My X-Men TV Show Series Bible

[DrCosmic]

Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters

I like the X-Men, and there's so many characters, and so many rich stories, and so much ensemble action drama goodness that it's hard to not imagine them having their own TV show, where you don't have to have anemic characters like in the films so you can focus on one or two favorites, but everyone can be awesome in their own episode, and the whole team can really matter. Of course, as long as X-Men are with Fox, this isn't likely to happen at all, but it's nice to dream right?

So Here's the Basic Outline of the Thread
Pitch, Series Notes
Character Sketches and Arcs
Season 1 Outline, Episode Summaries
Season 2 Outline, Episode Summaries
Etc...

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Pitch

Smallville meets Fringe in a tale about the dawn of a new species and how their arrival changes the world, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. Five Tortured High Schoolers with dark secrets and incredible powers are recruited by Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr, two visionary mutants to become a special task force to deal with the mutant boom.

XIGY will be the title card, short for Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters, and pronounced 'Ziggy' for colloquialism. After the establishing pilot, each week the kids will encounter a new mutant problem or phenomenon which they will decipher the cause of and solution to using interpersonal skills, basic scientific abilities and judicious use of their superhuman abilities. Characters will be paired up in continually changing combinations, like any other procedural show, in order to further explore all of the supporting cast.

As the show progresses, each character's backstory will become important for various reasons as they grow from very typical high school archetypes into three dimensional characters. Meanwhile, the teachers will be involved in a growing idealistic chasm, which will be taken on in a new way, more closely mimicking Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr, in which our Malcolm X character often takes the antagonistic position in order to highlight Xavier's goodness. Xavier's own corruption and misuse of his powers will also keep that morality very grey between those two, and the students will be tossed back and forth with that for the first season.

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Series Notes

Structure

Every episode will have a case that takes up the majority of the episode, all character development will spring out of the case at hand. Overarcing plans of enemies will manifest themselves in cases, some of which would be redherrings, some of which would be out of the ordinary, ie rescue missions. It would have a shock-crazy intro, a theme song/title card, introduction of the problems the cast is having, then relating that, bringing that to the case of the week, from there, they would try to solve it using their various talents and combinations thereof until whoever has the focus of the episode makes the breakthrough to solve the problem. At which point, they would all go into action in their various roles, solve it, and somewhere in there, the ovearcing season story would manifest itself.

Every season would be made up of arcs, usually 2, one pre-christmas, and one post. Some seasons could split into more. Each arc would deal with a major comic book villain. For instance, the first arc would be about the Friends of Humanity. The second arc, also in season 1, would deal with Magneto as a villain. The first arc in season 2 might deal with Sentinels, or the Brotherhood, and things would continue on like that. By season 5 the arc might deal with Dark Phoenix, or Bastion, or Mojo might have a three episode Arc, or Arcade might be a one-off arc. Arcs would be paced, so that there would be a heavy deep crazy arc, then a lighter one, then a more building cleansing arc, followed by a heavier one.

Direction

The core of the show will change each season, by increments. For instance, the core of the show during the first season will be entirely about Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, and that storyline will be utterly exhausted over the course of 20 episodes. Second season, it would, for instance, center around Charles Xavier and Scott Summers, as their father-son-like relationship and how that grows and gets tested, torn, bent, broken, healed, reversed, subverted, and played straight. When that is exhausted, season 3 might revolve around Scott/Jean/Wolverine, while season 4 might center on Wolverine and... though in every case, the season is about much more than that relationship, but it forms the core of the main story arc, and is called upon emotionally to fulfill the climax of the season.

Tone

The series will generally play straight drama role, with powers used in a spectacle and horror sense rather than a levity giving sense. The characters' powers are regarded as a curse for good reason. They are difficult and often scary to use. The levity should come from a random fun-per-season episode and a selected comedic character, a role that changes from story arc to story arc, depending on who is going through maximum angst.

Special Effects

Part of the reason powers will be scary/spectacular is because they are expensive. Of the core characters from season 1 we have: Telepathy, Mastery of Magnetism, Telekinesis, Ice Control, Superhuman Attributes, Optic Blasts and Wings! That's a lot to call on, even once, per episode. Generally, telekinesis/Mastery of Magnetism, Telepathy and Superman Attributes are cheap and easy. Stringing stuff up and CGI-ing it to float, and doing mindscape visions or echoing thought-sounds is cheap. Even superhuman attributes can be done with styrofoam props and/or a good stuntman.

Ice Control, limited to ice blasts that form ice objects is affordable, and perhaps some ice-armor prosthetics can be hooked up later if the show becomes more profitable and Iceman can evolve beyond 'snow man.' That snow form, by the way, is pretty affordable, no worries.

Optic Blasts are easy to do... it's just the effects that are hard. That much destruction just can't be done. For that reason, you *dramatically* limit Cyclops' use of his powers, as in, something he never, ever wants to do, and when he does, it's a climactic, show/story-ending moment. Because it's just that big a deal. Make it something scary, that when he even reaches for it, it's a heart stopper.

Wings... well, that's pretty much impossible. You can do moveable harness you can do a lot of folding things, you can string him up in the air, but at the end of the day, you just can't use Angel much, and that'll have to be reflected in the storyline relatively early. His feather wings won't make it past season 1 for instance.

Beyond that, the freaks of the week are pretty straghtforward, a teleporter here, a super strong guy there... all stuff done before, and often, on a show like Smallville.

The sets themselves would be enormously practical and largely on location. There would be a standing 'sub-basement' set for the danger/war/training/cerebro rooms and such, but beyond that... good times to be had by all.

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[DrCosmic]

Character Summaries

Initial/Main/Core Cast
Season 1 Main Cast: Professor X, Magneto, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel, Iceman, Candy Southern, Sheriff Cooper
Note: no representation is made that the actors cast are the best for the job

Charles Francis Xavier, "Professor X"

Background

Charles is a middle-aged traditionally educated English gentleman. He is an idealist, in a very real sense, and espouses the most noble of values, sentiments and goals. He is, by trade, a college professor, and has been called Professor X for many years. In the story, he is the speaker, the one who professes the unknown and unknowable, hence 'Professor X' rings true and has more meaning than an offhand nickname. His experience with his powers is great and vast, and he uses them imperceptibly at times, but his 3 laws of telepathy, when followed, keep him from being 'wrong' or 'evil.'

Development

Over the course of the show, we find out that not only has Xavier had indiscretions in the past using his powers, but he is often tempted to use his powers maliciously and manipulatively again. He fights this with pragmatism and a fear of potential consequences. As such, he actually is and becomes a very skilled long term planner and thinker, a true mastermind, which causes friction when other characters realize 'Xavier planned this all along.'

His sordid past is often explored, including telepathic victims, telepathic rivals, such as the Shadow King, spurned and lost lovers such as Moira McTaggert and Mystique, abandoned children such as Legion, and other loose ends he's dropped. It becomes clear that the X-Men are the first thing he's 'stuck with' in his life.

Powers

Xavier's powers play out like dreamscapes, with distorted colors in all black rooms that fade, like dreams into scenes from memories, where physical attacks here become mental attacks in the outside world. Xavier has mastered the Inception-like Matrix-like nature of this world, and generally can do as he pleases. Usually he is here in a Morpheus-tutoring type fashion for his protoge Jean Grey. Once this methodology is established, more telepathic conflicts can be viewed purely from an external perspective, and the difficulty can be implied, and shown only when it is plot relevant.

Relationships

Xavier's primary relationship at first is with Magneto better known as Eric Lensherr. They have a deep friendship and partnership, somewhat of a David and Johnathan type of not-really-gay-but-closer-than-married-couples type of friendship. A type of blood brothers bond. What becomes their disagreement initially begins as how well they compliment each other and make up for each other's weaknesses. Xavier tempers Magneto with caution, while Magneto drives Xavier with his passion. Xavier teach Magneto fine manipulation and control, Magneto teaches Xavier leverage and force. They have had conflicts in the past, over Moira specifically, but it isn't until midway through season 1 that they split dramatically, when it comes to life and death circumstances.

Xavier's secondary relationships are with his two main students, Scott and Jean. While Scott is a surrogate son, used to deal with his guilt about abandoning David, and to ensure that the students have a peer leader who adheres to Xavier's vision, Jean is his protoge, whom he teaches everything he knows about telepathy and education. These two relationships are tested over the course of the series, but his relationship with Scott undergoes the most change, as is true of any tumultuous father-son relationship.

Xavier's tertiary relationships with his other students and members of the community are usually focused on the development of those characters, though each of them challenges him in some way. Beast intellectually, Angel financially, Iceman emotionally. Every one of them has a special moment with Xavier at one point, to cement him as a great teacher, and have an emotional point to call on in case of betrayals, and deaths.

Summary

Charles Xavier is one of the principal characters, but he starts off as the Boring Leader type and grows in an Obi-Wan type as he passes the spotlight to other characters before coming back into the spotlight as a supporting character with his dark secrets. He provides stability for the series, he is the constant, the John Locke, the Pa Kent. He holds the line with his charisma, presence and favorite-teacher persona.

As the series goes on, all of Xavier's relationships will be tested by his manipulations and rumors thereof. Eventually, he is cut off, and his position in the series changes. But to every mutant he encounters, he attempts to become a sort of father figure, with mixed results.

Eric Lensherr aka Max Eisenhardt, Magneto

Background

With the decrease in ages to accommodate television and an Xavier-Magneto origin story, set in the modern day, there's no longer any room for a WWII-born Magneto. We can still keep him Jewish, in fact, making him Israeli puts him in the midst of a very serious conflict, with a very Us vs Them mindset. And that much more controversial. Being raised in this environment he's used to constant horrors and terrorism. He's not above it, either. He does, however, want mutants to be happy and healthy and safe, and to do that, things need to change.

So now, Eric is a middle-aged revolutionary, ex-special forces Israeli man, with a vision for mutant kind, and for mankind as well. He is radical, completely untraditional and an outside the box thinker. He develops his name after encountering an actual magneto, a real life device which uses alternating magnetic fields to produce electricity. This is when Magneto learns to produce his trademark electromagnetic forcefields, and Xavier calls him Magneto and it sticks.

Development

Magneto is, initially, the Wolverine of the team. The cool one. The rule breaker. The ladies man. Impulsive. Passionate. He's that guy. He begins as the combat instructor for the students, and you see how pragmatic and practical and traditional he can be. It turns out that he is the true idealist, with a grand hope for peace between human and mutant, though he doesn't see them as equals, at first, has no desire to exterminate humanity, until the turning point, when he comes to believe that humans require mutant justice in order for the world to be healthy, happy and safe. His past also comes back to haunt him from time to time, including Mossad contacts, and dealings with SHIELD.

Powers

Magneto's powers are a modified form of telekinesis. This means that from a practical perspective, we'll be lifting things up on monofilament wires and editing the wires out and CGI-ing metal objects, which is relatively simple. Finally, the trademark forcefield could be done in quick flashes when something crosses that boundary, that field lights up for a split second in bright blue as it repulses whatever it is. Alternately, you could have those small random spots of electricity in the air around Magneto to represent that this effect is active.

The series starts with him learning to do the electric 'magneto' effect, in some ways, a student of Xavier's in this respect. He has already mastered fine control, and can easily throw people around by grabbing their belt buckles, defeat people by ripping out their fillings, yank guns out of hands stops swords mid-swing and a host of other cool telekinetic-style effects. True shows of power are usually done via car stunts and pyrotechnics, but it is implied that Magneto is well capable of these things, though Xavier motivates him not to, in order to protect the students, and not draw the government to see how powerful and dangerous he is.

Relationships

Magneto's primary relationship is with Xavier. He considers himself Xavier's protector and pusher in a way. He feels like without him, Xavier's ideas would remain in his mind forever. Xavier's slowness and pacificism frustrate Magneto, but he sees their value when used in moderation.

Magneto has secondary relationships with all the students. He is the one that teaches Cyclops to be the practical and outside the box problem solver than Xavier needs. He is the one that teaches Jean to use her telekinesis creatively to solve problems. He is the only one who can keep Iceman in line, and challenges Beast and Angel, rather than the other way around. He is the favorite teacher, which is why when he leaves and changes it hurts so much, because each of the students have bonded with him, not just Xavier.

As the series goes on, more and more of his relationships become antagonistic for different reasons, an Magneto may examine this himself. He forms new friendships with his estranged children, with other disenfranchised mutants and with comic book supervillains as their goals align and he finds himself often on a dark path. Eventually the character will take hiatuses and return for special events, and, as in comics, to rejoin the team at some point.

Summary

Magneto is our season 1 villain, but he doesn't start out that way. Everyone knows he's the villain, so the goal is to show what a great guy he is, and how his villainy is an outworking of that. He's not a terrorist, he's not tortured, he simply doesn't see any other way for things to work out, and has credible arguments for his seemingly radical position. Throughout the series, he remains a member of the team, even when he fights them, he's still teaching. When he tries to discredit them, he's still trying to make Xavier's dream look good, and to motivate his old friend.

Scott Avery Summers, Cyclops

Background

Scott is an orphan, and a very abused, reserved individual with some deep personal scars. Dead parents, abandonment in orphanages, abused in the foster system. He's generally a very depressed guy. His power doesn't help at all, but only gives him reason to feel guilty and blame himself for everything and hold himself responsible for everything. Which is why he makes such a great leader.

Scott's history is public knowledge, the other kids know why he is the way that he is. Why he's horrible in dealing with people and why he is so to the point, and comes off cold. He is the stoic of the group, with deep emotions rumbling down inside there. He gets his name from the monster of Greek myth, mostly because his first sunglasses visor is meant to function as both, so it's just one long lens, and Cyclops becomes an insult via Bobby Drake that Scott keeps, and eventually transforms into something cool.

Development

Scott starts out as the useless background guy, who turns out to be a bit of a dues ex machina, with a lot of emotional reasons why he shouldn't, which are only backed up by the further chaos and injury he causes in the pilot. He does speak so clearly and decisively about how to solve problems because of his emotional distance, that others begin to turn to him for direction, and eventually he usurps the team leader.

Scott continues to have his emotions plumbed by various individuals at various levels, always leading to strife. Over time, he masters small red-beam type uses of his powers for utility, and eventually works his way up to being able to consistently release small projectiles, but his power is always portrayed as dangerous, unstable and uncontrollable. Over time though, he makes up for this in tenacity, skills and determination, an attribute that is occasionally highlighted to show how badass and tough he can be.

Scott is getting a racelift simply because someone needs one and Scott is the best opportunity to do so. It doesn't change him much, but offers him new story opportunities, and doesn't have any poor implications as it would changing the other guys.

Powers

Scott's powers are always written to be used sparingly. Generally, he takes off his glasses, the screen goes red and then we cut to the same set, but decimated. The problem of course is that the kinetic force aspect of his power can be cheesy without a movie budget to give the blasts character. We would downgrade Scott's power to being light-based, though the whole concussive force extra dimensional thing can happen later.

As before, small lasers for quick ranged cuts and grabbing attention could be cool, as well as quick projectiles of red bolts of energy as time progresses, and more budget is free to make the core characters cool. But initially, to save money and build drama, his powers would be incredibly powerful, and thus only used sparingly, though there would often be dramatic moments of will he or won't he use his powers.

Of important note, Scott would be justified in this belief in this adaptation. That is, because of the nature of the power and refraction, someone actually does always get hurt when he uses his power, and so he only uses it when things are truly desperate, and he has nightmares of the people who are killed when he uses it.

Relationships

Scott's primary relationships are with Xavier, Magneto and Jean. With Xavier he has a father son relationship, where at first he looks up to Xavier wide-eyed but soon finds/realizes that Xavier is not perfect, and has a bit of a rebellious stage as they face off and Xavier becomes manipulative instead of deliberate. Scott intrinsically doesn't trust Magneto, but they develop a tense teacher-student relationship anyway, as Magneto has a lot to teach Scott, especially about accepting his mutant power and what it's for. With Jean, he is instantly taken with her, though he rarely shows it, and events conspire to actually bring them to face that. Scott is the too-nice guy at first, but he learns his lesson early.

Scott's secondary relationships are with his other teammates, each of which he develops a personal friendship with on some level. There is some antagonism on every part. He and Beast disagree over leadership. He and Angel contest of Jean. Iceman refuses to follow orders. Those conflicts stretch out and develop in different ways. As the series goes on, Scott becomes more distant to newer teammates and mutants, and relates to them primarily through others. There are a couple who get through to him, usually telepathic women.

Summary

Scott is the dark horse character. The goal is to remove him from the stuck up leader position and make him a kid, who is struggling, and manages to eke out a victory anyway. He's a bit of an everyman, but a stoic one. He's the dark brooding guy here. He always has that dichotomy, the really powerful leader, who's really not that great or strong guy underneath. You may hate him, but no one can argue that he knows how to do his job.

Jeannette Elaine Grey, Marvel Girl

Background

Jean Grey is a typical high school overachiever wunderkind. She works hard, studies hard, takes AP courses, is set to graduate a year early, is meticulous, a bit OCD, and very deliberate and responsible. She is sheltered and a bit naive at times. She's a nice girl, but she can be very direct when it comes to getting things done. Her parents push her, which causes her to push others, and causes a bit of crisis as she tries to keep things from them about her mutantcy.

Her childhood accident that kickstarted her powers and introduced her to Charles Xavier happened at the age of 10, during a summer, and her friend Annie was killed. This did cause some childhood trauma, and links to her deep desire to act out, YOLO style, but she doesn't partly because Xavier suppressed that memory at her parents' request, but she doesn't want to let down her parents.

Development

Jean Grey is a character that experiences a lot of internal conflicts. Conflicts between her mutant destiny and her parents' expectations, conflicts between Xavier's teachings and Magneto's teachings, conflicts between Scott and Angel, conflicts between Scott and Logan, conflicts between her desires and those of the Phoenix, and initially, conflicts between her desire to be seen as miss perfect, and her desire to act out now that she has some freedom. In time, she does reveal herself to be a very YOLO girl, capable of lots of crazy stuff, like getting with Wolverine, like taking on a cosmic entity, like doing new stuff with Cerebro.

Jean Grey becomes Marvel Girl based on an old cartoon that she liked. Her original green skirt and yellow mask X-Men suit is that cartoon character's uniform. Marve Girl was a princess who must constantly decide between her kingdom and her adventures, and that resonated and still resonates with Jean. Plus, Marvel Girl was Annie's favorite character. Her powers start out with weak telepathy that Xavier slowly opens up and even weaker telekinesis that Magneto helps her maximize. They develop into something really impressive.

Powers

Jean Grey's powers, from a SFX perspective, are a combination of Xavier's and Magneto's. She, due to her weakness, uses them even more sparingly. If faced with a gun, Jean doesn't have the skill to yank it, but can hold the hammer in place so it won't fire. She is much more like Sylar, with precise control for devastating effect, than a green lantern, throwing huge things around. She's known for levitating herself and others ever so slightly, but it's not something she's good at, or is reliable. Her telepathy is, at first, uncontrollable, that is, she hears things often even when she doesn't want to.

Over time, she develops even finer control and becomes a bit of a dues ex machina, but by that time, she actually would have the Phoenix, and be meant to be such a character, and would be removed from the regular cast accordingly, or perhaps she stops using her powers, having to block them off to keep the Phoenix from getting out.

Relationships

Jean's primary relationships are with Xavier, Scott and later Wolverine. Xavier is her mentor, and she does try to be like him in every way that she can, though she is never as good at playing the long mastermind game, she does eventually learn to do it well. Scott is her first will they/won't they type of relationship, and her use of telepathy on him has a lot to do with how she finds out he's interested in the first place. Wolverine is a lot more forward, and a lot more dangerous, emotionally, for Jean. That is how she learns to let go of people, when she realizes that her relationship with Wolverine is killing her because of what he is... cue Wolvie-angst!

Jean, as a student, also has deep personal friendships wit each of the other students. Beast is her older-brother type advisor and confidant. Her first friend, really. Angel is another suitor, who she enjoys as a friend, and enjoys the attention, but doesn't actually pursue. Bobby and Jean have a more antagonistic brother-sister relationship because they have opposite values and needs. As the series progresses, Jean becomes a bit of a den mother - a doting obsessive one - to other characters, which is why it's so heartbreaking when she goes crazy and dies in a big bird-shaped fireball.

 

[DrCosmic]

Henry James McCoy, Beast

Background

Hank is a good natured athletic and incredibly nice guy. He's really smart, but he hides that behind his hefty athletic exterior, which makes him confident, but unhappy when all that is ripped away when he is outed as a mutant. Instead, he has a very rough urban personality he's adopted, trying to be someone he's not in order to impress others, that is his story until he learns to accept himself, even if no one else does.

Hank's name comes from him being 'a beast' in the urban slang term, and his actual football nickname is Hank "Beast" Mccoy. His parents are very myopic and reject him outright, even though they need him, economically and emotionally, leaving him with not really a lot of places to go, and not many reasons to be happy to be there.

Development

Because he is the most balanced of the team, Hank starts off as the leader, and a capable one. He quickly discovers that his intellect and scientific skills are going to waste, and, with encouragement from Xavier, puts them to use as a chemist, then forensic specialist then geneticist. When Scott usurps him, and he finds out his traditional urban way of operating doesn't work here, that's when Hank has to reinvent himself, and he starts off that path to being the big blue Beast.

Because of that, we use his disfigurement as a metaphor for prejudice a lot. He's really a very nice guy, but because he looks like a blue monster, people reject him outright, and he often rejects himself, or hates his own appearance.

Eventually, as in the comics, Beast joins the Avengers, and crosses over into the MCU, as much as possible, even to the point of possibly appearing as supporting cast in an Avengers movie, or having Sam Jackson guest star on the show.

Powers

Because Beast is simply superhuman, his powers aren't very expensive at all. His prosthetics will probably take a couple hours to put on every morning, like with Worf on Star Trek or whatever, but beyond that, he just needs a stuntman for acrobatics, some styrofoam props to show how strong he is, a crane to move real life objects as though he is lifting them and a lab with some bright colors to explode... and some cheap CGI for his computational diagrams and such. Super senses can be done with just acting and cool camera zooms. He's just a very affordable character to bring to life.

Relationships

Beast's primary relationships are with Iceman and Angel. They form a bit of a three musketeers group as they get into shenanigans together while the other cast is usually being dramatic. Beast is the serious responsible one, Iceman is the spastic radical one, and Angel is the oblivious superficial one. Beast anchors the group with some leadership and caution. They rely on him for that, though he's often the first to get upset when the other two are doing ridiculous things, and there is comedy to be found in how and how often he points that out.

Beast's secondary relationships with the core cast vary. With Scott they start off as leadership rivals and then develop a very friendly, but very competitive rivalry, and they could even be described as best friends at one point. With Jean, Beast tends to be a bit protective, though he gives her space, and understands her desire to act out better than anyone, he is the first to tell her about herself when everyone else goes easy on her, testing, and then strengthening their friendship. With Xavier, Beast is a reluctant student, and with Magneto, he's an outright rebellious student, vocalizing the most obvious critiques of Magneto's works, lessons and actions. This is why Magneto is extra hard on Beast, though it later is revealed that Magneto takes on the most obvious critiques of Beast in order to encourage Beast to reject them, making him a stronger person overall.

As the series goes on, Beast becomes a bit of an older-brother/den father type of character. He's the team's doctor and so his bedside manner begins to extend to everyone, to all mutants.

Summary

Beast is our 'black guy' and so to a degree we play it safe. We don't make him a gunrunning drug dealing pot-smoking rap mogul gangsta. We make sure his faults are based out of insecurity, in the face of innumberable talents, cementing the metaphor well. We let him be 'all black people' in a way, representing the best and the worst. He could be Barack Obama, but he's used to being Michael Vick.

Warren Wilshire Worthington The Third, Angel

Background

Angel is a wealthy, well traveled, cosmopolitan, WASPy kid. He's the epitome of what everyone wants to be. He loves his power, and even has used it to become a self styled superhero "Avenging Angel" from which his codename is derived. Warren, because of his background is a bit cocky, and because of his background, could care less about his parents' rejection of him and his mutancy. He's extremely vapid, extremely superficial, extremely hedonistic and totally unapologetic.

As a wealthy self styled superhero, Warren actually has some skills in martial arts and espionage which he has learned.

Development

Warren starts out very vapid and self centered, but the Angel motif becomes very prevalent in his life, and it begins to be clear that he has a higher purpose. He slowly grows into a very spiritual person, who is in love with nature and has a very metaphysical angle and approach to the crises that the team faces, at first he's very flippant about it, but he grows into a bit of a guru.

At some point, he will lose his wings, giving him a further crisis and cementing him as a meditative type who can overcome anything with enough reflection, only for it to bite him in the tail when accepts the coming Apocalypse. Because of the nature and expense of his power, he often goes without being seen.

Alternately: If the show takes a hand-held camera format, like Chronicle, Angel would be the cameraman for the team, since he has no useful power, he would be the one catching all the action, and he'd have a power useful for just that.

Powers

Warren has wings, which present a host of practical problems. There are a few solutions, each to be employed as needed. Most often, his wings will simply be folded away under his clothing, when in public. At the mansion, however, there's no story reason for him to hide, so a very light wing harness would need to be created that will look natural and flex slightly with movements, and a wingspan that can be pulled with strings as needed. That would be second most often. Thirdly, a motorized wing stand would exist that he could be strapped to (though the stand would be off camera) that can stretch wings and do other simple movements, useful for closeup shots. At range however, CGI is needed. Another cool trick is to give him a very rapid takeoff, that way he can be CGI lifted out of the way and then all we need for him to land is a crane for him to come in on the landing with. Still expensive, but doable.

You may also want to upgrade Angel's powers with a healing factor, that would/could be very, very cool.

Summary

Angel is a great character, and a founding X-Man. His powers seem useless, but it should become clear that he's not there for his powers, he's there for his money, and for his influence. Personally, he's there for the thrill, and for the girls. Making the wings cool and tough and an extension of the man is one step, the other step is pulling out a performance that's fun and smarmy and a bit arrogant. The show needs that character, the comics have that character, so Angel is in.

Robert Louis Drake, Iceman

Background

Bobby is a juvenile delinquent. The youngest of the team at an even 14 years old to their 16s and 17s. He's had a hard time in school, at home, and generally just not being cared for, so he tries to get attention and approval with his antics, pranks, rebelliousness and occasional violence. He's a graffiti artist, he's a practical joker. He's obnoxious whenever possible.

Bobby's Iceman name comes very naturally from him wanting to be a superhero deep down. He clashes with everyone, often on purpose. He's also the most lost, and most in need of direction and discipline. His erratic impulsive hot headed behavior is often best tempered by Magneto, who has 'been there' so to speak.

Development

Bobby starts of impetuous and relatively uncontrollable, and learns everything, and we mean everything, the hard way. He joins the brotherhood, he uses his powers to impress girls, he lies and cheats his teammates, he starts and escalates fights. He learns the hard way, in all of his focus episodes, how to behave in a world where your actions have consequences. And while he starts out as the very snarky comic relief, eventually he becomes the more jovial type we know from comics. Of course, by that time, he's pretty much a powerhouse.

Powers

Bobby's power is also very difficult and particularly expensive. You can't just put CGI ice up everywhere on a TV budget. One thing I think X3 did well was the idea of a jet stream of cold. That's something that can be done with a hidden tube at any time, really. the cumulative effect is a 'cold blast' that can be used for various attacks as well as to hide the creation of 'constructs' something Bobby can learn to do slowly at first, and would be a simple fact of creating resin or actual ice sculptures and placing them in the cold blast to be 'created.' In this way, he can make walls, even throw ice shards and such without breaking the budget.

Very quickly he'll learn the snow form and he'll try it at times, only to find that snow isn't really protective at all, so that'll be a bit of a gag and a throwback to the orignial Iceman. In time, though, he'll learn Ice Armor and eventually he'll learn an Iceform, though that will be an event-based transformation, since it would be a CGI fest. Still, doable.

Candace Renee Southern

Background

Candy Southern is a relatively normal country rich girl living in Westchester County near Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters. She hangs out at the ice cream shop and meets the trio, Hank, Warren and Bobby, they all develop a crush on her, and the circle goes around and around. She is slowly brought into the world of mutancy, first as a lied to girlfriend, then as a victim, later as a supporter and eventually as an ally.

Development

Candy is there to help provide a human element and a starting point for those not familiar with all the characters yet, someone to introduce to all of them. She is the grounding for the show in that way. She grows from a very timid, generally scared and naive, but adventurous girl into a very cunning and daring scrappy little country badass, in her own cute diminutive way.

Powers

Nah. Obviously, she's very inexpensive to have in scenes and use to explore other charcters.

Relationships

Candy is mostly in awe of the mutants at first. Her primary relationships are with the trio, Beast, Angel and Iceman. They all pursue her and through their differences she explores the mutant phenomenon and how a human can deal with that.

She has a secondary relationship with Jean Grey. They're 'the girls' and because of her ritziness and her down-homeness they often come into conflict as frienemies in a way.

Sheriff Valerie Seville Cooper

Background

The local sheriff who takes care of local problems that the X-Men have and get into is Valerie Cooper, a contemporary of Xavier and Magneto. She's a lifelong cop, also ex-speical forces before she settled down to start a family. She comes calling on Xavier and his students when their powers and effects cause problems locally, as they often do. She develops a sort of friendship with Xavier, one which the government eventually uses to elevate her so that she can deal with the X-Men as a friend since the more aggressive track taken by Trask and the like rarely works.

Development

Val Cooper is a character from the comics, a human, government agent, and mutant sympathizer, so this is her origin in many ways. She is trying to live a simple life and is caught up in the madness of mutantdom, and it pushes her to react in severe ways. In some ways, she fills in the Magneto role for Xavier after Magneto leaves, pushing Xavier and restricting him in a way which pushes him to act.

When she loses her family, or at least her husband, she becomes available as a romantic entanglement for the older characters, and it turns her into a much more severe, deliberate and mutant-focused characters, as well as opening up that revenge storyline which actually culminates in forgiveness. She's actually a really strong character who ends up getting backgrounded as more and more young mutants join up.

Powers

Nah.

Relationships

Valerie's basic relationship is with Xavier and Magneto, sort of patrolling them in a way, and even acting as a peacemaker, though unknowingly, between them at times, breaking deadlocks in their disagreements and likewise. A childhood friendship with Magneto, having grown up in Westchester County, is also possible, and can result in some interesting dynamics, while her military background allows her to empathize with Magneto's position.

Her secondary relationship is actually with Candy Southern, whom she feels protective over since she's known the girl for years before the other kids moved here. She has relationships with the other students as well, but those are much less personal.

Summary

A good and necessary authority figure character, and because she's from the comics, she can grow with the show from very local to very much global in scale.

Overall

There are a lot of strong characters in the X-Men, this the actual founding team, and instead of using other non-founding characters, you can follow the comics storylines, and let the audience in on the very ground floor in a way they haven't quite been before, instead of getting a later more cosmopolitan team and then doing prequels and flashbacks galore for previous characters.

