X-Men '97 episode 5 review: "Heartbreaking at the most catastrophic level"

GamesRadar+ VerdictAn emotionally devastating, shocking episode that makes two very big (and confusing) decisions that will alter the rest of the season – and series – for good. GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict An emotionally devastating, shocking episode that makes two very big (and confusing) decisions that will alter the rest of the season – and series – for good. An emotionally devastating, shocking episode that makes two very big (and confusing) decisions that will alter the rest of the season – and series – for good. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Warning: Spoilers for X-Men ‘97 episode 5! X-Men ‘97 season one episode 5 – to be honest, I wasn’t ready for this one. What starts as a potentially wholesome episode quickly turns into the most devastating – and boy did they set us up. Genosha is a beautiful, almostDisneyWorld-esque place where mutant kiddos play and laugh. Mutants live in peace amongst other mutants, with frequent celebrations in the street, Kurt Wagner, aka Nightcrawler (one of the coolest X-Men of all time), makes his first appearance – and makes sure to tell us that Genosha wouldn’t be possible without the work of the X-Men. And that’s when I knew something terrible was about to happen. (Image credit: Disney Plus) For the first two acts, love is the central conflict in this episode: Scott and Jean confused about their relationship because of the loss of their son (and the fact that Jean and Jean’s clone, Madelyn Pryor, are both the mothers of said son); Rogue and Magneto rekindling their long-lost romance – much to Gambit’s detriment. Rogue tells him that her relationship with Magneto is different – because he can use his magnetic powers to protect himself from her lethal touch…and she can’t touch Gambit at all. But once act three kicks in, the Sentinels arrive…and all hell breaks loose. An X-Man we don’t recognize at first comes to warn Madelyn of the devastation that’s about to occur – but Madelyn recognizes him immediately. “I’m sorry, Mom,” he says, before disappearing. Cue the emotional – and physical – devastation. In the live-action world of Marvel, no one dies permanently…not really (i.e. The Blip and “Mr. Stark, I don’t feel so good”). A hero can always be brought back in a separate universe or timeline (unless the actor behind said hero wants to retire from the MCU). X-Men: The Animated Series, however, wasn’t afraid to kill off Charles Xavier for good. And it looks like its sequel series isn’t afraid to do the same. With three episodes to go, we lose not one, but two of the most prominent figures in X-Men history: Magento and Gambit. Rogue loses both of her loves in one fell swoop, with both risking their lives to save countless others. Gambit uses his final breath to get in one last snarky quip and make the killer robot explode – saving all of Genosha in the process. We end on Rogue holding Gambit, gloves off, for the very first time. “Sugar,” she says, as the screen cuts to black. “I can’t feel you.” (Image credit: Disney Plus) Episode 4 was a silly, campy callback to some of the flagship show’s best moments, juxtaposed with Storm’s heartbreaking struggle to gain back her powers. It was a nice breather from the intensity of the first three episodes, but the writers are done giving us breaks. Marvel is known for breaking hearts at the most catastrophic level, but I didn’t see this one coming. And I don’t know how a revival season can kill off two of its most important characters. To give you a visual, I’m sat at my desk with tears still in my eyes, holding my cup of coffee to my chest, and letting it go cold. I don’t know what episode 6 is going to bring us, but I’m hoping for a miracle. The first four episodes of X-Men ‘97 are available now, with the remaining episodes set to drop weekly. For more, check out all the X-Men ‘97 Easter eggs you might have missed, our list of all of 2024’snew X-Men comics, and our guide onhow to watch the X-Men movies in order. More info More CATEGORIESDisney PlusStreaming Services CATEGORIES More about x men 97X-Men ‘97 season 2 producer says to expect two more X-teams in the new episodesMarvel issues statement on X-Men ‘97 showrunner’s firing and “egregious” findings of internal investigationLatestSkeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star WarsSee more latest► More about x men 97X-Men ‘97 season 2 producer says to expect two more X-teams in the new episodesMarvel issues statement on X-Men ‘97 showrunner’s firing and “egregious” findings of internal investigationLatestSkeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star WarsSee more latest► More about x men 97X-Men ‘97 season 2 producer says to expect two more X-teams in the new episodesMarvel issues statement on X-Men ‘97 showrunner’s firing and “egregious” findings of internal investigation More about x men 97 X-Men ‘97 season 2 producer says to expect two more X-teams in the new episodesMarvel issues statement on X-Men ‘97 showrunner’s firing and “egregious” findings of internal investigation X-Men ‘97 season 2 producer says to expect two more X-teams in the new episodes X-Men ‘97 season 2 producer says to expect two more X-teams in the new episodes Marvel issues statement on X-Men ‘97 showrunner’s firing and “egregious” findings of internal investigation Marvel issues statement on X-Men ‘97 showrunner’s firing and “egregious” findings of internal investigation LatestSkeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star WarsSee more latest► Latest Skeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star Wars Skeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star Wars Skeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star Wars See more latest► Most PopularNemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the 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ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”