After a thrilling start to the new iteration of “X-Men ‘97”, the animated series was truly a hit and had everyone tuning in weekly to watch their beloved childhood heroes. It felt like we had been transported back to our childhood years watching cartoons on Saturday morning while everyone else in the house slept in.
“X-Men ‘97” revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as the X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.
The show was one of the most-watched Disney+ Original animated series (based on hours streamed globally), and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award® for outstanding animated program, and won a Critics’ Choice Award for best animated series.
Now, the beloved characters are back with the second season of “X-Men ’97”.
“Season 2 continues with the heroic mutant team of X-Men, divided and thrown across different eras in time as they struggle to navigate their return home. Meanwhile, back in the 1990s, suspicious foes and new strains of mutant intolerance are on the rise in the wake of the X-Men’s absence.”
The break between the first season and the second season was a long wait, but when the show came back to Disney+, it delivered three solid and engaging episodes. The long wait had paid off, and it truly felt like it was going to only get better.
The week after truly had a jaw-dropping episode, “Rise of Apocalypse Part II” featuring the death of [Spoiler Alert] the complex anti-hero Magneto. It was one of the best episodes of the season, and delivered stunning emotion. It packed a punch.
However, it was then that the season unfortunately fell into a bit of a slump.
During the first two weeks of the show’s airing, many had worried that the X-Men would be separated from each other after the events of Season 1, and people had been vocal about not wanting that. The charm of the X-Men is when they are together fighting villains, or dealing with interpersonal soap-opera drama.
While episode 5, “Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs” had the important journey of seeing Wolverine get his adamantium back, it was not as enthralling as the other episodes had been, with the pacing being off.
The next episode, “Danger.exe” which dealt with former X-Man Polaris returning to Xavier's Mansion just as a dangerous new threat emerges on campus, was good and reintroduced viewers to a member of the team to audiences. It ultimately was just a fine episode.
It was the episode 5 to episode 8 run of the season that felt at times lacklustre. What the show had going for it was that there were pockets of good storylines, or interesting character arcs that would keep the episodes interesting, but beyond those moments, the season did not inspire any overwhelming joy or deliver on the same excitement that Season 1 did.
It feels pertinent to mention that in between the seasons, the studio had fired head writer and executive producer, Beau DeMayo, who had shepherded the first season, and some of the second season of “X-Men ‘97”.
DeMayo was fired after an internal investigation, the details of which had not been revealed to the public, but, it is clear after the season has aired, that his departure did have some type of impact on the show.
The storyline surrounding [Spoiler Alert] Gambit’s return from the dead was handled fine, but there was a lack of awe and emotional heft to his return which could have packed more of a punch. The scenes surrounding his return felt rushed and episodes involving this story arc could have been structured better.
The season’s final episode, “Survival of the Fittest”, aired August 12, however, was a wonderful way to wrap up the season. The episode managed to salvage the season from feeling middling or average, but it does introduce some fear surrounding the quality of future seasons of the show.
The show has already been renewed for Season 3, with Season 4 in the works, there is uncertainty about whether the show continues down the road of diminishing returns, or if it will be able to retain the quality that viewers have come to expect from Season 1.
Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5). Good and enjoyable. The full season of “X-Men ‘97” is available for streaming on Disney+.
theolin.tembo@national.mg.co.za