Plus, the team is pretty awesome, and with some supporting humans, it really gives you a lot of Fringe Smallville vibes that you can work with. Of course, in the second season we see people like Storm, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Shadowcat that join the team.

 

[hegemony]

No "bad guy of the week" stuff, just long story arcs like Lost or Game of Thrones.

 

[Spike014]

Not bad but your picks for Magneto (Don't know the actor) But he played an awful Bison in that Street Fighter Chun Li film a few years back.

 

[jaymes_e06]

The casting is rather blah but I like the idea and have done it before.

 

[DrCosmic]

Supporting Cast

The World of the X-Men is full of incredible individuals, all of whom play different roles and have different experiences, many of which have incredible abilities. These are characters who may become main cast members if well liked enough, or may most likely be killed off in order to add drama to the show.

Raven Darkholme, Mystique

Background and Powers

Mystique is a legendary shapeshifter. Here she appears as a teenager, the same age as the initial students, and joins the school as Magneto's personal choice, despite Xavier's vehement opposition, becoming the sixth student. Her shapeshifting power is usually done in a cut, obscured or silhouette change. It would be shown in full rarely, such as in her debut, and in her focus episodes or season finales. We would keep the movie 'textured skin' look so this is another actor who would have to go in the morning early for prosthetics.

Character Notes

Obviously Mystique is a fan favorite because she's more Rebecca Romjin Stamos and less Jeniffer Lawrence. Mystique's story would be one of the more controversial and twisted. She would, in truth, be an adult, and have history with Xavier as a romantic partner, and potential assassin before she is neutralized and mindwiped back into youth by the then-young Telepath. The Many Lives of Raven Darkholme would be her focus episode for instance. She would cause trouble for the team initially hiding in the mansion as one of them, causing all manner of interpersonal conflict and drama, escalating relationships and upsetting others. There would also be a romantic relationship with Beast, despite this having 'been done' in First Class, it makes a lot of sense for his blueness to come from her DNA in a way.

Pietro Maximoff, Quicksilver

Background and Powers

Pietro would be what he often is, a hotheaded and impetuous literal bastard. All of his wishing to impress his father desires would be intact, though with the added twist that he hates and hopes to usurp his father, which eventually turns him into a force that will not allow his father to recant or see reason, for fear of letting down his son. His powers are cheap and easy, with speed away effects, and the occasional slow mo bullet time fun to be had in his focus episodes.

Character Notes

Pietro is the easiest to make a one dimensional character, so it's important to twist his relationship with his father. He'd be that cocky hothead that is justified in being so. He'd be untouchable, partly to make him a credible threat to half the X-Men by himself, but to make even Magneto have to take pause at him. He'd be removed from the series by being knee-capped at some point.

Wanda Maximoff, The Scarlet Witch

Background and Powers

Wanda would be Pietro's brother of course, and she'd be very much 'too powerful' in her storyline. She'd have some simple and apparently weak probability manipulating power, a simple Jedi-like handwave thing would change things to her favor. In fact, Jedi-like would be the best way to describe her use of her probability powers, in mindtricks and minor TK. Part of the ongoing storyline would be discovering that she is affecting things on a large scale probability wise, which is why things tend to work out in her favor, and eventually, she has to be stopped like the Magician Ultimate X-Men character, who simply changed reality on accident, in a send up of House of M.

Character Notes

Because she's such a plot device, it's hard to pin down Wanda's personality. In this case, she'd be an soft spoken naturalist shrinking violet type, slow to speak, quick to listen, loves nature and walking barefoot and stuff. A bit River Tam-ish if you've seen Firefly. She'd open up around certain people, so we could see that she's really a nice quirky cool girl, who's simply trying to protect her brother and father. Of course, when they get hurt, that's when her naivete becomes resentment and she says more villainous things like 'how dare you?' She's very much that good princess from a bad kingdom character.

Graydon Creed, President of Friends of Humanity

Background

Graydon Creed was given up for adoption as a baby. He ended up growing up in the Pennsylvania countryside, and joining a militia at 18. He was bright though, much brighter than any of his peers, so when a dozen of his friends, militia men, were killed by a mutant they were accosting, Graydon didn't just get angry, he had an epiphany. That's how the Friends of Humanity movement got started, publishing the truth that mutants exist, despite government cover-ups, and mobilizing, and arming, men and women to fight for humanity's safety and existence. He is a true believer, and what makes him so dangerous, despite his charismatic abilities, is that he's right most of the time.

Character Notes

This is the primary villain for the first arc of season 1, so he has to be good, and a bit scary, so making him sympathetic in his experience and fear, and then giving him a powerful voice to speak with his probably a strong way to go. Of course, eventually this all comes to a head, and Magneto is directly responsible for Creed's execution style-death, which in turn becomes the wedge that begins to truly drive Xavier and Magneto apart.

New York Senator Robert Kelly

Background

Robert Kelly is actually from Westchester County, and has a home there, bringing him into contact with the main cast surprisingly often. He is a firm, but balanced, advocate of mutant control. He sees mutants as human, but dangerous, and should be treated as such. He's right even more often than Creed, and they have a tense relationship. Robert's dark secret is that his daughter is a mutant, which is where his balance comes from.

Character Notes

This character will be the President by the end of Season 1, and he has a very David Palmer (from 24)-like importance in the story. Even his family becomes relevant when his daughter is kidnapped by the Brotherhood at one point, and his wife turns out to have some connections. His relationship with the mutants, at times personal, continues to come into play as the character deals with various mutant legislature, which will be a continuing background story, and part of the world building of the show. Eventually, this character will be assassinated, which will result in Operation Zero Tolerance.

Henry Peter Gyrick

Background

Gyrick here is a businessman, as usual. What makes him unique is that he sees opportunity in mutancy, not just for money, but for power and prestige. He first made a living as a pimp, where he had a mutant girl with extra-special talents in his employ, upon realizing what was really going on, he acquired more. Eventually, his 'expertise' made him the go-to guy for mutantcy in Chicago, where he began to sell anti-mutant tech. When the mutant thing blows up, he's wheeling and dealing, linking one person to another, trying to be the middleman between any possible deal. Between a Senator and a Militia Man, between a Preacher and a Scientist. He's working hard, and he is utterly unscrupulous.

Character Notes

This is a love to hate character that's going to have some longevity. He got about 2 seconds in the X-Men movies, but here, he's a real key player, and adds reality and credibility to the way things develop on the anti-mutant side. With him, and sometimes through him, we can see how people really would react with skepticism, intolerance, and violence.

Cameron Hodge

Background

Cameron is a young fresh militia kid, who joins Friends of Humanity when he gets dishonorably discharged from the marines. He believes in Graydon's rhetoric vehemently, and

John St. Allerdyce, Pyro

Background and Powers

Pyro is a pretty straightforward pyromaniac, not the sympathetic character from the films. He's actually certifiable, barely controlled. He does have philosophy which he speaks in his rants, and at some point, feels that fire should burn different ways, and turns on his people, twisting expectations that the nutcase is one dimensional. For SFX, he's a guy, or stuntman, standing in front of a flamethrower. Fun times.

Character Notes

Pyro enters the series as the problem in an arson case that the team investigates. His genuine pyromania causes problems for the community in question when buildings begin to collapse, and fires rise too fast for the fire department to arrive to save people. Eventually, the team tracks him, and faces him, and Iceman is able to counter him by applying the lessons he hasn't been learning very well. They give him to Agent Coulson to put in the Vault.

Dominic Petros, Avalanche

Background

Dominic is a very brusque and cold character. His power is pretty direct, an area effect vibration, which means shaking screens, wave distortion effects and falling people, and when he's left too long, environmental destruction, cracks begin to form and things like that. It turns out he's a bit of fun when he gets drunk, but that doesn't happen much.

Character Notes

Dominic is a hit man when we first meet him, and the police don't know how to solve the murder spree that's going on, as someone's hired him to take out all the competition. The X-Men figure it out eventually, and are apparently defeated, with Cyclops apparently mortally wounded, leading to Jean drama. Angel then gets to show how he's useful due to his bone structure, and ability to fly out of harms way.

Irene Adler, Destiny

Background and Powers

Destiny is going to be left intentionally a bit of a mystery. She'd be clearly British, but remain masked and mostly quiet. Her ability to sense the future wouldn't be shown, she'd simply write and then later it would happen, leaving audiences to deduce what's happening.

Character Notes

Destiny wouldn't actually be seen first hand save for once by the X-Men. One of her books would fall into the wrong hands, and this eccentric person would use that knowledge to win at life, and then use their advantages to destroy other people's lives, both intentionally and unintentionally. One of the X-Men would get caught up in this while visiting home, and others would try and help.

 

[DrCosmic]

...Supporting Cast (Continued)

Fred Dukes, The Blob

Background and Powers

Freddie Dukes would still be a guy in a fat suit, a circus freak, and a generally disgusting guy who hates himself and everyone around him. There would be a bit of a special sound effect when he tosses people with his prosthetic stomach, alluding to his gravity powers. In truth

Character Notes

Blob would start as a relatively sympathetic outcast, whose personal faults, from bad hygeine to prejudice and sexism, would annoy the students. He'd be at the mansion perhaps for a short time, before being kicked out for misconduct of several stripes.

Victor Creed, Sabertooth

Background and Powers

Yes, before we see Wolverine, we see Sabertooth. A career mercenary and assassin, extremely intelligent here, less snarling and more vampire-like in his ability to go from debonair to animalistic. He gives signs of being Canadian at times, passing references to seeing Maple Leaves play, for instance. He's a person Magneto recruits out of the raft pretty early on.

Character Notes

A clear sign that Magneto has lost it is when he frees and recruits a random mutant from the Vault/Raft that he didn't help put away. "Before you release me, I should warn you. I am a ravenous sadistic murdering psychopath." Mags' response is to open the door. "As long as you enjoy revenge more than betrayal." He pretty much a dark wolverine here, he elevates the stakes, and creates a desire for the ol canuck as if it wasn't already there.

John Proudstar, Thunderbird

Background and Powers

He's a bit younger than the rest, closer to Bobby's age, but very strong, stronger than Beast, or anything we've seen so far. This is relatively easy to show as long as you have a crane to actually lift the thing, and a styrofoam or CGI version of whatever it is to throw around. He is fresh off the reservation and just loves life, a bit more like Starfire or one of those fish out of water types than a mystical all knowing type of sage.

Character Notes

Here's our first martyr. The goal with Proudstar is to get the audience attached to him early on, ingratiate him so that when he heroically sacrifices himself on his first outing with the X-Men, not only does he cement the feud between Xavier and Magneto, but he ups the stakes for the whole show, setting the scene for many deaths to come.

Moira McTaggert

Background and Powers

Moira is Xavier's ex-wife, they had a bad split once she found out that he was manipulating her subtly in order to keep her safe. While she may have forgiven him, she doesn't trust him. But her passion for mutants hasn't changed, so her Muir Island research facility houses some of the troubled ones. She is a bleeding heart, and what troubles her most is her and Xavier's son, David.

Character Notes

This is the original Irish brogue version of the character. Very serious about her work, and knows Xavier very well. She works hard and on her own, so it makes her tough, and exacting, and there's not a lot anyone can do to stop her. It is also revealed that she was with Erik before she got with Xavier, giving her insight into the man Magneto used to be. She's unflappable, and for good reason.

Danielle Moonstar, Mirage

Background and Powers

Dani is a smaller kid, like, fresh into puberty. She's a bit of a set up for the New Mutants and where the fit in the school, as the first non-combatant students, really. She comes in from the same community as Proudstar, so they are initially close, though she becomes the cool little sister to the entirety of the team. She actually is a bit of an old soul, and was actually sent to help watch Proudstar, not the other way around. Of course that doesn't work out so much.

Character Notes

Dani's power of illusion is untrained, so it becomes a bit of a mystery within the mansion what exactly is going on, is it shapeshifters, is it telepaths? All that good stuff. The girl herself is meant to be a sweetheart, and keep a bit of innocence in the show as the characters are pushed to cross lines and grow up quickly. As a child actor, she'd have few scenes, really.

Clarice Ferguson, Blink

Background and Powers

This little pink girl can teleport, a flash of pink is the typical thing but there are pink portals that appear. She is a street kid, abandoned on the stoop, raised in the system, and now running free. She is scared, enigmatic, doesn't talk much, at that. When the X-Men do finally manage to catch her and gain her trust, there's not a lot they can do to help her, with her out of control power triggered by her emotions.

Character Notes

Blink is that powered thief character, and in keeping with her comics roots, it ends tragically, with a victory for the Friends of Humanity, another shot to the innocence of the X-Men. This, like a few other characters, is what brings so much punch back when she shows up many years later in the Age of Apocalypse storylines.

Calvin Rankin, Mimic

Background and Powers

Calvin is the first X-Men fan, he follows their every move via different viral and fringe websites, and runs one himself. It is an odd coincidence that he should gain the ability to mimic powers, one the first allusions to powers coming from deep desires.Calvin seeks out the X-Men himself, and even seeks to join them when he discovers he has the same exact power as his favorite hero, Cyclops, and he can control it! Naturally, as he gains all their powers, he believes he can replace the X-Men.

Character Notes

Calvin is the fanboy send up, and also used to highlight the deconstruction of superheroism that the series experiences. It is not always cool and fun to be a hero, and in fact, Rankin experiences all the drawbacks that the other heroes suffer, and he does not like it one bit! This is what sends him into a violent panic attack, where he is uncontrollable. He has a great deal of genre savvy, and so that's fun to play with. He understands that he's the fanboy who is being used to deconstruct the superhero genre. It makes him that much more dangerous... and pitiable.

Mortimer Toynbee, Toad

Background and Powers

Morty is actually a clean looking dude, he just has some very serious inferiority complex issues. He takes this out on others naturally, a bit like some of the X-Men students. He actually can be a bit of a charmer, and that's what comes out. The tongue thing, due to unwieldly special fx, and a bit of the illogic of fitting all that in his mouth, would be downplayed, in favor of simply a slightly longer prosthetic tongue at times, and that kind of goo-spit thing.

Character Notes

Toad is a fun character to play with because he's a bit away from the comics, and changes the dynamics a lot. He becomes a bit of an anti-cyclops under Magneto. Eventually, he gets experimented on and becomes the green grotesque guy we all know and loathe, the contrast drives home how disturbing his new form is.

Sean Cassidy, Banshee

Background and Powers

Banshee is an mutant MI6 Agent, assigned to deal with Mutant issues. When the X-Men find themselves overseas, they come in contact with this very rough, experienced and brutal agent, a contemporary of Xavier. He has his sound abilities and uses them innovatively, shrieking to shatter eardrums, knocking people back with sonic booms and things like that.

Character Notes

Banshee is now a contemporary of Xavier and Magneto, and has been working in the mutant world almost as long, but perhaps not from the same angle. It is understood that he and Xavier have met before, though the details are saved for a focus episode. This guy goes back to the Charles and Moira days, and his experience with them is actually what got him into the once hidden world of mutants anyway.

Other Supporting Cast Added As Needed

As you can see, there are quite a few minor characters in the series, and each has their own place and perspective and depth and purpose. They are not simply easter eggs, but real full characters. You may also notice that the first season doesn't get into a lot of favorite X-Men very rapidly. The idea and goal is to immerse the audience in these five starting characters, and then, as their stories are completed, bring in new X-Men characters. Characters can certainly be brought back, for instance, Angel may be raised by Apocalypse, or Blink may appear in the Age of Apocalypse, things like that. But the departing of these characters will generally not be taken lightly. The world wouldn't be built so that there are some indefinite number of ex-X-Men just out there roaming around doing nothing important. Once you're in, you're pretty much in.

