Episode Six of X-Men ‘97 Season Two is now available to stream on Disney+. Titled ‘Danger.exe’, the episode follows hot on the heels of: ‘Days of Past Future’, ‘A Force to Be Reckoned With’, ‘Rise of Apocalypse – Part One’, ‘Rise of Apocalypse – Part Two’, and ‘Weapon X, Lies and DVDs’.
Have you watched it yet? And if you have, did you catch all the little references, in-jokes, and nods to X-Men: The Animated Series, the comics, and the wider Marvel Universe?
Well, don’t worry if you were too invested in the drama to catch everything being chucked at the screen. All you need do is keep reading for a guide to what you might have missed.
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Roll credits
As is always the case with X-Men ‘97 it’s important to keep an eye on the opening credits for any deviations or notable changes. This week the cast of characters is the current full line-up (including Forge), while the clips which hint at what’s to come in the episode include appearances from Bishop, X Factor and Master Mold – the latter suggesting Genosha and the death of Gambit will be referenced.
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A dangerous room
Sliding into the episode and the story opens with Professor Xavier reliving Magneto’s death. However, this sequence is not a flashback and is instead revealed to be a Danger Room simulation.
For those who may have forgotten, the Danger Room previously appeared on X-Men: The Animated Series as well as the first season of X-Men ‘97, making its debut on the former show via the episode, Night of the Sentinels – Part One. In Night of the Sentinels – Part One, the Danger Room featured in a scene where Wolverine and Gambit are taking part in a combat session.
Note the connection here. The Danger Room’s initial appearance on X-Men: The Animated Seriesfeatured Gambit, and Gambit will appear in this episode of X-Men ‘97.
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Big impact
Although the Danger Room appeared multiple times in X-Men: The Animated Series, it didn’t feature as heavily as you might expect, only popping up a handful of times. However, the room made an impact due to its varied training facilities, including the ability to recreate different environments and pit the X-Men against simulations of their enemies.
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Polaris returns
Moving away from Xavier and the Danger Room and Polaris is reintroduced. Polaris is a recent member of X-Factor (until she is kicked off the team), and a former member of the X-Men.
The character initially appeared on X-Men: The Animated Series via the episode, Cold Comfort. Here it was established that Polaris was a member of the X-Men, and in a relationship with Bobby Drake (Iceman) before they both left the team.
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Enter: Stryker
And along with Polaris, Reverend William Stryker briefly appears. The character was first introduced into the comics back in 1982, via the pages of the critically acclaimed graphic novel, God Loves, Man Kills, and featured quite prominently in the live-action X-Men movies.
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Vibranium
Stryker’s followers, the Purifiers, are seen sporting weapons which contain Vibranium. As a reminder, Vibranium is the same material that Captain America’s shield is made from.
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Father’s daughter
Cut to a conversation between Polaris and Val Cooper, and Val mentions Polaris’ similarities to Magneto. This is because Polaris is Magneto’s daughter (confirmed later in the episode).
This detail had not been officially established on the show, but a connection was hinted at during a scene in Season One of X-Men ‘97, when key figures from Magneto’s life could be seen in a vision. The figures included Rogue, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Polaris.
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Howard the Duck
As Polaris makes her way to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, she reunites with her former teammates, Jean, Cyclops, and Beast. Beast is wearing a T-shirt with another Marvel character on it – Howard the Duck.
This isn’t the first time Beast has worn this shirt. It previously appeared on X-Men: The Animated Series.
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Photo memories
In Polaris’ old room at the X-Mansion, there is a small collection of photographs. One is of the original team, and includes Jean, Cyclops, Iceman, a non-furry Beast, Polaris, Xavier, and a winged mutant.
It’s still up for debate as to who the winged mutant is. In the comics, the original teammate is Angel aka Archangel/Warren Worthington III, but in terms of X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ‘97continuity, Warren’s inclusion is problematic.
Warren was initially introduced in X-Men: The Animated Series via the episode The Cure, where he was not a member of the team. The show did later include a winged mutant in the original X-Men line-up (seen via flashbacks), but it was kept vague as to who it was, so not to contradict the Warren problem.
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It’s Morphin’ time
Morph barely features in this episode, but he can briefly be seen shapeshifting into Mister Fantastic.
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Rebel, rebel
Keep an eye out for Quentin Quire aka Kid Omega, who is sporting a ‘Magneto Was Right T-Shirt’. Not something you would expect one of Xavier’s students to be wearing.
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Danger, danger
Back to the Danger Room and something new has happened. The room has become sentient, taking on a physical form in the shape of Danger.
While the Danger Room has been around in the comics since X-Men #1 back in 1963, for the first 42 years it was just a room. However, in 2005 via the pages of Astonishing X-Men #9, it became sentient and transformed into Danger.
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New X-Men
Cut to Genosha, and Cyclops, Jean, and Beast are wearing new costumes. The suits they wear are from the New X-Men era of the comics from 2001 to 2004.
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He lives in me
As the X-Men battle Danger in Genosha, Xavier gives Polaris a pep talk to encourage her to use her powers to take down the sentient being. During this talk, Xavier mentions that part of Magneto lives on in him.
Xavier’s comments here seem as if he is just speaking metaphorically, however, comic book readers will know this is yet another hint that the villainous character, Onslaught is likely to appear on the show in the not-too distant future. Onslaught is a sentient entity created from the subconscious of Xavier and Magneto.
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X-Corp
As the episode heads towards its conclusion, Xavier unveils X-Corp to the world. X-Corp is an organisation dedicated to protecting mutant rights, and was originally introduced into the comics in New X-Men #128 back in 2002.
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The Watcher
As the episode reaches its conclusion, the story switches to Athens to pick up with Apocalypse. As this scene begins, look up in the sky, because the Watcher makes a brief background appearance, suggesting something significant is about to happen.
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He’s back!
And as the episode ends, Apocalypse gets to work on creating his new Horsemen. The first is a newly resurrected Gambit, who previously died in the episode, Remember It during Season One of X-Men ‘97.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about X-Men ’97 on It’s A Stampede!. For more posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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