X-Men ’97 – Remember It review S1 E5
Remember It is not going to be an easy episode of X-Men’97 to forget. Staying within the parameters of a Saturday morning cartoon didn’t allow the 1992 series to go too dark. That meant there was no chance of a Mutant Massacre adaptation and arcs like Days of Future Past, X-Tinction Agenda and Inferno were going to have to be heavily sanitized.
That wasn’t the case with Remember It. Not to completely be a prisoner of the moment, but this is likely going to stand as one of the top 5 comic book cartoon episodes I’ve ever seen.
The episode felt different very early on. Something seemed a little…off in a more sophisticated and adult way than has been the norm for X-Men. Even X-Men’97.
Scott went off on Trish Tilby, who was at the X-Mansion for a fluff piece to help show that mutants were people just like human. The idea was good, but like Cyclops pointed out, the X-Men who have suffered so much loss over the years shouldn’t have to prove anything to humanity.
Jean was also ill at ease. She wasn’t sure where her memories started or where Madeline’s began. The confusion led her to give in to her own curiosity/temptation and kiss Wolverine. Finally, Wolverine stopped acting like a lovesick puppy and pushed her away — essentially telling her to talk things out with Scott.
With Genosha in the midst of a huge celebration for the nation becoming part of the United Nations, Magneto, Rogue and Gambit travel to join the festivities. Madline is an ambassador and part of the Genosha Inner Circle consisting of Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost (Martha Marion), Callisto, Banshee (David Errigo Jr.) and Moira MacTaggert (Marion).
Gambit and Rogue are heartily greeted by another prominent Genoshian – Nightcrawler (Adrian Hough) – who’s thrilled to see his old friends. There’s a ton of characters from X-Men lore hanging around and just having fun from Dazzler, Pixie, Madox and even Exodus pulling a Baron Zemo.
Small note, Marion and Errigo, Jr. really nailed the Irish accents for Moira and Banshee. The Inner Circle wants Magneto to be the leader of Genosha. He’s perfectly fine with the idea as an evolution of Xavier’s plans for him. But there’s a catch – he needs an X-Man to lead alongside him based on his past. And not surprisingly, he chooses Rogue.
That news doesn’t sit well with Gambit, especially after he learns of Rogue and Magneto’s romantic past. This gave the showrunners a chance to work in the Savage Land arc with Magneto and Rogue from the comic. Sometimes nods to the fans feel like so much bogus lip service, but the efforts here come from a genuine fun comic reference.
Rogue tries to explain to Gambit that while they have a major bond, it isn’t the same as he can’t touch her. It’s hard to have a relationship since she can’t feel him. Gambit doesn’t care but says for now they’ll just be friends while he waits for the inevitable moment of Magneto breaking her heart to play out.
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Gala time! There were a couple of ways for this to play out. The payoff from the first Hellfire Gala from the comics…or the far more destructive path given the location. Before that, let’s swing back to the mansion.
Jean and Scott are talking and she falls into his mind with him conversing through a psychic rapport with Madeline. Since ’97 really can’t ship Scott and Emma, having Scott find some comfort/take solace with Madline actually makes a lot of sense. And Jean’s blowup also is understandable. She can’t say much as she seems shot by a mental blast that takes her out.
In Genosha, the gala is going full tilt now. Director Emi Yonemura did a fantastic job of conveying a club ambience in this scene. Rogue makes a dramatic entrance and has a sensual dance with Magneto.
Gambit has been portrayed as suave and cool, but he isn’t emotionless, walking out to avoid seeing the love of his life dancing with his rival. Madeline can’t offer much aid as she also gets the psychic shot. Gambit misses Rogue thanking Magneto for the dance, but ultimately choosing him instead of Magneto.
She heads out to get some air when Cable (!) arrives warning people to leave. The warning comes too late and he realizes it as he starts to body slide out of the moment. Their encounter is just long enough for Madeline to realize Cable is her son, Nathan. Way to quickly close the loop of that plot hole for non-comic fans.
Explosions start rocking Genosha as a Sentinel incursion force has arrived complete with a Tri-Sentinel. Their destruction is quick and sudden as they start wiping out several mutants. Disintegrating some while the bodies of Callisto and Shaw are laid out in a line with other victims.
Nightcrawler gets badly hurt, but survives as Magento, Rogue and Gambit go on the offensive. Magneto battles the Tri-Sentinel while making sure Rogue and Gambit are safe. He knows this isn’t looking good and wants to protect some of Xavier’s children. Gambit understands what’s about to happen as well.
One somewhat small/kinda significant sticky point — Leech’s powers cancel out fellow mutant’s powers so he’s not helpful in this situation at all.
The Sentinel apparently kills Magneto and the Morlocks he was attempting to protect. Rogue is grief-stricken and charges after the Sentinel, but Gambit charges her bike to save her from getting killed. That doesn’t mean he’s stopping from going after it. Just as he’s about to land a strike with his staff, it stabs him.
But the Sentinel didn’t account for Gambit being able to charge any object…including the tubing still in his side. In a great nod to the first episode, Gambit says, “The name is Gambit. Remember It” as he unleashes a mega charge that detonates the Tri-Sentinel effectively sparing the rest of the mutants.
A crying Rogue is cradling Gambit, tears falling down on him as she heartbreakingly says she can’t feel him. It’s a devastating ending as the mansion X-Men watch on in horror at what’s played out.
Remember It showed the power of the X-Men/mutant plight in the most horrific, unforgettable manner possible. This will be one that’s discussed for a long time.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney