X-Men '97 episode 3 recap: clones, chaos, and sinister schemes

X-Men '97 episode 3, “Fire Made Flesh,” is a wild ride that'll make your head spin faster than Wolverine on a bad day. Let me put it this way - we're diving into a plot so twisty, it gives Jujutsu Kaisen a run for its money in the "wait, what?" department.

Last we left off, Morph answered the door to find himself face-to-face with a suffering Jean Grey asking to see the X-Men, while Jean was... right behind him with Scott and baby Nathan. Cue the head scratches and tin foil hat theories - what in the world is going on?

Before I go any further, SPOILER WARNING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN X-MEN '97 EPISODE 3 - I WILL SPOIL THE WHOLE THING FOR YOU. It do be like that sometimes.

So, we start off with not one, but TWO Jeans. That's right, folks, double the telepathy, double the fun, right? Well, not so much in this case.

Our OG Jean Grey uses her mind-melding powers to peek into New Jean's noggin, only to find memories fresher than Beast's lab-coat laundry. It's like all of New Jean's past happened overnight, complete with a lab escape and a hopeful glimpse of the X-Men on TV that sparks her quest to find them.

But, as he always has to be the bearer of bad news, Beast does his science magic and drops the bomb that New Jean is actually older, making our beloved Jean the clone. This revelation stirs up more drama than a soap opera, with Jean storming out, heartbroken and doubted by her own team.

Now, let's throw in a sprinkle of comic book lore because Nathan Summers' (who will, in turn, become Cable) mom was also a Jean clone, thanks to the sinister (pun intended) Mr. Sinister's meddling. His grand plan? To use Jean and Scott Summers' offspring to kick Apocalypse's butt. But here's where it gets juicy - Clone Jean, AKA The Goblin Queen, is now on the scene, courtesy of Mr. Sinister's meddling. And she. Is. AWESOME.

The episode then spirals into a frenzy of psychological warfare, with The Goblin Queen unleashing nightmare fuel on the X-Men, causing chaos and confusion that's eerily reminiscent of the twisted dimensions and mind-bending battles in Jujutsu Kaisen. But fear not, for our heroes are not easily defeated. With a mix of bravery, telepathy, and good old-fashioned teamwork, they manage to confront the Goblin Queen, leading to a heart-wrenching moment where Jean tries to heal rather than harm her clone, showing us the power of empathy and memory.

And just when you thought things couldn't get more intense, baby Nathan gets infected with a Techno-Organic Virus, setting the stage for a desperate race against time to save him. The solution? A futuristic Hail Mary pass that involves sending Nathan to the future with Bishop, in hopes of finding a cure.

To top it all off, Storm gets a visit from Forge, who's looking to right some wrongs and possibly restore what was lost, adding a hopeful note to the saga.

The cherry on top is how the whole episode smells like it's been lifted straight from the pages of an epic comic book event. If this episode is any indication, we're looking at an adaptation that could weave together strands from the "Inferno" saga, the Phoenix Force fiascos, and maybe even a dash of "Days of Future Past" for that spicy time-travel zing.

What does this mean for our merry mutants in the episodes to come? We're likely in for a rollercoaster of timeline tangles, clone quandaries, and maybe, the redefinition of what it means to be an X-Man. If Jean and her doppelganger's drama is anything to go by, it'd be wise to prepare for more blasts from the past, futuristic forays, and potentially, the ultimate showdown with Mr. Sinister that could change the X-Men's world forever. So buckle up, buttercup, because the next episodes are shaping up to be as explosive as Gambit on a good day.

From start to finish, "Fire Made Flesh" is an electrifying blend of action, emotion, and mind-bending twists that pays homage to the rich history of the X-Men. Whether you're here for the superhero showdowns, the deep dives into identity and memory, or just the sheer drama of it all, this episode delivers with all the power of a Phoenix Force flare-up.

So, if you thought your mutant knowledge was up to scratch, this episode says, "Hold my beer."

Don't forget to tune in to Disney Plus next Wednesday, April 3rd, for the fourth episode.