X-Men ’97 Season 2: Episode 4: A Perfect Episode

WARNING: Minor Spoilers For X-Men ‘97 Season 2 Episode 4.

What makes a perfect episode of television? It’s difficult to provide a set list of criteria that make an episode perfect. 

In 2023, Vanity Fair* compiled a list of 25 episodes of television that their staff deemed perfect. The list contains a wide variety of shows, from Succession to Arrested Development to Bojack Horseman. As the authors discuss each episode, they write about the well-developed characters, the engaging plot, the complex themes, all to be expected from high-quality television. But one trait seems consistent amongst every episode listed in the article: increasing emotional tension. What do Breaking Bad’s Ozymandias and Friends’ The One with the Embryos have in common? The emotional tension of the episode rises as time moves on: the death of Hank to the fall of Walter in the former; the convergence of Phoebe’s pregnancy test and Ross’s game in the latter. 

Episode 4 of Season 2 of X-Men ‘97 does this beautifully. The emotional stakes rise throughout the episode as the X-Men learn more about En Sabah Nur. Magneto and Professor Xavier take opposite stances to their usual roles: Magneto is the hopeful idealist while Xavier is the cautious pragmatist. The episode heavily implies that Magneto stakes his own redemption in reaching Nur and guiding him toward a better future; as Magneto realizes that he’s failed, the character’s silent actions alone highlight his regret. En Sabah Nur’s backstory is expanded upon, adding further context for the character’s beliefs and allowing the viewer to feel sympathy for the future villain. Rama Tut’s plan is revealed in an incredibly beautiful scene; the visuals and colors dance on the screen, underscoring the threat of Apocalypse. Nur’s discovery of scriptures revealing his true destiny undoes everything the X-Men have hoped to achieve, resulting in a character transformation that is as visually striking as it is ominous. The episode ends with an emotionally devastating ending that concludes nearly seven seasons of X-Men (five in the original show, two in X-Men 97) and cements Apocalypse as the greatest foe of the X-Men. 

The post credit scene is an absolute treat. It pays homage to one of the most iconic X-Men storylines, Uncanny X-Men #268, while building intrigue for next week’s episode, Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs. The cameos don’t feel forced, instead building off of episode 73 of X-Men: The Animated Series. It’s a perfect post-credit scene for a perfect episode. 

*The Vanity Fair article 25 Perfect TV Episodes From the Last 25 Years was written by Hillary Busis, Katey Rich, Chris Murphy, Savannah Walsh, Richard Lawson, Anthony Breznican, Erin Vanderhoof, David Canfield, Natalie Jarvey, and Jeff Giles.