Bloodlines is an episode that takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, focusing on the concept of ‘found’ family and the deep-seated connections between some of our favourite mutants. The episode kicks off with Nightcrawler discovering some startling revelations about his past, leading to a dramatic confrontation with Mystique. As it turns out, Mystique is not just the enigmatic villainess we’ve come to know, but also Nightcrawler’s mother. This revelation throws Nightcrawler into a whirlwind of emotions as he grapples with the truth about his parentage and the complexities of his family ties.

The episode masterfully explores the theme of ‘found’ family, emphasizing that the connections we choose can be just as powerful as those we’re born into. Nightcrawler’s journey in Bloodlines is a testament to this idea. Despite the shock of learning about his biological mother, Nightcrawler’s true family remains the X-Men, who have supported and accepted him unconditionally. This dynamic highlights the strength and importance of the bonds formed through shared experiences and mutual respect, underscoring that family is not solely defined by blood but by the love and loyalty we give and receive.

Mystique’s involvement adds a rich layer of complexity to the story. As Nightcrawler confronts her, the audience gets a glimpse into her own struggles and motivations, revealing a more vulnerable side to the typically villainous character. Her relationship with Nightcrawler challenges the black-and-white perception of good and evil, showing that even those who appear irredeemable have their own stories and reasons. Bloodlines successfully blends action with emotional depth, providing a nuanced narrative that keeps viewers engaged and thoughtful. For fans of Nightcrawler, this episode is a poignant exploration of identity and belonging, leaving a lasting impact on the X-Men universe.

The Friends of Humanity are holding a tense meeting, discussing their former leader, Graydon Creed Jr. They haven’t forgiven him for his past actions, particularly making a deal with Apocalypse that nearly wiped out the human race. To add insult to injury, Creed was exposed as the son of Sabretooth, a mutant. During their discussion, they reveal that an investigation into Creed’s family has uncovered more mutants, and Creed promises to eliminate them all in exchange for re-joining the group.

Meanwhile, at Xavier’s Mansion, Nightcrawler arrives to visit the X-Men with a troubling letter in hand. The letter states that his mother will be killed unless he complies with the demands of an unknown enemy. Nightcrawler, unaware of his mother’s identity, asks for assistance in confronting this threat. Wolverine, Rogue, and Jubilee agree to accompany him to the rendezvous point.

The four mutants arrive at a dam, where they encounter Mystique, who reveals a shocking truth: Nightcrawler is her son, making him and Rogue foster siblings. Before they can process this revelation, Creed and his Friends of Humanity troops launch an attack. The mutants are forced to retreat, and Nightcrawler takes the opportunity to confront Mystique about abandoning him as a baby. The chaos escalates as the Friends of Humanity deploy attack helicopters to assault the mutants. Creed manages to shoot Mystique, causing her to fall from the dam, and fires missiles at the dam itself, resulting in his helicopter being engulfed by the resulting tidal wave.

Believing Mystique and Creed to be dead, the mutants decide to leave. However, it is soon revealed that Mystique has survived and wandered off into the woods. Creed, on the other hand, is rescued by the Friends of Humanity. But his failure to eliminate the mutants again leaves his position with the group in jeopardy. They decide to give him another chance but with a twist: Creed must confront the one person he never wanted to face – Sabretooth, to be punished.

The mutant in the news programme that is being escorted through protestors to class is Clarice Ferguson, the Generation X member known as Blink.

The story is inspired by X-Men Unlimited #4, during which Nightcrawler and Rogue, while looking for Mystique, were all targeted by Graydon Creed. It was revealed that Mystique had had Graydon when she had been in a different guise at the time, namely that of German spy Leni Zauber, who had an affair with CIA Agent Victor Creed, aka Sabretooth. It also confirmed the version of events from this episode – that Mystique abandoned Kurt. This has been retconned since and Mystique’s memories of events were telepathically messed with.

The kids who knock on the mansion doors are dressed as Spider-Man and Daredevil.

Nightcrawler makes small cameos a few times this season: when Logan remembers his teachings in Lotus and the Steel and as part of an alternate X-Men team in One Man’s Worth. In the reality of this series, he won’t appear again until X-Men ’97‘s Remember It, after which he joined the main team.

In the season one finale of X-Men ’97, Graydon Creed is said to be running for presidency. Maybe he survived his encounter with Sabretooth at the end of this episode? Or maybe there’s a deeper conspiracy at work?

Because it was written before the invention of Azazel, as well as predating Mystique and Destiny’s back story, neither characters play any part in Mystique’s flashback events in this episode. Now, Destiny and Mystique are Kurt’s biological parents, which had been Chris Claremont’s original intention all along.

At one point, Mystique transforms into her Raven Darkhölme persona, as seen in Days of Future Past.

Family Ties | Weapon X, Lies and Video Tape