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matt_zimmerUpcoming Reviews on this journal include Heroes: Season 3, Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Four, Wallace and Gromit: A Matter Of Loaf And Death and Alias Season Three.
X-Men: Volume Three: Featuring The Dark Phoenix
More Comic-Booky-Sometimes-Heavily-Overwrought-Cartoon-Wackiness! Yeah, this isn't the best show. It isn't even the best comic book show of it's era. But I still enjoy it anyways, and not just in a nostalgia based fashion. In it's own way it's actually pretty good. Some of the voices are grating but I still love the actors who voice Wolverine, Beast, Xavier, Magneto and Apocalypse. The animation is still kind of crummy but it's improved quite a bit from the first season and even contains some nifty speical effects now.
The set-piece of this DVD set is obviously the four part Dark Phoenix Saga and it was heavily hyped when it aired too. The fact that it is a major let-down (and how it compares to another famous cartoon's story arc) is something I will discuss in the individual episode review below. But may I just give a shout-out to One Man's Worth? One of the best multi-parters the show has ever done and is the REAL reason to buy this set.
Best episodes of the season are the aforementioned time travel epic two-parter (One Man's Worth) and the Beast and Archangel spotlight (Obsession). Worst episodes are the two part return to Kazar 'n' pals (Savage Land, Strange Heart) and the first part of the Dark Phoenix Saga (Dazzled). Volume Overall: ****1/2.
Savage Land, Strange Heart (Part I): Never a huge fan of Sauron, Kazar or the Savage Land so this two-parter was a wash for me. Some nice visual effects though. **1/2.
Savage Land, Strange Heart (Part II): I'd say this ending was a let-down but frankly the cliffhanger didn't seem to promise much. Garokk's a lame villain too. **1/2. Two Part Average: **1/2.
Obsession: I love this episode. And it's not because of Archangel (who is lame). I love Beast's relationship with the computer which is unique to ANYTHING I've ever seen on TV or movies, cartoon or live-action. It's a loving, intimate friendship on both of their parts and it's actually quite touching. I'm surprised at just how well it works but neat ideas like this were the stuff this show, as lame as it could be sometimes, excelled at. ****1/2.
The Dark Phoenix (Part I) Dazzled: I have to wonder if Dazzler is this obnoxious in the comic books. I mean it's not a secret that the fans tend to despise her but I always assumed that was because she was a lame character with lame powers who was given entirely too much spotlight (a.k.a. a Mary Sue). I have no idea if she is this despicable in the comics. I mean she throws herself at Scott even after she can see he's not interested, watches his girlfriend kiss somebody else in revenge and basically rags on him for it. What a witch. Oh, and this Emma Frost? Maybe it's because Wolverine and the X-Men's version is so awesome but here I find her rather lame. And her costume and character design leaves MUCH to be desired. **1/2.
The Dark Phoenix (Part II) The Inner Circle: a.k.a. The Muttonchop Society. This show tends to take itself entirely too seriously and winds up with episodes like this. But hey watching Wolverine getting his butt kicked is fun. ***.
The Dark Phoenix (Part III) The Dark Phoenix: A let-down and a disappointment. I don't hate it, but it still grates. I'll explain more below how this compares to Justice League Unlimited's Cadmus Finale and why the comparison isn't favorable. I enjoyed some of the overwrought drama but that's about it. ***.
The Dark Phoenix (Part IV) The Fate Of The Phoenix: This reminds me of JLU's four-part Cadmus arc finale. Hear me out: just like in that four parter the main action takes part in part three and the clean-up of the actual mess occurs during the last half-hour. Granted Cadmus had MUCH more at stake. But it was similar to Cadmus in that both Phoenix Sagas set up this grand universe shattering story and basically take a detour. JLU's Part Three Cliffhanger was KIND of a cheat (we had been gearing up for a battle between the JLU and the government) but it was such an unexpected blindside of a plot twist, that I enjoyed it for what it was and rolled with it. Here, it's not so much a detour but a cop-out. I mean they had been building up this HUGE conflict where Jean's former team-makes HAD to make the ultimate sacrifice to take her out for the good of the universe but after some moaning in Jean's back yard she's "contained" for now and the Phoenix is completely banished in the final episode. I know this was a Saturday morning cartoon and it couldn't ever get TOO intense (I completely understand why the "solar system" Jean destroyed had to be empty) but even me, a non superhero comic book fan knows how huge and important both Phoenix Sagas were to comic book history. SO big in fact, that it's been referenced on shows like Buffy. I haven't really read the story but I really can't see why Jean couldn't have "died" at the end of this ESPECIALLY if Fox censors were aware that she would be coming back to the show next season and it wouldn't be permanent (she DID after all "die" at the end of the first Phoenix Saga). It would have added some heft to the whole arc and really paid off the "X-Men must destroy someone they love to save the universe" angle of the story. ***1/2. Four-Parter Overall: ***.
