X-Men ’97 Episode 4 is hot on the heels of episode 3. We follow our favorite heroes as they proceed through the motions. What is old, becomes new. What was once a child, becomes an adult.
X-Men ’97 has yet to pull a punch. The thematic elements have remained consistent. More than just a cartoonized superhero drama, X-Men ’97
episode 4 seeks to maintain its maturity.
Getting Better, Not Getting Younger
If you’ve read our latest X-Men ’97 article, we’ve discussed the time capsule nature of this show. Like a cryogenic revival, our heroes have unthawed. They’re back like they’ve never left.
However, this time things are different. Remaining true, we’ve stumbled upon our little girl becoming a woman. Episode 4 of X-Men ’97 begins with Jubilee’s birthday.
Our birthday cake girl (read: woman) has finally reached 18. No longer is she a child. As a hero-in-training, she now holds an adult weight on her shoulders. Magneto, our new-leaf-turned, friend makes this clear. As most teenagers do, Jubilee rebels.
Time to Grow Up Kid
Jubilee rebels against Magneto in a teenager-like fashion. She does not want to train her mutant prowess on her birthday. No, Jubilee wants to go to the arcade in celebration. Once our gamer-girl, she wants to clutch her youthful ways — not let them go.
As it stands, Jubilee only has one mutant she can relate to — Roberto Da Costa. Amidst her venting to him, Roberto notices a “Motendo” console in her room. Unfamiliar to Jubilee, the console becomes our focus. As it becomes increasingly important, the console transforms.
Akin to the previous episode, the console mutates and ensnares our two heroes. This separation from reality provides the framework for this theme — Jubilee has to forgo her childish ways.
The Time Waits For No One…
Jubilee and Roberto manage to escape their ensnarement by the console. Or do they?
Upon escape, the two find themselves in a dangerous situation. Not really the proving ground that is the “Danger Room,” but a truly dangerous environment. Quickly approaches our big bad of the episode by the name of “Mojo.” This world is a recreation of “Old Genosha,” a place that Jubilee remembers surviving alongside Storm.
Mojo is quick to make it known that this is a reality of his doing. Not one to be trifled with, this video game world knows true peril. Death is here. It is death in reality. Death is finality. And in this rant, he explains how she’ll never grow up here.
…We Wait For The Time
The game begins and the duo progresses through the normal Stage 1, Stage 2, etc. When they reach the final stage, Roberto tries to explain to Jubilee that she has to grow up eventually. In the midst of this, he gets one-shotted by the boss, video-game Magneto.
Jubilee manages to defeat Magneto by figuring out his “boss patterns (lol). Strangely, a 1UP appears that Jubilee uses to revive Roberto. However, Magneto has a second phase. Before they begin the battle, a bug portal appears and the duo are dragged in by a giant hand.
This is revealed to be a more mature version of Jubilee. She is a digital replica of Jubilee who has, “relived the glory times more times than they care to count.” She also explains that real life comes with real consequences — good and bad. While it is fun to know how every stage ends, that is not real life. It is better for her to welcome and accept real life as a priority experience.
The Lifedeath Cycle
In the A-side story of the episode we follow Storm. With Forge she now has hope that her mutant abilities may be restored. We then learn a bit of Forge’s past when Storm hints at his mechanical arm and leg. He was a soldier. And he sees them as not fixes. Instead he views them as adaptive creations.
They then go horseback riding toward a cliff that shocks Storm. She notices how there is always this one owl here. She views it as stuck like the winds in this area that never change. Forge reminds her that she, more than anyone else, knows how fast the weather can change.
Later that day, they attempt their first test run of Forge’s cure. Unfortunately, it does not restore Storm’s powers. So, Forge stays up late through the night, continuing his work on the cure.
What’s In The Dark
Forge’s past, while still mostly a mystery, receives more light. Storm wonders why he is so intent on helping her. Forge, in either disgust or regret, reveals that he didn’t always have what was necessary to support his mutant ability. He lacked resources, however, he was given an offer by the government. That offer being to create devices to neutralize particularly dangerous mutants. Mutants like Storm.
What happens next is like a dream sequence. It is unclear whether this is a reflection of Storm’s mental anguish or the abilities of a villain.
Storm flees on horseback, after hearing Forge’s revelation. For some mysterious reason, she suddenly falls through the ceiling of Forge’s home. Forge comes upstairs to see what the ruckus is, before the hole repairs itself. A creature attacks the two, easily overpowering Forge and advances on Storm.
Storm transported to a world of only her and the beast. The ex-goddess questions if this is death. It tells her that its name is “The Adversary” and it feeds on misery.
The Times Keep Changing
With life comes many unknowns. Who we may be today, can easily be changed tomorrow. With so many uncertainties, even our best laid plans can easily be dashed and subverted.
Growth is inevitable, whether appreciated or not. Change is the name of the game, so nothing stays the same. As living things, we simply do our best to adapt and hope we overcome our dilemmas.
Episode score – 9.5/10
X-Men ’97 is available to watch only on Disney+ in the US
Read our review of episodes 1, 2 and 3 here
