‘X-Men ’97’ Episode 8 Recap – Friends, Foes, and Freaky Fusions: X-Men vs. Prime Sentinels!

Episode 8 of X-Men ’97, titled “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 1,” throws down a gauntlet of shocking revelations and epic battles! Remember Cable, the time-traveling mutant warrior from a dystopian future? Well, he’s back, bursting onto the scene with a dire warning: Someone more dangerous than Mister Sinister is pulling the strings from the shadows, who is later revealed to be Bastion. This mysterious enemy isn’t just out for mutant blood – he aims for total mutant eradication. But Bastion’s plan isn’t just about brute force; it’s a terrifyingly insidious scheme. When you step back and really think about it, it’s a brilliant (but still evil) strategy.

Inside the war room, Cable explains what Prime Sentinels are. These are individuals who have been infected with the same techno-virus that Mister Sinister infected Cable with as a baby. This infection would spread through natural means as humans reproduce, becoming the next form of human evolution, surpassing the homo-sapien superior a.k.a. mutants.  Imagine a scenario where seemingly ordinary humans, secretly harboring dormant Sentinel technology within them, are triggered to transform. These unsuspecting victims become cybernetic-human hybrid Sentinels, monstrous amalgamations of flesh and metal programmed to hunt down mutants. It’s a terrifying prospect, turning everyday people into unwitting weapons against the very community they might have lived peacefully alongside.

Logan asks Cable a very poignant question – why hasn’t he gone back in time to stop the Genosha Genocide? Something we’ve all been wondering especially after episode five. To our dismay, Cable explains that he’s tried numerous times to do this but the time stream somehow always pulls him away from his target destination, which means Cable’s past (the X-Men’s present timeline) cannot be changed. Genosha has to fall. Beast provides further insight by saying “The mystics of Karmar-Taj speak of absolute points. Events that occur across all timelines”. Pay attention – Beast mentioning Karmar-Taj is directly linking the X-Men series to other Marvel events and characters, i.e. Doctor Strange. If you’ve watched the MCU’s The Marvels, the end credits put Beast at the forefront of not only time travel but inter-dimensional travel as well. This confirms the X-Men are now in the MCU and there are greater plans for the franchise. Whether the animated series will be connected…only time will tell. Back to the recap!

As if learning about Bastion’s machinations weren’t enough, the X-Men now learn that their beloved Charles Xavier isn’t dead, but allying with the Shi’ar Empire. Not only that but Gyrich has been found dead in Mexico City. This is the beginning of Bastion turning humans against mutants by exposing these events. This will undoubtedly cause mass protests and even uprisings against mutant-kind, potentially creating war. Jean, Cyclops, and Cable arrive at what appears to be Bastion’s childhood home, stumbling upon an old woman.

This woman is Bastion’s mom, and it’s here where we learn about Bastion’s origin story. Here’s the chilling truth: Bastion, in his comic book origins, wasn’t always a flesh-and-metal monstrosity. He started as Nimrod, a powerful Sentinel from the future – those giant robots programmed to hunt mutants. Nimrod, however, was more than just a machine. He was a self-evolving Sentinel, constantly learning and adapting. Over time, Nimrod transcended his robotic form and became Bastion, a sentient being with an unwavering hatred for mutants. For a deeper understanding of Bastion’s origins, watch this video.

This episode reveals a chilling alliance of villains aiding his cause. We see the return of Mister Sinister, the manipulative geneticist, undoubtedly using his knowledge of mutant genetics to enhance the Prime Sentinel Protocol. We also get a glimpse of Dr. Doom, a long-time adversary of The Fantastic Four, Zemo, a mad scientist with a grudge against Captain America and The Avengers, and another mysterious woman. All who have allied with Bastion to carry out his plan, for their gain. The X-Men are facing a multi-pronged attack from some of the most dangerous minds in the Marvel Universe. During his conversation with Dr. Cooper, Bastion decides to further illustrate his motives with some “factual” bullet points regarding the future of the human race. Calling the Genosha Genocide time management, he states in 100 years mutants outnumber humans 10-1.

Allow me to provide you with some IRL (in real life) data that this show draws upon: According to a study from Texas A&M Today conducted by Dudley Poston, Professor of Sociology, Texas A&M University, and Rogelio Sáenz, Professor of Demography, The University of Texas at San Antonio, The United States had a majority white population in 1776 with 80% and grew to 90% in 1920 and remained so until 1950. Over the next several decades that number dropped to a little over 60% which was recorded in 2018. According to a study conducted by the United States Census Bureau in 2021, the white population is still recorded as the majority group with 204.3 million (an 8.6% decrease since 2010) while other groups saw growth. This parallel is the central theme of the show and further explains what Trask and others mean when they say they’re being left behind by the future.

As he’s walking and talking with Dr. Cooper, he takes us to his lab where we witness Mister Sinister conducting his experiments, not on captives, but on volunteers. These willing and able human experiments are people who share Bastion’s sentiments of frustration and resentment of no longer being the majority and are willing to do anything they can to “balance” the scales. What’s ironic is this Joe-Shmoe is depicted as your typical white male hill-billy. After the experiments, they go back to their normal lives with no recollection of ever joining this program and can transform at any time Bastion wants.

As the Summers family continues their investigation into Bastion’s origins, mommy dearest goes full Prime Sentinel mode and engages in a battle, blasting them through her quaint little home. Landing unscathed thanks to Jean, our heroes witness the entire town follow suit and unleash a barrage of blasts from above. As this is happening, people from all over are transforming into Prime Sentinels and are mobilizing against the X-Men. Jubilee and Roberto run for their lives inside a mall while Beast and the others go up against a newly transformed Trish Tilby. Human protestors that have gathered outside of the mansion also transform – this is one battle I did not see coming at all and it has me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

But there’s a glimmer of hope! In a surprising turn of events, Magneto, the X-Men’s newest leader, escapes his imprisonment with the help of Val Cooper, the government liaison who often distrusts mutants. Now realizing both mutants and humans are facing a common enemy, Dr. Cooper tells Bastion of her epiphany – Magneto was right. Magneto, ever the powerful mutant, unleashes his full omega-level magnetic abilities to disrupt the Prime Sentinel activation sequence, buying the X-Men some precious time. This next scene is a joy to watch, as we see guest appearances from other well-known Marvel characters such as Spider-Man, Silver Samurai, and Omega Red. 

And here’s the biggest bombshell of all: Professor X returns to Earth! Remember how we last saw him canoodling with an alien queen in space? Well, the premonition of the impending mutant genocide he experienced in episode six has brought him back to his home planet, with hopes of saving not only his X-Men but all of mutant kind. His return injects a much-needed dose of leadership and telepathic prowess into the X-Men’s fight against Bastion. However, I fear things won’t go as he hopes.

As the episode ends, the X-Men stand united – Cable, the seasoned warrior from the future; Professor X, the telepathic leader; and Magneto, the powerful mutant who has returned with a vengeance. Will their combined might be enough to stop Bastion’s Prime Sentinels and his twisted vision of a world where mutants are no more? The answer, true believers, will have to wait for the next thrilling episode of X-Men ’97!

X-Men ’97 is currently available to stream on Disney+. New episodes debut every Wednesday.