Cold Comfort: Iceman is okay (I expected him to be MUCH lamer than he's portrayed here) but the thing that really intruiged me was the fact this episode's flashbacks show that Warren Worthington (a.k.a) Angel / Archangel was actually a member of the original X-Men as in the comics. I find this kind of reflects REALLY badly on the character that he was actually allied with and knew about Xavier's mission to get young mutants to accept their powers. When we first saw him getting tricked by Apocalypse in season one we assumed he was a well-intentional patsy who just wanted to be normal because he didn't KNOW of any other way to be. The fact that he KNOWS Xavier is trying to get Mutants to accept themselves and was once his student, makes the fact that Apocalypse played him for a sap seem like cosmic justice, rather than tragedy and makes his revenge fantasies seem even lamer than they come across later. And the worst part is they barely connect these events! Psylocke makes a passive verbal smack at the guy in Beyond Good And Evil but his earlier adventures in the X-Men are almost completely glossed over which I find is a rather distressing oversight. ***.
Orphan's End: Cyclops: Rhymes with "stick". I mean, it's almost admirable that this series managed to make a leading character such a jerk since all heroes on eighties shows were always stalwart cookie-cutout saps but I like how the main character of this show is such a dipwad (and yes, this applies to Wolverine too). A little TOO much coincidence in this story for it's own good, but it's just following the comics, correct? So I can't really hold that against it. ***1/2.
The Juggernaut Returns: One of the best episodes of the year and one of the worst. The worst because the Juggernaut flashback stuff is just terrible ("Mutie! Mutie! Mutie!" Ugh.) . Best because the sideplot of that nebbishy guy getting Juggernaut's powers was hilarious, and was a rare example of the show not taking itself too seriously. But I have to agree with the rest of the team that helping Juggernaut get his powers back was an idiot move on Xavier's part. And he's never really called on it. ***1/2.
Nightcrawler: Episode famous for breaking the taboo on religion and Saturday Morning cartoons and probably got away with it for being so vague about it (although the crosses in the Church still shock). Although to be fair, after the last eight years of fundamentalist nutjobs in charge of this county I'm not sure breaking this taboo was such a good idea. ***1/2.
Weapon X, Lies, And Videotape: Do you know what this show NEVER gets praised for (and should be)? How continuity heavy it is and how stuff from one episode affects future episodes. When Gargoyles and JLU did it they were rightly hailed as revolutionary but even though the way they handled it on this show wasn't quite as good (using clips) I think the fact that they did it at all is noteworthy. (And don't give me any garbage that Spider-Man: The Animated Series did it too. That show handled it SO clumsily that it's actually a mark against it rather than a cool thing in it's favor). ****.
One Man's Worth (Part I): One of the best multi-parters the show has ever done (I'm pretty sure only Beyond Good and Evil surpasses it but I haven't seen Phalanx Covenant in a long time). I love it because it's so complicated and yet you can actually understand it. As I understand it, this was a short (and radically changed) adaptation of The Age Of Apocalypse arc from the comics. Xavier is kind of a chump here but I actually find that a bit endearing considering what he grew into. LOVED Wolverine kicking that redneck's butt (and Bishop actually CALLING him a redneck) and thought the idea that Storm found the idea of skin-color based racism quaint was hilarious (because it almost is). I'll talk more about the Storm/ Logan ship next episode but here I'll just say I think it's fantastic. *****.
One Man's Worth (Part II): Best. Ending. EVER! And it actually predates Angel's I Will Remember You by several years. After this episode I became a STAUNCH Wolverine/ Storm 'shipper (at least for THIS continuity) and I regret that even though it's been vaguely referenced once or twice and actually affected our timeline that the show never was really on the air long enough to explore it. They probably wouldn't have explored it anyways but part of me likes to think of this as something that might have turned into a John Stewart and Shayera Hol type of 'ship on Justice League. *****. Two Part Average: *****.
