The Final Decision marks a compelling conclusion to the first season of X-Men, masterfully intertwining the season’s intricate sub-plots and setting the stage for the series’ future. This episode is a testament to the show’s layered storytelling, as it not only brings closure to the ongoing Sentinel arc but also opens new avenues for exploration in season two.

Throughout the season, viewers have witnessed the gradual build-up of tensions between mutants and humans, with the Sentinels representing a growing threat to mutant existence. Master Mold, the Sentinels’ leader, emerges as a formidable adversary with a chilling plan to replace world leaders with duplicates, escalating the conflict to a global scale. The X-Men’s battle against this mechanical monstrosity is fraught with danger and desperation, highlighting their unwavering commitment to safeguarding both mutant and human lives.

Magneto’s role in The Final Decision adds complexity to the narrative, as his actions reflect his own radical approach to mutant liberation. His intervention during the episode underscores his belief in mutant superiority and his willingness to go to great lengths to achieve his goals. Yet, in facing Master Mold, even Magneto must grapple with the consequences of his ideology and methods.

The episode serves as a poignant conclusion to the Sentinel storyline that has loomed over the season. The final fate of Master Mold is both a victory for the X-Men and a sobering reminder of the persistent dangers they face. It encapsulates the series’ core themes of prejudice, unity, and resilience while leaving viewers with lingering questions about what lies ahead for our heroes.

As The Final Decision draws to a close, it leaves an indelible mark on the series’ narrative arc. It resolves key plot points while hinting at future challenges, showcasing character development, and providing a satisfying payoff for viewers who have followed the X-Men’s journey from the beginning. This episode is not just a finale but a bridge to further adventures, ensuring that fans remain hooked on the X-Men’s ongoing fight for acceptance and peace in an ever-changing world.

Magneto, having kidnapped Senator Kelly from Washington during the Brotherhood‘s attack, takes him aboard a decrepit ship with deadly intentions. His plan to incite war between humans and mutants is thwarted by plastic Sentinels who capture Kelly. Despite Magneto’s valiant efforts using the ship’s debris, the Sentinels overpower him, leaving him defeated. The X-Men stumble upon Magneto’s battered form and rescue him, taking him back to their sanctuary for recovery.

Meanwhile, Kelly, now the President, is coerced by the Sentinels to commandeer mutant control. However, Master Mold, the Sentinels’ leader, usurps control, aiming to digitize global leadership. The X-Men uncover this plot through Henry Peter Gyrich and set out to dismantle the Sentinel stronghold. They engage in a fierce battle, with Storm, Rogue and Jubilee distracting the robots while the rest infiltrate the base. Gambit and Wolverine confront a Sentinel blockade, buying time for their comrades. In a shocking revelation, Master Mold expresses a desire to shield humanity from itself, viewing mutants as part of humankind. Amidst the chaos, Cyclops and Jean Grey successfully extract Kelly from the clutches of the Sentinels.

Xavier pilots the X-Men’s jet, the Blackbird, loaded with explosives, into Master Mold, who has emerged from his seat and broken through the base’s roof. Magneto effectively shields the jet from Sentinel attacks. Both mutants evacuate the jet before the explosion. The X-Men regroup and successfully retreat to their base, taking Kelly with them.

Subsequently, Kelly issues a statement reflecting his revised stance on mutants and their potential to benefit and safeguard humanity. Beast is freed from prison, while Scott and Jean enjoy a picnic and become engaged. Unbeknownst to them, a sinister individual observes the pair through a concealed camera.

In the first X-Men movie, Magneto kidnaps Senator Kelly for a seemingly benevolent reason. A flashback to the events of Days of Future Past (Part 2) has been edited to include Magneto in the background of scenes from that episode. When the X-Men find Magneto, the amount of blood displayed is surprising for a Saturday morning cartoon.

The concept of transferring the brains of intelligent humans into machines originates from the first appearance of the Sentinels in Uncanny X-Men #14-16. In that story, Mastermold’s target was Hank McCoy, also known as Beast. Mastermold humorously remarks, “It will be a vast improvement.”

Gambit’s mind scan reveals images of his ex-fiancée Bella Donna, whom we will encounter in X-Ternally Yours. The Ghost Rider also appears, referencing the crossover from X-Men #8-9.

In the comics, Trask sacrifices himself to stop the Sentinels, but this doesn’t prevent the concept from persisting. He returns in Courage and, along with Gyrich, suffers a grim fate in X-Men ’97. Despite being destroyed in this episode, Master Mold will reappear several times.

Jean Grey proposes to Scott Summers over Thanksgiving weekend in Uncanny X-Men #308.

This episode exists in two versions: one for reruns and the original broadcast. The original version features a different voice actor for Sinister, as Christopher Britton had not yet been cast.

Days of Future Past (Part 2) | Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)