X-Men '97: 5 things that may happen in the season 1 finale

The finale of X-Men '97 will end with a cliffhanger and a lot of questions. Knowing how the comic books went, these five things could happen before episode 10 concludes.
(L-R): Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) and Forge (voiced by Gil Birmingham) in Marvel Animation's X-MEN '97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.
(L-R): Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) and Forge (voiced by Gil Birmingham) in Marvel Animation's X-MEN '97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL. /
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X-Men '97 has been entertaining Marvel fans over the past eight weeks, and leaving them in awe at the very same time. The revival of X-Men: The Animated Series has been a thrill-ride and now we're here at the season 1 finale.

Throughout the first season of the Disney Plus show, fans have been treated to a series of memorable moments and cliffhangers. We're probably going to see a lot of those in the season finale; the difference is how intense they will be. "Tolerance is Extinction - Part 3" will likely leave fans excited for the next season but frustrated that they’ll have to wait at least a year for it to return.

What will happen? I have some thoughts. 

Wolverine's bone claws

In the comics, after Magneto rips the adamantium from Logan’s skeleton, it’s revealed that Wolverine’s claws weren’t always metal; they were once just made out of bone. Unfortunately, it’s discovered tragically. When Logan pops his claws, he begins to bleed profusely.

Later, Logan feels he’s not good enough for the team and makes a difficult decision. He writes everyone at the mansion a note saying goodbye and leaves the X-Men. He eventually returns but needs to do some soul-searching first. Could the same thing happen in X-Men '97?

Time travel

Time travel is always an option in the X-Men's world. However, Cable mentioned that the timestream kept pulling him back in a recent episode of X-Men '97 so he couldn't fix the massacre in Genosha. That means that whatever's happening now is supposed to occur. But does that definitively mean they can't go back and fix everything?

We haven’t seen Bishop in quite a while. All we know is he lost Cable on his way to the future. Surely we'll see him again in the season finale? He's been an important part of the season, so it would make sense for his return to happen at the end of the last episode. With it could come the warning that Onslaught is on the way. 

Onslaught

As soon as Wolverine’s metal was ripped off his bones, Marvel Comics fans were excited. They knew this was how Onslaught came to be (read Wolverine No. 104 for that story). If that’s the case here, there will be signs. Among them is Charles Xavier acting more aggressively than normal. Or, like The Watcher’s appearance in episode 5, it may be subtle. Pay close attention to everything Xavier does in the season finale. 

X-MEN '97
(L-R): Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Val Cooper (voiced by Catherine Disher), Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), and Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) in Marvel Animation's X-MEN '97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL. /

Horseman Death

Gambit’s death could be the most devastating moment in X-Men ‘97 even with all the mutants who died during that episode. However, when a character is that popular they’ll always come back, especially in comics. A TV show is no different. When it comes to Gambit, he could return with the help of Apocalypse.

Remy LeBeau was once the horseman Death (read X-Men Nos. 182-187 for more). His heroic ending in X-Men '97 could have attracted Apocalypse to him. It’s a way to bring Gambit back without too much confusion. Plus, if Gambit becomes a horseman, this could lead to Wolverine being one too.

Welcome to the X-Men, Kitty Pryde

Kitty Pryde is one of the most important members of the X-Men, but it didn’t start that way. She was once an insecure teenager. A fun character for sure, but more of a side character nonetheless. As time continued she became a better character, a stronger fighter, and a leader of the X-Men. But she had to start somewhere. The end of season 1 should be her beginning.

As much as people love Jubilee, Kitty Pryde became a better character in the comics. This could happen in X-Men ‘97. The only problem is it took a while for Kitty Pryde to get to where she is now. Nevertheless, an introduction to the character would help mainstream audiences get to know her better for when she eventually makes her MCU debut.

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What do you think will happen at the end of X-Men '97? Is there anything you want to see? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Instagram and Twitter.