Courage: Poor Morph. And poor X-Men cartoon for actually doing a show about trauma without actually being able to SHOW any trauma. What I like about this episode is how supportive Wolverine is, especially because if it had been ANYONE else who messed up the way Morph had he would have torn them a new one. Here he is just saddened and REALLY is just a good friend. Sometimes I think Morph was sent away because he humanizes Wolverine too much but I always like seeing him show up for that reason. ****.
X-Men: Volume Four: Featuring Beyond Good And Evil
More Superhero fun with the fan-favorite animated series.
This batch of episodes is pretty dang good all things considered (the first disc contain NOTHING but multi-parters! Sweet!) and I really think that they were starting to get a hang on the continuity stuff which kicks Spide-Man's old show's butt. Yeah, it's not as competently handled as either Justice League Unlimited or Gargoyles but gosh, it's still pretty impressive.
This particular set seems to REALLY give some great character things for Wolverine to do even if the episodes the character stuff is in themselves are not that great. And Beyond Good And Evil is the best and most exciting multi-parter the show has ever done and the best episode of all time.
Best episodes on the set are the two-part Magneto saga (Sanctuary) and the mind-blowing, four part, time travel epic Beyond Good And Evil. Worst episodes are the lame two-parter family drama Proteus and the cringe-inducing The Lotus And The Steel. I ALMOST put Have Yourself A Morlock Little X-Mas down as a bad episode but I think it's charming enough to be left off that list. Volume Overall: *****.
Proteus (Part I): I never really cared for this two-parter. Maybe because the villain is nothing but an overpowered brat. But hey, his reality warping powers are pretty cool ESPECIALLY considering what they did to our favorite Canucklehead. **.
Proteus (Part II): Overreact much, Wolverine? Beast was TOTALLY trying to put Logan's problem in gentle perspective and he gets his head chewed off for his trouble. Kevin's father is a piece of work too and the "happy" ending they crafted for him feels completely unearned. The episode DOES get points however for showing us that yes, there are certain things that can scare even Wolverine (who as a character who basically can't die has little to fear). *1/2.
Santuary (Part I): I love this two-parter especially for what it shows us about Magneto and how he differs from other supervillains. Yes, he wants to be worshipped and have statues of himself erected but he truly cares about the people in his stead and is tough but fair. Frankly, the Wolverine and the X-Men version could learn a thing or two from the old show. ****1/2.
Santuary (Part II): Cool conclusion especially since Cortez is such an unstable and wacky villain. LOVED how Magneto got out of his predicament and his friendship with Charles. ****.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part I): Best multi-parter the show has ever done. I love it because it is so continuity heavy and basically gives us almost every Mutant we've seen on the show up to this point. I loved the stuff with Cable and Bishop and it was SO great to see Mr. Sinister again (poor Scott and Jean). Apocalypse's plan to imprison all of the universe's known telepaths for his ultimate agenda was pretty awesome. *****.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part II): LOVE Psylocke, and LOVE her calling out Archangel (who has done some growth since last we saw him) out on his hypocrisy. This HINTS at his former past with the X-Men without flat out calling him out on it. I also loved the revelation that Magneto is working for Apocalypse because it REALLY makes you cheesed off at the character until you see part four. ****.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part III): Lazarus Pits! Love it! Cable's kind of a jerk but that's his whole schtick. Apocalypse is just SO great and I love how this four-parter basically ties in all of the past time-travel episodes (even the timeline erasing One Man's Worth). Cool! ****1/2.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part IV): Like One Man's Worth this is one of the few multi-parter episodes the show has done that haven't felt like a let-down or a cop-out (to be fair if both Phoenix Sagas and Proteus were never made the show would have a MUCH higher batting average). One of the most annoying things about the first three parts was that Bishop's silly subplot didn't seem to be GOING anywhere and here it kind of does so I can forgive it. Apocalypse's master plan was brilliant and I LOVED that Magneto and Mystique were playing him the entire time, especially since it turned out to be for less than heroic reasons. GREAT four-parter that ALMOST gives a happy ending to the bleak time-travel saga that the show never managed to tie up. Here, it came close. *****.
