Hood Clasics X-Men '97 Review Episode 6 & 7

·1 hr 39 min·5 clips

They link X-Men '97's plot about mutants being told to 'smile and be cool' to real troops on college campuses confronting protesters.

Jeff and Shahid return to review episodes six and seven of the animated series X-Men '97. They begin by discussing episode six, 'Life/Death, Part 2,' noting how it explores grief and loss in more adult ways than the original Fox Saturday morning cartoon could. The hosts contrast the past restrictions with Disney Plus's ability to tackle darker themes, citing examples like Falcon and Winter Soldier. They delve into the social commentary, pointing out how the X-Men are often 'model minorities' and how the series reinforces critiques of that concept. The conversation shifts to episode seven, 'Bright Eyes,' focusing on the aftermath of the Genosha tragedy. The hosts analyze character arcs, particularly Storm's journey to reclaim her powers and her emotional reaction to the devastation. They discuss Rogue's grief and her shocking decision to let the villain Trask fall to his death, an act the hosts see as a major departure from traditional heroics. Professor Xavier's storyline with the Shi'ar empire is examined for its humor and commentary on imperialism and assimilation. The hosts identify the new villain, Bastion, voiced by Theo James, and explain his significance as a human Sentinel in the Operation: Zero Tolerance storyline. They connect the show's themes—being told to 'smile' and wait for help while under attack—to current events like campus protests and geopolitical conflicts. The episode format is a casual, conversational review between two friends, filled with humor, pop culture references, and passionate analysis. Recurring themes include the failure of Professor Xavier's dream, the evolution of Cyclops into a more militant leader, and the show's prescient social commentary. Key moments include the funeral scene for Gambit, Captain America's cameo where he prioritizes 'optics' over helping mutants, and the reveal that Magneto is alive. The hosts conclude by praising the series as Marvel's best current project, highlighting its successful reboot strategy and impact on comic book sales.

As heard by us

A loose, funny X-Men '97 review with grief, cosmic lore, and a lively argument over Xavier's loyalties.

Jeff Vs The World takes X-Men '97's sixth and seventh episodes as a loose, funny way into grief, loss, love, and the expanding shape of the X-Men universe.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when Storm's grief and Professor X's cosmic pressure test sound like your kind of animated-superhero therapy session.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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