Warning: this review contains full spoilers for X-Men ‘97: Season 1, Episode 6!
X-Men ‘97’s fifth episode was a real doozy, culminating in the deaths of several major characters alongside countless other mutants in the doomed nation of Genosha. From there, the series faces a tall order in trying to continue the massive scope and emotional heartache from that dramatic installment, and perhaps it’s just as well it doesn’t even try in the sixth. “Lifedeath - Part 2” instead pivots back to Storm and Forge, wrapping up a competent, if slightly rushed adaptation of a seminal Uncanny X-Men comics storyline.
To its credit, ‘97 doesn’t necessarily lose any momentum from this change in focus. Episode director Emi Yonemura describes “Remember It” as the “mid-season finale,” and with that in mind, it makes sense to take a step back and let the pain of those losses settle in. “Lifedeath - Part 2” allows ‘97 to perform some necessary housekeeping and explore the ways in which love blossoms in even the most trying of times for our mutant heroes.
Interestingly, this second half of the Lifedeath story arc is structured more traditionally than the first, where “Lifedeath - Part 1” and “Motendo” were treated as separate mini-episodes. It makes a bit more sense to integrate the Xavier/Lilandra subplot here, as there are obvious thematic similarities between the two. Still, looking at this Lifedeath adaptation as a whole, it’s enough to wonder how it would have fared as one complete, standalone episode. This second half still suffers from the fact that the first had to rush the progression of Storm and Forge’s relationship, painting them as soulmates despite their limited screen time together. If only the show had been able to devote a little more room to building up their romance before introducing the Adversary into the mix, that might’ve felt a little more earned.
It’s hard not to feel as though the series is missing out on a lot of potential.
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There’s also the fact that this version of Lifedeath ends far differently than the source material did, with Storm revitalized and in control of her powers once more. It’s hard not to feel as though the series is missing out on a lot of potential by not following the comics and treating Storm’s power loss as a long-term struggle. The character has arguably never been more compelling than when she dealt with being an ordinary human and fought her way to becoming the leader of the X-Men regardless.
Ultimately, though, this episode caps off Storm’s arc well enough. She’s put through the physical and emotional wringer and again grapples with her claustrophobia in her quest to save Forge’s life. It’s a strong character study of a fascinating X-Man, and one that provides a welcome bit of optimism to counterbalance last week’s crushingly bleak events.
Actress Alison Sealy-Smith is again the star of the show, conveying Ororo’s pain, longing, weakness, and eventual triumph with real grace. Her twisted, terrifying portrayal of the Adversary itself is also a highlight of the episode. Like with Cal Dodd’s Wolverine, it’s difficult to picture another voice actor taking over such an iconic role, and it’s fortunate that ‘97 didn’t have to go in that direction.
Storm actress Alison Sealy-Smith is again the star of the show.
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As for the Xavier storyline, it offers a welcome change of pace for the series, allowing the focus to shift away from Earth for a bit and into the wider Marvel Universe. The presence of Ronan and the Kree suggests that ‘97 might have a little more freedom than its predecessor in making use of non-X-Men characters, which is a promising development. The brief battle between the Kree and Shi’ar is a lot of fun to watch, particularly with that tantalizing cameo of Vulcan.
This subplot accomplishes what it sets out to do, which is to finally update us on the status of the absentee Professor X, further develop his relationship with Lilandra, and set the stage for his return to Earth. Beyond those essentials, though, there’s a real tragedy in seeing Xavier flirt with happiness, only to finally realize that the universe has no such plans for him.
Finally, it’s worth touching on the final scene involving Bolivar Trask and Mister Sinister. This scene seems to confirm that ‘97 isn’t introducing Cassandra Nova after all, but is instead positioning Sinister as the architect behind Genosha’s destruction. While it’s disappointing that we won’t be meeting Xavier’s evil twin anytime soon, perhaps it’s for the best in terms of tying together the season’s disparate plot threads (and avoiding any confusion that could arise from her portrayal here vs the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine). At least this confirms that Sinister still has a big part to play following his too-brief role in Episode 3. And if this week’s revamped intro sequence is any indication, we may be getting Bastion and an Operation: Zero Tolerance adaptation for good measure. That’s an appealing prospect.
