EntertainmentTVAction ShowsMarvel TV ShowsX-Men ‘97X-Men ‘97: All the Easter eggs, cameos, and referencesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVAction ShowsMarvel TV ShowsX-Men ‘97X-Men ‘97: All the Easter eggs, cameos, and referencesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
The first three episodes of X-Men ‘97 arenow streaming on Disney Plus, with every installment of the fan-favorite revival of X-Men: The Animated Series being chock full of references to the classic show, the comics, and the wider MCU.
Warning - spoilers ahead for all of X-Men ‘97 season 1
Episode 1depicts the team’s first mission after the death of Xavier, rescuing Roberto da Costa (Sunspot of the New Mutants in comics) from the Friends of Humanity. Cyclops and Jean debate leaving the team, but wonder who will take Xavier’s place as team leader if they’re not there. But Magneto shows up with a shocking revelation - Professor X willed him the mansion, his fortune, and leadership of the team.
Episode 3 also adapts another classic - and tragic - X-Men story, Inferno, the tale of Jean Grey’s cloneMadelyne Pryordescending into villainy under the influence of both Mister Sinister and the demonic realm of Limbo. In the X-Men ‘97 version of the story, her downfall begins when a second Jean arrives at the mansion, as seen in the cliffhanger ending of episode 2. Beast confirms that the disheveled Jean who just arrived is actually the original, while the Jean who gave birth to Nathan is a clone.
X-Men ‘97 episode 4is a two part story. The first half of the episode, titled ‘Motendo’ features Jubilee and Sunspot entering Mojoworld, where they’re forced to play through a deadly video game to survive. There they encounter a digital version of Jubilee who helps them escape. In the second half, ‘Lifedeath,’ Storm and Forge bond as he tries to build a machine that will restore her powers. But he’s keeping the secret that he invented the gun that neutralized Storm’s abilities to begin with, and to complicate things even further, the spiritual entity known as the Adversary is closing in on the pair.
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Thefifth episode of X-Men ‘97ramps up the show’s emotional storytelling with a deeply tragic adaptation of the fall of Genosha and the mutant genocide that resulted from it in comics, all set against the character drama of Rogue being pulled between Gambit and Magneto, and Cyclops and Jean struggling to connect in the wake of the reveal of Madelyne Pryor. It’s an intense and horrifying tale told with surprising maturity, and it still manages to pack in its share of guests and surprises.
X-Men ‘97 episode 6, Lifedeath Part 2, features the return of Charles Xavier, who learns of the Genosha massacre, and vows to leave behind the Shi’ar empire to return home to the X-Men. Meanwhile, Storm finally regains her powers with the help of Forge, after fighting a haunting spiritual battle with the Adversary.
X-Men ‘97 episode 7, Bright Eyes, deals with the fallout of the attack on Genosha as the X-Men mourn and regroup from their losses. A big secret is revealed as Bastion is shown as the season’s apparent main bad guy, and his secret Prime Sentinels begin to activate.
Thefirst part of X-Men ‘97’s three part season finaleis now streaming, and in it, the X-Men and their allies must face down the activated Prime Sentinels, while Magneto escapes captivity and Professor X returns to Earth. We alsolearn more about Bastion’s past.
InX-Men ‘97 episode 9, ‘Tolerance is Extinction Part II’, the X-Men are forced to fight on two fronts as one team takes on Bastion and his Sentinels and another travels to Asteroid M to fight Magneto, and Rogue and Sunspot join the Master of Magnetism, leaving the X-Men behind.
Thefinale of X-Men ‘97 season oneshows the final conflict between the X-Men and Bastion, with the fate of the world in the balance. Meanwhile, Professor X and Magneto are locked in a psychic battle that could destroy them both - and take everyone else with them.
There’s a lot to take in, including some blink-and-you’ll-miss-it deep cut references and cameos. If you’re ready to dive back in for your next watch, or you’re wondering what you missed, here’s every single Easter egg we could spot in the first four episodes of X-Men ‘97.
Episode 10 - Tolerance is Extinction Part III
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 9 - Tolerance is Extinction Part II
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 8 - Tolerance is Extinction, Part 1
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 7 - Bright Eyes
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 6 - Lifedeath Part II
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 5 - Remember It
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 4 - Motendo/Lifedeath Part One
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 3 - Fire Made Flesh
(Image credit: Disney+)
Episode 2 - Mutant Liberation Begins
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Episode 1 - To Me, My X-Men
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
X-Men ‘97 streams new episodes every Wednesday onDisneyPlus, so check back in weekly for the rundown on the latest instalments.
AndMarvel is about to relaunch the X-Men comicswith a vibe that will feel at home for ’90s X-Men fans.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”