 

[DrCosmic]

Responses

Thanks for the input guys! I really appreciate it.

No "bad guy of the week" stuff, just long story arcs like Lost or Game of Thrones.

Haven't seen game of thrones yet, but I think it's a bit different with young X-Men, as a lot of their personal story is high school drama, which is a bit silly and melodramatic when drug out. So the long story arcs would generally express themselves as weekly problems, and indeed, even in shows that are very serial (what you're talking about) there is usually a weekly challenge that is resolved, even if its not a bad guy, or resolved at the same time each week. Every once in a while they'll have an episode of pure building and no payoff, or play with that balance, which I could easily see this show doing once it gets its footing. But even lost started with weekly problems before it became completely serial, and it's non-payoff episodes continue to be controversial and divisive.

Not bad but your picks for Magneto (Don't know the actor) But he played an awful Bison in that Street Fighter Chun Li film a few years back.

That's a good point. I tend to like Neal McDonough, but you're right, that was horrible, and while he has a bit of the look, he's not quite versatile enough. Let me see what I else I can find.

The casting is rather blah but I like the idea and have done it before.

Really? I'd love to see yours. The casting is more along the lines of 'likely TV casting' rather than 'best person for the job.' At least, that's the idea. So I can't defend it by saying anything other than it's supposed to be mediocre.

Next: Season 1 Episode Guide

 

[Nave 'Torment']

Just went through this and I have to say I want to start watching this right away! I think the relationship between Erik and Xavier is the strongest point of note, as well that of Xavier and Jean. The whole idea of the "dreamscape" is sheer genius, as well as the darker aspects of Charles. In that aspect I think Marsters is the perfect guy for the job. I'm not a big fan of his work in general, but casting a traditional bad-guy as your series mentor? That's pretty good.

Would've loved to see some of the dynamics that you brought on here in First Class. Good work!

 

[CJ]

First off, I didn't read the whole thing. (It's a lot of text) But what I read, I liked.

The X-Men would benefit from a live-action TV series. There's so many characters in the movies, (which only last 2 hours) so there's not enough time for all the characters to shine. But a TV show would give all of the characters that opportunity. And making it live-action would attract a bigger audience than another cartoon series.

Arcs with season finale twists would really keep viewers glued to this show.

However, I think it would be very expensive to make an live-action X-Men TV series. A lot of special effects would be needed to showcase all of the mutants powers. And being based on a comic-book, some big action sequences would also be necessary. I can't see something like the Phoenix saga or Sentinels being financially possible in a TV series.

I liked the stuff you wrote about Xavier using his powers becoming a moral issue. His past adds depth and complexity to his character.

 

[Lord]

Hey DrCosmic, when are you going to give your season storylines ideas?

No "bad guy of the week" stuff, just long story arcs like Lost or Game of Thrones.

X-Men isn't Game of Thrones and not every show has to follow that type of pattern, the Blade TV show is a good example of something that should have been monster of the week but decided to be a continuing storyline instead, and it failed.

When it comes to long comic books like these i think the plot of the week works beautifully, as long as it doesn't end up being too stupid, i think Buffy is the perfect example of how most comic book adaptations should be (i know it wasn't based on any comic but it was obviously inspired by comics): Season long story arc with a Big Bad who is defeated in the end of the season, each episode has its oun plot, theme or threat, the characters slowly change and evolve, writting is strong, and once in while there's a briliant episode in between.

There have been other X-Men tv show thread and i'm going to give my idea for how it should be like, as i did in the other threads.

Season 1: Magneto would have a presence but would probably not be fully seen until the 2nd half, in a similar way to how he was portrayed in the begining of X-Men: Evolution. End the season in a big way, probably with a confrontation of the X-Men and Magneto similar to X-Men #1 after they had dealt with the brotherhood.

Like with Buffy, Season 1 would serve to introduce the mythology of the show and the characters, and would be very straightforward. One thing i would change from the comics and previous incarnations is that Xavier's institute is funded by the Government, it wouldn't make sence for them to not know about mutants, so in this they help him, However their ralationship would get worse as the season goes on.

Season 2: This is when the writting has to become more complex in terms of plot, after the Season 1 finale mutants are known to the public and the Government no longer trusts Xavier due to going against orders in the end of Season 1.

The big bad of the first half of the season would be the Juggernaut, but then half-way through the relationship between people and the mutants would excalate and lead to the cration of the Sentinels. Here they wouldn't be colossus but have the size of humans.

Mimic would also be part of the team for a short period of time.

Season 3: This season would basically take elements from the rest of the first X-Men comics before they started to do reprints. Magneto would return and reveal that he is the father of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, Cyclops would reunite with his brother.

After this new mutants would joing the team, like Wolverine and Nightcrawler, and the mansion would also start to look more like a school by having more and more students.

 

[DrCosmic]

Thanks so much for the comments guys. I agree, a Game of Thrones doesn't quite fit for X-Men with its very tidy story arcs. For the kids, you need something more episodic, something more network TV. Cyclops having girl problems isn't exactly Deadwood material, y'know?

Anyways, I've let this sit for too long. Let's get into Season 1.

XIGY Season 1 Overview

Keywords: New, Reinvention
Big Bads: Friends of Humanity, Magneto
Arc 1: The Beginning of the X-Men
Arc 2: A House Divided
Arc 3: Magneto Rises
Arc 4: Friends of Humanity Fall

The first season is all about newness. It's a new show with new characters, new actors, new ideas, new twists and a brand new take on the X-Men lore. The show is not only reinventing the X-Men mythos, but the characters are in the process of reinventing themselves, turning from what people tend to expect them to be into something really significant.

Episode 1: "Uncanny (Part 1)"

Promo/Synopsis: Erik Lensherr and Charles Xavier set out to build a school for mutants, but their first recruits wind up being a bank robber and an out of control psionic.

The episode begins with Charles and Erik returning to the long abandoned Xavier homestead. They seem like they're about to fight, then instead laugh and hug. As they tour the building, they talk about their plans to create a new safe place for mutants to grow and learn. They discuss the site and the mutant boom and its potential and then potential staff and students they've heard of. Several easter eggs here. They begin construction with help from their powers, Magneto lifting stuff, Xavier persuading contractors. Here we first discuss Xavier's three laws of telepathy and the power boosting device and it's lack of sufficient power source. The Sheriff comes by, curious how all the materials got here when she didn't see any trucks, or why the contractors all seem in a daze. Local girl spies on things from the bushes. They agree to split up to acquire their first two students: Jean Grey and Scott Summers. Erick is intrigued by Jean Grey and offers to go recruit her.

Xavier goes to pick up Scott in Los Angeles. Here, the boy is used as a bank robbing device. There's a whole bank robbing scenario with hostages and everything that plays out. Xavier, who seems to be a hostage to the robbers, instead of thrashing non-powered Jack O'Diamonds talks Scott through breaking himself out. Scott accidentally topples a structure and almost kills some people and Xavier takes control of him to then destroy the toppling structure, saving the people, but breaking one of his rules.

Meanwhile, Erik goes to the Grey home and is reacquainted with Jean Grey. They discuss a bit of everything, and we see just how bright an just how emotional Jean Grey is. They talk about the mutant boom in detail and its effects on society and government. They talk about her past a bit, which she dodges with programmed responses. Jean shows her powers a bit, they are weak and small and uncontrolled. When he introduces the school idea, Jean comes across the memory Xavier froze and goes catatonic, having seizures. Erik tries to help her and calls Xavier. Magneto talks Xavier through getting a temporary power source for Xavier's power boosting device, so that he can make contact just long enough to unlock the memory. This causes Jean to wake up, but then freak out due to the intensity of the emotion, she is destroying her house. Erik gets the Greys out in time, but Xavier on the phone says Erik needs to focus on a similar memory and then make skin to skin contact in order to help her deal with that emotion. The house is swirling with chaos. To be continued...

Episode 2: "Uncanny (Part 2)"

Promo/Synopsis: Erik may be able to save this young psionic, but is young Scott ready for his first recruit mission? And perhaps Xavier doesn't have as much claim to the Xavier Mansion as he thinks...

In the process of making the cross country connection Xavier comes across a Chicago mutant briefly, and so he and Scott head there next, securing a cane for the young man. Scott asks if Erik will be okay, Xavier simply notes he's been through worse.

Back in upstate New York, Magneto dodges debris and gets to Jean and manages to touch her. They then go into Magneto's mind and back to a suicide bombing attack that killed his family. Jean empathizes and uses the calm resolve of the little boy as her own, everything calms down. Jean's parents are terrified of her, and Erik has no problem getting their cooperation.

Meanwhile, Xavier and Scott, playing the role of a blind kid, land at O'Hare airport. Xavier gives Scott some tutelage in mutancy and how people react. The TV blares on with Graydon Creed spouting about the Friends of Humanity. Scott questions Xavier and they bond a bit. Eventually they end up in a rough Chicago neighborhood, where Xavier sends Scott in to find Henry McCoy. Navigating a rough high school is challenging, but Scott is surprisingly street smart. McCoy himself seems to have everything going for him, big time sports star, but has a secret. He ditches Scott and heads to his tumultuous home life, where Xavier is waiting for him.

Meanwhile, Jean and Erik return to the mansion, where Cain Marko is claiming ownership of the place, barking at the contractors. The Sheriff is there, and Jean is overhearing their thoughts and can't stop. She is the first one to notice Candy Southern observing from afar. Erik is upset, showing his temper and the Sheriff is backed into a corner Papa Xavier's will.

Xavier himself is sitting in with the McCoys when Henry gets home, questioning how long is he going to hide who he is, and inviting him to a school where he can grow unfettered. McCoy is divided about his decision.

Back at the mansion, Jean's gift has been giving Erik the edge but now it's too late. Cain Marko is getting the deed, contractors are asking when they'll get paid and the Sheriff is asking a lot of questions about the materials. The Sheriff and her people are out there ready for eviction. Xavier's voice comes to Jean, and she starts pulling together Erik and the Sheriff and Cain's thoughts to give reason why this can't happen now in this way. This is when Xavier shows up, Scott and Hank in tow, and talks his way into having his way. Cain Marko is brought on as a groundskeeper. The Sheriff leaves, and Xavier wipes the minds of the contractors so they don't remember renovating the sub-basements. They get paid, pack up and go home. It's a brand new day for these five mutants.

Episode 3: "Touched by an Angel"

Promo/Synopsis: What can Xavier and Lensherr do when a riot threatens New York city, and their latest potential recruit is doing just fine on his own.

Scott, Jean and Hank enter the sub-basement of the mansion, a huge empty area. Here, Charles and Erik are setting a permanent mutant finding machine, which they use Magneto's abilities to power before it blows out. They find a young man in New York City, and plan to go retrieve him, giving the kids their blue and gold boarding school uniforms, leaving the kids in the mansion to study and read until they return.

Erik and Charles head to New York and encounter rebellious teen runaway and juvenile delinquent Bobby Drake. He steals from them, and causes all sorts of chaos, provoking riots and action from the Friends of Humanity who further get in the duos way of trying to confront Drake and bring him in. When Drake is trapped, he's saved suddenly by the Avengers-inspired "Avenging Angel" a gun toting winged messenger of justice who dispatches the thugs who had Drake cornered and whisks him away from Xavier and Lensherr when they finally get through the crowd.

Meanwhile, back in Westchester County, the three kids get bored and venture out on the town. They meet Candy Southern, eat at the local burger joint and then get into trouble with the locals and get a warning from Sheriff Cooper.

Back in New York, Warren brags to Bobby about his wealth and not caring about his parents, that's when Xavier and Erik come calling at the Worthington penthouse. They all have a discussion, Warren doesn't feel he needs anyone, except now the Friends of Humanity is knocking down his door. Graydon Creed is demanding the abominations be delivered to them, police are dispatched and Xavier gets Warren's cooperation, but Bobby has slipped out in the confusion. Erik tracks him down as he fails to fend off the FoH mob, and Erik basically offers him his life in exchange for coming to the school. Bobby, in such circumstances agrees. Magneto handidly dispatches the mob with their metal weapons.

The four arrive back at the mansion late at night. Marko has no idea where the kids went, but the Sheriff pulls up with them shortly thereafter. Everyone is sent to bed.

Episode 4: "Ice In His Veins"

Promo/Synopsis: It's easy to find mutants when they're in your own backyard, but what can anyone do with a killer than vanishes before their very eyes?

The trio, Bobby, Warren and Hank are showing off their uniforms to each other. They pick out their superhero code names. Meanwhile, Erik urges Jean to rein in her telepathy and work on her telekinesis for now, seeing how it is so weak, and he knows that she has great potential, when she learns to let loose. Meanwhile, Xavier gives Scott some ruby quarts glasses, so, for the first time in a long time, he can see. He meets up with the fellas and they together get to gawk at Jean when she comes in, Scott and Warren are especially smitten.

The Sheriff comes to the mansion questioning about one of the local kids who they got into it with when they were out. They don't know anything, but Xavier and Erik continue to work on their mutant finding machine, mostly ignoring the issue. The kids head back out into the town to investigate, they meet up with Candace Southern who demands they reveal that they are truly mutants. They do, she gets over it and joins their quest. Jean had to make skin contact to use her power, which she does at times. They discover there is a mutant in town. Hank takes charge, they split up to handle different leads. Hank and Scott track the perp, Angel and Jean follow up with the victim's family while Bobby and Candace distract the Sheriff, which they do exceedingly well with icy pranks all over town.

Meanwhile Erik and Charles are getting their machine up and running, using Magneto as a power source, and they are making brief contact with mutants all over the world. There seem to be over 50 of them, an idea which blows both of their minds. Even as they're speaking, another one lights up in Russia. They decide to check on the students, only to find that they're nowhere around. They agree they need to call in a full time teacher.

In the field, Jean and Warren find out the victim had been dating the perp, Bobby gets arrested, even though Candy vouches for him, meanwhile a mysterious figure videotapes Bobby, and catches him freezing his restraints. When Scott and Hank track down the guy, he's holed up in a barn out in the countryside and he's totally emotionally distraught. His name is Telford Porter, and he can teleport short distances, and proceeds to lead the guys on a merry chase around wherever.

This is when Charles and Erik contact them, as they are now tracking this Vanisher. They are able to coordinate the students to catch him alone, where Jean Grey helps him face his past. He can't deal with it. They end up back at the mansion, but the Sheriff comes to get him, and to bring Bobby back to them. Bobby comes in, hears part of the story and identifies directly with Vanisher, noting that sometimes powers just go wrong, people die and there's nothing you can do about it, but move on. Vanisher agrees to go with the cops and comes outside. The Sheriff gives all of them stern warning, and takes Telford Porter into custody, after Xavier teaches him not to run from his problems. Erik and Xavier again agree they need a full time teacher.

Episode 5: "Mutie and the Beast"

Promo/Synposis: School is in session, but there's a few lessons the mutant hating Friends of Humanity plan to teach Hank McCoy.

Scott is again learning at Xavier's feet, while Erik is teaching Jean that even the little bit of telekinesis she has can be great when used accurately. He quizzes her by pointing a gun at her and saying stop it with her TK. She fails, so Erik has to stop it for her. The doorbell rings at the Xavier Mansion. It is none other than the extremely attractive Tessa. She's an old friend of Xavier's and she is clearly a severe educator, quickly snapping the children into line, very severe about their assignments.

