XTAS Review

[stormkeeper_lovedoris]

I was able to do another review of X-men: The Animated Series! I wish I had time to do two, but we’ll settle for one.


Episode: A Rogue’s Tale

Brief summary: Rogue is plagued by haunting images of a mysterious woman, which forces Rogue to uncover her tragic past.

- I gotta give kudos to the creators of this show for little touches. Although XTAS likely wouldn’t win any animation awards today, I like the opening scene. Good sound effects of the rain hitting the pavement and nice job on setting a creepy tone as Mystique meets with Sinister. I wonder if and when Sinister ever gets the repayment from her that he states he will someday have.

- During one of the early fight scenes, Rogue is up against Blob and attacks him by flying right into his large belly. Didn’t the X-men already learn, in previous battles with Blob, that that method doesn’t work against him? Wolverine later punches him in the gut, which I thought we also learned previously doesn’t help.

- I always like to try to sniff out how much time has passed in XTAS. In this episode, Cyclops says Rogue’s been having these visions for the “last few weeks. Since the Professor disappeared”. So it looks like the events of Season Two to this point have taken place over only a few weeks. (Seems too short a time span to me. Just my humble opinion).

- This episode inevitably brings up a question that many fans debate: has the Professor done enough to help Rogue? Here we learn that he blocked memories of her past and tried to muffle Ms Marvel since he couldn’t return her to her body or remove her from Rogue’s. What do you think? Has the Professor truly been too busy to do more for Rogue (help her with her past/find a way for her to touch someone/etc)? Is it just that he doesn’t know how to help her or that helping her is beyond his ability? Has he done all he can for her? Or has he been slacking off when it comes to Rogue?

- I liked Gambit’s apparent concern for Rogue throughout this episode. The ending scene was cute too when she says that she’d “like to someday” dress up for him.

- Apparently Cyclops is not on speaking terms with Storm. When Rogue takes off, Cyclops says to his fiancée/wife, “Jean, get Storm to follow her!” Is there a good reason Cyclops can’t relay the order to Storm himself?

- Anyone know why - during the battle scene featuring Cyclops, Gambit, and Wolverine – the first two guys are in uniform but Wolverine has civilian clothes on? Was there confusion over whether this was a “uniform day” or not?

- Rogue’s history and past were truly fascinating. Her Dad – ick! What a jerk. Mystique does deserve some props for rescuing her…though maybe not since she was just using her too. And we finally learn, in XTAS canon, how Rogue got her ability to fly and her super-strength. I was very sad when Rogue said that for the second time she had to leave the place she called home. Thank goodness the Professor found her and gave her a real home.

- I think I would have liked Ms Marvel. It is a shame that her situation looks hopeless. Also it was very poignant at the end of the episode when Rogue realizes what she did to her and says she is so sorry.

- Storm has an odd moment when flying after Mystique and Rogue. She tells Cyclops, “They will not get away!” Literally two seconds later, she says, “I cannot catch them!” Make up your mind, Storm!

- Go Jean! She did a great job getting inside Rogue’s mind and mediating the conflict. She is so powerful.



- Rating: Four stars – great history on one of my favorite characters!

Comments

[jade-lightning.livejournal.com]

I don't think Xavier's ever done all he can to help anybody. There's been so many times where he could have just called someone or spent a few months on something but no, he couldn't just do that. He doesn't even do many missions, he can't be that busy.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Wow. So does he not care about their best interests? Is he almost 'just using' them too?

[jade-lightning.livejournal.com]

Just when things get tough he seems to give up, unless they're good for him. He'll help Jean all she wants and he'll get Ms Marvel out of Rogue's head but he can't make a phone call over to the Fantastic Four or talk to Forge to do something about her powers. He tries until things get hard then he seems to just move on. He collects pretty powerful mutants and uses them as an army. Shit, at least Magneto's up-front about what he's recruiting for.

There's probably something wrong with me that I can sit here and defend Mystique til I can't talk anymore but I can see the flaws in other characters so clearly. Fuck it I'm a fangirl, I don't have to make sense XD

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

You're entitled to your own opinion, that's how fandom works. Me, I can't ascribe bad motives to what Xavier does; I think he's good at heart. So I look for another explanation for why he hasn't done more.

[jade-lightning.livejournal.com]

I believe he's good at heart too, I just have a really hard time buying some of his shit sometimes. A good chunk of it I can blame on bad writing but some things just don't sit right with me.

[razycrandomgirl.livejournal.com]

- Apparently Cyclops is not on speaking terms with Storm. When Rogue takes off, Cyclops says to his fiancée/wife, “Jean, get Storm to follow her!” Is there a good reason Cyclops can’t relay the order to Storm himself?

Maybe they had a falling out over breakfast? They are both team captains. Though that is rude. Maybe something was wrong with her comm.

I heard a theory that Prof won't help Rogue as means to control her. if she has control of her powers, he has no control over her.

I always remember that part where Rogue doesn't want to use her power on Ms. Marvel but her mom tells her to hold on. :( And then she's in the ground saying "it felt bad." :(

I laugh at that part too. Maybe it's a call back to the communication problems she and Cyc are having at the start of the episode.

I also get 2nd hand embarrassment when Rogue freaks out in the mansion and tear through the place, :-\

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Maybe they had a falling out over breakfast? They are both team captains. Though that is rude. Maybe something was wrong with her comm.


It could've just been bad script-writing too. I'm not sure.

I heard a theory that Prof won't help Rogue as means to control her. if she has control of her powers, he has no control over her.

I guess what I think is odd, though, is that throughout XTAS Rogue seems like a very committed X-man. I don't see really any signs of her being out of control. Even in the episode "The Cure", she herself is the one who decides to stay as she is and not undergo a cure.

I also get 2nd hand embarrassment when Rogue freaks out in the mansion and tear through the place, :-\


I was debating whether or not to mention that too. Owning that mansion has to be expensive! I hope Xavier knows some good contractors.

[razycrandomgirl.livejournal.com]

It could've just been bad script-writing too. I'm not sure. that's always my guess. I thought you were just trying to rationalize it with in the story.

I agree. So if that's his reason for not helping than he's a moron.

I bet he's got crazy insurance ... but than why are the x-men shown fixing the mansion? guess they don't want any snoops knowing the layout.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

It could've just been bad script-writing too. I'm not sure. that's always my guess. I thought you were just trying to rationalize it with in the story.

I was. You are so right.

I bet he's got crazy insurance ... but than why are the x-men shown fixing the mansion? guess they don't want any snoops knowing the layout

Yeah, that's a great point. It does make a lot more sense for the X-men to fix it themselves (like they did), especially since they apparently have the skills to do that.