A Rogue’s Tale takes us deep into the shadows of Rogue’s past, shedding light on the complexities that make her one of X-Men‘s most mysterious figures. This pivotal episode peels back the layers of her persona, exposing the anguish and chaos that have shaped her. It’s a narrative rich with emotion and revelation, offering a peek into the history that molds her current self.
The episode guides us through Rogue’s recollections, revealing how she accidentally gained Ms. Marvel’s powers and consciousness. This incident is a cornerstone in Rogue’s saga, igniting her battle with her powers and sense of self. Her inner turmoil is depicted with sensitivity and depth, as she confronts the cacophony of internal voices and the remorse stemming from her past deeds.
But this episode goes beyond superpowers; it’s a testament to Rogue’s humanity. It displays her fragility, her fears, and her yearning for connection – traits that clash with the strong image she projects. The story also explores themes of self-acceptance and redemption, as Rogue strives to reconcile with her history and carve out a new direction.
A Rogue’s Tale resonates emotionally, adding richness to Rogue’s character. It gives insight into her protective nature and builds a bridge of empathy for her plight. By delving into her past, the episode layers Rogue’s character, making her one of the most intriguing and relatable members of the X-Men ensemble.
Mystique rendezvouses with Mister Sinister in a dilapidated building, where he informs her that Professor X is currently absent from the X-Men, providing her an opportunity to retrieve Rogue. The following day, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants launches an assault on a farmers market, beckoning the X-Men into battle. As the conflict ensues, Rogue is distracted by a blonde woman, leading to a painful psychic episode. Her teammates are bewildered by her outburst, while she continues to be tormented by visions of a green, masked creature.
Back at the mansion, Rogue is taken to the infirmary after another episode. Her screams startle Cyclops and Gambit, but she soon calms down and shares that she’s been plagued by these visions since the Professor‘s departure, unaware of the work he had been doing with her due to blocked memories. Jean Grey uncovers photographs of the blonde woman from Rogue’s visions. Escaping the mansion, Rogue encounters Wolverine, who morphs into the blonde woman, mocking her until Rogue lashes out, only to realize she’s been hallucinating and has struck Wolverine. Following an apology and a brief clash with Gambit, Rogue returns to the mansion in search of Jean. Plagued by the blonde woman’s voice and hallucinations, Rogue loses control, bursting through the mansion to the roof, and ultimately takes flight.
Storm reunites with Rogue at the Statue of Liberty, attempting to offer comfort to her teammate. However, Rogue is haunted by a vision of a blonde woman and rushes to a hospital in pursuit. Storm tails her, only to be blindsided by Mystique and Blob. At the same time, the blonde woman, comatose and nameless, lies in a hospital bed, her identity a mystery to the doctors. Cyclops, Wolverine, and Gambit converge on the hospital but are ambushed by the Brotherhood. Just as defeat seems imminent, Storm intervenes, dispatching the villains with a mighty tornado.
Within the hospital’s walls, Rogue is led by the blonde woman to a room where she discovers the real woman in a coma. The illusion shatters as the imposter reveals herself as Mystique, who coerces Rogue into a touch that transfers memories. This contact unlocks Rogue’s own memories: her first kiss with Cody Robbins, the emergence of her powers, and the subsequent rejection by her father. It was then that Rogue encountered a woman – Mystique in disguise – who took her in and mentored her in using her abilities. Later, as Rogue and the nascent Brotherhood attempted to commandeer a jet, they clashed with Ms Marvel. In the heat of the battle, Rogue’s powers fully absorbed Ms Marvel’s, leaving her with permanent abilities and haunted by the heroine, the very blonde woman who had been pursuing her.
Disillusioned with Mystique for manipulating her against Ms. Marvel, Rogue was tormented by visions of the superheroine. Seeking redemption, she turned to Xavier, who aided her in silencing Ms. Marvel’s echoes in her mind. Rogue morphs into Ms. Marvel after absorbing Mystique’s shape-shifting abilities. Ms. Marvel’s persona asserts itself, claiming dominion over Rogue’s consciousness, and takes flight, pursued by Storm. Meanwhile, Jean taps into Cerebro to delve into the tumultuous psyche of Rogue/Ms. Marvel. In the mindscape, she battles alongside Rogue to subdue the defiant Ms. Marvel. Triumphantly, Rogue reclaims her mind, renouncing Mystique and embracing her identity as an X-Man.
The following day, Rogue stands by Ms. Marvel’s hospital bedside, introducing the patient as ‘Carol Danvers‘ to the medical staff. A gentle brush of Carol’s hair by Rogue triggers the return of Carol’s awareness to her own form. As Rogue exits, a subtle smile graces Carol’s lips, signalling a silent victory.
A significant segment of this episode, particularly the astral battles between Rogue and the deteriorated Ms. Marvel, is derived from Uncanny X-Men #269, which temporarily separated Rogue from Carol Danvers’ persona within her mind.
While with the X-Men in the Australian Outback, Rogue experienced blackouts during which Carol’s powers and personality would surface. Carol even rearranged Rogue’s uniforms and living quarters while in control, much to Rogue’s chagrin.
We catch a fleeting look at Storm’s attic, a place seldom seen in the series, yet it has been Ororo’s sanctuary for a long time in the comics.
In the comics, Carol does not fall into a coma. After recuperating with the X-Men, she ventures into space with the Starjammers and later returns to Earth. She turns down an offer to permanently join the X-Men when they accept Rogue in Uncanny X-Men #171 and ultimately takes on the mantle of Captain Marvel.
The flashbacks reveal multiple aspects of Rogue’s past, including her relationship with Cody Robbins (as seen in The Cure and Love in Vain), her first love, glimpses of her father, and her initial meeting with Mystique, who avoids using her blue form—clarifying why her true appearance was unknown to Rogue in The Cure.
Avalanche, Blob, and Pyro, however, should have recognised Rogue. The blockage of her memories accounts for her unfamiliarity with the Brotherhood. It took decades, but her real name was eventually disclosed as Anna-Marie in the comics. During these flashbacks, she dons a version of her Brotherhood costume from the comics.
The portrayal of Rogue’s assault on Ms. Marvel, while divergent from the comic book events, is adapted from Marvel Superheroes #13-14, which printed unused Ms. Marvel issues to complete her original run when it was cancelled at #23.
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