Mainstream is an excellent episode of the season as it continues to evolve. The drama becomes more prolific as this episode barely shines a light on the ups and downs of being a mutant superhero, but rather what it is to be a mutant teenager.
Teenagers, by nature’s design, seem to be doomed to isolation and sullenness no matter the state of the rest of the world, and as a result, every teenager can emphasise with these characters. This is the beauty of putting a new spin on the franchise and, by making the cast younger and still in high school, the series can exploit situations and stories the other series’ can’t.
That is clearly part of this show’s success. As a writer of a certain age, Buffy the Vampire Slayer hit the UK at the right time and it’s mix of comedy, horror and soap drama attributed much to my development. Someone must have been a fan, because Buffy is all over this episode. It could very easily be adapted for that show as this episode clearly shows an influence.
And the plot moves on: Kelly fans the flames between the two mutant groups, plays bullies and classmates against each other. Kurt struggles with his place when he realises how easy it is to hide, a metaphor for all sorts of teenage struggles. Jean fronts it up – and her powerful speech at the episode’s climax sent chills up this writer’s arms.
When children’s entertainment is this good, the X-Universe once again proves just how accessible, current and relevant it can be.
The X-Men are now living underground beneath the ruins of the mansion. Kitty and Kurt catch some high school jocks spray-painting graffiti and chase them off. The next day, Jubilee‘s parents arrive to take her home, and Logan blames himself for not detecting Mystique earlier. Xavier calls a meeting and informs the students that they can return to school for one day, but they must not use their powers. That night, the school board will vote on whether to ban mutants from schools permanently.
At school, the X-Men face taunts and hostility from other students. Kurt tries to hide his mutant identity, while Jean breaks up with Duncan after he suggests using her powers to their advantage. Logan encounters Colossus, who delivers a message from Magneto, but Colossus refuses to join the X-Men.
Principal Kelly invites the Brotherhood back to school, hinting that they would have the run of the place. At school, Duncan and his friends try to provoke Scott into using his powers, but Kitty and Rogue defend him. Kurt distances himself from the X-Men, but eventually steps in to help during a fight with the Brotherhood.
During a school board meeting, Jean gives a speech advocating for mutants to attend public school. The Brotherhood and Duncan start a fight with the X-Men outside, but the X-Men refrain from using their powers. When the Brotherhood escalates the fight, the X-Men are forced to use their powers to save innocent bystanders. The next morning, Xavier informs the students that the board voted to allow them back into school, and he encourages them to take the first step in this new world.
Due to the rising tensions, Jubilee and Wolfsbane’s parents remove them from the school and the two leave the series.
Xavier was abducted at some point during The HeX Factor while visiting Wanda in the hospital.
In the comics, Nightcrawler very rarely uses an image inducer, being fairly comfortable with his appearance, fur and tail. Several ladies don’t seem to mind either.
Principal Kelly now has more similarities to his comic book counterpart, Senator Kelly, as his anti-mutant stance prompts him to manipulate the Brotherhood into violence.
Kelly’s comment about Jean’s ‘fiery temper’ can easily be seen as a hint to the Phoenix.
Colossus being on Magneto’s new squad of Acolytes is fitting. In Uncanny X-Men #304, Colossus famously betrayed the X-Men at his sister’s funeral and actually remained by Magneto’s side for several years.
X-Cess Minutiae 
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