First Things First…
This episode originally aired as Episode 5.14.
It’s here… we’ve made it to the end of the series!
Xavier’s school never struck me as a school that students graduate from, but I wonder if the team moves on, or if at least some team members go their separate ways in this episode.
4 Things I Like
4. Lilandra to the Rescue
Of all the characters who could’ve returned for the series finale, Lilandra never crossed my mind. Maybe she should have, though. After all, she’s basically Professor X’s soulmate.
I was critical of their doomed romance when Lilandra debuted in “The Phoenix Saga.” She did him more harm than good, at least at first. And while I’ve never been enthusiastic about their connection, I have to give them credit for staying consistent with the telepathic link they share. It comes in handy here, so bringing her in to save Charles’ life actually makes sense.
And even though it’s become a crutch when they want to do something that sounds too technologically far-fetched for human technology to just chalk it up to the Shi’ar’s technology being more advanced—well, again, they’ve been consistent about it. Credit where credit’s due.
3. Morph Comes Home
Morph proves useful by giving a heartfelt plea for peace while posing as the Professor.
I’m glad they found a use for Morph here. But even if they hadn’t, it feels right for him to be with the team in the finale, as he was in the premiere. Morph holds an unusual but very special place in X-Men lore. I’m glad he gets his due at the end.
2. Viva Magneto!
“Friends, our moment in history has arrived. We all have felt the sting of human hatred, seen the disgust smolder in their eyes. We have groveled and hidden like beaten animals anxious for a crumb from a master. We have lived too long in darkness and fear. No more! Nature has made us superior. We are the living future of this mighty planet. This world is our world now. Take it!”
Magneto
Magneto is on the VERY short list of most compelling characters throughout the series. So I love seeing the series finale hinge entirely on him.
In the wake of Henry Gyrich’s attack on Professor X, and the potential uprising that springs from it, Magneto is the leader the mutants need. I love the way all these disparate pockets of mutants—Morlocks, Genoshans, and so on—look to him to lead.
Early on, hundreds of mutants camp out beneath his fortress, begging him to lead them.
One even says…
“He just sits up there alone in that huge, empty fortress. Why won’t he lead us?”
And when he comes out to address the crowd of would-be followers moments later, she says…
“Look! Up on the balcony! It’s him! It’s Magneto!”
It seems his attempt at a mutants-only colony on Asteroid M—though it failed—has earned him the respect, admiration, and loyalty of mutants around the world. They know Magneto not only has the leadership but also the stomach for this fight in defense of mutants.
At the same time, some mutants around the world have begun rioting. They haven’t waited around for a leader to take charge. But even on the news, the leadership void is noted…
“The recent global outbreak of mutant uprisings has provoked an angry local reaction. Mutants have taken to the streets in Detroit, where Motor City police have called on the National Guard to help put a stop to the rioting. In Hong Kong, human/mutant clashes have caused authorities to impose martial law. Still no official word from the mutant-occupied cities of Tehran, Ensenada, and Duluth, but it is believed that these are spontaneous, unorganized events. Experts say the mutant rebellion will quickly dissipate unless it finds a leader—someone able and willing to turn angry rioters into disciplined troops.”
Newscaster Trish Tilby doesn’t mention Magneto (or anyone else) by name, but this situation is set up perfectly for him to take the helm. (Side note—is she talking about Duluth, Minnesota? WTF?)
Even the X-Men recognize this.
Wolverine calls this impending war “the chance he’s been waiting for.”
And Cyclops says…
“If we stop him, or even slow him down, his followers may lose heart. With no leader, there’s no war.”
Magneto’s moment has finally arrived, and he certainly seems up to the task—until he’s forced to make a nearly impossible choice…
1. Xavier Says Goodbye
“I am proud… proud of you all… my X-Men.”
Professor X
I can’t believe they took the time to let Charles say goodbye to each member of the team. But holy shit, this is emotional! This is easily one of my favorite scenes in the series.
When Charles starts by praising Morph, I just thought it was a nice moment with a character who’s been gone most of the series and whose PTSD when he returned once before means he could probably use the kind words.
But nope… he goes through and makes them all cry or get emotional as he sings their praises.
He talks about Gambit needing to finally recognize his own heroism… Wolverine, despite his savage, lonely, cynical nature, having found a family, his dignity, AND his faith… Jubilee being the future and the face of hope… Scott being the best son he ever could’ve hoped for… and more.
Not only is this incredibly moving, but it also pays off so much of what we’ve seen throughout the series. It’s extremely gratifying for someone who’s watched the whole thing.
The series’ final shot is a beautiful one of the core eight team members, plus Morph and Magneto, watching Xavier fly off with Lilandra.
2 Things I’m Mixed On
2. No X-Man Has Doubts?
We’ve seen X-Men question Xavier before. We’ve seen them pontificate on how much it sucks to keep fighting the same losing battle, trying to protect people who hate them.
In the aftermath of this near-fatal attack on their leader, NO ONE questions whether this is a sign they’re on the wrong side of things?
This is the perfect opportunity for someone to at least mention that their beloved leader—who has fought harder for mutant-human cooperation and peace than anyone in the world—was nearly assassinated for his troubles. Someone could easily lose faith—even if it’s just momentarily—and argue that their cause is hopeless.
Magneto certainly thinks so. He asks…
“After what they did to Xavier, why do you still fight me?”
And as Cyclops, Gambit, and Wolverine watch “the Professor” address the world (before I realized it’s really Morph talking), I thought for sure one of them would’ve questioned him still looking for “peaceful alternatives” after he’d been attacked.
But Xavier’s near-death experience affects them all for the better.
Wolverine answers Magneto’s question about why they still fight by saying…
“He’d want us to.”
And Jean says…
“I was Xavier’s first student, Logan. I’m not gonna let everything he worked for fall apart without a fight.”
To be clear, I agree with Xavier’s hopeful message. And, ultimately, I’m glad the team honors him by continuing to fight his fight. I’m just surprised that, in their grief, no one even brings up the possibility that they might be on the wrong side of the fight. It feels like a missed opportunity for a compelling conversation.
1. Magnus’ Choice
“Xavier… dying? A sad ending to a great life. Out of respect for Charles Xavier, I will let all of you live. Now, go, before I change my mind.”
Magneto
I don’t mean this as criticism, because I’ve always LOVED Magneto and Charles’ relationship. But I wonder if the more compelling choice would’ve been for him to turn down the X-Men’s plea for help in saving Charles’ life.
Maybe if the show had been made today, they would’ve gone that way. But this was still a Saturday morning cartoon for kids, so I guess he has to do the right thing in the end.
At least Magneto wrestles with his choice. When Jean asks him how much he loves Charles, Magneto snaps back…
“How dare you ask me such a question? He was my only equal. I owe him my life.”
He also has to come to grips with the truth Jean, Cyclops, and Wolverine tell him about Charles being hours from death.
He says…
“You lie to torture me. My legions await my command, pledging body and soul to me. With a single word, I can remake the world. I cannot leave.”
And moments later, he continues…
“Why now? My greatest enemy, and perhaps my only friend. But I have waited all my life for this moment!”
Yet, despite having everything he’s fought for all these years at his fingertips, he leaves to help his friend.
This still leaves the story open ended. We don’t know what happens to the masses of mutants he was set to lead. Do they attack humanity without a leader? Does he return to them as soon as he’s done helping save Charles? Or does mutant resistance peter out without Magneto?
But again, though I love their friendship and appreciate the anguish Magneto suffers as he’s caught between his friend and his “righteous cause” …
I wonder if there was more to be gained if he forsook Charles and put his cause first.
Tim Matassa
