Warning: This article contains spoilers for X-Men ’97 episode 9, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2.”

Gambit’s death in X-Men ’97 was made even sadder by one huge decision made by Rogue in episode 9, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2.” Set outside the MCU, X-Men ’97 features the adventures of the X-Men team from X-Men: The Animated Series, which ran for five seasons between 1992 and 1997. Two episodes of X-Men ’97’s epic three-part finale have premiered on Disney+, marking huge changes for the team, and bookmarking a full season filled with heartbreak and tragedy. One hero has been put through the ringer more than most, however, and X-Men ’97 episode 9 only exacerbated this.

The X-Men battled Bastion and his Prime Sentinels in X-Men ’97 episode 8, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 1,” but this fight ended with Magneto, now freed from captivity, emitting an electromagnetic pulse around the world. This wiped out the Prime Sentinels, and disrupted every other electrical system on Earth, but also marked Magneto’s transition back into an enemy of the X-Men, as he declared war on humanity for their barbaric actions. Following Professor X’s return, X-Men ’97 episode 9, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2”, saw the team face off against the Master of Magnetism and his new allies.

Rogue Wore Gambit’s Coat In X-Men ’97 Episode 9

One of these new allies was Rogue, who turned her back on the X-Men team following several episodes of heartbreak. Gambit’s demise during the attack on Genosha in X-Men ’97 episode 5, “Remember It”, had a huge impact on Rogue’s mentality, and this could still be seen in episode 9, as she added Gambit’s coat to her own wardrobe. This provided a brilliant callback to the fallen mutant, while also giving Rogue comfort after her rampaging hunt for Henry Gyrich and Bolivar Trask, her fight with Captain America, and her brutal murder of Bolivar Trask that kick-started Bastion’s nefarious plans.

Rogue’s X-Men ’97 Arc Makes Gambit’s Death All The More Tragic

Unfortunately, Rogue’s actions in X-Men ’97 episode 9 don’t seem like the best way to honor her fallen lover. X-Men ’97’s penultimate episode saw Rogue remove Gambit’s coat and hand it over to Professor X before joining Magneto for his battle against humanity, which Gambit surely wouldn’t have wanted, particularly after a love triangle between Gambit, Rogue, and Magneto was uncovered. Rogue is driven by grief, joining Magneto and turning her back on Professor X because she blames the latter’s absence for Gambit’s death. Handing over Gambit’s coat was a huge moment of symbolism, as Rogue relinquished her former life.

This was even more poignant as, underneath Gambit’s coat, Rogue sported her green costume. Rogue previously donned this green catsuit during her time as a villain in X-Men: The Animated Series’ history and in Marvel Comics, suggesting that her leaving behind Gambit’s coat is her accepting her identity as a villain, and leaving behind her life as a hero. This makes Gambit’s death in X-Men ’97 even more tragic, as it seems the legacy he is leaving behind is Rogue evolving into an enemy of her former family, which certainly wouldn’t have happened had Gambit survived earlier in the season.