Erik and Charles meanwhile head to New York to seek out the Friends of Humanity, taking the fight to them. This backfires as they discover that the Friends of Humanity has discovered power-blocking technology to suppress mutant abilities. This puts the two men in an old fashioned fistfight. After they narrowly escape the FoH New York chapter, they discover that the Friends of Humanity is a network of disconnected cells, but in their investigation, realize they have made a move on Westchester County, looking for the mutants seen in videos.

Meanwhile, in school, Beast is absolutely devouring classwork, but is hesitant to share. Jean, his only academic competition, confronts him about it. She forces her way into his mind and they relive when he was bullied for being smart as a kid, so he gave it up, focused on sports. Hank is angry with Jean, who apologizes saying she was just trying to help, but he storms off, heads to town. The Friends of Humanity there finds him and captures him, taking him to some weird location, torturing him, threatening to hang him if he doesn't give up the other mutie freaks. He laughs and begins to detail his teammates, and their great talents.

Erik and Charles make it back to the mansion, at which point they find that they cannot locate Hank even with the machine. Scott is the one they suggest looking where they can't find anything at all, a hole in the map, but no one hears him. Jean repeats it, and they try it. It leads them to an empty road. Meanwhile we see Hank being herded off a truck elsewhere. There are people assembled, even children. Graydon Creed welcomes the boy and begins to help string him up.

The group realizes that Hank must have been moving. Angel takes to the skies, Jean asks people on the street if they've seen him, Bobby and Scott follow the street in either direction. Jean finds the place, but there's no reception, so he can't call. He goes in to try and trade himself for Hank, which gets them both strung up. They demand Jean demonstrate her power, at which point she touches Graydon Creed's mind and recoils after seeing such disturbing images. Creed confirms her mutation, and the mob starts to hang the two, Beast chasitses her again for coming after him, and she apologizes again saying she was only trying to help. They're about to die, that's when Xavier and Magneto show up. Creed dares them to hurt him, make him a martyr in front of all these people. Cameron Hodge tries to shoot Magneto... no dice. Creed shows off his fancy telepathy-******ant helmet. Magneto simply lifts it off effortlessly and Xavier puts Creed to sleep. They release Jean and Beast who go to town on the mob that's trying to overrun them. Beast is nimble and acrobatic and awesome, and even though Jean gets cornered and almost executed at gunpoint, she figures out how to stop the hammer and thus save herself until Magneto takes out the gunman.

The Sheriff arrives at this point en force, but Jean, Xavier, Beast and Magneto have escaped, and the FoH is largely taken into custody. The Sheriff comes calling back at the mansion to ask questions, the students are casually having dinner. She questions the mark on Beast's neck he received earlier from the FoH. Jean says it's a hickee. Awkward silence, Sheriff leaves, shaking her head. Jokes around the table.

End Arc 1.

 

[DrCosmic]

Those were crazy long. Perhaps more concise overviews from here on out.

Episode 6: "Modern Marvels"

Promo: The X-Men get into an underground fighting tournament, and their opponent is untouchable, both inside and outside the ring.

Since things go south often, the teachers agree Magneto should train the young ones to fight, and he does this by having them all attack him in the sub basement, and then showing them how wrong they've done it. He calls this the Danger Room, and manipulates the metal there to form terrain for them. Soon though, New York City has another manifestation to track, and it turns out to be one Angelo Unuscione, a literally untouchable mutant pro wrestler turned MMA fighter. Beast and Jean infiltrate as a fighter and promoter and fight him, but get whooped, but they get to be friends so they introduce Unus to the rest of the X-Men, especially Charles and Erik. Turns out, Unus is in deep with the mob, but that doesn't seem to scare him, neither does he need any kind of school. When the mob comes to collect, he ends up taking them over, and tries to have them kill the X-Men who know his secret, which would totally destroy his reputation/career.

Unus hires the Blob, a mutant pro wrestler to help him stop the X-Men. The team of Xavier, Jean and Scott encounter the Blob, while Xavier deals with the hitmen, and Scott is unwilling to use his powers, Jean is able to persuade Blob to return with them to the mansion. Magneto and the trio of boys make short work of the mob hitmen, but then encounter Unus, who pretty much wipes the floor with them until they put everything on an MMA match. This time though, it's Erik in the ring with Unus, and although it's impossible to strike Unus, Magneto knows how to hold the man using his own forcefield, how to make him tap out. Xavier and Magneto have a big argument about what should be done with Unus. Magneto believes he should be free to do as he pleases, and Xavier thinks he should be brough to justice. Blob goes to the school and Unus returns to pro wrestling... for now.

When everyone returns to the mansion Agent Fred Duncan is waiting for them, being entertained by Tessa. He lets them know the government is watching them.

Episode 7: "Isle of the Cyclops"

Promo: Welcome to Muir Island, where Charles and Erik's worst nigthmares start to catch up with them.

The X-Men are now under investigation from the government, but they get a call from Moira McTaggert and head to meet her at Muir Island. She has her own mutant kids she's takes care of, including Petra, Sway, Darwin, and Havok. She is monitored by MI6 agent Sean Cassidy. Scott is reunited with his brother, who'd been adopted elsewhere. Of course, there's a fifth mutant there, Kevin McTaggert, whose field comes loose in a storm that kills power to the building. He takes possession of people's bodies, he torments them, and slowly secrets unravel. Namely, that Xavier is his biological father, that Moira also had a relationship with Erik after she broke up with Xavier. Beast is unable to deal with this unique situation. Scott is able to figure things out, and manages to confront Proteus, who is upset because Scott gets to be Xavier's son. Scott reimprisons him as the power comes back on. Xavier and Magneto again disagree on how to deal with him, and end up going behind each other's backs to make their desires happen.

Episode 8: "Cry Havok"

Promo: A rescue mission goes horribly awry, as Havok joins the X-Men.

Alex Summers, Scott's younger brother asks them to help rescue his girlfriend, Lorna from a government facility in San Francisco. This mission Xavier disagrees with, but Magneto will lead it and he allows them to volunteer anyway. Most end up going, except Jean, who is recovering telepathically from Muir Island. They get all black ops, infiltrate things, use their powers well, and in sync. Inside they first encounter Henry Peter Gyrich, as well as Bolivar Trask. They find experiments on mutants, attempts at cloning. Magneto is furious, begins to rip up the entire site, compromising their stealth, and their whole mission, but providing a great distraction for the rest of the team. Scott and Alex make it to the holding cells, where they free Polaris and another prisoner named Mortimer Toynbee, aka The Toad.

When they free her though, they find out Polaris has some government brainwashing/programming going on and she attacks the X-Men. Iceman manages to throw her off long enough for her to be subdued. When she comes to, she's back to normal.

Episode 9: "Feminine Mystique"

Promo: Life at the mansion can be confusing, especially because everyone is not who they seem. Magneto and Professor X begin to have a break down.

Erik, Scott, Jean and Hank return from a false positive mutant manifestation in Germany. Talking with Charles, Erik suggests he leave the mansion for good, that their ideologies are too conflicting. Charles insists on compromise. They have a very long intense discussion, and go through different ways things can go wrong, including a fight between the two.

Meanwhile the kids: Scott, Jean, Hank, Warren, Bobby, Alex, Lorna, Fred (Blob), Mort (Toad) and Candy are all hanging out around the mansion, playing games, watching movies, gossipping and etcetera, and some strange things begin happening. Scott finally steps to Jean and kisses her. Lorna breaks up with Alex. Jean goes and makes out with Warren, while Toad attacks Candy when they're alone. Hank and Warren get into a fight. Tessa comes on to Blob. Alex makes a pass at Warren. Then Jean comes up to Scott and lays it on the line and kisses him passionately. Funny, only one party seems to remember any of these interactions the next time they come together. Then Magneto shows up and informs them that Cain Marko is a shapeshifter. Beast, Jean and Scott figure out what's going on between the three of them. They set up a trap but then it flips when Beast comes on to Jean, but she doesn't seem surprised. She then makes contact and as per Scott's plan, Mystique is revealed. They then inform the teachers and find out Beast is still stranded in Germany.

Xavier and Erik's conversation ends with them agreeing to never come to blows, no matter what, they seem agreed to a point, but when Mystique is brought to them, they seem to know her, and Erik warns Xavier about mindwipes coming back to haunt him.

Episode 10: "Professor X Marks the Spot"

Promo: The X-Men gamble big in Sin City, but can they come out on top? Does what happen in Vegas really stay in Vegas?

Magneto begins tutoring Polaris in the use of her abilities. Hanks cedes official leadership to Scott, as he is focusing on the science aspects and Scott kicks butt. The next mutant manifest is in Sin City, another teleporter, this time a little pink girl who blinks in and out of camera footage hitting casinos for poor people. They X-Men head that way, on a sort of mini vacation, Candy comes, as Beast's guest. The Friends of Humanity however is also tracking the girl and sets up a trap to capture her. The X-Men do their best to track her down, they end up running across a young man named Remy Lebeau who knows more than he lets on though he appears to be a street performer.

The FoH threatens to execute the girl live online. She's scared, and her powers are inhibited, but Xavier is able to stay in contact with her telepathically, talking her through the ordeal. Lebeau helps, but it's not enough, and due to clever manipulation by the FoH, Xavier cannot pinpoint the girl in time. She is killed, just before the X-Men arrive. Magneto massacres the men there. Xavier breaks his rule to stop Magneto, destroying the trust between the two men. Only Cameron Hodge manages to survive, but Magneto takes his anti-telepathy helmet.

Episode 11: "Enter Magneto"

Promo: With the Government closing in, the X-Men make the hard choices between being outlaws and life as they know it.

Polaris' government programming is remotely triggered. The government is coming after the Xavier School. They are mobilizing and Xavier sees it coming. The X-Men seem to have separated, but are narrowly evading capture, splitting up resources. The assault on the mansion is big and seems surprising, but in truth, Magneto is there, waiting for them. Xavier tries to stop him, but Magneto has the helmet on, and can't really be stopped. They come to arrest Erik Lensherr, and that's when he claims his name is Magneto. After the X-Men regroup and realize the government is still coming for Magneto with reinforcements, Xavier says he can't stay there. Magneto agrees, and invites any students that wish to be progressive instead of submissive to come with him. Cain Marko, Blob, Toad, Mystique, Iceman and even Cyclops agree to go with him. Polaris tries to come, but Magneto tells her not to. The government closes in on the mansion and takes everyone else into custody.

End Arc 2.
HOLIDAY BREAK

 

[DrCosmic]

So far on Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters:

Thus far, we've seen Xavier and Magneto have their famous split, even though Magneto isn't quite sure what kind of revolutionary he's going to be. Scott has become a kind of leader, just long enough to get swept up in Magneto's madness with Bobby, who has grown under Magneto's tutelage into a bit of a revolutionary himself. Alex tries to take up in his stead, but Alex is younger, rougher and more impetuous. Lorna is sweet, but too passive at times. This leaves the X-Men lost a bit. Jean has become wound even tighter with a shorter temper and more stress and while Hank has become a very storng scientist in a number of fields without Tessa he's just lost his teacher.

Episode 12: "Destiny Awaits"

Promo: The X-Men have fallen apart, and Magneto is truly lost, but will his new direction save the world, or destroy it?

Charles Xavier is being interogated by Agent Fred Duncan. MI6 agent Sean Cassidy comes in to help a bit, as this is an international incident. Xavier convinces them to let the kids go, but the whole team is on probation, so to speak. Tessa leaves the mansion at Xavier's request rather than be involved in all this.

Meanwhile, Magneto has secured an abandoned oil tanker as his transport for his small team. They make whatever home they can in the hold, a sort of miniature trailer park. He promises them a lot, a whole mutant world. Mystique asks if they can do a jailbreak for her like they did for Havok, and it's a relatively simple task to get into an old russian prison, where they find Irene Adler aka Destiny's writing. She was Mystique's pen-pal, and she has a lot of writing. She was executed the day before, and between her and Magneto, they reveal she had an extensive life before Xavier mind-wiped her. The Books of Destiny tell both the past and the future, and now Magneto has a new direction and mission.

Episode 13: "CopyCats"

Promo: Magneto follows his new books of destiny, meanwhile the X-Men recruit their most powerful member yet!

Since Magneto has started making national news, there's a copycat extremist in Australia named Pyro. He is an demonstative political arsonist, and is almost killed by the police when Mystique and Magneto save him. He introduces Pyro to the new mutancy, with new names, and a new mission, and a true Destiny.

Meanwhile, The X-Men are visited by a new potential student, Calvin Rankin, who thinks he's just the bees knees. He's corny, and he saw the X-Men in New York one time on vacation, and now he's got the same power as his hero, Cyclops. He proceeds to show off more powers, and Xavier can't help the kid much. He gets in trouble with the Sheriff and ends up fighting the whole county, basically, trying to take Jean hostage although she agrees to go along to keep tabs on him. He tries to be an X-Man, but the only solution she can find is to trick his mind into syncing up with the locals, in this case, the Sheriff herself. In the ensuing scuffle, Sheriff Cooper is critically injured, but he has no powers suddenly, and he is seemingly killed when he tries to act aggressively despite Jean's protests. Jean is devastated.

Episode 14: "Sudden Avalanche"

Promo: The X-Men and the Brotherhood are going for the same student, who will prevail?

Beast takes over training people in the Danger Room, he has Polaris help them change the terrain and then organize exercises and obstacle courses and combat games. He tries to get Alex to lead, but Alex is more of a drill sargeant than a tactician. Professor X also enlists Polaris' help in powering Cerebro, but she can only do it a short time. They do find a new potential recruit in Switzerland. Xavier, Polaris, Bobby, Warren, Jean and Havok go to get him. It turns out, the Brotherhood is there too. Xavier and Magneto have a tense stand off, meanwhile the kids try to recruit Dominic, who's not interested. Mystique flirts with him and Jean appeals to his conscience. Alex demands, but then Scott gets involved, and basically talks about Magneto's promised land. That wins him over. Jean and Alex are devastated that Scott is really on Magneto's side. The Brotherhood leaves and the X-Men are put on house arrest for leaving the country. Jean starts dating Warren. Scott starts seeing Mystique, who offers to pose as Jean whenever he needs it.

Episode 15: "Rogue Elements"

Promo: Mystique discovers her hidden past, and what Xavier has done to her.

Mystique, reading the book of Destiny discovers she has a daughter. She must go find the girl, and Magneto sends her, Cyclops, Iceman and Toad to find her. They head to Mississippi to find this rogue child, and wind up finding the whole dead boyfriend issue, and an emotional vampire on the run, not sure who she is. They chase her across the state and eventually Mystique is able to find out more about who she is through the girl, who takes her memories that are blocked off to her. Cyclops shares with her about having out of control powers, and she agrees to join the Brotherhood.

Episode 16: "Senators and Savages"

Promo: The Brotherhood seems unstoppable and the X-Men are in shambles, unfortunately for anti-mutant Senator Robert Kelly.

Robert Kelly and Graydon Creed have a closed door meeting at the Senator's house. Henry Peter Gyrich pushes his way in. They have discussions about the mutant problem, and the bill they're about to pass to deal with it. Robert Kelly is also a presidential hopeful, and is making a big speech. The Brotherhood is supposed to assassinate him, according to the Books of Destiny. Magneto believes, and thus they set up the plan.

Xavier has been tracking Magneto and concludes his plan, as he's headed to DC at this time. Xavier can occupy the government, but he'd have to stay, so he sends the students to DC to stop the brotherhood. They are then involved in an epic game of cat and mouse with the Brotherhood. Magneto asks Cyclops to take the final shot. He hesitates. That's when the Friends of Humanity stages a violent riot. Kelly is whisked to safety. The Brotherhood wrecks shop and then escapes... with Xavier's help. What Xavier doesn't know is that the Brotherhood has abducted Senator Kelly's daughter and replaced her with Mystique, so now he must work for them.

