Marvel Studios ‘X-Men '97’ Episode 5 Review - Mutants Are Also Humans

The fifth episode of X-Men '97 opens with a female journalist interviewing the mutants. When she gives a compliment to Beast, his cheeks turn pink. Now we know that not everything about the Beast is blue. Apart from this mutant, we also see Cyclops and Jubilee in front of the camera. What about others? Logan and Jean avoid answering questions. Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit go to Genosha, where they meet Madelyne Pryor. Kurt Wagner also makes an appearance and doubles up as a tour guide for Rogue and Gambit. But we all know whenever the X-Men go anywhere, they don't just end up talking and making plans. They are always attacked by evil machines or supervillains. Hence, don't be surprised by that "vile Godzilla Sentinel." Meaning: Be prepared for yet another routine of explosions.

This time, however, the scenes are imbued with more schmaltzy, cheesy layers. "There is no love without sin. For love is best measured in what we forgive," says Kurt to Gambit. Thank you, Godzilla Sentinel, for making him unconscious. Cyclops' lines and Jean's recollections are joined together to paint a relationship that appears to be emotionally complex. Rogue goes from preferring flesh to embracing deeper emotions - a dramatic shift that occurs as uncomplicatedly as the flipping of a switch. Things really become unbearable when a fluffy show like this attempts to be serious. Its thoughts are as profound as that of an adolescent.

There is some promise in Cyclops's relationship with Madelyne. He seeks comfort in her company, which leads to a confrontation between Cyclops and Jean, in which they ask each other if there is any love between them. There is so much meat here, though I won't be surprised if X-Men '97 ends up squandering its potential.

But let's go back to that journalist. She, through the interview, wants to show the world that X-Men are "normal," and that they have feelings too. Episode 5, then, proves that mutants are also humans. They have messy relationships. They slip, they die, and they argue with one another. Even though everybody has superpowers, they hero-worship great figures like Magneto and Charles Xavier. Mutants dance and get jealous and crave love and sex. What's more, their superpowers don't shield them from experiencing pain. Poor mutants, give them a break.