Have Yourself A Morlock Litte X-Mas: Okay, TECHNICALLY this is a bad episode and one of the worst the show has ever produced (quality-wise). But despite all the bashing it is NOT without it's charms (see Batman: The Animated Series' much reviled Christmas With The Joker). It actually FEELS like a Christmas special with an entirely new score produced just for this episode. It's one of those cartoons that a little kid who isn't old enough to watch the show yet is allowed to see by his parents to whet his appetite for when he gets older. And yes, Gambit's kitchen subplot is pure genius. **1/2.
The Lotus And The Steel: I don't recall earlier Japan-based episodes of the show this overrife with such ugly stereotypes but that may only be because we spent so much time here. Again the show is pretty continuity heavy and uses clips in a MUCH better fashion than Spider-Man: The Animated Series managed too. Still, there is much about this episode that makes me cringe. *.
Love In Vain: This episode is outright WEIRD, wacky and bizarre. I'm kind of unsure what to make of it, but one thing is for certain: this has one of the darkest and bleakest endings the show has ever produced so I have to gives props for their gall. ***1/2.
Secrets Not Long Buried: THIS is Toad? REALLY? I had always assumed this show never used him (this is the first time I've seen the episode) but I think the X-Men movie and Ray Park deserve a LOT of credit for taking such a LAME character with one of the worst character designs I've EVER seen in a superhero cartoon and making him at least SOMEWHAT cool and accpetable for the later X-Men cartoons like Evolution and Wolverine to use. I cannot get over how ugly his costume and character design is and how lame it is that snot comes out of his hands rather than his mouth (Morbius's sucker "plasma" draining hands anyone?). To be absolutely fair the episode itself isn't half-bad but that fact is something I am having a hard time giving the show credit for because of Toad. ***.
Xavier Remembers: Never been a fan of the Shadow King but this episode isn't half bad because of all of the trippy special effects. ***1/2.
Family Ties: I'm still having a hard time getting my head wrapped around how different Magneto's family dynamic with Quicksilver and Scarlett Witch (was she voiced by the same lady who did her voice on Iron Man?) is compared to the MUCH more interesting stuff Wolverine and the X-Men did. (Was Lorna who was seen in Cold Comfort ever revealed to be Magnus' daughter on this show?) I like how complex Eric is on this show compared to the later series but the Shakespearian family drama of the Nicktoons series is one of the best things about that character. ***.
X-Men: Volume Three: Featuring The Dark Phoenix
More Comic-Booky-Sometimes-Heavily-Overwrought-Cartoon-Wackiness! Yeah, this isn't the best show. It isn't even the best comic book show of it's era. But I still enjoy it anyways, and not just in a nostalgia based fashion. In it's own way it's actually pretty good. Some of the voices are grating but I still love the actors who voice Wolverine, Beast, Xavier, Magneto and Apocalypse. The animation is still kind of crummy but it's improved quite a bit from the first season and even contains some nifty speical effects now.
The set-piece of this DVD set is obviously the four part Dark Phoenix Saga and it was heavily hyped when it aired too. The fact that it is a major let-down (and how it compares to another famous cartoon's story arc) is something I will discuss in the individual episode review below. But may I just give a shout-out to One Man's Worth? One of the best multi-parters the show has ever done and is the REAL reason to buy this set.
Best episodes of the season are the aforementioned time travel epic two-parter (One Man's Worth) and the Beast and Archangel spotlight (Obsession). Worst episodes are the two part return to Kazar 'n' pals (Savage Land, Strange Heart) and the first part of the Dark Phoenix Saga (Dazzled). Volume Overall: ****1/2.
Savage Land, Strange Heart (Part I): Never a huge fan of Sauron, Kazar or the Savage Land so this two-parter was a wash for me. Some nice visual effects though. **1/2.
Savage Land, Strange Heart (Part II): I'd say this ending was a let-down but frankly the cliffhanger didn't seem to promise much. Garokk's a lame villain too. **1/2. Two Part Average: **1/2.
Obsession: I love this episode. And it's not because of Archangel (who is lame). I love Beast's relationship with the computer which is unique to ANYTHING I've ever seen on TV or movies, cartoon or live-action. It's a loving, intimate friendship on both of their parts and it's actually quite touching. I'm surprised at just how well it works but neat ideas like this were the stuff this show, as lame as it could be sometimes, excelled at. ****1/2.
