As a fervent superhero enthusiast, I am currently basking in the excitement of X-Men ’97. While the mainline MCU may be facing difficulties, this television adaptation has brought renewed success for the Marvel franchise, despite not being officially connected to the Sacred Timeline. However, I am struggling to fully understand the plot.
Currently, we are in a prime era for superhero television shows. With Invincible bringing intense violence and compelling narratives to the world of animation and The Boys offering a similar experience in live-action, the genre is thriving. The upcoming X-Men ’97 series is also tapping into one of the most effective tools in the industry – nostalgia.
Those familiar with the X-Men movies timeline will surely recall that their fascination with mutants originated from the ’90s animated series. The new TV show continues the story from where it left off many years ago, while incorporating a recognizable yet innovative animated aesthetic.
As much as I adore X-Men ’97, I cannot deny that it has been quite overwhelming. With its numerous Easter eggs and references to the original series, and the multitude of storylines and villains it has featured, it almost feels like watching an intense tennis match with a neck brace on – I am not fully grasping the entirety of the show.
What’s going on?
At first, I had completely forgotten that Charles Xavier had supposedly died at the end of the original animated series. In my defense, it has been almost thirty years since then, so I needed some time to adjust to the surprise of this opening revelation.
Although I had anticipated an episodic structure for the series, I found that X-Men ‘97 adopts a storytelling style similar to Invincible. The narrative is constantly evolving with new strands being woven in, much like side quests in a video game. One moment, we witness the attack on Genosha, and the next, we see Storm’s encounter with Forge. Despite the jarring shifts, I appreciated the brief reprieve from the chaotic and emotional moments of the show.
Despite the immense potential and diversity offered by a team of mutants, one of the challenges is the limited amount of time available to fully explore each individual’s story. In the television series, this is evident as the Scott-Jean-Madelyne love triangle is briefly highlighted before becoming a minor subplot, Roberto’s initial inclusion in the X-Men team loses significance, and even Wolverine’s role becomes less significant.
This exhilarating adventure through the ten X-Men ’97 episodes is enjoyable, but the rapid pace hardly allows for any moment to fully comprehend what is happening. I have frequently found myself having to rewind the show multiple times, just to ensure that I have caught all the details.
Who’s that guy?
Despite my lack of expertise on the X-Men, the array of diverse characters, particularly the supervillains, adds to the confusion. However, I believe this should not hinder my understanding, but unfortunately it has to some extent.
Having prior knowledge of Mr. Sinister’s identity, it becomes evident early on that the notorious X-Men villain is up to his usual nefarious schemes. However, as I progressed through the episodes, I couldn’t help but reach out to my co-worker, who possesses a deeper understanding of all things mutant, with questions such as “What is the significance of the giant bird?”and “Is Bastion a villainous version of Captain America?”Though I realize these may seem like foolish inquiries, one can’t deny the resemblance between Bastion and a bearded Steve Rogers, and we have seen Cap turn against his own team before (Hail, Hydra!)
While I thoroughly enjoy discovering new characters, I must admit that they have all been integrated masterfully in X-Men ’97. The enormity of this series is truly remarkable, and I am eagerly anticipating what the future holds for this animated addition to Marvel’s repertoire. However, I have a feeling that I will need to watch X-Men ’97 at least two or three more times before I can truly grasp the entirety of what has transpired.
It’s certainly not a bad problem to have. However, for someone like me who lacks knowledge about X-Men, the show has been like those conversations where you’re simply nodding and smiling, hoping no one will actually quiz you on what they just said. While X-Men ’97 is visually stunning, the action is enjoyable, and the story is intriguing, it has left my brain feeling overwhelmed. I almost had to inquire about the identity of the man in the blue and red pajamas.
The future incarnate
To be honest, I didn’t fully understand everything until Episode 8. The final three episodes of X-Men ’97 were truly remarkable, with a combination of excitement, sorrow, and anticipation. As is often the case with great narratives, when all the pieces come together and the grand finale begins, everything falls into place.
Perhaps it was inconsequential that I had no prior knowledge of Bastion. As this formidable and malevolent antagonist evolved right in front of me, I couldn’t predict how it would all transpire or who would succumb to his relentless attacks. I wasn’t even certain if the X-Men stood a chance of emerging victorious. In a cinematic landscape where superhero films often follow a predictable formula, isn’t it refreshing to be caught off guard and left with lingering uncertainties?
Despite my initial confusion in the first seven episodes, the enthralling endgame was well worth the price.
You can also anticipate future Marvel releases such as Deadpool & Wolverine, The Fantastic Four, and Avengers 5.
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