1×09: Tolerance is Extinction (Part 2)

The penultimate episode of X-Men ’97 significantly raises the stakes, serving as a pivotal installment that combines thrilling action with profound character development.

Drawing inspiration from the 1993 Fatal Attractions comic arc, the episode sees Magneto reigniting his conflict with humanity and rallying mutants to join him. The plot is rich and complex, presenting the X-Men with the simultaneous challenges of thwarting Magneto and Bastion. Despite the swift narrative pace, the episode skilfully juggles these plots, although some story elements, such as Sunspot’s sudden betrayal, appear hastened.

Rogue’s character development shines in this episode, as her betrayal of the X-Men marks a pivotal point in her season-long narrative. Her choice to side with Magneto, following a profound loss, is depicted with a mix of tragedy and relatability. Magneto’s portrayal is equally compelling, highlighting the sorrow of his decline and the heartbreaking end to his friendship with Xavier.

The episode delivers non-stop excitement, leading to two significant events for Wolverine: he deals a critical strike to Magneto and endures the excruciating removal of his adamantium skeleton. These scenes, inspired by the Fatal Attractions storyline, are brought to life with intense emotional weight.

Tolerance Is Extinction (Part 2) stands as a testament to X-Men ’97‘s prowess in blending electrifying action with profound drama. The episode delves into the escalating divide between Magneto and Xavier, as well as the splintering of the X-Men, echoing the series’ deep-rooted themes of tolerance and the perils of extremism.

To sum up, this episode is an enthralling experience, presenting a dynamic fusion of grand spectacle and deep substance. Racing towards the season’s climax, it heightens the anticipation and deepens our investment in the characters we’ve grown to cherish.

Wary of current events, Xavier faces scepticism, yet the X-Men remain focused on thwarting Bastion and swaying Magneto to end his blackout. Magneto, steadfast in his resolve, revives his sanctuary on Asteroid M, severing Earth’s power and dismissing Xavier’s vision of mutant-human harmony. He extends an invitation to the X-Men to join his cause, which Rogue and Roberto accept.

Meanwhile, the others regroup at their old haunt on Muir Island, eventually dividing into two factions: Cyclops‘s Blue Team sets off to challenge Magneto on Asteroid M, while Storm and Jean‘s Gold Team ventures to Bastion’s stronghold in the Galápagos. In a stroke of genius, Beast and Forge devise a collar to nullify Bastion’s technopathy, breaking his dominion over the Sentinels. The Gold Team engages in a fierce clash against a legion of Bastion’s Sentinels and Sinister, who commandeers Cable‘s psyche to subdue Jean, prompting her to telepathically cry out to Cyclops.

Amidst the chaos on Asteroid M, Xavier’s attempt to dominate Magneto’s mind hits a wall. Wolverine, in a grave confrontation, inflicts a severe wound on Magneto, who retaliates by extracting the adamantium from Wolverine’s bones…

Storm has made a triumphant return to the credits, donning her iconic ’70s ensemble that debuted in the legendary Giant-Size X-Men #1. It’s a blast from the past that still packs a punch with its classic style! The humans running from the Sentinels have also been infected by the Techno-Organic virus in a cool blink-and-you’ll-miss-it visual.

Sunspot rocks his iconic New Mutants training gear as seen in Marvel Graphic Novel #4, bringing back that retro superhero chic that never goes out of style.

Morph’s new get-up is a remix of his second wardrobe change in the Exiles series – cape not included – where he and other X-Men from alternate realities unite for the ultimate gig: saving the Multiverse.

“What, were you expecting black leather?” quips Cyclops, tossing a wink to the audience with a nod to the classic “yellow spandex” line from the original X-Men flick. But no, Cable’s rocking his retro ’90s threads, the ones he donned when X-Force was all the rage and the X-Men welcomed them into the fold around the time of X-Force #44.

Tucked away in the hangar sits a motorcycle that’s more than meets the eye: it’s the iconic brown and yellow cycle, a treasured piece from Wolverine’s 1991 X-Men ToyBiz collection.

The display cases are a retro fashion show, featuring the classic X-Men uniforms of the 60s and 70s, just as John Byrne famously illustrated them.

In a dramatic twist straight out of Uncanny X-Men #304, Magneto makes a grand entrance at the Institute aboard his very own Asteroid M, echoing the time he crashed Illyana Rasputin’s funeral to recruit the X-Men. In the comic book world, Colossus was the one who took a sabbatical with Magneto, leaving his superhero family behind for a bit. However, in this adaptation, Rogue steps into Colossus’ metallic shoes, continuing her habit of filling in for him just like in previous comic renditions. Meanwhile, Sunspot and Rogue got the VIP invite to Asteroid M’s sanctuary before anyone else, but they played hard to get and turned it down in the original storyline.

Back in ’89, the X-Men decided to crash Asteroid M’s party in their retro chic spandex for the Pryde of the X-Men pilot. Alas, the show got the boot faster than a teleporting Nightcrawler, but like a Phoenix from the ashes, the series morphed into the X-Men we know and love.

Sunspot’s digs at 1 Claremont Avenue aren’t just a random number on a street; it’s a hat tip to the legendary Chris Claremont, the maestro behind Uncanny X-Men (and it’s many, many spin-offs!) from 1975 to 1991.

In the early ’90s, the X-Men were split into two fashionable squads known as the Blue and Gold teams, starring in Uncanny X-Men and its spin-off series. The line-up from the original X-Men animated series was primarily the Blue Team, jazzed up with Storm and Jean, and a dash less Psylocke for spice.

The showdown we’ve waited for! In the red corner, we have Mister Sinister with his not-so-secret crush on the Summers’ family tree. And in the blue corner, the tangled web of Jean and Madelyne’s switcheroo. This week, we’re diving into a bite-sized version of the Inferno saga from the 80’s, where all the juicy details were spilled. But hey, if reading isn’t your thing, just kick back and stream Fire Made Flesh – it’s the streamlined recap you never knew you needed.

The 1993 crossover Fatal Attractions storyline paved the way for the birth of Onslaught, a villain with psychic powers so intense they’re off the charts, all thanks to the fusion of Professor X and Magneto’s minds. Talk about a mind-meld gone wrong! This psychic powerhouse came into being when Professor X, fed up with Magneto’s shenanigans, used his telepathic powers to shut down Magneto’s mind, leaving him catatonic. The result? A villainous entity that’s a walking, talking psychic time bomb.

And then, time halts; the animation freezes into a static frame that shatters our hearts. As notably depicted in X-Men #25, Logan’s skeleton is stripped of its adamantium coating, Magneto wrenching the metal through his foe’s flesh, leaving the team, himself, and the audience in utter shock. It’s a faithful adaptation from the comic panel to the screen.