The Dark Phoenix (Part I) Dazzled: I have to wonder if Dazzler is this obnoxious in the comic books. I mean it's not a secret that the fans tend to despise her but I always assumed that was because she was a lame character with lame powers who was given entirely too much spotlight (a.k.a. a Mary Sue). I have no idea if she is this despicable in the comics. I mean she throws herself at Scott even after she can see he's not interested, watches his girlfriend kiss somebody else in revenge and basically rags on him for it. What a witch. Oh, and this Emma Frost? Maybe it's because Wolverine and the X-Men's version is so awesome but here I find her rather lame. And her costume and character design leaves MUCH to be desired. **1/2.
The Dark Phoenix (Part II) The Inner Circle: a.k.a. The Muttonchop Society. This show tends to take itself entirely too seriously and winds up with episodes like this. But hey watching Wolverine getting his butt kicked is fun. ***.
The Dark Phoenix (Part III) The Dark Phoenix: A let-down and a disappointment. I don't hate it, but it still grates. I'll explain more below how this compares to Justice League Unlimited's Cadmus Finale and why the comparison isn't favorable. I enjoyed some of the overwrought drama but that's about it. ***.
The Dark Phoenix (Part IV) The Fate Of The Phoenix: This reminds me of JLU's four-part Cadmus arc finale. Hear me out: just like in that four parter the main action takes part in part three and the clean-up of the actual mess occurs during the last half-hour. Granted Cadmus had MUCH more at stake. But it was similar to Cadmus in that both Phoenix Sagas set up this grand universe shattering story and basically take a detour. JLU's Part Three Cliffhanger was KIND of a cheat (we had been gearing up for a battle between the JLU and the government) but it was such an unexpected blindside of a plot twist, that I enjoyed it for what it was and rolled with it. Here, it's not so much a detour but a cop-out. I mean they had been building up this HUGE conflict where Jean's former team-makes HAD to make the ultimate sacrifice to take her out for the good of the universe but after some moaning in Jean's back yard she's "contained" for now and the Phoenix is completely banished in the final episode. I know this was a Saturday morning cartoon and it couldn't ever get TOO intense (I completely understand why the "solar system" Jean destroyed had to be empty) but even me, a non superhero comic book fan knows how huge and important both Phoenix Sagas were to comic book history. SO big in fact, that it's been referenced on shows like Buffy. I haven't really read the story but I really can't see why Jean couldn't have "died" at the end of this ESPECIALLY if Fox censors were aware that she would be coming back to the show next season and it wouldn't be permanent (she DID after all "die" at the end of the first Phoenix Saga). It would have added some heft to the whole arc and really paid off the "X-Men must destroy someone they love to save the universe" angle of the story. ***1/2. Four-Parter Overall: ***.
Cold Comfort: Iceman is okay (I expected him to be MUCH lamer than he's portrayed here) but the thing that really intruiged me was the fact this episode's flashbacks show that Warren Worthington (a.k.a) Angel / Archangel was actually a member of the original X-Men as in the comics. I find this kind of reflects REALLY badly on the character that he was actually allied with and knew about Xavier's mission to get young mutants to accept their powers. When we first saw him getting tricked by Apocalypse in season one we assumed he was a well-intentional patsy who just wanted to be normal because he didn't KNOW of any other way to be. The fact that he KNOWS Xavier is trying to get Mutants to accept themselves and was once his student, makes the fact that Apocalypse played him for a sap seem like cosmic justice, rather than tragedy and makes his revenge fantasies seem even lamer than they come across later. And the worst part is they barely connect these events! Psylocke makes a passive verbal smack at the guy in Beyond Good And Evil but his earlier adventures in the X-Men are almost completely glossed over which I find is a rather distressing oversight. ***.
Orphan's End: Cyclops: Rhymes with "stick". I mean, it's almost admirable that this series managed to make a leading character such a jerk since all heroes on eighties shows were always stalwart cookie-cutout saps but I like how the main character of this show is such a dipwad (and yes, this applies to Wolverine too). A little TOO much coincidence in this story for it's own good, but it's just following the comics, correct? So I can't really hold that against it. ***1/2.
The Juggernaut Returns: One of the best episodes of the year and one of the worst. The worst because the Juggernaut flashback stuff is just terrible ("Mutie! Mutie! Mutie!" Ugh.) . Best because the sideplot of that nebbishy guy getting Juggernaut's powers was hilarious, and was a rare example of the show not taking itself too seriously. But I have to agree with the rest of the team that helping Juggernaut get his powers back was an idiot move on Xavier's part. And he's never really called on it. ***1/2.
