Courage, as an episode, explores several themes, with a focus on conquering personal fears and understanding the value of friendship.

Morph, a mutant with the ability to change shape, faces their reluctance to return to the X-Men. The story begins with an assault by the Sentinels, giant robots programmed to target mutants, in pursuit of a polymer. The X-Men, including Morph, fight back. A major part of the plot is Morph’s battle with their previous traumas and the fear of the Sentinels, who had once severely injured them.

Morph plays a pivotal role. They locate the adversary’s stronghold, rejoin their comrades, and are instrumental in taking down Master Mold, the leader of the Sentinels. Their story is marked by self-doubt, especially when they freeze in terror as the Sentinels capture Xavier. Nevertheless, they overcome their trepidation, save their team, and destroy Master Mold.

In spite of their heroic actions, Morph acknowledges they’re not ready to rejoin the X-Men. Choosing to pursue their personal healing and development on their own, Morph’s decision underscores the episode’s main message: the bravery inherent in personal courage and the importance of self-awareness on one’s journey.

In the 2024 reboot of X-Men ’97, Morph’s character takes on a new dimension. The showrunners have revealed that Morph now identifies as non-binary, mirroring the increasing push for diversity and representation in media. In this series, Morph sports a striking look—bald, pale, and distinctively non-human—shedding the human male appearance of the original. They’ve become an integral, steadfast part of the X-Men, dazzling viewers with their shape-shifting prowess and flawless impersonations of various Marvel icons.

The choice to depict Morph as non-binary is a nod to the need for sensitive and genuine representation of diverse characters. It’s a continuation of the X-Men‘s legacy of echoing the voices of the underrepresented. While the decision has stirred some debate, the supportive response advocating for representation has been heartening. Morph’s non-binary portrayal in X-Men ’97 marks a meaningful stride towards broader inclusivity in the realm of entertainment.

In the heart of Muir Island’s Research Centre, Moira MacTaggert conducts a final check-up on Morph, ensuring they’re ready to rejoin the X-Men after their harrowing experiences with Mister Sinister. Assured of their recovery, Morph is eager to return to the team. Meanwhile, chaos erupts at a manufacturing plant as Sentinels hijack a shipment of advanced polymer. The alarm sounds at the X-Mansion, cutting short the team’s reunion with Morph, who joins them to confront the threat.

Wolverine, wary of the danger the Sentinels pose to Morph’s mental state, advises a tactical withdrawal. In the depths of the Sentinels’ lair, Master Mold, now merely a sentient head, plots to reconstruct his body using the stolen polymer and commands the capture of key figures: Professor X, Henry Peter Gyrich, and Bolivar Trask. Despite the X-Men’s efforts, the Sentinels succeed in abducting the Professor, exploiting Morph’s momentary paralysis.

In a remote jungle, Gyrich and Trask find themselves besieged by Sentinels. The X-Men’s intervention is too late; their adversaries are taken. Back at the mansion, a determined Morph infiltrates the Sentinel network, uncovering their stronghold. They sets off to rejoin their comrades.

In the Sentinel base, Master Mold’s goal is unmistakable: to exploit Xavier’s telepathic might and force Gyrich and Trask into building his new vessel. The X-Men’s intervention ignites an intense confrontation, escalating to a critical point until Morph, with their shapeshifting prowess, shifts the battle’s momentum. Just as Master Mold seizes an advantage and nearly ends Morph, a falling stalactite crushes it, averting disaster. In a selfless act, Trask detonates the base, apparently destroying himself and the Sentinels, while the X-Men, Gyrich, and Morph narrowly escape.

Despite the victory, Morph feels unprepared to rejoin their comrades and chooses a solitary path. One day, when ready, they will come home.

Morph has been recuperating on Muir Island from Sinister’s schemes since Reunion. It appears he has been studying mutant files, as he transforms into several individuals he has not met during the episode: Omega Red, Sasquatch, and Strong Guy. He also takes on the form of Angel, donning an X-Men uniform!

The episode includes a flashback to The Final Decision, which marked the last appearance of Gyrich, Trask, Master Mold, and the Sentinels.

Wolverine and Morph’s infiltration of the Zydex facility closely mirrors their earlier break-in during Night of the Sentinels.

Storm once again wears her clubbing outfit, last seen in The Juggernaut Returns.

Gyrich reappears in the series finale attempting to assassinate Professor Xavier. This episode inadvertently lays the groundwork for several plotlines later explored in X-Men ’97, including the return of Trask and Gyrich, as well as the Sentinel threat.

Although Master Mold is destroyed in this episode, the series later demonstrates his potential survival: just two episodes later, in One Man’s Worth, he is depicted as the ruler of the future.

Xavier Remembers | Secrets, Not Long Buried