Update: Now that X-Men '97 Episode 10 is out, it looks like only one of these theories is close to coming true, but fans will have to wait for Season 2 to see if any of these things will happen in the future of the hit animated series. You can read the original article below:
Fans are now waiting with bated breath to see the grand X-Men ‘97 Season 1 finale, Tolerance is Extinction - Part 3. The penultimate episode, Tolerance is Extinction - Part 2, ended with a major cliffhanger, leaving the fates of Jean Grey and Wolverine unknown. But if there’s another thing viewers want to see, it’s the result of Charles Xavier and Magneto’s battle of the psyches that seems to set up a possible storyline for X-Men ‘97 Season 2. So, as how the first season ends remains a mystery, here are the five theories that suggest what will happen in the finale episode.
1 Gambit as the Horseman of Death
Everyone was surprised by Gambit's unexpected death in the emotional X-Men ‘97 Episode 5, Remember It. Although Remy LaBeau is already dead and buried, the comic books have taught readers that death is not always the end. Gambit may return as one of Apocalypse’s Four Horsemen in the first-season finale.
Just like in X-Men Nos. 182-183, Gambit may represent the Horseman of Death after being resurrected by Apocalypse. His sacrifice in the attack on Genosha may have caught Apocalypse’s attention. To prove this, Apocalypse is part of Episode 5’s opening credits, so he may have seen Gambit’s heroic move, which made him decide to bring him back.
2 The Arrival of Onslaught
The latter part of X-Men ‘97 Episode 9 was based on the events of the 1993 crossover Fatal Attractions. Here, Charles and Magneto engaged in an intense battle of the psyches, and comic book readers probably knew what happened next. The dark merging of the powerful mutants’ spirits created one of the X-Men’s strongest villains, Onslaught.
So, if the animated series follows this storyline, the X-Men ‘97 Season 1 finale may see the arrival of Onslaught, who may serve as the final villain. However, with his kind of big bad, a single episode that may run for half an hour is not enough to tell his story. So, his storyline may continue in X-Men ‘97 Season 2.
3 Wolverine Leaving the X-Men
The first season’s penultimate episode featured the epic fight between Magneto and Wolverine. Logan took advantage of Magnus and Charles’ face-off and attacked the Master of Magnetism at the back, piercing his claws into his chest. However, he seemed to forget Magneto’s magnetic powers, which the latter used to rip Wolverine’s adamantium claws out. Not only that, but he also ripped all the adamantium from his skeleton.
Though the show hasn’t revealed what will happen to Wolverine yet, the comics confirmed that he had survived the attack. However, this led him to leave the X-Men and embark on a journey of self-reflection. As the series has been faithful to its source material, this storyline may be adapted.
4 Mystique’s Much-Awaited Appearance
Though X-Men ‘97 Episode 8, Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1, already dispelled the rumors that Mystique is Val Cooper, fans strongly believe that the shapeshifting mutant will still appear in the series. If it happens, she may finally be seen in the Season 1 finale.
Add that to Nightcrawler talking about his complicated family history with Rogue and Mystique in the previous episode, and it hints at a big Mystique reveal about to happen. So, what’s more exciting than seeing Mystique’s much-awaited appearance in the X-Men ‘97 Season 1 finale? Fans will surely celebrate.
5 The Introduction of Kitty Pryde
X-Men ‘97 is known for featuring exciting cameos, but one mutant has yet to appear in the series: Kitty Pryde. Despite growing up as an insecure teenager, she’s one of the most important members of the X-Men. Sure, she’s only a side character, but she becomes a strong fighter and leader of the X-Men as her story develops.
Though the series already has Jubilee, Kitty Pryde is a better comic character. That said, her introduction may finally happen in the first season finale, as she may join the X-Men in the second season and prepare for her introduction in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
X-Men ‘97 Episode 10, Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3, is set to release on Wednesday, May 15, on Disney+. Episodes 1-9 are also available on the streamer.
Which of these theories do you think will make it to the first season finale? Though what will happen next remains to be seen, fans can expect it to be jaw-dropping.