Episode 17: "The People vs Charles Xavier"

Promo: The Brotherhood have secured Senator Kelly's help, and now the X-Men are on trial.

Charles Xavier is on trial for pretty much everything you can think of. A random punk rocker type girl claiming to be a lawyer shows up, Evangline Whedon, hired by Warren Worthington. They face down prosecution by DA Jessica Walters. Endangerment of minors, violating a host of international laws. Erik is in the crowd covertly, and between getting the beneficial testimony of Senator Kelly and taking full responsibility for all the crimes, Magneto helps get Xavier off, a favor for a favor.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Brotherhood has some bonding experiences on the oil tanker, Scott gets to know them invidually while Bobby just likes the attention. He also becomes a friend to the Senator's daughter, briniging her food and stuff.

Episode 18: "Polaris Effect"

Promo: Professor X disappears and the Friends of Humanity takes full responsibility.

Charles Xavier is acquitted, with a very polarizing response. On his way out of the courthouse, the Friends of Humanity abducts him very smoothly by being his transportation and having those anti-mutant devices in place. Xavier is tortured a bit and the Friends of Humanity reveal their plan to use him to destroy the X-Men and the Brotherhood. They have other mutants captured, and Xavier tries to encourage them, to no avail. Xavier wonders how they are finding mutants.

Meanwhile, the X-Men are abandoned, and unable to find Xavier, but decide to press on anyway. They do their best to charge forward. Jean and Polaris manage to get Cerebro to work momentarily, and while they can't get Xavier, they do locate a new mutant manifestation in Chicago. With Angel, Beast and Havok get together and head to Illinois. Beast gets a bit of his old neighborhood, especially as they try to track this girl who can phase through walls and such.

Polaris manages to talk the girl down. They sort of trick her parents into letting her go with them after the Friends of Humanity attack her home, something that Polaris set up in order to help their case.

Meanwhile Mystique meets up with the Brotherhood when they find out what's happened to Xavier.

Episode 19: "Pryde and Prejudice"

Promo: Xavier is still captured by the Friends of Humanity, but both teams have a plan to deal with that.

The X-Men try to acclimate young Kitty Pryde to the school, even though it currently has no teachers. That's when the Brotherhood winds up at their door. Magneto is in the lead and insists they come together to fix things. Jean tries to confront Cyclops, but Mystique heads her off, saying he's well taken care of. With Magneto's help, Jean pinpoints where mutants keep disappearing. They embark on a breakout mission, going undercover in the Friends of Humanity's organization, finding their headquarters, an old missile silo, posing as militia and believers. They work hard to keep their cover, and wind up in difficult interpersonal situations through it. With Kitty's help, they are able to phase into the detention level and confront Xavier, the last mutant there left alive, who has discovered that Senator Kelly was giving government surveillance of mutants to the Friends of Humanity. Erik offers to execute Charles and make him a martyr. They argue over Xavier's life. When the cameras come on to execute Xavier broadcast over the internet, Magneto takes over the whole fiasco. He orders the humans lined up and executed, including the Senator's daughter, and threatens any mutants who hesitate with treason. This gets Bobby almost killed by the rest of the Brotherhood, Cyclops saves him, saying "And this is why you don't join the bad guys." He rallies the X-Men, double crosses the Brotherhood and has to choose between saving Xavier and Senator Kelly's daughter. He chooses Xavier. They escape.

Episode 20: "The Last Will and Testament of Erik Lensherr"

Promo: Magneto is out for blood, and no one can stop him, certainly not the X-Men.

Magneto takes over the Friends of Humanity's airwaves and gives his public manifesto. He renounces his human heritage and demands Mutant Superiority now. The Friends of Humanity is dismantled Rogue drains Kelly's daughter on TV. Magneto is public enemy number 1. They engage a missile strike on the silo, but the Brotherhood is already gone by then. Xavier tries to engage Magneto, reminding of his past, but it doesn't work. He does experience several flashbacks of his work abroad, including his first meeting with Charles Xavier and their early adventures.

Meanwhile the X-Men have a falling out, Bobby and Scott are on trial, so to speak, in more ways than one. Xavier isn't completely trusted, and it's all a big giant argument that ends in agreeing that Magneto has to be stopped, despite them being totally unprepared.

Episode 21: "Marko Polo"

Promo: The government's not done with the X-Men yet, but can Xavier cut a deal before it's too late?

Cain Marko has been working faithfully for Magneto and eventually makes his move, contacts Henry Peter Gyrich and lets him know how and where to find Polaris in exchange for a cash payout, which he uses to go on vacation. The government comes and triggers Polaris again to come with them, Alex agrees to go with her. They kick Agent Duncan off the case, and send Agent Sean Cassidy back home.

Meanwhile, Magneto takes over the UN and demands his own country: Genosha, a small underdeveloped island. They react by attempting to take him out with a small army. He doesn't allow that to happen, and says "Remember, I tried." Before hijacking Air Force 1 with the help of his Brotherhood, and activating the Nuclear Launch codes with Mystique's help.

Meanwhile, The X-Men cut their own deal with the government, seeing as how they have no idea what to do with Magneto or how to find him.

Episode 22: "Astonishing (Part 1)"

Promo: Magneto does the unthinkable. There's not much in terms of solutions available.

Magneto has access to America's nuclear arsenal, which will shortly eradicate most of life as we know it. Mutally assured destruction. The X-Men race to battle him, and they face off against the Brotherhood on both physical and personal levels, since they all kinda know each other. Jean and Mystique have a particularly nasty battle of minds in Mystique's catacomb of a brain. Cyclops and Rogue over the Kelly girl's death. Beast and Toad go back and forth acrobatically in a frantic battle over the nuclear football.

The big conflict is Xavier and Magneto. Xavier loses this battle with a large object to his lower back, snapping it, and Xavier passes out. Magneto reveals in his victory as the X-Men attack him in concert. He is moved by their dedication, their earnestness and refuses to kill them, and allows them to overwhelm him, but it's too late, the missiles launch into the air and before Beast can knock him out he welcomes them to the new world.

Meanwhile Henry Peter Gyrich and Senator Kelly activate Weapon X, which frees a young man who was in suspended animation in a container. He asks for a target, the answer: "The X-Men." Snikt!

Season Summary:

So we've come this far, the X-Men have grown and even taken on a solo mission. Here Magneto has clearly gone off the deep end, spurred on by the senseless heartless violence he's seen and Xavier's inaction and apparent indifference. This is a two parter obviously meant to get people excited about the next season, if the dire destruction didn't do that, surely introducing a certain Wolverine type creature would do it. We've seen the kids go through a lot of different changes, many traumatic, and it has shown. Is life as they know it over? Probably not, but they'll have to wait until next season, which will start with Magneto's defeat, but lead directly into Weapon X and the Sentinels, which should pose more than an adequate threat to the X-Men and their way of life, but that's for another time.

I'll also likely make those summaries even shorter, because there's like 10 seasons of story arcs on my computer, and I can't write multiple paragraphs for 100+ episodes. Yeesh. I should probably do new character summaries though. New characters came up while I was writing this.

 

[DeeLovesMarvel]

This is genius! I especially love the fact that Bobby and Scott joined Magneto's side originally. Also, love the fact that both humans and mutants are actually being killed, because it's realistic. Cliffhanger with Wolverine was nice too. Can't wait to read more of your ideas!

 

[Lord]

I gotta ask you? Why is it that the only black character is the one who turns into a blue beast? I know that's something that happens quite often in films

 

[DrCosmic]

Thanks guys!

lol, Lord, we definitely open up the race thing a bit more in season 2. And I did read your take earlier too.

CJ, I definitely agree that the cost of the powers is extreme, that's why most powers would be used so rarely. Angel's wings and Cyclops' blasts especially. Now, it's true a lot of the enemies' powers would be taken down a notch. The Sentinels would be the human-ish sized Zero Tolerance ones created with the same kind of budget as Dr. Who's Cybermen. The Dark Phoenix would be something that happens primarily on the Astral plane where lower quality CGI can be covered a bit easier. Things like that... taking ways around it as best you can while still keeping the main part of the story intact.

 

[DrCosmic]

Missing Season 1 Supporting Character Sketches

Here are a few characters that grew as the series was developing: (Background and Powers/Character

Mackenzie Kelly

Background and Powers

Senator Kelly's daughter is a dramatically normal girly girl. She is priviledged and unaware of it, but she is teachable, and responds to kidness with kidness. She is totally human.

Character Notes

Mackenzie is terrified of most of the brotherhood, but Scott befriends her. Her vulnerability comes through very loud, which is why when he chooses Xavier over her it's heartbreaking and when we see the life drained from her before our very eyes, it's even more heartbreaking. Fortunately, this means she's locked in Rogue's brain somewhere, so we'll see her cameo again. Naturally though, her death serves as a major catalyst for Senator Kelly in season 2.

Sharon Kelly

Background and Powers

Robert Kelly's wife is a typical high society socialite. She is largely unremarkable.

Character Notes

Sharon Kelly appears only a couple times in the first season She gives voice to the most virulent and vile things the common people believe about mutants. She seems nice enough, but not enough

Agent Fred Duncan

Background and Powers

A highly trained and decorated human CIA Agent, Duncan is thinking a cushy desk job and early retirement when he's sent to deal with this mutant school. He finds some care for the kids, but is furious with Xavier and Magneto. He's the voice of the government, with constant threats from them for Xavier and his crew.

Character Notes

More of a cantankerous old badarse than anything. He may have a moment to shine when reacting to an attack, he can be Phil Coulson-like in that way, but mostly he's there to keep things in check, even when he lacks the physical power to do so. He, despite his mannerisms, should have a bit of a calming presence.

Tessa

Background and Powers

Tessa is almost entirely a mystery, she appears to have been rescued from obscurity by Xavier at an early age and given various assignments over time. Their relationship has proven to be more and more complex as time goes on. Her working with the school appears to be a favor. Her living computer mind and remote hacking abilities flare as a little digital signature in her eyes, not unlike the face signals on Almost Human.

Character Notes

As a taciturn intensely attractive teacher, Tessa is a bit fanservicey at times. Her calm cold demeanor makes her impossible to read, and extremly mysterious. There is a big moment where she gives the slightest of smiles, but this is before she disappears from the series altogether. She will return again during the Hellfire Club escapades.

Cain Marko

Background and Powers

Still Xavier's half brother in this continuity. Their dueling wills from Papa Xavier put the mansion in jeopardy, which is why he's there in the first place. He is tricked by Xavier into caring for the grounds which he has inheirited while Xavier keeps the mansion, which he has inheirited. Cain Marko is resentful, but he seems harmless, until he isn't.

Character Notes

Cain Marko, like many other Season 1 characters, will return. While the show doesn't quite touch on anything that might be considered magic yet, he won't be a mutant powerhouse like in Ultimate X-Men. Besides, the TV budget can't quite handle a big hulking brute like Juggernaut at the moment.

Alex Summers, Havok

Background and Powers

Scott's brother also appears in this series. They were separated at a young age into different foster homes and simply lost touch due to the foster agencies involved. Eventually he was discovered by Xavier and Magneto and passed off to Moria McTaggert, who recruited him to her training center. His ability is to fire blasts of energy from his whole body. This amounts to an intense flash of light with the focal point being his torso. The results are often melted metal and destruction all around him. This is why he cannot use it often because it will hurt those near him. He's a bit of a walking bomb in that way.

Character Notes

Alex is a leader like his brother, but has no skill. He's younger, and so he's got no discipline or sensitivity or context. He just charges in and barks orders, which highlights just what makes Scott the great leader he is. Alex tends to be angry too, so that bridled anger should show through.

Lorna Dane, Polaris

Background and Powers

Alex's girlfriend Lorna is also a little younger, which is why she catches Bobby's attention. She lived a very normal life and was fortunate enough to cross paths with Alex. She shared her powers and he shared his and they've been together ever since, that is, until she used her powers in public and got picked up by the government. She spent years.

Her powers are just like Magneto's, only on a smaller scale. No real challenges there.

Character Notes

Lorna is a sweetheart, naive and really nice to the people around her. She gets a bit of a complex from the government, which is what Magneto helps her cope with. This puts a break in her relationship with Alex, and she often entertains Bobby's company as a result. Her attempts at healing don't meet with much success as her brainwashing is revealed by a government triggerword, making her a dangerous mole for them.

Amando Munoz, Darwin

Background and Powers

A curious looking mutant who embodies the strong silent type. He, like the other Deadly Genesis characters is a minor character. We see his hyperadaptation ability in action when he manifests gills for a flooded part of Muir Island, immunity to telepathy and eventually teleportation to get the heck out of there.

Character Notes

Amando is the strong silent type. Still clearly a teenage boy as we find him playing video games, but he seems to be working towards something no one else knows.

Christy Nord, Petra

Background and Powers

Petra has earth manipulation powers which are largely useless in the metal facility, and she's not very good at them anyway, but when possesed, she causes an earthquake. She was a runaway discovered by Moira McTaggert and brought to the island.

Character Notes

Also a minor character. She may recur, as we are using the Maverick's daughter version of her. She is a loud, flighty party girl type.

Suzanne Chan, Sway

Background and Powers

A time slowing character, her powers take a lot out of her, so she doesn't use them too often, but when she does, she causes major damage to her targets. She was orphaned by a crime boss, but Moira McTaggert found her bringing the killers to justice.

Character Notes

Also a minor character, a smart alec sarcastic type.

David Haller-Xavier, Legion

Background and Powers

Xavier's son is a powerful telepath with a Legion of voices in his head. He's been kept in suspended animation on Muir Island after he went crazy and Xavier had to take him down. Unfortunately, he gets out, and he has to get taken down again by Xavier's students.

Character Notes

Legion is a lot of people, and while he's got a main voice, he speaks as many. He's really a demonic monster that just happens to have been born a person. He's irredeemable, and the characters have to face up to that. The whole ordeal is a halloween episode, really.

Telford Porter, The Vanisher

Background and Powers

"The Vanisher" is a teleporter, with a 4D 'fade out fade in' effect. He has to move to teleport, and he moves a lot. He manifests all of a sudden and there's nothing he can really do about it but keep running.

Character Notes

He's kind of a country bumpkin, tripping off of his power as much as he's terrified by it.

Angelo Unscione, Unus the Untouchable

Background and Powers

A really rough fighter, made his way out of nothing, and fears no man. His power making him untouchable basically gives him an invisible forcefield with a sound effect of someone hitting it. We zoom in for the first few hits so we can see it happening, but after that, we stay zoomed out to see the people whiff with the sound effect. Knowing he was invincible made him cut deals with the mob, and when the X-Men get in the way, he tries to send them up the river too.

Character Notes

Rugged, tatooed, very sharp and street-ready. Just looking at him you don't want to fight this guy, to say nothing of seeing his mutant power in action. Should be darkly handsome and a complete magnificent bastard. Since he runs the underground in New York now we'll see him again.

Dominic Petros, Avalanche

Background and Powers

Another young mutant manifest. Dominic has grown up largely normal. He's relatively athletic, trying to find his place in the world in college. His power does show as rippling vibrations, the screen vibrating and things coming apart and moving.

Character Notes

This is a real laid back guy. He's not the average angry yelling supervillain. He's actually kinda cool, he just doesn't care about much. He does a lot of shrugging, eye rolling, a few smart aleck barbs. He's actually somewhat genre savvy. A fun character that usually sinks into the background of the Brotherhood.

