X-Men '97 episode 8 review: "It's the beginning of the end for our beloved X-Men"

GamesRadar+ VerdictAnother deeply sad episode serves as a powerful metaphor for hatred and intolerance in our real-life society. GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Another deeply sad episode serves as a powerful metaphor for hatred and intolerance in our real-life society. Another deeply sad episode serves as a powerful metaphor for hatred and intolerance in our real-life society. 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 8 ahead! It looks like the beginning of the end for our beloved X-Men: It’s them against the world – and there’s not an ally left in sight. We’ve reached Part 1 of the three-part season finale, which bears the almost comically ominous title, ‘Tolerance is Extinction.’ After every human, including Captain America, turned their back on the mutants in Episode 7…it only gets worse. As it turns out, everyone is a disappointment – even Professor Charles Xavier. Everyone’s also, uh, a Sentinel…but we’ll get to that. Cable arrived from the future to warn the X-Men (though a bit too late) about the genocide that was about to take place in Genosha, and he knows what’s in store for the rest of humanity for hundreds of years to come. It’s a utopia for humans, who Bastion, creator of these creepy Prime Sentinels, has ‘upgraded’ using the same kind of technology. Everyone lives happily ever after while the mutants are “put to work,” meaning they serve as slaves whose purpose is to continue building this utopia and perfecting it for humankind. Sounds like (mutant) hell, if you ask me. (Image credit: Disney Plus) Something odd happens right after Cable’s revelation, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it for the remainder of the episode. A news broadcast reveals to the human public that Charles Xavier is alive and taking up residency on another planet – and the mutants react as if they already knew this. In fact, they hardly react at all. This happens again when another newscast shows the broadcasters positing the theory that the X-Men faked Xavier’s death in order to garner sympathy from the general public – neither Jubilee, nor Sunspot react to this. In fact, Jubilee says to Sunspot’s mother than they were “trying to protect him from people like you.” Xavier is back from the dead, we watched the X-Men mourn him in episode 1, why is no one freaking out over this? But I digress. Weirdly enough, it’s Magneto who saves the day. Dr. Cooper says it herself, and it’s chilling: Magneto was right. War is the only way to achieve equality for the mutant race. And after all the Prime Sentinels have been killed, thanks to Magnus, good ol’ Xavier just pops down to earth at the very end to say, “Huh, I hope I’m not too late.: (Image credit: Disney Plus) The X-Men have always served as a powerful metaphor for hatred and bigotry – and this episode truly drives that home. “Because we always end up in the same ugly place,” Dr Cooper Says.“Most of us experience tragedies like Genosha as a bit of Deja vu before getting on with our day.” Hatred and intolerance is so ingrained in human society that nothing is surprising anymore, and it’s a truly sobering ending to a deeply sad episode. Oh, and Spider-Man shows up for a second at the end. With two episodes left in the season and hope running out at a rapid pace, I’m afraid we’re headed for one of the most devastating season finales we’ve seen in a Marvel show, or a superhero show period, in a really long time. I hope there’s some positivity in the end, some kind of takeaway that a segregated society between the humans and mutants isn’t the answer and won’t create a utopia – and I’ll be crossing my fingers until then. The first eight episodes of X-Men ‘97 are available on now onDisneyPlus, with the remaining episodes set to drop weekly. For more, check out all theX-Men ‘97 Easter eggsyou 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. CATEGORIESAnimation Shows 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 investigationLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee 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 investigationLatest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee 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 Latest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetSee more latest► Latest “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet “Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet 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 show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching 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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”