Warning: This article contains spoilers for X-Men ’97 episode 5, “Remember It.”
Right from the beginning, X-Men ’97 episode 6 adds salt to the wound when it comes to Gambit and Magneto’s tragic deaths. X-Men ’97 episode 5’s tragic ending resulted in the deaths of countless mutants, including Gambit and Magneto, who have become mutantkind’s martyrs as an army of Sentinels sabotage human-mutant relations.
Instead of raising hopes for a potential resurrection, X-Men ’97 confirms that two of its central mutants are gone for good. X-Men ’97 episode 6 moves ahead with the direct sequel to episode 4, following Storm and Forge in Lifedeath – Part II.
X-Men ’97’s Opening Credits Change Explained
X-Men ’97‘s opening credits have been changing every episode depending on the outcome and cast of each previous episode. For instance, Jean Grey wears her hair down in the opening credits of X-Men ’97 episodes 1 and 2, but she then wears it in a ponytail since episode 3, which means that the Jean Grey in the first two episodes’ opening credits was actually Madelyne Pryor. Likewise, X-Men 97 episode 6 removes Gambit and Magneto altogether, calling attention to their seemingly definitive deaths during X-Men ’97 episode 5’s tragic attack on Genosha.
X-Men ’97 Cleverly Bucks The Worst MCU Trend
X-Men ’97 is an innovative Marvel show in more ways than one, but episode 6 stands out due to its refusal to address the Genosha tragedy immediately after it happened. Usually, major plot twists and cliffhangers are acknowledged, if not resolved, the very next episode after they’re set up. For instance, Loki’s variants in the Void star in Loki season 1 episode 5 right after episode 4’s ending sent Loki to the Void, and Evan Peter’s fake Quicksilver joins Wanda’s family in WandaVision episode 6 right after episode 5 set up his mysterious return.
By ignoring the fallout of Genosha’s attack and leaving out Gambit and Magneto from the opening credits, X-Men ’97 is letting episode 5’s tragedy settle on the audience’s mind and confirming that its consequences are rather definitive. Gambit and Magneto are dead. There may not be any way to bring them back. Therefore, they’re not only absent in the X-Men’s new adventures following the Genosha tragedy, but they’re also absent from the only place where viewers expect them to be. This is an effective way to represent what the X-Men must feel when mourning their fallen friends.
Usually, cliffhangers are resolved immediately, but X-Men ’97 pauses to focus on other plot threads rather than focus on the fallout of Genosha.
