Warning: contains spoilers for X-Men #23As tension in the marriage between the X-Men’s iconic heroes Cyclops and Jean Grey continues, Scott Summers is dealt another humiliating blow as his former lover Emma Frost confirms she no longer has any interest in him.
While not the most famous X-Men “love triangle” – this accolade must go to the triangle between Cyclops, Jean Grey & Wolverine – the relationship drama between Emma, Scott and Jean is truly iconic. And while the Krakoan Age seemed to revitalize the love between Cyclops and Jean Grey, the recent Brood Saga has caused the longtime lovers to take a break from their relationship. X-Men #23 – from Gerry Duggan, Joshua Cassara, and Dee Cunniffe – sees Cyclops’ X-Men team go up against the brutal Stark Sentinel, a powerful Sentinel robot made using Iron Man’s technology. After the battle, Scott attempts to flirt with Emma, but Frost immediately shuts down, much to Scott’s embarrassment.
Emma Has No Interest in Breaking Up Cyclops and Jean Grey
Since House of X/Powers of X, it has been transparent that Scott and Jean’s marriage is back on and going strong. While there have been some moments of playful flirtation between former partners Scott and Emma, it appears that Cyclops has fully rededicated himself to his first true love. Scott and Jean have helped each other through many majorly difficult events over the past three years, like Jean leaving the Quiet Council, the X of Swords event, and Scott’s leaking of mutant immortality to the press. Yet the two are now on a serious break after getting into a major philosophical disagreement around how to deal with the parasitic alien species the Brood.
Cyclops and Jean Grey Are on a Break
After the Brood almost killed Cyclops’ father Corsair and murdered countless others like the newly birthed hero Binary, Scott became dead set on genocide against the parasitic species, viewing them as inherently evil and not worthy of life. Unsurprisingly Jean – who herself committed genocide under the influence of the Dark Phoenix in- an event that causes her immense guilt and regret to this day – immediately protested Scott’s plan, finding a way to preserve the safety of the universe and the future of the Brood. This argument has persisted for several issues now, with Scott himself officially confirming to Emma in X-Men #23 that the couple are “taking some time.”
Emma Frost Is Officially Done Waiting for Cyclops
Emma Frost used to be so deeply, madly in love with Scott Summers that she would sacrifice nearly anything to be by his side, but the Krakoan Era reignited her immense love and dedication to mutant youth, and her role on the Quiet Council has clearly become her priority. Scott and Emma’s relationship started when he cheated on Jean with her in a psychic tryst – with Jean attacking Emma in a brutal psychic assault when she found out, and yet even then, Emma’s interest in Cyclops didn’t dim. Now, however, she’s moved on, and while Cyclops was clearly hoping to find her waiting for him, he’s embarrassed when she makes it clear she has no interest, and would actually like to see him and Jean get back together.
Emma clearly knows the drill with Scott Summers. Jean Grey will always be his true love, and she has no interest in chasing him ever again, showing some very satisfying character development. This will hopefully be a humbling realization for the X-Men’s Cyclops, who has often taken the women in his life, be it Jean, Emma, or Madelyne Pryor for granted.
X-Men #23 from Marvel Comics is available now.
