When Taylor Parker was convicted of capital murder in October 2022 for killing her pregnant friend Reagan Simmons-Hancock and cutting the unborn baby from her body, one family member stood at the center of the case: her mother, Shona Prior.

Prior became one of the most consequential figures during Parker’s trial and the years that followed. She took custody of Parker’s daughter, testified in court, took jail calls from her daughter and offered blunt assessments of the crimes that landed Parker on Texas death row. Her role has come back into the spotlight after Netflix released the documentary Maternal Instinct in June 2026, chronicling Parker’s 10-month web of lies and the disturbing case that followed.

Here’s everything to know about Prior, below.

Shona Prior Took Custody of Taylor Parker’s Daughter

Parker welcomed daughter Emersyn at age 17 with then-boyfriend Donald Whiteside. Little has been publicly shared about Whiteside’s role in Emersyn’s life since he and Parker split.

Related: Where Is Maternal Instinct’s Taylor Parker Now? Inside Her Life Today

Taylor Parker committed an unimaginable crime when she killed her pregnant friend Reagan Simmons-Hancock, cut the unborn baby from her womb and attempted to pass off the child as her own. Prior to the killing, Parker had lied and told her loved ones that she was pregnant with her own child. She was ultimately caught […]

At the time of Parker’s October 2020 arrest, Emersyn had been temporarily staying with Parker’s first ex-husband, Tommy Wacasey. That arrangement had been put in place earlier that year — around the same time Parker first claimed to be pregnant with boyfriend Wade Griffin’s child, according to reporting from KTAL.

Following Parker’s arrest, Prior filed for custody of Emersyn, and the request was granted. Prior currently has custody of Emersyn, while Wacasey has custody of Parker’s son, Trey, whom Parker welcomed at 21 during her marriage to Wacasey.

During the trial, Prior testified that Emersyn continued to see Wacasey and his family on a regular basis. She also told the court she had connected her granddaughter with a counselor to help her process what her mother had done.

Shona Prior Testified During Taylor Parker’s Capital Murder Trial

Prior took the stand during Parker’s trial and offered candid answers about how her granddaughter was coping — and how much she understood about her mother’s crimes.

“You explained to me that you didn’t think (Taylor’s daughter) knew about the crime,” First Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp asked during the trial.

Prior responded, “She does not know the horrific details. She knows that two people have died at the hands of her mother.”

Jail phone calls played during the trial revealed that Parker told Emersyn not to talk to people about why she was in jail. Prior also testified that she was not in a custody dispute with Wacasey over Trey, telling jurors the boy remained in his father’s full-time care.

Prior told the court that both of Parker’s children “love her,” and several family photos were entered into evidence alongside the jail calls between Parker and her kids.

Shona Prior Confronted Taylor Parker in Prison Phone Calls

In a jail call recording obtained by The Sun, Parker complained to Prior about life behind bars — criticizing her jail cell, saying she couldn’t wear makeup during court proceedings and crying about not being able to speak to her two children.

“Mom, they would charge me with s***ting on a fly right now if they could, literally, that’s what it comes down to,” Parker said during the call, which took place sometime between 2021 and 2022. “I mean, there’s another girl that’s here, and they literally just threw some bogus bulls*** on her just because they could, just because it makes them look better.”

Prior said she understood, but she didn’t let her daughter off the hook.

Related: Taylor Parker Tries to Convince Officers She Gave Birth in Bodycam Footage

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Shortly after Taylor Parker killed her pregnant friend Reagan Simmons-Hancock and performed a C-section to steal her unborn child, she tried to convince law enforcement that she had given birth to the baby girl in newly released bodycam footage. In the footage obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, June 30, officers told Parker, 33, that they […]

“I don’t think you’re thinking about that like you should be thinking about that,” Prior said. “I mean, it’s not just you do one horrible thing and they try to throw the book at you.”

When Parker apologized through tears, Prior made clear she wasn’t convinced her daughter was truly sorry.

“I know you did not think about the consequences of your actions. I know that,” Prior said.

After Parker cried about not being able to see her son, Prior offered another sharp response: “I’m sure it does, but you know what? I hate to say this, but if you’d have been thinking about the children that you had on earth, you might not be in the situation you’re in.”