Nightcrawler: Episode famous for breaking the taboo on religion and Saturday Morning cartoons and probably got away with it for being so vague about it (although the crosses in the Church still shock). Although to be fair, after the last eight years of fundamentalist nutjobs in charge of this county I'm not sure breaking this taboo was such a good idea. ***1/2.
Weapon X, Lies, And Videotape: Do you know what this show NEVER gets praised for (and should be)? How continuity heavy it is and how stuff from one episode affects future episodes. When Gargoyles and JLU did it they were rightly hailed as revolutionary but even though the way they handled it on this show wasn't quite as good (using clips) I think the fact that they did it at all is noteworthy. (And don't give me any garbage that Spider-Man: The Animated Series did it too. That show handled it SO clumsily that it's actually a mark against it rather than a cool thing in it's favor). ****.
One Man's Worth (Part I): One of the best multi-parters the show has ever done (I'm pretty sure only Beyond Good and Evil surpasses it but I haven't seen Phalanx Covenant in a long time). I love it because it's so complicated and yet you can actually understand it. As I understand it, this was a short (and radically changed) adaptation of The Age Of Apocalypse arc from the comics. Xavier is kind of a chump here but I actually find that a bit endearing considering what he grew into. LOVED Wolverine kicking that redneck's butt (and Bishop actually CALLING him a redneck) and thought the idea that Storm found the idea of skin-color based racism quaint was hilarious (because it almost is). I'll talk more about the Storm/ Logan ship next episode but here I'll just say I think it's fantastic. *****.
One Man's Worth (Part II): Best. Ending. EVER! And it actually predates Angel's I Will Remember You by several years. After this episode I became a STAUNCH Wolverine/ Storm 'shipper (at least for THIS continuity) and I regret that even though it's been vaguely referenced once or twice and actually affected our timeline that the show never was really on the air long enough to explore it. They probably wouldn't have explored it anyways but part of me likes to think of this as something that might have turned into a John Stewart and Shayera Hol type of 'ship on Justice League. *****. Two Part Average: *****.
Courage: Poor Morph. And poor X-Men cartoon for actually doing a show about trauma without actually being able to SHOW any trauma. What I like about this episode is how supportive Wolverine is, especially because if it had been ANYONE else who messed up the way Morph had he would have torn them a new one. Here he is just saddened and REALLY is just a good friend. Sometimes I think Morph was sent away because he humanizes Wolverine too much but I always like seeing him show up for that reason. ****.
X-Men: Volume Four: Featuring Beyond Good And Evil
More Superhero fun with the fan-favorite animated series.
This batch of episodes is pretty dang good all things considered (the first disc contain NOTHING but multi-parters! Sweet!) and I really think that they were starting to get a hang on the continuity stuff which kicks Spide-Man's old show's butt. Yeah, it's not as competently handled as either Justice League Unlimited or Gargoyles but gosh, it's still pretty impressive.
This particular set seems to REALLY give some great character things for Wolverine to do even if the episodes the character stuff is in themselves are not that great. And Beyond Good And Evil is the best and most exciting multi-parter the show has ever done and the best episode of all time.
Best episodes on the set are the two-part Magneto saga (Sanctuary) and the mind-blowing, four part, time travel epic Beyond Good And Evil. Worst episodes are the lame two-parter family drama Proteus and the cringe-inducing The Lotus And The Steel. I ALMOST put Have Yourself A Morlock Little X-Mas down as a bad episode but I think it's charming enough to be left off that list. Volume Overall: *****.
Proteus (Part I): I never really cared for this two-parter. Maybe because the villain is nothing but an overpowered brat. But hey, his reality warping powers are pretty cool ESPECIALLY considering what they did to our favorite Canucklehead. **.
Proteus (Part II): Overreact much, Wolverine? Beast was TOTALLY trying to put Logan's problem in gentle perspective and he gets his head chewed off for his trouble. Kevin's father is a piece of work too and the "happy" ending they crafted for him feels completely unearned. The episode DOES get points however for showing us that yes, there are certain things that can scare even Wolverine (who as a character who basically can't die has little to fear). *1/2.
