Marvel Studios ‘X-Men '97’ Episode 3 Review - Double Trouble

If nothing else, X-Men '97 can be considered a visual antidote for the live-action Marvel movies. The MCU canon has been recently hitting us with eye-sore experiences. The CGI is always somewhere between atrocious (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) and serviceable (The Marvels). X-Men '97, though, always looks pleasing even when the scenes themselves elicit groans (take the teary farewell letter from the second episode). Episode 3 of X-Men '97 further utilizes the strength of its medium to produce attractive, nightmarish images. Two Jeans enter inside a big Jean, a character sees one of her childhood memories in a frame, and the Beast comes across a giant head when the doors of an elevator open. These colorful shots remind you of the appealing nature of comic books: A child is instantly drawn to them due to the colorful illustrations. The story comes after the aesthetic pleasure.

Speaking of story, Episode 3 provides you with a mind-boggling one. The previous episode of X-Men '97 concluded with the arrival of a woman. She was revealed to be Jean. Two Jeans? How's that possible? Is this a multiverse of madness? Maybe this Jean could have arrived from the future? The real answer turns out to be even more bonkers. This Jean, who appears towards the end of the second episode, turns out to be the real Jean, while the Jean who gave birth to Nathan is revealed to be a clone. This gives rise to more complicated questions. How will Cyclops process this change of events? Will he be able to love the real Jean as much as he loved the clone? Or will this swap have no impact on the relationship whatsoever, which will only mean Cyclops' feelings were merely superficial? Does Logan still have a chance with this woman? When the real Jean wakes up, she briefly beholds Wolverine with affection.

It will be interesting to see if X-Men '97 would explore such complex concepts. Who wants yet another mindless superhero action-adventure? Episode 3 shows some promise. Still, it's too early to say where this show will end. Oh, I forgot to mention the source of the nightmarish visuals, the mastermind behind the creation of Jean's clone. He is Mister Sinister (Christopher Britton). With red eyes, sharp teeth, a diamond on his forehead, and pale skin, this man looks terrifying. You don't need to know much about him to label him a supervillain. Just consider that moment when he puts Nathan inside a container filled with liquid. Only a monster would do something like this to a baby. Don't hire this guy for babysitting duties.