She added, “But, I mean, that’s what’s done is done. And you have to go forward and deal with the consequences as best you can. You’re not the only one dealing with them. We’re all dealing with them.”

Prior was more sympathetic when the conversation turned to Parker’s concerns about her appearance in court.

“So the thing about it is if they try to discriminate [against] you as a person, that will work in your favor in the long run because they’re not giving you a fair chance,” Prior said. “You know, they’re wanting you to look like a homeless criminal.”

She continued, “They’re not wanting you to look like a human because that would be beneficial to you and detrimental to them.”

Shona Prior Was on a Prison Phone Call With Taylor Parker’s Daughter

In a separate call released by TMZ in June 2026, Parker spoke to Emersyn and Prior as if life were normal — despite being accused of a horrific fetal abduction crime.

Emersyn told Parker she was standing near a campfire, and the group discussed a storm that had rolled through the night before. Emersyn shared that she had received sapphire and diamond jewelry as an early Christmas gift and that her younger brother, Trey, got a cross chain.

“Oh, that’s nice,” Parker said.

Related: Taylor Parker Claims Reagan Simmons-Hancock Told Her to ‘Take’ Her Baby

Just days after Taylor Parker killed her pregnant friend Reagan Simmons-Hancock, she claimed to investigators that the victim told her to perform a C-section and save her baby. In a new interrogation video shared by TMZ on Wednesday, July 1, Parker, 33, spoke to detectives about her version of events that took place during the […]

As the call continued, Parker asked what Emersyn was up to that day, and Emersyn described her bedroom at Prior’s home. The call was ultimately cut short by the jail’s automated system. Mother and daughter concluded by telling each other they loved one another.

The exact date of the call has not been made public, though TMZ reported it took place after Parker’s arrest and before her conviction.

Shona Prior’s Relationship With Taylor Parker’s Father

Prior shares Parker with ex-husband Mark Morton, whom she divorced in 2005.

Parker and her brother, Zachary Morton, witnessed their parents fight often during their childhoods. After the divorce, Prior and Morton initially shared custody, but Prior testified that Morton’s anger about the split made the arrangement difficult.

The children were given the option to live with Mark, and Parker primarily lived with her father and his mother, while Zachary stayed with Prior.

During the trial, Zachary suggested his father’s lifestyle may have influenced his sister’s personality.

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“When dad was chasing other women or drugs, we were put on the back burner,” Zachary testified. “It seemed like when Taylor was chasing another man, instead of the focus being on her children, it was on herself. It was all about her at one specific time.”

Parker was found guilty of capital murder and kidnapping in October 2022 and sentenced to death. She is currently the youngest woman on death row in the state of Texas.

This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.

By TeeJay Small
| Published 23 seconds ago

Over the last several years, I’ve recommended a myriad of twisted horror films on this site. I’ve encouraged those who are not faint of heart and weak of stomach to watch films like Bone Tomahawk and Brawl In Cell Block 99. I want to be an authority on film and television that you can trust, without worrying that I’m corralling you toward some kind of cinematic psychological breakdown. Having said that, you’ve got to check out The Sadness, even if it leaves you unable to sleep for days on end.

Since you probably missed it, The Sadness is a 2021 Taiwanese production (bust out the subtitles, dear reader), written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Rob Jabbaz in his feature film debut. The movie is pretty on the nose in regard to its inspiration, as it centers on a global pandemic that shakes up life on Earth almost immediately.

Unlike the real pandemic, which was still very active when this movie was released, The Sadness gives us a deadlier, gorier infection known as the Alvin virus. This virus causes infected individuals to tap in to their most violent, animalistic desires, causing them to lose all control and turn into violent beasts at a moment’s notice.

A Swift And Violent Outbreak

As the narrative kicks off, we’re introduced to Jim (Berant Zhu) and Kat (Regina Lei), two normal residents of Taipei who are preparing for their workday. While the couple get dressed and sip their morning coffee, we see that state media is downplaying the severity of the burgeoning virus, and shifting the news narrative to an upcoming election instead. After dropping Kat off at the train station, Jim quickly comes to realize that the virus is much more serious than he’d been lead to believe, when an elderly woman begins assaulting patrons at a local coffee shop.