Marie D'ancanto, Rogue

Background and Powers

Rogue drains people of their energy. This manifests in both her eyes and their eyes turning black, and when things get really bad the screen gets blurry and black veins go through their body/face. Then she just uses whatever power effects they have/had. She was aparently in foster care a lot as well, including with Raven Darkholme and Irene Adler at one point as a very young girl for several years until they disappeared. Eventually she ended up in Caldecott County with her current fosters who couldn't understand her and freaked when she accidentally killed her boyfriend.

Character Notes

Rogue is a complex character. Here she's very docile and subdued and confused, much like the movie version. She gets her 'sugah' personality later, closer to when Gambit shows up.

Evangeline Whedon

Background and Powers

Whedon's powers don't get shown here. She explains that she turns into a giant dragon and it seems like a bit of a joke to Beast, but she's not laughing. She appears to be, like him, freakishly intelligent, and since Warren knew about a mutant genius in law, he hired her, so she's there for Xavier's trial.

Character Notes

'Vange' is the epitome of nonplussed. She's brilliant, but she just looks so utterly bored with everything. She looks at everyone like they're an idiot, except Hank sometimes. Very hipster-ish, with a dash of neo gothic.

Remy Lebeau

Background and Powers

Remy's background here is totally unclear. He seems to be part of some sort of guild and trying to pass an initiation which involves him being a Las Vegas street performer. He doesn't show his powers here, though there is some creative card throwing.

Character Notes

This character is important to cast because they most certainly will be showing up later. He's the epitome of rogueishness as he shuffles cards and phrases.

Katherine Pryde, Shadowcat

Background and Powers

This little girl had a normal life until today. Now she's got to face a whole new world of mutancy. Her ability to phase is easy to produce. She just goes through walls. Easy peasy.

Character Notes

Kitty is a little girl, no more than 12 years old. She is totally innocent and completely in shock and awe of everything. She looks up to the others, but is largely scared of them, and confused by everything. It's actually tragic that she's been dragged into this.

 

[DrCosmic]

XIGY Season 2 Overview



Season 2's Immense Cast

After the events of Season 1 the main cast is changing significantly. New students arrive, old ones are leaving, one way or another. All that world building has created a world where know who most of those fifty mutants we saw at the beginning of the series are. More world building is to come. Each week seems to include a new cameo by a mutant that's well known in the comics.

Staying are Xavier, Scott, Jean, Hank and Bobby those are the big five now. Filling out the main cast are Storm, Wolverine, Mystique and Robert Kelly, now elevated to main cast.

There are a bevy of new mutants to introduce, especially Nightcrawler, Colossus, Magik, John Proudstar, Mirage, Sabertooth, Psylocke, Deadpool, John "Kestrel" Wraith and new government characters like Sebastian "Bastion" Gilberti, Silver Fox, and there's even a need for Alpha Flight: Guardian, Northstar, Puck, Shaman and Snowbird. While these characters may not be in the main cast, they will be very important in shorter arcs, and remain as background players of varied imporance.

There are also a bevy of supporting cast to service including Candy Southern and Valerie Cooper, the Brotherhood which includes Toad, Mystique, Blob, Avalanche, and Rogue, and Angel whose story takes a tragic turn after the first episode, and Shadowcat is there at the mansion. Alex and Lorna are still out there somewhere too. So is Gambit, come to think of it. To say nothing of villains like Unus the Untouchable and Cameron Hodge.

Juggling this cast is an obscene task. Many will be disappointed that their favorite character didn't make the 'cut' to be a featured character again. The goal is to make their appearances, however brief, so great, that people will feel well served when they do show up.

Season 2 Story and Budget

The story has put the Government front and center in dealing with the mutant problem. They have very aggressive answers, some are old, like Weapon X, and some are new, like The Sentinels. Either way, it's Zero Tolerance for the mutants, no matter whose side they say they're on.

The budget won't be any greater though. Powers will still be dangerous, especially Cyclops'. Even the Sentinels, for all their purple metallic bluster, will be human sized, like Dr. Who's Cybermen.

Arc 1: Weapon X Strikes - Here we see what the government has up its sleeve.
Arc 2: Project Wideawake - Things get worse and the Sentinel Program comes online.
Arc 3: Operation Zero Tolerance - Extinction is a legitimate threat, lines of allegiance are redrawn
Arc 4: The Power of Master Mold - Here the Sentinel-making machine goes out of control.

Cast:

Charles Xavier, Professor X

Season 2 Updates

Charles Xavier is newly crippled, unable to walk, and forced to adjust to some new lifestyle. This adjustment is the bulk of his arc in Season 2, how to restructure his life now that he can't do all that he used to. His growing reliance on his powers, and on his students becomes a huge issue for him.

Most notably, his relationships begin to change. His resentment and hatred for Magneto is unbridled, and he often confides in Scott the way he did in Erik not too long ago. This deepns his relationship with Scott, but because Scott doesn't often push back, Xavier is not tested like he used to be. As Xavier realizes this, he must find new ways to push himself and test his ideas.

Scott Summers, Cyclops

Season 2 Updates

For Scott, Robert Kelly is a very personal foe. Scott was the one who didn't save his daughter, Scott is the one who chose not to assassinate him. When Xavier leans on Scott's leadership more, sending him in the field alone, he feels immense pressure. It begins to change him, to make him inhuman and bottled up, closed off. He separates from others more and more, mirroring Xavier as he tries to balance his responsibility with feeling the consequences of his decisions. He slowly turns into that really closed off leader Cyclops.

Scott begins his relationship with Jean Grey in earnest here, she's been through a lot herself, and her gift makes her on the one person who really understands him, and doesn't fear his power.

Jean Grey, Marvel Girl

Season 2 Updates

Jean Grey is the emotional center of the team here. She expresses what everyone's feeling, sometimes literally, sometimes more metaphorically, but she is by far the most expressive. Her wanton mind scanning is well known, and sometimes played for comedy. It's darkly funny when she abuses it. She is very convenient with Xavier's use of the three laws of telepathy. The fact that she's so emphatic and well meaning makes it difficult to hold her accountable. How far she's willing to take that is taken to extremes as she and her friends go up against the government.

She ends up actually facing Scott's emotions and reciprocating when she realizes how badly he needs her. She's satisfied that someone cares about her and has her back like she tries to have everyone else's. Jean Grey, despite her emotional potency is still the most disciplined member of the team, even compared to Scott, though they often go back and forth about who is the most orderly.

Hank McCoy, The Beast

Season 2 Updates

Hank has become a one man science division. He gets good with what he does, as a CSI and geneticist and even a bit of a physician, with help from Jean. He's still the cool guy and generally the only truly sane one in the group, which we are often reminded of as he facetiously or sarcastically remarks on the nature of what they are doing. He is the most savvy one, to the point of being genre savvy at times.

His power is used less and less actually as his style changes. Every once and a while though, someone attempts to meet him hand to hand, at which point he makes embarassingly short work of them with his incredible strength and agility.

Over season 2 Beast becomes more of an anchor, and more importantly, gets his trademark blue look. He shares some chemistry with Mystique and with Storm, but his transformation is what gets the most of him, trying to control the beast that he creates in a more Dr. Jekyl fashion.

Bobby Drake, Iceman

Season 2 Updates

Drake has changed after his time with the Brotherhood. He understands what real anger is, what real violence is, and he's not too enamoured with it. He makes jokes to sort of cover what he's seen. He's actually a lot more mature now, but it doesn't show in how he acts too often.

His powers have developed into a reliable ice armor, which isn't quite like his ice form, but homages it quite nicely. This prosthetic translucent bit gives Bobby additional protection. He does not have his traditional ice slides, but we see him slide across the ground quickly, often and easily.

Bobby ends up dating Candace and helping with the little kids, but eventually, his concern for Lorna gets the best of him and he leaves the mansion, leaving the main cast, and bumping someone else, like Nightcrawler, up to the main cast.

New Main Cast:
Disclaimer: Remember, these are not the ideal actors, just general casting direction

Logan, The Wolverine

Background

Logan was born James Howlett many many years ago. He has been on the run since he discovered his incredible mutation, and he's been involved in a number of conflicts, all of which are lost to him. When he first lost his memory he took the name Logan and began working in black ops with people like now public Alpha Flight and the now defunct Weapon Plus Now, as Weapon X, he's nothing more than a living weapon, trying to figure out who or what he is or was. There are multiple levels and twists to his memories.

Development

Wolverine starts out as nothing more than a killer with his sights set on the X-Men. As the series progresses, he has flashbacks as his programming starts breaking down thanks to Xavier and Jean Grey's help and work in their conflicts. As his conflicts with X-Men go from bad to worse, he is continually assaulted with memories, some good from his time as James Howlett, some bad from his time as Logan, and many ugly from his time as Weapon X. Over the course of the series he reverts more and more to the Logan persona, the cigar smoking 'bub' calling renegade we all know and love.

The Logan persona, which Jean gets to see the most of, eventually is revealed to be another construct, not the original James Howlett, something that seems completely lost. In the war against his beastial berseker Weapon X form, Logan has a very Hulk-like effect, where angering him can trigger him easily and he destroys everything in his path.

Powers

Wolverine's powers are extremely easy to make happen as they largely consist of claws and occasionally digitally inserted wounds disappearing digitally. Here, as Weapon X, his claws are definitely Adamantium, and not to be messed with, as they trump everything they come across relentlessly, adding to the character's umph.

Relationships

Logan's primary relationships are with Xavier and Jean Grey. They are the ones who get through to him. They are the ones who make contact with Logan in his mind and help to coax him back out. Jean Grey has an attraction to him, but for most of the season, Wolverine is an animal, and their attraction is only hinted at.

Summary

This Logan is younger than the previous incarnations. He's meant to look vaguely college age. He is a monster, an animal, a machine. He is a remorseless killer... until he isn't. This journey takes the beloved softer character from the films and turns him into something truly dangerous again.

Ororo Munroe, Storm

Background

Storm has an immense background fully of unbelievable turns. First she was the child of adventurers, then she was orphaned in a war, then she was betrothed to an African prince, then she became a thief in Cairo, then she battled Shadow King, then she became a goddess in the Savannah. All by the age of seventeen. Her incredible experience makes her an old soul of the finest caliber. She is peaceful, but very sure of herself with very strict boundaries. She carries herself with an air of royalty, but speaks comfortably with slang about current events. She seems comfortable anywhere.

Amongst her peers, Ororo is a big sister like figure, she cares for others and for the school grounds in a very personal way, unlike Cain Marko did. Her soft African accent, bare feet and small simple smile make her an incredible benefit to the mansion. At the same time, she is very experienced in life, an old soul, kind of like a mischievous older sister, who is aware of the effect she has and knows how to twist it for fun. In addition to the fun side that she hides, she also hides

Development

Ororo appears, at first glance, to be a very typical hippie nature girl. Her stories, seem fanciful at first, almost as though they were imagined on some drug addled trip. She continues to be right though. Her times of seeming obliviousness and aloofness are actually brilliantly wise maneuvering. Over time, she becomes a trusted source of wisdom for the team, and everyone goes to her for her crazy advice and her stories of African princes, stealing from telepaths, and ruling over people as a goddess.

When she is tested, angered, and pushed to the limit, we see that Storm truly is a force of nature, not just with her powers, but her abilities to fight and thieve and resist psionics and command the attention and loyalty of people around her is peerless.

Powers

Storm's powers are relatively limited on the show. She maintains her disposition because if her disposition is upset too much the entire area, clouds and all become dreadful. She has mastered some some small abilities, such as electricity and changing the weather on a wide scale. As the series progresses, she learns to create fog to obscure vision. These things take a great deal of energy out of her when focused intently, so they are rare. As she grows in use of her powers, she is able to electrocute people with a touch and then later at a distance.

Relationships

Ororo's primary relationships are with Beast, Jean and Kitty. She mentors the young girl as a mother would, and Kitty becomes her roommate. While they do not like each other at first, Ororo and Jean quickly come to have a bonding experience. Beast and Storm seem to have a romantic connection, but Storm realizes the man doesn't accept himself, not fully. This drives a wedge between them, which dissolves their bold slowly. She also maintains a professional friendship with Scott.

Summary

Storm, along with Cyclops becomes a new anchor point in the house, as Xavier and Beast become more and more unravelled. Storm is a beautiful immensely quotable character, full of gentle awesomeness and dark secrets. She presents a bit of hope into the mansion when it's much needed.

Raven Darkholme, Mystique

Background

A British Emigree, and a contemporary of Magneto and Xavier, Mystique was a daring mutant assassin with families she cared for and a lover, Destiny, and a host of marks and contacts and resources. She ended up working with some governments that wanted Xavier dead, and not concerned with the man's life or dreams, she intended to follow through. Sent to assassinate her former ally, Mystique was caught and Xavier, instead of killing her or just wiping out her orders, he wiped out her entire life, reverting her to the mind of a child. Lost and confused, her body naturally shapeshifted to meet her current mindstate and she entered into adolescence again, making it by on her shapeshifting skills. Now that she's been enlightened to this life lost to her, she hates Xavier, and with Magneto gone, it's up to her to lead the Brotherhood, something she does with passion and vigor.

Development

Previously, a lost emotionally tumultuous girl, Mystique is now filled with rage at nearly everyone and every thing. She's lost it all, and she intends to take retribution from any and everything that moves. While she may not work directly with the brotherhood, she moves in powerful circles and refuses to take no for an answer. From this rage filled place, Mystique grows to appreciate her new life, that she is a leader that people look up to, that she does have friends and relationships that she values as Young Mystique, and whle she may not have Destiny any more, she has Destiny's writings that reassure her of her place and destiny, for lack of a better word. It is in this place that she learns to overcome her hatred for the X-Men and focus it on the true culprit: Charles Xavier.

Powers

Mystique's shapeshifting is a smoother process now, a cascade of effects washing over her with a blueish filter. Often it happens off camera with a flipping meshing sound as things move around. Sometimes we'll see a shadow shapeshift and then the new form will come around the corner. Creative things like that. We will learn that her powers are developed enough to give her some superhuman feats, and that, like first Class, her powers are part of what makes Beast blue.

Relationships

Mystique's primary relationships are with Xavier, whom she hates and has personal enmity with, Beast, whom she comes to regard as a friend, and Rogue, whom she feels is her responsibility. She also has a continued interest with Robert Kelly, after having spent several months as his daughter.

Summary

Mystique is growing into the femme fatale we know her from comics. She even gets to don the white dress with the skulls here as opposed to the naked blueness of the comics. She emerges as a leader, and incredible socializer who knows how to play people against each other. She becomes the real wild card.

President Robert Kelly

Background

Robert Kelly has had a prodigious political career. His staunch conservative slant has put him on the side of preserving the status quo. His legacy of campaigning against mutant rights goes before him, mostly from a pragmatic position after dealing with constituents who have had to deal with devastating mutant situations. However, after his daughter is killed on national television, he becomes a man driven, with unflinching drive.

Development

Robert Kelly quickly becomes the president. After his daughter is murdered on TV, his sympathy is unparalleled. He learns that the world is not as simple as he thought it was, that the lines are not clearly drawn. He is the first to get a glimpse at the Hellfire Club. Their representative visits him occasionally throughout the season. Kelly's cabinet and resources are vast, and he is just beginning to understand them.

Most dangerously, he develops an accurate and detailed description about how the escalation in mutantcy will result in the end of the world. "You can't have kids with the power of nukes behind their eyeballs."

Powers

Well, no superhuman abilities, but strictly speaking, America is a superpowers. He has access to Weapon X and the Weapon Plus Program, he has access to X-Factor, he has access to Sentinels and can authorize Operation Zero tolerance. Seal Team Six is on call, and cutting edge technologies for deployment.

