier is hesitant to do so, and reveals his apprehension in a conversation with Gladiator. Here, Xavier also mentions Magneto when Gladiator tells him that idealism is a form of insanity. It's a bitter note of dramatic irony that Xavier speaks of his friend as if he is still alive, not yet aware of the attack on Genosha that occurred in X-Men '97 episode 5.
Gladiator Quick Facts
- First appeared in The Uncanny X-Men issue 107 from October 1977
- Member of the Strontian race, whose powers only manifest when a member finds a purpose
- Was once a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy
Xavier knows that he must purge his memories, even if he does not want to, as otherwise Deathbird could take the Shi'ar throne from Lilandra and cause even more problems.
Storm and Forge make their way through the cave where the midnight cholla grows. Forge points out that it was once a weapons depot during the civil war, before revealing that Storm must go ahead by herself into a tight space in order to retrieve the medicinal ingredient.
Xavier and Lilandra are set to begin the ritual in which he will purge all of his memories of Earth, but sensing his hesitation, Deathbird and her forces attack, with Gladiator holding them off. Xavier, never one to want to resort to violence, uses his powers to pull everyone into a classroom setting on the astral plane.
How Does X-Men '97 Episode 6 end?
Storm overcomes her fear and resentment and regains her powers
Inside the tight space, Storm is once again confronted by the Adversary, who still tries to tempt her to remain human. When Storm refuses, the demonic entity uses its power to enclose the space around Storm. However, Storm summons her inner strength and pushes back against the Adversary's antagonism. By reaching inside of herself and overcoming her fear, Storm regains her powers. In another one of X-Men '97's impressively animated sequences, Storm flies through space then back to Earth, whipping up winds and lightning. It's a powerful moment in which a fan-favorite character gets to regain her strength and return to who she is meant to be.
Storm and Forge return to the cabin, where the aloe of the midnight cholla makes quick work of the demonic infection. This story ends on a sad note, however, when Storm and Forge turn on the television only to see the aftermath of the Genosha attack on the news, with the added indignity that mutant refugees are being refused entry to a number of different countries.
Xavier's lesson is interrupted by a vision of death & the real villain appears
Back on the astral plane, Charles Xavier compares the Shi'ar's imperial tendencies to those found on Earth. He notes that the Shi'ar cut down young civilizations before they can grow, only to then offer them peace. Before he can truly impart his wisdom, the lesson is interrupted by a deadly vision, as everyone in the class turns to skeletons, and Xavier sees a giant Gambit turning to bones. Xavier knows what this means and is overcome with grief.
The skeletal Gambit delivers a blast similar to that of the giant sentinel that attacked Genosha. At this point, Xavier's telepathic link is broken, and he awakens in great distress. He vows to return to Earth, sensing the unrest there.
In a short scene before the episode's end, it is revealed that the attack on Genosha was carried out by none other than Mister Sinister, with a little bit of forced assistance from Bolivar Trask. What the powerful villain has in store for the rest of the season still remains a mystery, but the X-Men will no doubt face an uphill battle against one of their greatest foes.
X-Men '97 is available to stream on Disney Plus.
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.
X-Men '97: Who is Forge?
An important X-Men character with close ties to Storm has been set up in X-Men '97. But who exactly is Forge?