As soon as he steps outside of the shop, Jim sees that numerous civilians have been infected, causing car wrecks, gang assaults, and stabbings all over town. He hops on his moped and races across the city, hoping he can reconnect with his girlfriend and get to safety before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Kat is trapped in a subway car with a growing population of homicidal maniacs, including one perverted businessman portrayed by the incomparable Tzu-Chiang Wang.

Please Sir, I Want Some Gore

The rest of the film is essentially a series of loosely connected attempts by Jim and Kat to reconnect, as they become surrounded by gore, gross-out gags, and straight up body horror torture. I estimate that no less than 60 percent of the budget behind The Sadness was spent on fake blood and realistic looking body parts. The film is just about the closest thing you could get to actual war crime footage without crossing the line, and it’ll surely make your stomach turn with each passing scene.

I caught The Sadness when it premiered back in 2021, and I was staggered by how prescient it felt. Today, several years removed from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s only lost a fraction of its relevance. Though this is a movie that’s impossible to watch with most of your friends, I’d say hardcore horror buffs should go ahead and give this one a spin. Just be prepared to have nightmares for a while afterwards, even if you grew up on a steady diet of LiveLeak and The Walking Dead. For better or worse, The Sadness is currently streaming on Shudder.

When temperatures spike, some gals reach for denim shorts. But look around and you’ll see fashion people wearing something cooler — both literally and figuratively — to beat the heat and appear effortlessly chic. These gingham-print shorts are it!

And if you don’t believe Us, just ask the over 10,000 fashionistas who bought them last month alone. Even chronic anti-shorts shoppers are turning to these cute bottoms. And at just $13, you’ll want at least two!

Get the Anrabess Summer Lounge Shorts for $13 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

The magic is in the cut. The boxer silhouette loosely skims the body, and the elastic waistband sits comfortably without squeezing in at the tummy. Better yet, the fabric is relaxed and flowy, making the shorts perfect for lounging, brunching and traveling alike.

Related: This Loose, Feel-Good Maxi Dress ‘Hides the Imperfections,‘ Per Shoppers

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The gingham print gives them a retro-picnic charm (that’s much fresher than denim), as do the striped options. They come in so many colors, but we were instantly drawn to the red. No matter which you choose, you’ll be glad you did!

“I normally never wear shorts . . . but they are officially a must-have for my Disney park days,” one Amazon shopper wrote. “They’re lightweight, breathable and so incredibly comfortable for walking around all day in the heat. The fabric doesn’t feel restricting at all, which is huge for me.”

Style the breezy shorts with a loose button-up shirt and sandals for errands, or a fitted tank and sneakers for morning coffee runs. They read polished, not pajamas, so expect compliments at Target, Starbucks and beyond.

Get the Anrabess Summer Lounge Shorts for $13 on Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more summer shorts, and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Mariska Hargitay‘s Comfy Pants Scream ‘Hamptons Mom‘ — Here‘s Why

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Mariska Hargitay proved that sporty can totally be chic. Instead of basic leggings, Hargitay wore the dreamiest eyelet-style lounge pants that took her aesthetic from courtside-cool to classy. We found the expensive look hiding on Amazon! The star turned up at the 2026 NBA Finals rocking a New York Knicks jersey, white sneakers and breezy […]

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County star Aspyn Ovard is breaking down how she entered a polyamorous relationship with married couple Briana and Billy Davis.

“It didn’t start off like that,” Ovard, 30, said during her Wednesday, July 1, appearance on Becca Moore’s “For the Girls” podcast. “It was just like … me and Bri. They had an open relationship so that she could explore her sexuality, and then I met her, and then I met Billy, not with the intention of … they weren’t looking for a third person.”

Ovard said she likely wouldn’t have been interested in joining a “throuple” had they approached her with the idea because she had sworn off dating men following her divorce from Parker Ferris after nearly nine years of marriage in 2024. However, meeting Billy changed her mind.

“He literally is the best. I didn’t know guys like him could exist,” Ovard gushed. “He just literally changed my life.”

Ovard said she “knew right away” that she had a connection with both Billy and Bri, but their dynamic was supposed to be “casual.” None of them knew where the relationship would go or whether it would become serious.

