Review: X-Men ’97 “Lifedeath (Part 2)”

Overview

Storm is forced to face her worst fears to free herself…

Our Take

Storm after the events of “Part 1” is faced with a life-or-death situation with Forge as they’re being chased and terrorized by a monster from Forge’s past called “The Adversary” which is the Native American’s version of The Devil who much like Pennywise, feeds on the insecurities and fears of its victims to empower itself. And given the sense of urgency the two are in against this creature, Storm has to face her fears to save Forge’s life despite some issues she may have with him. However just when things seem pleasant for both of them, they turn on the news to see what’s become of Genosha…

In the other storyline we see what Xavier has been up to. While he’s considered legally deceased on Earth, the ending of the original series “Graduation Day” established that it’s only been a year since his soul was taken by the Shi’ar empire and given a new body and having a romantic relationship with Alien Queen Lilandra which you’d think would be a happy ending if Lilandra’s ambitious and cruel sister Deathbird didn’t intervene. Deathbird then proceeds to force Xavier make a choice that would keep him away from any attachments on Earth. But given the unpleasant vision he later receives; Xavier decides to make an uneasy choice of his own…

Overall, this was a decent episode that shows lots of change and revelations. I really thought it would be entirely devoted to Storm and Forge fighting the Adversary, but it surprised me even more that we see what Xavier’s been up to. He remains benevolent as ever, and despite the happy ending everyone thought he would have, he still has to face a plethora of newer challenges. And after the big twist at the end of who could’ve played a major role in the Genosha disaster that was in Remember it, I’m curious to see how far this goes, or who else could’ve been involved…