Entertainment
Marvel’s #1 TV Series Just Brought Its Biggest Fan Theory To Life
Editor’s Note: The following article contains spoilers for X-Men ’97 Season 2, Episode 9.
X-Men ’97 left no stone unturned in its Season 2 finale, “Survival of the Fittest.” Not only does this finale feature a free-for-all between the X-Men, X-Factor, and X-Force, but it also finally resolves the fate of Gambit (AJ LoCascio) after he was resurrected and possessed by Apocalypse (Ross Marquand). In true X-Men fashion, it’s a victory that’s both hard-earned and bittersweet, and will leave some fans heartbroken by the end. Yet it’s the mid-credits scene that’s truly shocking, as it pays off a long-running fan theory about one character.
The scene involves Val Cooper (Catherine Disher) going over files at her desk until the door opens…and reveals another Cooper, who’s shocked to see someone who looks like her. The Cooper at the desk shoots her duplicate through the stomach and then transforms into Mystique, who reveals that she intends to take Cooper’s place and destabilize the United States. Fans had long speculated that Mystique would show up at the end of the season or was secretly masquerading as Cooper, and this scene brings those theories to life. It also gives more context to the events that will play out in X-Men ’97 Season 3.
Mystique’s Presence Means The X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants Will Clash in ‘X-Men ’97’
The first look at X-Men ’97 Season 3 was revealed during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con this year, which features the Brotherhood of Mutants wreaking havoc before being chased off by red, white, and blue-themed Sentinels. It hints that Mystique will be stoking chaos by pitting the Brotherhood against the X-Men, while also using her newfound disguise as Cooper to command X-Factor to round up any mutants who might oppose her. Further complicating matters is the fact that Mystique’s son, Graydon Creed, is now the President of the United States; Creed’s made no secret of how much he hates mutants due to his upbringing, which introduces more of the personal dynamics that drive the best X-Men stories.Ironically, X-Men ’97 is actually tapping into a long-forgotten part of Mystique’s comic book history with its big plot twist. In Uncanny X-Men #199 by Chris Claremont and John Romita Jr, the shape-shifting villainess offers her services to Val Cooper, alongside the rest of the Brotherhood. Rechristened “Freedom Force,” they’re tasked with arresting threats to American citizens — starting with their former leader, Magneto. It remains to be seen how the Brotherhood plays into X-Men ’97, but an episode could see them donning their Freedom Force moniker and hunting down the X-Men, especially as Season 2 established the mutant heroes were outlawed from operating on American soil.
‘X-Men ’97’ Continues To Be Marvel’s Biggest Show
The Mystique plot twist all but ensures that audiences who’ve been tuning into X-Men ’97 will return for Season 3, and continue to make the series one of Marvel’s biggest hits. Not only has X-Men ’97 constantly stayed in the Top 10 charts for Disney+ during its run, but it also remains one of Marvel’s highest-rated television series. Marvel Animation head Brad Winderbaum also told Collider that Season 3 will mark the beginning of a yearly release for X-Men ’97, which will no doubt continue the series’ rapid momentum.
“Season 3 is going to come out next year and Season 4 the year after that…X-Men was a constant element of my life growing up, and I just want to make as many [seasons] as fast as possible for people to see.”
What makes X-Men ’97 such a hit is that it continues the story of X-Men: The Animated Series while also tackling deeper themes and staying true to all the elements that make the X-Men some of Marvel’s most popular characters. Introducing Mystique continues that trend, especially considering her own dynamic with the X-Men; it also adds an element of suspense to the mix. This is a character who can be anyone and everyone she wants, and like Val Cooper, you’d never know until it was too late.
- Release Date
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March 20, 2024
- Network
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Disney+
- Directors
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Jake Castorena, Emi Yonemura, Chase Conley
- Writers
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Charlie Feldman, Anthony Sellitti, Beau DeMayo, JB Ballard
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