“I feel like what we have is by chance. I wouldn’t go around [telling others], ‘Oh my God, you definitely need to do this,’” she continued. “You can’t seek it out. It fell into my lap.”

Ovard first sparked dating rumors with Bri in October 2025. After months of speculation about their relationship, the influencer confirmed in March that she was in a throuple.

“So when I met Bri and she was married, it didn’t really mean that much to me,” she said in a TikTok video. “We can do our thing, and I’m not looking for certain things, and she’s not either.”

Ovard added that their relationship has no “weird rules” and features a “pretty equal dynamic.”

“It’s very normalized to me now because it’s been a long time of this,” she shared.

Related: Are Any of the ‘Mormon Wives: OC’ Cast Actually Members of the Church?

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MomTok is growing with the arrival of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County. “A new group of dynamic young mothers in Orange County collide in a community where beliefs are not just their religion; they are their identity,” a logline reads. “While some defend their way of life, fighting against modernity, others embrace […]

In a follow-up video, Ovard explained, “I have referred to Bri as my girlfriend, obviously, if I was referencing her online [in] the past. It’s not that word doesn’t fit, but I definitely think of them as partners. Labels are just, like, such an internet thing.”

Ovard’s relationship with Bri and Billy will be featured on Mormon Wives: OC, which is expected to premiere on Hulu later this year. Additionally, the show will explore her divorce from Ferris, 31, with whom she shares kids Cove, 6, Lola, 4, and Elle, 2.

Ovard teased on Wednesday’s podcast episode that fans will see her and Ferris “navigate” their post-split dynamic on the show, as well as Ferris’ opinions about her relationship with Billy and Bri.

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“It literally just depends on the day,” Ovard said of where she and her ex-husband stand today.

Ovard was cast on Mormon Wives: OC alongside Bobbi Althoff, Avery Woods, Salomé Andrea, McCall DaPron, Chandler Higginson, Ashleigh Pease and Madison Bontempo. In May, the social media personality defended her role on the show after backlash due to her not being married or Mormon.

“Obviously, I’m not a wife. I’m not married. [But] there are a lot of Mormon girls in the cast. I think there’s only two of us that are not married,” she said in a YouTube video. “I have so many ties to Mormonism from growing up in Utah, getting married young and just being surrounded by that culture. I’ve talked about Utah culture and how it has affected me and shaped my life in so many ways, even as someone who was not Mormon.”

Alex Rodriguez seems to have moved on from his partner of over three years. 

The legendary baseball player was recently spotted sharing a passionate moment with an unidentified brunette, leading many to believe he is already over his ex and on to the next. 

This update comes weeks after Rodriguez called it quits with Jaclyn Corderio, the fitness instructor with whom he has been romantically linked since 2022. 

The former Major League Baseball player made waves after being caught intimately kissing an unknown woman during a glamorous holiday gathering in the Hamptons on Wednesday evening. 

Attendees at the famous annual celebration hosted by Michael Rubin witnessed plenty of romance as the star athlete openly locked lips with a dark-haired companion. As seen in pictures obtained by Page Six, the two stood close together, engaged in deep conversation before pulling each other in for an affectionate embrace. 

Dressed in the required white party theme, the anonymous woman reached up and placed her hand behind the athlete’s head as they shared a passionate kiss.

This bold romantic display comes just weeks after news broke regarding Rodriguez’s formal separation from his long-term partner, Cordeiro. Since the split made public headlines, the sports celebrity has seemingly wasted no time enjoying the dating scene.

Earlier in May, reports surfaced that the baseball star was actively mingling and flirting with a variety of different women at a highly popular New York City establishment called the Corner Store. 

Alex Rodriguez And Jaclyn Cordeiro Separated Amicably After Three Years

While Rodriguez seems to have eagerly jumped back into the dating pool, his breakup with Cordeiro was as amicable as possible. 

According to The Blast, the fitness coach publicly confirmed the news, making it clear that they remain highly supportive of one another, with no behind-the-scenes friction or negative drama. 

“We remain supportive of one another, and there is absolutely no animosity, drama, or negative story here,” she said. 

