X-Men ’97 Finale Review: “Tolerance Is Extinction – Part 2”

Every week X-Men ’97 manages to up the stakes. By the end of “Tolerance Is Extinction – Part 2,” episode 9 draws to such a frenzied, heart-racing climax you’ll likely be sitting staring at the credits in shock. And that’s saying a lot considering the previous episodes. Marvel has certainly been keeping the X-Men booked and busy.

With Bastion’s plan of Sentinel superiority in full swing, episode 9 builds off last week’s beginning of the end, “Tolerance Is Extinction – Part 1.” The X-Men face an entirely new breed of enemy that might just tear them apart at the very seams of their not-leather outfits. This week’s episode also has some of the most moving dialogue and interactions thus far in the series. Activate those power neutralizers and settle in — here’s your episode 9 review of X-Men ’97.

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The Weight of Loyalty

Now that he’s returned from his time with Empress Lilandra in Shi’ar space, Professor X tries to explain his actions. Most notably, Scott Summers wants to know why he left Magneto in charge. Charles’ reasoning was he wanted to give Scott and Jean Grey the freedom to have their own lives together. It was always his dream to create a world where mutants could live in peace but his fear was that Cyclops would never allow himself to enjoy that world. The good intentions were there but Scott still feels betrayed by his father figure. When Charles extends his hand to Scott, the mutant leader refuses.

Meanwhile, Storm and Forge rescue Jubilee and Roberto from a mob of Bastion’s Sentinels. These new Sentinels are still no match for two Omega-level mutants, even if Forge points out that Storm is doing her Modest Goddess Routine. That’s right, Forge, you better keep yourself in Ororo’s good graces. The two mutants bring their younger teammates back to the destroyed X-Mansion. Jean is overjoyed to see her friend, but Storm is furious at what has happened to their home. Their plan is to retreat to Muir Island and use their resources their amid Magneto’s global blackout.

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Blue Team and Gold Team

In a fun nod to the iconic comic book lineups of the ’90s, the X-Men divide themselves into the Blue and Gold Teams for their mission. Scott and Rogue go Blue to confront Magneto and try to get him to reverse his disruption of the planet’s magnetic fields. Storm and Jean will helm Gold, traveling to the Galápagos Islands to shut down Bastion at his base. Professor X also reveals that Bastion was one of Charles’ first attempted recruits when he started the X-Men and Robert now has his own X-suit.

Over in the laboratory, Forge and Beast attempt to restore the Prime Sentinels’ “innate humanity” — whatever that means, at this point. Points for trying, Beast. One of their potential solutions is to rework the power neutralizer tech to subdue the Sentinel hybrids. With a clap of thunder, Storm vetoes any use of neutralizer tech. The queen has spoken, and Forge and Beast listen. Back to square one.

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The Price of Dreams

Professor X speaks with Rogue briefly. Both are in mourning about Gambit but Rogue refutes Charles’ sympathy, saying Remy’s legacy is deeper than he realizes. Rogue’s words sting but they ring true: “Maybe if you saw us as people and not students, you’d have realized that.” Before the two strike teams can depart, Magneto drops in at the mansion — with Asteroid M in tow. His plan is to create a new Genosha, and this time he won’t be playing nice with humans or taking fellow mutants for granted. Magneto says to the X-Men, “How many more of your bones will pave the way to Xavier’s future, where we simper like beggars for tolerance?”

Semantics are always key. If you listen closely, when Magneto invites the X-Men to join him, he doesn’t use the usual “To me, my X-Men” that Charles originated. Instead, he says, “Decide, my X-Men.” It’s a true invitation, without strings attached but instead the promise of autonomy. Rogue decides to go with Magneto, upholding her decision from Genosha to help lead mutantkind into a new future. Roberto leaves too, and Jubilee is especially hurt at his choice. The X-Men watch in shock as the trio flies up to Asteroid M.

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A Lunatic’s Legacy

Briefly, we see President Kelly doubting Xavier. It seems everyone is finally, slowly, realizing that Professor X’s methods haven’t always been as trustworthy as he would have the world believe. At the same time, both X-Men teams depart for their missions. The Gold Team confronts the Sentinels down on the ground, which are being driven by Bastion’s technopathy.

Just as the mutants go their separate ways, ready to face the ultimate evil, there’s a beautiful moment between Storm and Jean. We often hear about their love for each other, a true sisterhood, but this tender exchange shows just how deep that love goes. Each wishes the other luck and their mirrored lines will go down in X-Men history. Jean encourages Ororo, “Make them mind your weather, sister,” to which Ororo replies, “And them weather your mind.” Now that’s sisterhood.

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Morph Smash!

Jean, Cable, Beast, and Morph are on the ground headed toward the source of Bastion’s frequency. Morph shifts into Hulk, a display of power that shows they can morph into beings other than mutants and still use their powers. Amid all the chaos, Mr. Sinister confronts Jean. He taunts her, saying he can tell her when he switched her and Madelyne. Jean says it doesn’t matter because Madelyne fights with her now. After Madelyne’s tragic demise in Genosha, Jean has finally reached peace in their connection and she overpowers Sinister with formidable telekinetic hand-to-hand combat.

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Whose Lives Matter More?

Down on the island and up on the asteroid, every mutant is pushing their powers to the absolute limits. No matter where you look, it’s a showdown between powerhouses. Charles tells Magneto that the world has changed him, and he has allowed it to. In response to Charles’s typical entitled speech, Magneto simply says “shut up” after sealing his mouth with a slab of metal. It’s okay to admit it — we’ve all been waiting for that to happen. Satisfying.

Within the island base, Morph attempts to trick Bastion disguised as Sinister but Bastion sees through their trick. Beast’s acrobatics are also no match for Bastion’s writhing, mechanical tendrils. Outside, up in the air, Storm is distracted when Forge is shot down in the X-Jet. She herself gets shot by a Sentinel and she plummets to the ocean below. Meanwhile, Sinister continues to taunt Jean. He activates a latent control over Cable, who then attacks Jean. She sends a telepathic message to Cyclops to say she loves him before appearing to let Cable overpower her. Could this be another death for Jean? It seems the X-Men are falling left and right.

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Feuds & Fatal Attractions

On Asteroid M, a fierce battle rages. Jubilee takes out all her betrayed anger on Roberto and their powers clash in a pyrotechnic display of energy. The other mutants’ efforts are focused on taking down Magneto, and Wolverine finally manages to snatch off Magneto’s helmet, giving Xavier a chance to attack his closest friend. Just as Magneto’s mind is likely about to snap, Cyclops blasts Professor X, saying the Gold Team needs more time. Now freed, Magneto sends out another massive electromagnetic pulse and fastens his helmet onto Charles while also restraining the other X-Men. He calls Charles a traitor to his race.

But Wolverine, overlooked by Magneto and impatient as always, sneaks up to stab Magneto in the back with his claws. The other X-Men are shocked. Rogue’s face displays a weary grief that’s all too easy to bring to the surface. Wolverine snarls in Magneto’s ear that the brave always die first in war. Magneto replies that finally their feud is over before he rips Wolverine’s Adamantium skeleton from his body. The last shot is Wolverine shredded to pieces by the hand of Magneto.

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Is your jaw on the floor? Ours too. Are Jean and Storm out for good? And what’s next for Magneto and Wolverine? At this point, Bastion is just a background player. The X-Men are doing just fine on their own bringing the drama.

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