First Things First…
We left off in a cool spot, with Juggernaut making a shocking run-in against Xavier. We also learned the reason behind this intergalactic war, so the war should start to take off. Plus, looking at this episode title, I’m pretty sure Moira’s fiancé, who we met briefly last time, is Banshee. I don’t know much about him, but they’re setting him up to be an important character.
3 Things I Like
3. Phoenix Demystified (Well, Kind Of…)
At least now it doesn’t feel random that Jean has taken on the identity of Phoenix.
I still don’t fully understand how the transformation happened, but Lilandra knows about the Phoenix. She calls her the guardian of the M’Kraan Crystal—that nice little MacGuffin we learned about last episode.
2. Wolverine Takes the Lead
“Aliens and spaceships running around, messing with Xavier. The whole blasted world’s turning upside down! We gotta do something!”
Wolverine
Ever loyal Wolverine…
He insists on going to Muir Island to help the professor, even if there’s a chance the professor is suffering from violent delusions, as Moira believes.
Surprisingly, Scott agrees with Wolverine. But he’s obviously going to stay behind with Jean, who’s still incapacitated except when her alter ego surfaces. And for some odd reason, he keeps Storm, his second in command, behind in case Beast needs help at the mansion. So Wolverine becomes the de facto leader. And he shines. That sensitive snout of his lets him smell Juggernaut (plus two more scents he doesn’t recognize) long after they’re gone, proving Xavier is sane, not delusional.
1. Juggernaut Dominates
“Remember, Wolverine, we’re no match for Juggernaut. Our job is to find Lilandra and get out fast.”
Rogue
I was worried the team would dispose of Juggernaut immediately, as if he’s just a minor threat, and move on quickly. But this time, they don’t have Colossus to handle him.
Turns out, Juggernaut is a MENACE.
He throws Professor X out a window and right over a cliff, nearly killing him if not for Banshee. And he toys with Eric the Red after Eric isn’t planning to make good on their deal for capturing Lilandra. (Eric is truly the Starscream of his galaxy.)
It takes a nearly invulnerable alien to finally stop Juggernaut.
3 Things I’m Mixed On
3. Rogue Returns
I guess they called Rogue back from her mystery mission off screen.
I’m so perplexed by this whole thing. Again, I’m glad they addressed the fact that she was missing from the first two episodes of “The Phoenix Saga.” But why even have her missing in the first place?
Is this all just so Rogue can have a guilt trip over Jean’s condition. She feels that, with her powers, she might’ve been able to handle it better. Maybe her ability to absorb energy would’ve protected her in a way Jean couldn’t protect herself.
2. Cassidy Family Feud
“You’ve disgraced the Cassidy family name for the last time, Black Tom!”
Banshee
The fight between Banshee and his brother has the makings of a really cool story. I’d like to see more from them. But we just met Banshee last episode—not even in full uniform or as a superhero—and now we meet his brother for the first time. Throw in all the other new characters introduced, and how much can I really care about feuding brothers when I’ve just met them?
(Side note: how is Banshee the older brother? Black Tom looks 60!)
1. Gladiator Wrecks, then Gets Wrecked
“They’re coming out of the woodwork!”
Wolverine
Speaking of new characters, I was thinking the same thing, Wolverine…
Gladiator arrives out of nowhere and literally flings Juggernaut across the sea after the entire X-Men team couldn’t stop him.
He’s incredibly powerful, and he seems to be living in a grey area. Lilandra says to him, “You are a warrior of honor! Why do you serve a madman like my brother?”
Even though he’s not evil like the emperor, D’Ken, he is blindly loyal to the crown. That can be just as bad.
But here’s the thing…
As intrigued as I am by Gladiator, he doesn’t show up until past the 16-minute mark. He immediately establishes himself as one of the most powerful characters we’ve ever seen on the show. Then he gets whooped by Phoenix before we even reach the 20-minute mark.
On one hand, this makes the point that Phoenix is insanely powerful. But just like with the Cassidys, how much can I care about Gladiator when he’s introduced, his immense power is established, and then he’s defeated, all in less than four minutes?
3 Things I Don’t Like
3. Doubting Moira
Moira and Banshee see the crazy flashing lights coming from the professor’s room when he screams, his room is in shambles when they arrive, there are person-sized holes in the wall, yet Moira refuses to believe either Lilandra or Juggernaut was actually there, as he insists?
Come on…
I know he’s been having psychological problems. That’s why he’s in her facility in the first place. But really, how else do you think all the commotion and damage was caused?
2. Lilandra Is a Wimp
Lilandra can cause Professor X—one of the most powerful mutants alive—to have psychotic breaks from another galaxy. But in person she can’t do jack shit. It’s a bad look for her.
She pounds on Juggernaut’s back with one fist, like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. And she’s very easily captured.
So much for powerful aliens.
1. Xavier in Love
Ugghhh.
I was hoping it wasn’t going in this direction.
When the professor insists Lilandra is real, Moira asks how he knows. He says, “Because I love her, Moira.”
The idea that Professor X is in love with Lilandra, who he just met, all because she could get into his head is so dumb.
Tim Matassa
We should care for Banshee just like we cared for Jubilee or X-Men in pilot: they’re the good guys.
Re: Juggernaut<Gladiator<Phoenix, as SW Ep. I said, "There's always a bigger fish". And we should care for Gladiator because Moira did say he's honorable. In a way he's like Jaime Lannister who served Mad King honorably until it was too much. Lilandra herself served truthfully until she also thought it was too much. So the question is – will there be a moment when even Gladiator will have to side with rebels?
As for Rogue, them and you said yourself: she could've handled spaceship and radiation in a way Jean couldn't.
I love that comparison of Gladiator and Jaime Lannister. And yeah, I’m leaning toward the idea that Gladiator’s honor will eventually win out over his loyalty, and he’ll side with the X-Men and Lilandra.