Corderio chose not to reveal the exact reason for the split but noted that she is heavily focused on a major medical issue involving a member of her family.

The Former Athlete Reportedly Tried To Reconnect With His Famous Ex

Following the amicable split between Rodriguez and Corderio, the former made headlines for reportedly attempting to quietly re-establish contact with his ex-fiancée, Jennifer Lopez.

He reportedly reached out to the global singer and actress almost immediately after becoming single, years after their highly publicized relationship ended. 

Sources familiar with the situation asserted that the former player never got over the pop star. Sources further explained that their time together continues to hold significance for him because “the relationship meant everything to him,” per The Blast. 

Notably, Rodriguez and Lopez originally dated for four years starting in 2017 before ultimately calling off their engagement amid heavy outside scrutiny and romantic difficulties. 

Jennifer Lopez Recently Shared Her Relationship Philosophy Following Rumors Of A Reconnection With Rodriguez

Amid rumors of Rodriguez allegedly reaching out to Lopez, the actress openly shared her view on romantic relationships, having gone through several breakups herself. 

She confidently asserted that closing a chapter in your personal life should be viewed as an exciting opportunity for personal growth rather than a disappointment.

“People should say, ‘You broke up? Congratulations.’ Because one, you made a decision. Two, it was probably the best thing for everybody,” she said during an appearance on a podcast, as reported by The Blast.

The superstar emphasized that her greatest moments of personal and emotional transformation have consistently grown from times of grief, including both romantic fallouts and setbacks in her professional career.

For her, that intense pain is the only force that truly drives a person to question their choices and make meaningful improvements to their own character.

Jennifer Lopez Is Currently Enjoying Her Single Life

This empowering philosophy on growth perfectly aligns with how Lopez currently views her single status a year after finalizing her high-profile divorce from Ben Affleck.

According to The Blast, she openly admitted that she should have embraced this independent lifestyle much sooner. “I am [single]. I should have done it sooner,” Lopez told Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show.

When the comedian jokingly suggested she consider starring on the reality dating show “The Bachelorette” to find love again, she laughed off the idea and asked if he was crazy.

Actor and author Wil Wheaton did not hold back his frustration with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson this week, slamming him as a “coward” for choosing to remain politically neutral.

Johnson played coy when asked whether he had stayed silent to maximize the audience for his movies.

He leaned Democratic in 2020 when he endorsed Joe Biden, but later said he regretted his endorsement.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has come under fire from a Hollywood colleague for choosing to remain silent politically, even as the country plunges deeper into political division.

In a passionate social media post, Wil Wheaton labeled Johnson a “coward,” seemingly maintaining that public figures have a moral obligation to take a stand on critical social and political issues.

“So disappointing to find out he is such a coward,” Wheaton wrote on Threads on Monday, per Entertainment Weekly.

Wheaton’s criticism came in response to a post by George Takei that quoted Esquire’s recent interview with Johnson.

“Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s recent comments to Esquire about wanting to ‘keep my politics to myself’ have divided fans, with some calling out his silence,” Takei wrote on Threads.

In a follow-up response, he added, “Silence is complicity.”

Dwayne Johnson Says Art Is His ‘Main Thing’

Wheaton has remained a vocal Trump critic and previously campaigned for Kamala Harris in the buildup to the 2024 presidential election.

Unlike him, whose political stand is known, Johnson is neither here nor there. In an interview with Esquire last month, he explained why he intentionally avoids the topic when asked whether he was trying to maximize his movies’ audience by doing so.

“What I have learned through experience is that I need to keep — need, not want — the main thing the main thing. And the main thing for me, the thing that in the morning I swing my legs out of bed, and I run towards, is creating. It’s art. It’s storytelling,” he told the outlet.

Wheaton has remained a vocal Trump critic and previously campaigned for Kamala Harris in the buildup to the 2024 presidential elections.

Johnson Says He ‘Hates’ Politics

Johnson went further to explain in the interview that he does not want his politics to distract from his work, but is always open to dialogue.

“I’ve learned I’m going to keep my politics to myself,” he said. “There are moments when, hey, there’s nothing we can’t talk about. If I’m wrong, I’ll tell you I’m wrong. Or if I feel like I got a leg up and this is the right way to go, I’ll share it with you.”