Santuary (Part I): I love this two-parter especially for what it shows us about Magneto and how he differs from other supervillains. Yes, he wants to be worshipped and have statues of himself erected but he truly cares about the people in his stead and is tough but fair. Frankly, the Wolverine and the X-Men version could learn a thing or two from the old show. ****1/2.
Santuary (Part II): Cool conclusion especially since Cortez is such an unstable and wacky villain. LOVED how Magneto got out of his predicament and his friendship with Charles. ****.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part I): Best multi-parter the show has ever done. I love it because it is so continuity heavy and basically gives us almost every Mutant we've seen on the show up to this point. I loved the stuff with Cable and Bishop and it was SO great to see Mr. Sinister again (poor Scott and Jean). Apocalypse's plan to imprison all of the universe's known telepaths for his ultimate agenda was pretty awesome. *****.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part II): LOVE Psylocke, and LOVE her calling out Archangel (who has done some growth since last we saw him) out on his hypocrisy. This HINTS at his former past with the X-Men without flat out calling him out on it. I also loved the revelation that Magneto is working for Apocalypse because it REALLY makes you cheesed off at the character until you see part four. ****.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part III): Lazarus Pits! Love it! Cable's kind of a jerk but that's his whole schtick. Apocalypse is just SO great and I love how this four-parter basically ties in all of the past time-travel episodes (even the timeline erasing One Man's Worth). Cool! ****1/2.
Beyond Good And Evil (Part IV): Like One Man's Worth this is one of the few multi-parter episodes the show has done that haven't felt like a let-down or a cop-out (to be fair if both Phoenix Sagas and Proteus were never made the show would have a MUCH higher batting average). One of the most annoying things about the first three parts was that Bishop's silly subplot didn't seem to be GOING anywhere and here it kind of does so I can forgive it. Apocalypse's master plan was brilliant and I LOVED that Magneto and Mystique were playing him the entire time, especially since it turned out to be for less than heroic reasons. GREAT four-parter that ALMOST gives a happy ending to the bleak time-travel saga that the show never managed to tie up. Here, it came close. *****.
Have Yourself A Morlock Litte X-Mas: Okay, TECHNICALLY this is a bad episode and one of the worst the show has ever produced (quality-wise). But despite all the bashing it is NOT without it's charms (see Batman: The Animated Series' much reviled Christmas With The Joker). It actually FEELS like a Christmas special with an entirely new score produced just for this episode. It's one of those cartoons that a little kid who isn't old enough to watch the show yet is allowed to see by his parents to whet his appetite for when he gets older. And yes, Gambit's kitchen subplot is pure genius. **1/2.
The Lotus And The Steel: I don't recall earlier Japan-based episodes of the show this overrife with such ugly stereotypes but that may only be because we spent so much time here. Again the show is pretty continuity heavy and uses clips in a MUCH better fashion than Spider-Man: The Animated Series managed too. Still, there is much about this episode that makes me cringe. *.
Love In Vain: This episode is outright WEIRD, wacky and bizarre. I'm kind of unsure what to make of it, but one thing is for certain: this has one of the darkest and bleakest endings the show has ever produced so I have to gives props for their gall. ***1/2.
Secrets Not Long Buried: THIS is Toad? REALLY? I had always assumed this show never used him (this is the first time I've seen the episode) but I think the X-Men movie and Ray Park deserve a LOT of credit for taking such a LAME character with one of the worst character designs I've EVER seen in a superhero cartoon and making him at least SOMEWHAT cool and accpetable for the later X-Men cartoons like Evolution and Wolverine to use. I cannot get over how ugly his costume and character design is and how lame it is that snot comes out of his hands rather than his mouth (Morbius's sucker "plasma" draining hands anyone?). To be absolutely fair the episode itself isn't half-bad but that fact is something I am having a hard time giving the show credit for because of Toad. ***.
Xavier Remembers: Never been a fan of the Shadow King but this episode isn't half bad because of all of the trippy special effects. ***1/2.
Family Ties: I'm still having a hard time getting my head wrapped around how different Magneto's family dynamic with Quicksilver and Scarlett Witch (was she voiced by the same lady who did her voice on Iron Man?) is compared to the MUCH more interesting stuff Wolverine and the X-Men did. (Was Lorna who was seen in Cold Comfort ever revealed to be Magnus' daughter on this show?) I like how complex Eric is on this show compared to the later series but the Shakespearian family drama of the Nicktoons series is one of the best things about that character. ***.
