Foresight (Part 1) is an electrifying start to the climactic three-part finale of Wolverine and the X-Men. This episode kicks off with a bang as the X-Men grapple with the aftermath of the shocking revelations about the Phoenix Force and Emma Frost’s betrayal. Jean Grey’s awakening has set off a chain of events that threatens to tear the team apart from within. Tensions are running high as the X-Men must navigate these turbulent waters while preparing for an impending confrontation that could change their world forever.

The plot thickens as the X-Men scramble to deal with the dual threats of the Phoenix Force and the Inner Circle’s machinations. With Jean’s powers being both a blessing and a curse, the team finds itself in a race against time to prevent the Phoenix from wreaking havoc. At the same time, Wolverine and his team are left to pick up the pieces and figure out their next move. The stakes are higher than ever, and each decision could have far-reaching consequences. The episode deftly explores themes of loyalty, power, and the delicate balance between hope and fear.

Adding to the tension is the looming threat from Magneto, who is ready to launch his Sentinels in a bid for mutant dominance. The episode masterfully interweaves these storylines, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they watch the X-Men face one of their most significant challenges yet.

As tensions rise in both the future and the present, chaos is brewing for the X-Men. In the future, Professor X is captured by the Sentinels and taken to Master Mold, thanks to Marrow’s betrayal. There, he is shocked to encounter a re-built, high-tech Cerebro, and is forced to use it to locate the remaining mutants in the world. Meanwhile, in the present, Wolverine grapples with the abduction of Jean Grey and the alarming news that Senator Kelly has decided to launch the Sentinels at Genosha. Believing Emma Frost is behind Jean’s disappearance, Wolverine locks her up despite her denials. He and the rest of the team then turn their attention to stopping Kelly’s Sentinels from reaching Genosha, where Magneto is poised to retaliate.

Unbeknownst to Wolverine, it’s not actually Senator Kelly launching the Sentinels but Mystique, disguised as Kelly. The real Senator Kelly has been captured by Quicksilver and taken to Genosha under Magneto’s orders. Back at the X-Mansion, Scott releases Emma Frost, hoping she can help locate Jean once again. Emma, once freed, rushes to the Inner Circle’s mansion without Scott. There, she reveals her true self as the White Queen and explains to the still amnesic Jean what the Phoenix Force within her truly is. Emma tells Jean that the Phoenix must be released before it matures and becomes uncontrollable, or the entire world will suffer. Emma reveals that the Inner Circle’s purpose for centuries has been to find the next telepath with the Phoenix Force and set it free.

As this revelation unfolds, the X-Men head to the Trask factory only to arrive too late. The X-Jet goes down amidst the chaos as the Sentinels launch across the ocean towards Genosha.

This episode marks the first on-screen appearance of Selene, Black Queen from the Hellfire Club. She first appears in comic lore in New Mutants #9 and is a psychic vampire who drains life from people. A version of her turned up in X-Men: Dark Phoenix as Magneto’s right hand woman, but she bore little similarity to the character.

The Cuckoos are Sophie, Phoebe, Irma [Mindee], Celeste and Sophie, clones of Emma developed by the Weapon X project. They first appeared in New X-Men #118. They also have dodgy dealings with the Phoenix in the comic books, where they are named the Five-In-One due to their hive-like mind and also consider themselves Emma’s daughters. Their most recent onscreen appearance was in live-action series The Gifted.

The Cerebro helmet used by Master Mold on Xavier in this episode is similar to the one used on the Professor by Stryker in X2, although the feature film used it to negate Charles’ powers. He’s also wearing a bulkier version of what looks like an inhibitor collar from X-Men‘s Slave Island.

This series has the Phoenix worshiped in Egyptian times – which may explain Apocalypse’s interest in Sinister’s plans earlier this season…

Shades of Grey | Foresight (Part 2)