X-Men ’97 Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2 review S1 E9
For certain the most annoying aspect of X-Men ’97 Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2 was this was the penultimate episode of this season. At this point it’s hard to imagine the season finale failing to stick the landing. Assuming it does, this will go down as one of the all-time great seasons of any comic book cartoon show.
So much to break down and discuss with this one. Starting with the opening credits, which now have the fleeing humans caught in the middle of the X-Men and Magneto’s side now changed into Prime Sentinels. That’s a cool bonus. And Storm is in her classic costume for her opening title segment.
In the wake of Magneto’s massive EMP pulse, there’s a calm before the storm as both sides pick up the pieces from the first salvo.
Most of the X-Men are surveying the damage to the mansion. Jubilee and Roberto managed to escape custody from the FOH and are on the run. They’re cornered in an alley when Storm and Forge arrive for the save. So he was the one slowing Storm down!
Lone gripe with Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2 is easy. We didn’t get a reaction of Storm learning of Gambit’s death. Sure, she knew of the overall death toll of Genosha, but it was also important to learn someone very close to her was among the dead.
Cyclops isn’t thrilled with Xavier for deciding for him that Scott and Jean should step away to raise their family and let Magneto take charge. That’s fair.
Lots of costume changes to break down with this one.
Magneto is back to original costume a clear visual that he’s returned to his old ways. Rogue is wearing her original costume with Gambit’s jacket (!)
and Sunspot is rocking the traditional New Mutants gear.
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With Bastion and Magneto as major threats, Cyclops splits the team and actually refers to the blue and gold designations. Forge and Beast work on a device to shut down Bastion’s control of the Prime Sentinels.
Xavier tries to console Rogue just as Magneto arrives. He gets several ice-cold lines this episode.
“When you abandoned us for your Sh’iar bird queen you bequeathed it to me asked me to walk your path. Are you prepared to walk mine?” And then referring to Leech’s death. “He believed in me. In the dream you had me sell. How many more of your bones will pave the way for Xavier’s future? Where we beg and simper for tolerance?”
It’s clear Magneto’s words are hitting home. And his final line of “Decide, my X-Men” has extra meaning since he was with them in the face of mutant kind’s greatest tragedy. Rogue and Roberto decide to join him.
Showrunner Beau DeMayo suggesting this week’s homework reading assignment of Fatal Attractions (available now on Amazon) wasn’t just a notion. The original cartoon borrowed elements of big X-Men storylines, but their adaptation was too weak to be memorable save The Phoenix Saga.
X-Men ’97 is approaching comic storylines like the MCU — taking the best aspects and making it work in the context of a longer form story. It’s working extremely well.
Muir Island has old X-men costumes on display in a cool homage to the Batcave. Cyclops hands Cable a duffle bag with a costume. This was shown in a preview, but the “What’d you expect? Black leather?” line was still so awesome to watch. That shot at the Bryan Singer X-Men films was terrific.
Xavier is in his jumpsuit hoverchair attire talking with President Kelly about The Magneto Protocols. This exchange was also very well done. “Hot take” that’s been shared by a ton of X-Men fans: the MCU X-Men will be fortunate if they can come close to the quality of X-Men ’97.
It’s time for the team to suit up. Wait a minute, we’re actually getting CLASSIC outfits? Beast checks on Trish Tilby in hopes of restoring her humanity. Nightcrawler prays while Jubilee burns Roberto’s card.
Storm and Marvel Girl (!) lead the Gold Team of Beast, Morph, Forge and Cable. Morph actually turns into the Hulk! Mr. Sinister attacks Marvel Girl and they have a major brawl. The telekinetic attack with the bowling balls was incredible.
To further stack the odds, he’s corrupted Cable into fighting Jean. This battle does not seem advisable as Jean is having to tap into her reserves to fend off Cable. And Jean having to tap into reserves might have her going Nelly Furtado soon…
Storm is in the air battling Bastion’s Sentinels while Forge fights alongside her in the Blackbird. It gets hit distracting Storm long enough to get blasted. While she lands in water, the Blackbird looks like it’s headed for an explosion.
Meanwhile on Asteroid M, the Blue Team is battling Magneto and his new Acolytes. Xavier tells Cyclops to knock out Magneto’s helmet, which Wolverine manages to accomplish. That allows Xavier to take control of Magneto’s mind. Through his psychic link with Jean, Cyclops knows the Gold Team hasn’t gotten Bastion down yet so he blasts Xavier to release Magneto.
That proves disastrous. Magneto ensnares the Blue Team and snaps his helmet on Xavier’s head seemingly to crush him. Wolverine jumps over and stabs Magneto in the back. And we actually see the blood (!). Magneto is enraged and pushes Wolverine off, long enough to yank the Adamantium out of Wolverine as the episode comes to a shocking conclusion.
Only one more episode to go, but it’s going to have to go a ways to top Tolerance is Extinction – Part Two.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Photo Credit: Disney
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