Previously on the Disney+ series X-Men ‘97, Polaris ends up getting fired by Dr. Cooper and returns home to the X-Men. The team finds themselves in a sticky situation as the school’s Danger Room begins to programme itself, the death-bot making her own decisions. We see Professor X and Polaris work together at the end to kill the bot, using their powers and memories of Magneto to use all the strength they can.
We open with a flashback to the Genosha Massacre, and see Colossus lose his sister, Illyana aka Magik, perish. In the present day, Graydon Creed begins his candidacy for President. We are then introduced to the Acolytes of Magneto, who want Graydon dead— Colossus and Exodus take the lead. Exodus demands that all imprisoned mutants detained by X-Factor be released into custody by the Acolytes. If they don’t, then they will kill Graydon. The X-Men decide to try to negotiate with the Acolytes, Nightcrawler wanting to protect Graydon, his half-brother
Professor X has Nightcrawler, Beast, Rogue, Bishop, and Polaris go to the Savage Land to get Graydon. As they’re making their way, the plane crashes. Due to an energy inhibitor, they can’t use their powers and are separated. Polaris and Bishop venture through the jungle as the rest of the group meets with the Acolytes. Colossus decides to let them have a trial for Graydon, after learning he’s Nightcrawler’s half -brother and hearing his plea.
The trial begins, and Exodus pleads his case against Graydon and his anti-mutant campaign. Nightcrawler asks Graydon why he hates mutants, and he says, “Because you were born.” Nightcrawler then claims Sabretooth as Graydon’s father because of the scar on his face. Graydon says no at first, but then tells the truth about his trauma. Nightcrawler believes that Graydon doesn’t hate mutants, but hates the ones who hurt him. As Colossus renders his verdict, Exodus attacks him. Quickly, a battle forms between Exodus’ Acolytes and the X-Men and Colossus, with Bishop and Polaris making their entrance at perfect timing.
The battle ends with Nightcrawler and Exodus at a draw until Graydon shoots and kills Exodus. Nightcrawler teleports Graydon to a snow plane, but decides to let him go as he’s not worth killing.
At the end of the episode, we see Cable and his team enter Athens and the crypt. find Apocalypse’s corpse. Jubilee finds a card that belongs to Gambit, which means he’s somehow killed Apocalypse.
One of the strongest themes in this episode is trust. There are many ways we see this being used. One way is through Colossus, who believes that he can trust the X-Men and Nightcrawler’s beliefs about Graydon. We also see this from Nightcrawler as well, as he chooses to trust that Graydon could be a good person.
A theme that can be bounced off of trust is hope. Even after everything that’s happened this season, the X-Men continue believing they can save people. Nightcrawler refuses to give up hope on Graydon, allowing himself to present to the X-Men and Acolytes of Magneto that there’s still some good in his brother, even if they may not see it.
Overall, this was a really good episode, filled with lots of emotions. We see a more emotional and vulnerable side of Nightcrawler, which was very well done by Adrian Hough. As the season heads toward its conclusion, this episode raises the stakes. What’s to come in the remaining episodes?
Rating: 9/10