He continued, “Politics is omnipresent, and it’s forever. I don’t like it. [Laughs.] I hate it at times. I hate the slinging. I hate all the bullsh-t that comes with it.”

He then addressed the reporter, who had brought up politics with a remark about Bruce Springsteen’s recent anti-Trump tour, saying it would be better if both parties that do not see eye to eye had a conversation rather than calling each other out.

Dwayne Johnson Vowed Not To Repeat 2020 Endorsement

Johnson leaned Democratic in 2020 when he publicly endorsed Joe Biden in the buildup to the presidential election.

However, in a 2024 chat with Fox News’ Will Cain, the “Black Adam” star expressed regret for his actions, noting that his endorsement caused significant division among his fanbase.

“The endorsement that I made years ago with Biden was one I thought was the best decision for me at that time… And I thought back then, when we talk about, ‘Hey, you know, I’m in this position where I have some influence, and it’s my job then… to exercise my influence and share… this is who I’m going to endorse,’” he said at the time.

“Am I gonna do that again this year? That answer is no, I’m not gonna do that, because what I realized — what that caused back then — was something that tears me up in my guts, back then and now, which is division,” he added. “And that got me. The takeaway after that, months and months and months, I started to realize, like, ‘Oh man, that caused an incredible amount of division in our country.’”

Dwayne Johnson Opened Up About Cancer Scare

Away from his political stance, Johnson has also had a difficult time with his health, as he opened up about a very painful cancer scare in his interview with Esquire.

He revealed that, before press time for “Jumanji: Open World,” he discovered a lump on one of his testicles while showering.

“By the way: I’m fine,” he insisted. “But I didn’t know that then, and the thing was really painful.”

He added that he decided to keep it away from everyone and did not even tell his wife of nearly two decades, Lauren Hashian.

“I didn’t want to worry her before I knew if it was anything to even worry about,” he said.

When he visited his doctor, he was told it could be a case of epididymitis or a symptom of testicular cancer and was asked to take an ultrasound immediately.

“So, I had to live with that for those 24 hours, not knowing,” he recalled, later adding that he is “OK” now. “And I had to be on all day, joking around, making speeches.”

Following one of the strongest debut seasons in Marvel Animation history, X-Men ’97 faced enormous expectations entering Season 2. Fortunately, the first three episodes prove the series hasn’t lost any momentum, delivering another thrilling blend of superhero action, emotional storytelling, and deep comic book lore.

Rather than easing viewers back into the world of the X-Men, Season 2 immediately picks up after the explosive finale of Season 1. With the team scattered across three different time periods, the opening episodes follow multiple storylines simultaneously while laying the groundwork for Apocalypse‘s rise.

It’s an ambitious approach, but one that largely succeeds.

Episode 1 centers on Cyclops, Jean Grey, and the future timeline, adapting elements from The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix. Their reunion with Nathan, better known as Cable, provides some of the strongest emotional moments of the season so far. The episode reminds viewers that beneath all of the time travel and mutant battles, X-Men ’97 continues to thrive because of its characters.

X-Men 97′ Season 2 [credit: Marvel Animation]

Episode 2 shifts gears with a fun, action-packed adventure featuring Cable, Jubilee, Sunspot, and the formation of a new X-Force. While the episode embraces the over-the-top style of the classic ’90s comics, it also explores the moral differences between Cable’s hardened worldview and Jubilee’s optimism. Their dynamic creates one of the season’s most entertaining character pairings.

The third episode may be the strongest of the bunch, taking audiences thousands of years into the past as Magnetoencounters a young En Sabah Nur, the mutant destined to become Apocalypse. Rather than presenting the iconic villain as a one-dimensional conqueror, the episode explores his origins in a surprisingly thoughtful way. The conversations between Magneto and En Sabah Nur are among the most compelling scenes in the series, adding emotional complexity to a character fans thought they already knew.

Visually, X-Men ’97 remains one of Marvel’s most impressive productions. The animation captures the spirit of the original 1990s series while elevating every action sequence with fluid movement, vibrant colors, and cinematic direction. Whether it’s mutant powers colliding on the battlefield or quieter emotional moments between teammates, every frame feels carefully crafted.

