Nightmares for the X-Men, but amazing TV for us.
Episode 3 of X-Men ’97 played out one of the best storylines the X-Men have (in my opinion). We have finally gotten the Goblin Queen, the clone of Jean Grey, and while it probably did deserve a two-part episode event, this might just be one of the most amazing episodes of TV ever put out by Marvel. Before getting into the details, take a minute to explore our full reactions podcast episode, using the button below to find your podcast platform of choice or listen live with the link provided.
Battle of the Clones
In the final few moments of Episode 2, a second Jean Grey showed up at the door, confusing both the X-Men and the audience. For fans of the X-Men or just those who are doing their research, everyone knew at that moment that Marvel was finally doing the Madelyne Pryor/Jean Grey clone storyline. By the start of Episode 3, I think many of us were going in already assuming that Madelyne had been the Jean we saw give birth to Nathan, but I commend the show for giving us a few moments where they hinted at the possibility of that not being true. Yet confusion and peace didn’t last long, as we saw how quickly we devolved into chaos once Beast confirmed that Madelyne wasn’t the actual Jean.
I have to say I was shocked at how much truly happened in this episode, with Madelyne becoming the Goblin Queen after it was revealed that Mister Sinister was behind her creation (called it). Not only do we see her become, well, sinister, but she and Jean battle it out within each other’s minds, a visually amazing scene. So much was jam-packed into this episode, that it left me with partial whiplash at the end when I realized they had played out the Goblin Queen storyline already. As mentioned above, the fact this didn’t make a two-part story in the show was shocking but it only means we will likely see Madelyne again. She still has Jean’s powers and abilities, meaning she can easily be a strong ally or a dangerous foe once again down the road.
Unanswered Questions
Bringing Mister Sinister in as the mad scientist who created Madelyne was a great call, as we already know Mister Sinister has been named the main villain of the season. But his involvement and the details of the switch have left various unanswered questions that I hope will be answered as we go about the season. I think I speak for many when I say the largest question still unanswered is: when did he switch them? However, I’d like to second that one with: why?
My initial theory regarding the first question was that the clones were switched somewhere during the time of the Phoenix storyline, as Jean is actually supposed to die during that. There was a time in the OG show in which she disappeared, so it seemed possible that was the setup for switching her and Madelyne. While I won’t throw that theory out, one thing sticks out like a sore thumb and I’m not sure it gives us answers more than it gives us additional questions. If Sinister had the real Jean since halfway through Season 3 of the OG series, why did he continue to kidnap Madelyne later on? He had the original that he wanted, so why kidnap the clone? To keep up appearances? This all wraps into my why question, as again, he had what he wanted, he had the original Jean. Obviously, we saw that Madelyne, unknowingly, was there as an inside agent for Sinister and when he needed her, turned quickly to his side with her child. The real Jean would have never, so it does work out why Sinister would want Madelyne in general, but I think the long-term plan is still very much unclear.
Where Nathan Goes from Here
Another loose end that somewhat remains is Nathan, the baby of Scott and Madelyne. Separated now from his parents, we know he grows up to become Cable. Yet before I get to Cable, I want to keep the focus on the present, where Bishop took baby Nathan to the future to help cure him of the disease Mister Sinister gave him. Will this be the last time we ever see Nathan as a child? From an action-show perspective, I can see how it would be easiest to write the baby out at this point. With Madelyne going on her own and Scott remaining with the X-Men with a returned Jean, I’m not sure there’s room to try and throw a newborn in there. Yet from a storyline view, it’s hard to imagine them bringing Nathan in just for us to never see him really be with his parents, or at least Scott. We’ve always known his future but I think it’s important for us to know his past/our present too.
As for Cable, the OG show never has him explicitly say Scott and Jean are his parents, but there are a few times it’s heavily implied they are, during one of the various time-traveling episodes. But I’m left wondering if Cable is aware that Jean isn’t actually his mother but Madelyne is. Obviously, with where the OG show ended, there was no storyline revolving around the clones, so they may have never anticipated telling that story. Now that we are, though, it’s interesting to look back and see that it doesn’t appear that Cable is truly aware he isn’t Jean’s real son. I suppose biologically he is, but we all now know Madelyne is the one who conceived and gave birth to him. I believe this question wraps right into the one above of whether Nathan will ever return to our present time and be exposed to his parents, or at least his dad and perceived mother Jean, or stay with Bishop in the future where he is only being told who his parents are. Regardless, Bishop knows the truth about who his real mother is, which means Bishop will have to either lie to Nathan or Nathan will come back later either this season or in future seasons, and learn the truth himself.
Storm’s B-Plot Return
Episode 2 also left us with the cliffhanger regarding Storm losing her mutant abilities. While we know Storm won’t forever be off the board, it appears we have gotten a hint at how she might make her powerful return. In what could be considered an end-credit scene, Rogue is found in Texas by our good friend Forge. Forge, who has been featured in the OG series, is best known for his mutant abilities that allow him enhanced technological prowess and inventiveness. That being said, if anyone can find a technological cure for Storm’s issue, it would be him, as it appears from the second episode that Beast is unsure how to solve the problem biologically.
As mentioned in the reactions episode, it would also be interesting if Storm, in her journey to restore her powers, also is found by our good friend Madelyne. Keep in mind that Storm is still unaware of the Jean/Madelyne debacle, meaning if Madelyne wanted to, she could continue to act as Jean with Storm. As Storm continues her journey through being human and maybe finding her mutant self again, she shares a similar storyline to Madelyne who is now trying to find who she is outside of being ‘Jean Grey’. It’s possible Forge could also aid Madelyne in figuring out her memories, so she and Storm could make a solid pair for a B-plot story as we continue to follow our other X-Men through the fallout of Episode 3.
Image: “X-Men ’97 Episode 3”, Colin Leggett, GameRant
Sisters Assembled 