Apocalypse shows his true colors: The latest episode of ‘X-Men ’97’ reveals the villain’s full origin story
The episode feels like a midseason finale.
After the success Marvel Studios enjoyed with the first season of ‘X-Men ’97,’ it was only a matter of time before a second season arrived. In the final minutes of the first batch of episodes, it became clear that Apocalypse would be the villain the mutants would have to face in their next adventure. That’s how the new season began, with the X-Men scattered across time in various groups. The first three episodes, released simultaneously on Disney+ last week, already hinted at the looming threat. However, the fourth episode, which premiered yesterday, marks a turning point, with an event that completely alters the series’ fate. As you might expect, the information below contains spoilers for this episode. Read at your own risk.
Warning: spoilers for the fourth episode of season 2 of ‘X-Men ’97’ below
Titled “Rise of Apocalypse – Part 2,” the episode itself feels like a midseason finale. In the third episode, the action shifted back five thousand years to Egypt. There, the group of mutants—Professor X, Magneto, Rogue, Beast, and Nightcrawler—had already formed an alliance with En Sabah Nur after rescuing him at the end of the first season. Before becoming the fearsome villain Apocalypse, Magneto convinces everyone to try to change history in their favor. The master of magnetism acts as a mentor and prophet, convincing the first mutant in history that he will be the savior of the world. However, the fourth episode makes it clear that some things cannot be changed.
Throughout the episode, Professor X is shown a power that can send the heroes back to their own time, but which also summons En Sabah Nur. Finally, after reaching the temple where that power resides, things take a turn for the worse for the X-Men. That place is, in fact, the ship that Apocalypse will use in the future. Inside, there are inscriptions detailing what will happen, so the villain realizes his destiny. Choosing to become Apocalypse, he fights Charles, Magneto, and the others until he seizes the power of the place. The being who spoke to the Professor and appeared in En Sabah Nur’s visions was a Celestial, who ultimately imbues the villain with his power, and the villain finally transforms into what he was destined to be.
A Death That Changes History
After a massive battle breaks out between the X-Men and the villain, the X-Men manage to repair their time bracelets and open a portal to the present. However, Magneto and the Professor stay behind to thwart Apocalypse’s plans, as he intends to completely destroy the place where Rama-Tut resides. Apocalypse, incidentally, is now revealed to be Kang—complete with his classic outfit, no less. In any case, the heroes are unable to prevent Apocalypse from opening a black hole that will destroy everything, so Magneto must make one final display of his power. After encasing the villain in metal plates and hurling him away, Erik decides to sacrifice himself for everyone by sealing the hole. Although he bids farewell to his loyal friend, he ends up surviving and lands, wounded, in the desert alongside Charles. There, one of the series’ cruelest moments unfolds, as Apocalypse reappears and pulverizes the master of magnetism right before the stunned Professor’s eyes.
What will happen now?
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The sacrifice of the X-Men’s quintessential villain is sure to be a turning point for the group. Especially for Charles, who watched his friend die right before his eyes without being able to do anything to stop it. It remains to be seen what will happen to the telepath, since at the end of the first season many speculated that the next major villain could be Onslaught—a hybrid of him and Magneto. What is clear is that the threat of Apocalypse remains very real for the mutants. For now, the next episode seems set to take a different direction, judging by the post-credits scene from this episode. In it, Wolverine—still with his bone claws—meets up with Black Widow and Captain America in Paris. Captain America hands the mutant a folder labeled “Weapon X.” It seems Logan will be the protagonist.
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