The voice cast also continues to shine, bringing authenticity and heart to these beloved characters. Even with multiple storylines unfolding simultaneously, each episode finds time for meaningful character moments that remind viewers why the X-Men have endured for generations.

The biggest criticism of these opening episodes is pacing. Episode 1 in particular moves through a significant amount of story in a short amount of time, and several of the timelines could have benefited from an extra episode to further develop their characters and emotional beats. It’s less a flaw in storytelling than a reminder that there’s simply so much happening at once.

X-Men 97′ Season 2 [credit: Marvel Animation]

Even so, those concerns do little to diminish what has been an outstanding start to Season 2. Marvel Animation has once again found the perfect balance between nostalgia and fresh storytelling, honoring classic comic arcs while keeping longtime fans guessing about what’s coming next.

Three episodes in, X-Men ’97 is already shaping up to be one of the year’s best animated series. If the remaining episodes maintain this level of quality, Season 2 has every chance of surpassing its already exceptional predecessor.

Verdict

X-Men ’97 wastes no time reminding fans why it became one of Marvel’s biggest success stories. While the opening episodes occasionally move too quickly through their ambitious storylines, the outstanding animation, emotional character work, and faithful adaptation of beloved comic arcs make for an exceptional return. After three episodes, Season 2 is firing on all cylinders.

General Hospital delivers drama between Danny Morgan (Asher Jared Antonyzyn) and Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr). And based on recent spoilers, things are about to get a lot worse between them.

When Danny heard from Charlotte Cassadine (Bluesy Burke) that Rocco shot Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), remember he went berserk. And Danny wanted to immediately tell the WSB that his dad, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), was innocent. He didn’t, but it looks like it’s all going to come out very soon.

General Hospital: The Rocco-Danny Conflict Intensifies

So recently, Charlotte was really upset after she told Danny that Rocco is the one who really shot Cullum. And if you remember, Charlotte only just found out herself after eavesdropping on Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening), telling Laura Spencer (Genie Francis) that Rocco was the shooter and had to be protected. And Danny’s first instinct was to throw Rocco under the bus because he wants to get his father Jason out of the WSB lockup. We know he’s being held in Indonesia. And Charlotte got mad at Danny for wanting to expose Rocco to save Jason. In the end, he got really mad and Danny stormed out.

Then later, he went over to the WSB and he started some stuff. And he wound up getting out of that mess only thanks to Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn). But it looks like Danny isn’t done stirring the pot.

Charlotte & Danny Doomed on GH

So, for now, Charlotte and Danny are back on good terms because he saved her from Cullum’s WSB goon, who was trying to chloroform and kidnap her. But I don’t expect Charlotte and Danny’s good vibes to last because other General Hospital spoilers for this summer suggest that Danny is going to turn Rocco into the PCPD.

So, very soon, we’re going to have Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) getting out of the French hospital. She’s heading home and then Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) is going to happily give back the police commissioner job to Anna. And so Danny may wait until Anna’s back in the job knowing that Dante likely wouldn’t take action when Danny comes in to report that Rocco shot WSB bad guy Cullum because Dante knows.

But with WSB head honcho Z hitting Port Charles this week, that’s going to be the end of Cullum. And that means Lulu and Dante can head home with Rocco without worrying about danger. But when Rocco finds out Dante and Lulu had Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) arrested for kidnapping him, Rocco’s ticked off. He feels like Dante and Lulu betrayed him because they promised to leave Britt alone. But of course, Dante called and reported her and the local cops on the island picked Britt up.

General Hospital: Danny & Rocco Clash

Also, when Rocco is back, he and Danny have an unhappy reunion, and I expect that he confronts Rocco about letting Jason take the blame for the shooting. So, Danny’s mad that Rocco shot Cullum and let Jason go down for it. And I’m thinking Danny’s going to press Rocco to come clean. But other General Hospital summer spoilers say that Rocco refuses to break his word.

Now, while that might be something to do with Britt, I don’t think so because based on other spoilers, I feel like it is about Jason Morgan because he told Rocco, “Never tell anybody that you shot Cullum.” But Danny’s too mad to think this through. Like the fact that Jason would be dead if not for Rocco.

