The Fifth Horseman brings together intense action and profound character dynamics. The episode revolves around the re-emergence of the ancient mutant Apocalypse, one of the X-Men’s most formidable adversaries. Fabian Cortez, a fervent disciple of Apocalypse, plays a crucial role in this episode, driven by his unwavering loyalty to the villain’s cause. His actions set in motion a chain of events that threaten the X-Men and the world. Cortez’s fanaticism is both terrifying and compelling, showcasing the lengths he will go to in order to resurrect his master.

Parallel to the main plot, The Fifth Horseman delves deep into the evolving relationship between Beast and Jubilee. Beast, known for his intellect and wisdom, takes on a mentoring role for the young and spirited Jubilee. Their interactions highlight the pupil-teacher dynamic, with Beast’s patience and guidance helping Jubilee navigate the complexities of their mission. The episode subtly explores themes of growth, learning, and the importance of mentorship. Jubilee’s admiration for Beast and her desire to prove herself add layers of emotional depth to the storyline.

As the episode progresses, the tension escalates with the looming threat of Apocalypse’s return. Cortez’s unwavering fealty to Apocalypse drives him to make increasingly desperate and dangerous decisions. The two X-Men, meanwhile, must rely on their camaraderie and the lessons learned from their mentors to overcome these challenges. The Fifth Horseman masterfully blends action with character development, offering viewers a thrilling ride while delving into the complexities of loyalty, mentorship, and the eternal battle between good and evil.

In South America, a young boy is pursued by the Hounds, who believe the child to be a vessel for Apocalypse to escape from the astral plane. The boy successfully evades capture, prompting the Hounds to return to their base and report their failure to Fabian Cortez. Cortez, in turn, informs Apocalypse, who is communicating through a statue of himself after being lost in time.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in South America, Beast and Jubilee are on an archaeology expedition. They discover a signpost leading them to a temple. At the temple, which serves as Cortez’s base, Caliban, one of the Hounds, is being punished by Cortez. Detecting the mutant presences of Beast and Jubilee, the Hounds are dispatched to capture them. Caliban apprehends the duo but expresses his discontent with using Jubilee to revive Apocalypse. When Beast offers his life to save Jubilee, Cortez amplifies Beast’s mutation, transforming him into a more savage form.

Cortez decides to use Jubilee’s body as a vessel for his master. Caliban is rebuked when he suggests finding an alternative host. As Beast, now feral, regains his senses in the jungle, he races back to the temple. Just as the possession ceremony is about to commence, Cortez strips Caliban of his augmented powers when he volunteers to replace Jubilee. Beast arrives and causes the cave to collapse. Cortez then uses his power to revert Beast to his normal form, but Jubilee manages to escape by blasting Cortez.

Beast, Jubilee, and Caliban manage to flee. Apocalypse then appears from a rift. Cortez, pinned by the falling rubble, begs for forgiveness for failing him. Apocalypse declares that he hasn’t failed: he did, indeed, get him a body. Possessing Cortez’s form and shapeshifting to his own, he cackles, free to continue his plan for the survival of the fittest.

The Hounds are unnamed in the episode, although the scripts lists two as ‘Whip’ and ‘Blade’.

Caliban appears in both his ‘Death’ Horseman look from the comic books, as well as his weaker Morlock form. Cortez claims to have found him in the Morlock Tunnels. Whilst he is a Morlock, Caliban likely met Jubilee when they were imprisoned in Genosha in Slave Island.

Cortez was rescued from Asteroid M, in Sanctuary, by Apocalypse and Deathbird, who can be seen in flashback in this episode.

The Hound outfits are based on Ahab’s Hounds from the Days of Future Past storyline, as modelled by Rachel Summers.

When Beast is mutated by Cortez’s mutant powers, he resembles his counterpart from the Age of Apocalypse storyline.

Due to the change in animation, Jubilee’s hair now looks as it does in the Generation X comics of the time.

THE LAST SIX EPISODES

The last six episodes of X-Men were leased out to be animated by a different animation studio to save money as Marvel Entertainment were heading for bankruptcy at the time. All of their television shows ended on their current seasons, leaving Spider-Man: The Animated Series ending on a cliff-hanger, whilst the others fared slightly better with at least their episodes wrapped up.

Some of the changes were minor. The hoverchair that the Professor uses changes. The Blackbird looks sleeker. Jubilee and Storm get new looks. Jean puts her hair down, although given Madelyne’s hairstyle in X-Men ’97, this could be a clue to Jean’s cloning.

The animation is not stellar. It’s not as good as the rest of the series and is quite jarring on first watch. However, the lack of great animation is challenged by some of the best written episodes of the show (Old Soldiers and Descent are pivotal), but also some of the worst (Jubilee’s Fairytale Theatre and Hidden Agendas).

When the show ended in 1997, fans moved on and the movies beckoned for Marvel’s Merry Mutants. Nearly three decades later, in 2024, the show returned in sequel form in X-Men ’97, picking up where this series left off.

But that’s another story.

Storm Front (Part 2)  | Jubilee’s Fairytale Theatre