This episode is a rollercoaster of action and intrigue, weaving together multiple storylines across different timelines. The themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of power are explored as characters navigate complex alliances and face formidable foes. The dynamic between Psylocke and Archangel adds depth to the narrative, while the confrontations with Sabretooth and Mystique highlight the ever-present danger posed by Apocalypse’s minions.

Magneto’s involvement brings an additional layer of complexity to the plot, as his motivations and loyalties remain ambiguous. The interaction between Magneto and Mystique at the Axis of Time is particularly gripping, hinting at deeper machinations at play. Meanwhile, Cable and Tyler’s mission in 3999 underscores the high stakes and the importance of their quest to stop Apocalypse.

Overall, this episode masterfully balances character development, high-stakes action, and intricate plot twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The exploration of time travel and the ethical dilemmas it presents adds a thought-provoking dimension to the story. As the X-Men grapple with their enemies and their own inner conflicts, they continue to demonstrate the resilience and determination that make them such compelling heroes in the X-Men universe. This chapter of the saga is a must-watch, offering a rich tapestry of drama and excitement that will leave fans eagerly anticipating the next episode.

In the Shi’ar Empire, chaos erupts as Deathbird launches a daring attack against her sister, Empress Lilandra Neramani. As Deathbird’s forces storm the throne room, it becomes evident that Apocalypse is aiding her in this battle. However, once Apocalypse reaches Oracle of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard, he swiftly abandons Deathbird and retreats back to his base, leaving her to fend for herself.

Back on Earth, Cyclops is puzzled as to why he wasn’t abducted. Apocalypse makes his way to the Axis of Time, where Bishop has been trapped, and reveals that he discovered this temporal crossroads using Cable‘s time-traveling computer. He’s been exploring this dimension for centuries. Meanwhile, at the X-Mansion, Cyclops observes that Apocalypse is specifically targeting mutants with telepathic abilities. He suggests using psychic mutants as bait to lure Apocalypse into a trap.

Over at Archangel‘s residence, Psylocke is caught attempting to steal from the former X-Man. A fight ensues, but it is interrupted by Wolverine and Shard, who have been dispatched by the X-Men after detecting Psylocke’s thoughts via Cerebro. The situation escalates as Sabretooth and Mystique arrive, intent on capturing Psylocke for Apocalypse. The ensuing battle is intense, with Magneto making a dramatic entrance and taking Psylocke before Storm and Gambit arrive to support their comrades.

At the Axis of Time, Magneto and Mystique have a tense conversation about their plans and allegiances. Meanwhile, in the year 3999, Cable and Tyler Summers are determined to stop Apocalypse. They manage to scale a treacherous cliff face to reach a time machine that they hope will enable them to travel back in time and thwart Apocalypse’s plans.

Deathbird was previously seen in cameos in flashbacks in Orphan’s End and alongside Apocalypse in Sanctuary (Part 2). She reappears again in X-Men ’97.

This is the only time in the series’ run when Sinister is on his own with Jean. Since he clones her at an indeterminable point (he ain’t telling) in X-Men ’97, this writer posits that this is where the event takes place. He even talks about leaping forward and seeing the results of his ‘next generation’. Of course, to him, it’s all about creating a weapon to stop Apocalypse – the baby weapon he creates is, of course, Cable.

When the action switches to England, it seems you can faintly hear Banshee’s sonic scream on the wind.

Psylocke’s psychic knives are censored; rather than stab her victims directly in the brain and disrupting their mental faculties, this Psylocke aims and projects them. They also only render the victim unconscious.

While we’re on the subject of Psylocke, it’s a bit odd that’s she’s a thief here, working for her brother (comic’s Captain Britain). She’s also teamed up with Archangel as the pair were a couple in the comics at the time of production. Model sheets for a potential new season with the two as central characters can be found in the excellent X-Men: The Art and Making of an Animated Series by series producers Eric and Julia Lewald.

Sabretooth and Mystique may seem an odd team-up here, but in the comics at the time, they were government controlled members of X-Factor. Magneto and Mystique’s team-up also seems odd here, but the pair have a much closer relationship in the film series.

Psychics seen in the cylinders in this episode are the omnipathic Gamesmaster, the New Mutant Karma and villain Mesmero.

“I WONDER WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE UNDER THAT MASK…”

Psylocke, also known as Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock, is a fascinating character in the X-Men universe with a rich and complex history. Despite her intriguing backstory and formidable abilities, Psylocke has had surprisingly few appearances in live-action and animation mediums.

Psylocke’s history is riddled with complexity, particularly concerning her connection with Kwannon. Originally, Betsy Braddock was a British telepath who joined the X-Men and adopted the codename Psylocke. However, a body-swapping incident with the assassin Kwannon added layers of intrigue to her character. This swap led to a tangled narrative where both characters shared memories and abilities, creating a unique dynamic that has been explored in various comic storylines.

In live-action, Psylocke has been seen twice: in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). While these portrayals brought Psylocke to the big screen, they were brief and did not fully explore her character’s depth. Additionally, Psylocke appeared in the film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), but again, her role was limited.

Psylocke has fared slightly better in animation. In these episodes, this version of Psylocke was depicted as a skilled fighter with psychic abilities, but her character was not explored in depth. She only makes one appearance in Wolverine and the X-Men and isn’t even given a comics-accurate costume!

Given Psylocke’s rich history and potential for compelling storytelling, it’s surprising that she hasn’t been given more screen time. Her complicated relationship with Kwannon, her journey from a telepathic hero to a skilled assassin, and her eventual redemption could provide fertile ground for deeper exploration in both live-action and animation.

With her intricate backstory and unique abilities, there is a wealth of potential for future adaptations that could bring her character to the forefront and do justice to her legacy.

Beyond Good and Evil (Part 1): The End of Time | Beyond Good and Evil (Part 3): The Lazarus Chamber