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Picking up from the death-riddled conclusion of episode 5, X-Men '97 episode 6 takes a detour from the main action to focus on several other locations and storylines. While there are still bits and pieces shown throughout the episode to remind fans of the characters who met their tragic ends in the last installment, episode 6, titled Lifedeath Part 2 primarily focuses on Storm's battle against The Adversary and her attempts to get her powers back.
Simultaneously, the episode takes viewers to outer space, notably, to Planet Shi'ar where a long-awaited character makes an appearance. Professor X, presumed dead to all but the ones who remember the ending of The Animated Series has to face his problems in paradise.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.
Storm and Forge battle The Adversary in X-Men '97 episode 6
Fans of X-Men '97 will remember Storm's disappearance from the main action after having been zapped by the X-Cutioner's bullets which caused her to lose her powers. This episode majorly focuses on her attempts to get her power back, a quest during which she comes in contact with Forge.
Their romance rekindled to a degree but her attempts to repower herself had been futile till now. Here, Storm has to face off against The Adversary, a beastly entity who had bitten Forge. However, her battle sequence features Storm reaching an epiphany - that the Adversary was the manifestation of her doubts and fears all along.
She also realizes that her lack of powers stems from the same mental blocks that she had. The same realization causes Storm to regain her powers in a visually brilliant sequence, and she manages to hold her own against her enemy.
X-Men '97 features Deathbird throwing a wrench into Xavier and Lilandra's wedding plans
X-Men '97 episode 6 did much to expand the universe, featuring the Kree and the Shi'ar, with prominent characters like Deathbird and Ronan the Accuser making an appearance. However, fans were most excited to see Professor Charles Xavier, who had been notably absent from the series till this moment.
The Animated Series featured Xavier departing to the stars with Lilandra after being struck with a fatal bullet, and this series makes that fact canon by showcasing the arrangements for the duo's wedding. However, Lilandra's sister Deathbird opposes this idea, claiming that Professor X had to forget his memories of Earth and his team before his marriage.
Deathbird then tries to turn the Shi'ar against him, causing Charles to use his psychic power to infiltrate everyone's minds and convince them otherwise. However, in doing so, Charles also receives a vision of the Sentinels' attack on Genosha and his team, which makes him realize the need to go back to Earth and lead them.
X-Men '97 sets the stage for Xavier and Storm to return
X-Men '97 episode 6 might be considered a filler as it diverts from the main action. However, it showcases essential character interactions that tie up loose ends and set up their connection to the main plot. With Magneto's disappearance while fighting the Sentinels, Charles Xavier's return to his team does not come as a surprise.
Storm, on the other hand, finding her powers will enable the X-Men to have an important ally again, which is all the more necessary now that two of their own are dead. After its mid-season conflicts, X-Men '97 is clearly setting up the protagonists to unite and take a stand against their adversaries.
The title is currently available to stream on Disney+.