Not just locked up in Indonesia. Because if you remember, Cullum had Britt knocked out and he got Jason knocked down. Got the better of him and Cullum was two seconds from finishing off Jason, and then going and finishing off Britt. But with Dante in place as police commissioner, Danny’s got to know things won’t go that well if he goes down there.

General Hospital: Danny Spills the Truth

So, I think he’s going to wait till Anna’s back. And once she is, I think this is when another spoiler for summer happens. It says Danny is mad about Rocco keeping his word. And that’s presumably Rocco’s word he gave to Jason to let everybody think that he shot Cullum.

Then, Danny retaliates by naming names according to the spoilers. So, it sounds like he rats out Rocco trying to help Jason and then spoilers say it’s going to be a lot of Danny versus Rocco that makes things difficult for Charlotte and Rocco as siblings. And this should all happen soon because Steve Burton is back on July 13th.

However, I suspect Jason is going to be spotted in Indonesia first and then come back to Port Charles later. So, I do think Danny is desperate to get his dad Jason out of WSB custody and back home. And Danny may think Rocco won’t be punished for this crime.

General Hospital: Anna Back in Action

There’s another General Hospital summer spoiler that says once she’s back as police commissioner, Anna has to deal with the case of Rocco shooting Cullum. And the only way that would happen is if Rocco was ratted out by somebody. And that spoiler says Danny is naming names. That makes it clear that he is dropping a dime.

Other General Hospital spoilers say Rocco’s not out of the woods for shooting Cullum. But then Rocco gets help from Dante, Laura, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), and even Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). And I’m sure the local WSB boss will reveal that Cullum was a dangerous double agent and that what Rocco did was in self-defense. I mean, heck, it was a community service, right?

General Hospital: Rocco Off the Hook

Plus, once he’s back in Port Charles, spoilers say Jason presses Rocco to just put Cullum’s shooting behind him. And that means Rocco is likely not going to face any harsh consequences. He may get off scot-free. In fact, Anna is the commissioner very soon again.

And she hates Cullum for what he did to her. And Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor), assuming she survives this Sidwell thing, may not be in a hurry to prosecute anybody for anything that was done to Cullum or Sidwell.

Plus, Dante destroyed the evidence against Rocco. That included the blood samples from the gun that shot Cullum. So even if Anna or Justine wanted to press charges, there may not be enough physical evidence to prosecute Rocco anyway.

And with the problems between Danny and Rocco and also Charlotte and Rocco, he actually winds up turning to Scout Cain (Kayden Brenna Tokarski), who is Scout. She’s going to be aged up into being a teenager and they’re going to be together. So, it looks like all these spoilers paint a pretty clear picture that Danny’s going to rat out Rocco for shooting Cullum trying to clear Jason’s name so he can come home and not have to face any consequences, not have to do time when he didn’t do the crime, even though he did lots of other crimes.

General Hospital: Jason Sets Out on a New Path

And of course, we know Jason comes back transformed and he’s made this big decision to live his life differently. I expect him to step away from the mob while still remaining friends with Sonny. And in fact, we’ve heard Jason may decide to join the WSB, which would be a big twist.

I’m also interested to see, assuming Danny does rat out Rocco, how Jason’s going to react to that because he wanted to protect Rocco anyway because he’s just a kid. But also, Jason knows he’d be dead if not for Rocco shooting Cullum. Jason’s not a big fan of snitches either because of Sonny and the mob. So, I’m not sure Jason will approve of what Danny did.

And in the end, I don’t think Britt’s going to go down for kidnapping Rocco because he’ll probably tell the cops he insisted on going with Britt. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. Plus, if his parents, Dante and Lulu, push on that, Rocco might never forgive them.

General Hospital: Danny & Rocco’s Relationship Permanently Damaged

And at the same time, I don’t think Rocco is going to face any consequences for shooting Cullum, and he shouldn’t. But in the end, things may never ever be the same between Danny and Rocco after he tattles on him to Anna and tells the PCPD as well because he’s trying to save Jason.

Hopefully, after all the dust settles, Rocco can get some therapy and let go of the stress of the shooting. I tend to think all this is going to pull him closer to Britt despite fans not liking this and despite Lulu and Dante not liking it.