Relationships

Robert Kelly's primary relationships are with his co-conspirators, Henry Peter Gyrich, Bolivar Trask,new appointee Valerie Cooper, Sebatian Gilberti, and Cameron Hodge. He has a special antagonism with Scott Summers, whom he comes to understand made the call not to save his daughter, as mentioned above, and of course, regards Xavier as the poster child for mutancy and all its ills. Their discussion is epic, and Kelly seems to win out on that argument.

Summary

Robert Kelly is the big bad this season, but he's incredibly sympathetic, and driven by the pack of truly evil men who supposedly work for him. By the end, he has a decision to make about what kind of person he will be, and more importantly how his country will deal with mutants int he future, and that decision has repercussions throughout the series.

Next: Season 2 Supporting Characters

 

[DrCosmic]

Season Two Recurring and Guest Stars:

Kurt Wagner, Nightcrawler

Background

A true freak, raised in the circus. He learned all manner of acrobatics and was especially gifted to do so. The other less freaky circus freaks raised him as a village, he was one of the family. He didn't really understand that he was truly different, until he began to teleport as a young teen. This ability took him outside of the circus grounds and into the streets where he was regarded as an animal, a creature, a demon. He found solace in a local church which in turn

Closer to Bobby's age, Nightcrawler is meant to appear adorable at first, he becomes quite a dangerous character.

Development

Kurt enters the mansion as a shadowy figure. He hides in corners, not sure that he'll be expected, so he does seem very scary, very monstrous. He isn't seen much, he just teleports, sometimes showing up to take food. He does make a smell which makes him hard to connect with.

When the others do start to connect with him, he starts to feel comfortable again, like he did back in the circus, this is when they discover he is a hilarious and affable jokester, more light hearted than Bobby though the two young men do joke back and forth whenever they're together.

This interaction functions as a passing of the torch in a way.

Powers

Nighcrawler's power is difficult because of the BAMFs, and his skin requires extensive makeup. This will not be the incredibly textured stuff of the films, but more the blue skin you might see on Star Trek or Buffy/Angel. The BAMFs however will suck without being a flash of light like typical TV teleportation. This is why he'll spend a lot of time in the shadows. Still, it is possible to do the inky black splotches as opposed to the white flashes of light, provided they are quick and not too detailed. The swiftness will cover the lack of detail there.

Nightcrawler's tail would be puppeteered, usually for comic effect.

Relationships

Nightcrawler's primary relationships will be with Jean, Storm, Wolverine, Beast and Mystique. His family heritage will be hinted at, including his original intended comic origin where he is the biological child of man-shifted Mystique and Destiny. Beast will want to help him once he's out in the open and Jean and Storm will actually reach out to him while he's in the shadows. Once he's out in the field, he's the one who identifies most personally with Wolverine. He's not afraid of the guy, and he knows what it's like to be an outcast, and he is convinced, correctly, that Wolverine feels like an outcast, so they connect in that way.

Summary

Nightcrawler is a unique loveable character, adorable in his own way, but incredibly dangerous due to his power making him largely untouchable. If the teleportation can be done cheaply and effectively, he'll be much like he was in the opening of X-Men 2. If not, he'll be more of a shadow character.

Marie D'Ancanto, Rogue

Background and Powers

This is a new teenaged girl who is loyal to Mystique, but questions her motives. We've seen her background and origin in season 1, in Season 2, she continues as Mystique's sidekick. Rogue here works as Mystique's sidekick. She fulfills the role for Mystique that Mystqieu used to fill for Magneto.

Rogue's power is to take others' powers. The drain effect is the simple black veins on the face, and Rogue's eyes going black, something done easily enough. There is an added effect of hearing people in her mind, that she's able to go into the mental zone in her own mind.

Character Notes

Rogue begins to question Mystique, and this comes with her absorbing energies from others, having conversations in her own mind. This becomes an

Piotr Rasputin, Colossus

Background and Powers

Piotr is a good natured country boy... he's just a Russian version. He loves his sister dearly, he paints, he says Russian phrases and seems to be fearless, and for good reason, he's never run up against something his mutant power can't handle.
His powers is achieved through prosthetic arms and facepaint and of course breakaway objects that look very heavy.

Character Notes

Colossus is a great supporting character. He gets a bit more to do than he did in X-Men 3 certainly, but he's not a main character here. He gets his focus episode and he brings a lightness to the mansion and anchors the team. He's a rock, a static point.

Illyana Rasputin, Magik

Background and Powers

In contrast with her brother, Illyana is young and a bit dark. She's also familiar with country living but she does so quietly with a submission. The team finds out that she's been dealing in magic forces over time, that this is her mutant power.

Character Notes

If possible, this might be a great place to guest star Dr. Strange. She's one of 'the kids' in the mansion, largley background characters in a more traditional school setting. She's setting up the New Mutants, but largely she plays a peripheral support role.

John Proudstar, Thunderbird

Background and Powers

Like Colossus, this is a big strong guy that comes in with a little sister in tow. The two bruisers make a one-two combo, and are from rural remote areas.

Character Notes

Proudstar is going to die to up the tension. That will be a problem.

Danielle Moonstar, Mirage

Background and Powers

From a different tribe than Proudstar, she has a small conflict with the older boy, her being from an actual reservation and him having no real connection to his roots. They do strike up a friendship of sorts though.

She has the ability to create small simple illusions. They are translucent at first, but in time she learns to make them solid.

Character Notes

She's another one of 'the kids.' She is a typical fun loving naive girl, though she has some fish out of water moments with certain things. When she loses Thunderbird, she ends up being adopted by Colossus after Illyana moves away.

Victor Creed, Sabertooth

Background and Powers

This was another Weapon Plus project, with a strong connection to Logan. He becomes a recurring part of Logan's nightmare. He's been a trained mercenary for years, and has history with Mystique, turning out to be

Character Notes

Betsy Braddock

Background and Powers

Totally British, punk rocker with purple hair, a great telepath, becomes a potential friend for Jean Grey until she dies.

Sebastian Gilberti, Bastion

Background and Powers

In truth, he is from the future, but this gets revealed much later on. For the time being, he is a very ambitious young Italian businessman, who has cornered the market on Anti-mutant tech and is the contractor of choice for Operation Zero Tolerance, a cause he really believes in.

He does not seem to have any powers, but there are indications that his biology is not quite correct.

Character Notes

Bastion can be a bit flamboyant, but even if his robotic identity is never directly revealed, it's clear he has a cold and deadly style of killing. He understands the robots, that's why he's such a great designer and leader for them.

Weapon Plus: Deadpool, Kestrel, Silver Fox, Agent Zero

Background and Powers

The Weapon Plus team consists of Sabertooth with Wade Wilson, John Wraith, Silver Fox and Kristoff Nord. They with their code names are listed above. Deadpool and Agent Zero as the point men and comic relief due, Kestrel as the transportation and leader, Silver Fox as the infiltration specialist and Sabertooth and formerly Wolverine as the clean up crew.

Their abilities are largely skill based with gunplay and such. There are a couple healing powers.

Character Notes

This crew has a playfully antagonistic relationship with Logan. They feel he's the traitor that Sabertooth actually turns out to be. They find Weapon X to be a fitting punishment.

Alpha Flight: Guardian, Puck, Shaman, Northstar, Snowbird

Background and Powers

This group previously worked with Logan, and make a cameo appearance in his mind in a simulation or memory that Xavier and Jean tap into.

Character Notes

This is a low level superteam that doesn't get mentioned much.

Updates:

Havok and Polaris

Now with the government, they are part of the X-Force program. They train, a lot, Henry Peter Gyrich has them as his personal project, but Valerie Cooper has other things to say about that.

Gambit

Gambit has another strong cameo here, where the players run into him, after he's moved up in the world. It's revealed that he has a friendship with Storm already though. Thick as theives, some would say.

Henry Peter Gyrich

Now the head of National Security, Gyrich is the merchant of mutancy, and has tons of secrets everywhere. He's still the guy you love to hate, though he takes it to the next level, and we see just how dispassionate he is. He loses big at the end of the season, but does keep his life.

The Brotherhood (Toad, Blob, Avalanche)

The Brotherhood has gone into hiding. They report to Mystique and cameo as a group, with their own focus episode. They are a unique bunch, but clearly a shadow of what they were under Magneto.

Cameos:

Dr. Strange
Illyana needs someone to take her under his wing. A nice cameo here, and the indication or acknowledgement that he and Xavier have contacted each other before could be awesome.

Avengers
Beast is on his way out this season, he's going to, if at all possible, move up to the Avengers.

Agents of SHIELD
If by some radical event both shows are on at the same time, there should be some sort of crossover episode, where both work on the same case about a dangerous emerging mutant.

Other MCU films
Mutants will get a passing mention in whatever current MCU films are out there. Nothing more. Usually by a supporting character, and will be largely regarded by the superhero community as a bunch of out of control kids, which is exactly what they are.

Note: I have made some edits to the series Bible. Cyclops is now the one being racelifted, and I've removed some conflicting character sketches from Season 1's supporting characters. Most importantly, I've changed the ending of Season 1, so that Magneto is defeated there.

Next: Season 2 Episode Guide!

 

[DrCosmic]

SEASON 2 Episode Guide

Episode 2.01 - Astonishing Part 2

Promo/Synopsis: The X-Men try to prevent the fallout from Magneto's attack.

With Magneto and Xavier down, the X-Men have to scramble to try and put the genie back in the bottle, before the world ends in a nuclear winter. Things go from bad to worse when a number of countries succumb to mutally assured destruction, as Magneto predicted they would, based on his Books of Destiny. With the world minutes from ending, the X-Men come up with a plan that involves Xavier taking over Magneto's mind and boosting Magneto's power to stop all the missiles magnetically. They manage to rouse the injured distressed now crippled Xavier. He protests lightly, unlocking Magneto's self-made mental blocks and is able to boost his abilities and repel everything above a certain altitude from the planet. Magneto gloats, proud that now 'the most powerful weapons in the planet are all in this room.' Bobby KOs the restrained Magneto.

But missiles that were below the flight ceiling are still in play. The X-Men, the Avengers and various missile defense agencies work to stop other missiles from getting through. There's one nearby, so the X-Men dismantle the bomb heading to New York mid flight thanks to Beast's know how, Jean's TK, Angel's flight, Iceman's freezing and Cyclops' blasts. As they regroup in a nearby clearing, a clawed attacker cuts off Angel's wings and stands over him triumphantly, ready to attack the others. Weapon X has tracked his quarry. Meanwhile, Xavier turns Magneto over to the authorities, such as they are. They keep Magneto sedated until they can find a prison that could hold him.

Episode 2.02 - Logan's Run

Promo/Synopsis: The X-Men try to survive an encounter with Weapon X

Faced with a deadly mysterious attacker who doesn't dignify their words with response, the X-Men attack Weapon X, who responds only with deadly precision and accuracy. Deflecting, dodging and simply pushing through their attacks gives him a movie monster feel. Closing in on them, Jean is about o be gutted, but skin to skin contact gives Weapon X a strange flashback, Cyclops knocks him off of her and calls a retreat, which Iceman's ice enables. Meanwhile, Xavier is taken into custody in the hospital and receives his first wheelchair. Valerie Cooper comes to pick him up, and Xavier babbles on about how he should have seen this coming. How could he not have?

Back in upstate New York, the X-Men flee through the woods, but they get separated, since Angel is badly wounded and Beast is injured. One by one Weapon X takes them down and critically injures them. He out hunts and outfights Hank. He cuts through Iceman's ice fortress easily, he breaks down Cyclops ruthlessly but when he tries to take down Jean, she manages to get into his head, and meet this guy named Logan, bub, who's locked away somewhere in there. He seem to associate Jean with someone else, calling her Rose. In their conversation, Logan begins to tell her about the Weapon Plus program, but loses control of Weapon X, who goes for a killing blow on Iceman. Jean reaches out, using her telpathy at range for the first time, halting Weapon X for a moment. The confusion allows Cyclops to 'kill' Weapon X, taking him down to almost skeleton and the X-Men to make it back to the jet.

Episode 2.03 - Calm Before the Storm

Promo/Synopsis: In Kenya, the people take a very different view of a mutant girl named Ororo

At the mansion, the X-Men have been licking their wounds, reacting to all the carnage that's taken place, especially since Beast and Kitty are from Chicago. Meanwhile, Xavier takes Cyclops with him on a trip, to get away from all these things, hoping to find the mutant they know is in mid-Africa. Xavier is having trouble adjusting to his wheelchair and Cyclops attempts to assist him, but Xavier is too proud. Cyclops then tries to fill the role that Magneto did, as a confidant and partner, but Xavier will not let him. Heading out to the Savannah, they meet a girl who is pretty much naked and being worshipped as the prophecied goddess who brings the rain over all the earth. For all her power, she cannot seem to find or stop the poachers from coming to her people's lands. She scares some off, more come. Xavier says he will help if she comes back with them.

They find some jerk poacher guys who are 'just doing thei jobs' and convince them that this particular region is not profitable. Scott begins to take on the boyscout persona in reaction to Xavier not treating him as an equal. His yes sir seems sarcastic at first. Storm comes with them, puts on some clothes. Meanwhile, Robert Kelly wins the Presidential election on an Anti-mutant platform. Angel, feeling as though he no longer has a purpose or knows who he is without his wings, leaves the mansion to return to his penthouse and his life in New York City.

Episode 2.04 - Wade in the Deadpool

Promo/Synopsis: Weapon X gets backup as the X-Men get back to action.

Henry emerges from the lab with a revolutionary radiation fallout cleaning mechanism, he wants to restore his hometown somehow, and says he's heading to Chicago. Xavier is too depressed to go but gives Henry his blessing. Storm accompanies Beast, Iceman and Shadowcat to Chicago to try and help with the recovery, but are met with resistance both from local law enforcement and civilians when they find out they're mutants. Beast first encounters Trask who sort of frowns on his meager contribution. Storm unofficially adopts Kitty.

At the mansion, Weapon Plus quickly overwhelms Jean, Scott, Xavier and Candy, but want all the X-Men there at once to finish the job, so they hang out at the X-Mansion while holding hostages. Deadpool, is eccentric, Agent Zero is professional, Kestrel is away, Silver Fox is kind, Weapon X is zombie-like, Sabertooth is just scary and all of them have some resistance to telepathy. Sabertooth is about to kill Cyclops when Jean begs "Logan" to stop him. This gets everyone's attention and Xavier gets into Weapon X's mind and talks to Logan as well. They come to an understanding about how Logan was brainwashed, betrayed by someone on his team.

With Logan's help, they outsmart Weapon Plus' hostage situation. Before Sabertooth can get to the bottom of it, Jean and Xavier set Weapon X on 'berserker' mode, and he unleashes indiscriminate fury just after they get out of sight. It takes all of Weapon Plus to subdue him and Kestrel calls off the op. Jean and Cyclops have a heart to heart about how they feel when the other almost dies.

Episode 2.05 - BAMF

Promo/Synposis:

Xavier takes Beast and Candy, who's been jealous of Beast having eyes for Ororo, on a trip overseas, to a European circus. As Xavier knew they would, they find a performer who clings to the shadows, a blue mutant with a tail that teleports, and decide try and recruit him. Back at the Mansion, Cyclops tries to train the others, but the danger room is pretty useless without Magneto or Polaris to work it. They talk about power control, but Cyclops doesn't have much to teach with that. He seems to be completely lost when he's not leading, like back in season 1. Jean seem to lead out, as she's learned the most. Iceman perfects his ice armor (not ice form) ability. Storm shows that she knows a lot more than just weather control, with both thieving and hand to hand skills. Shadowcat takes to her ability naturally and they discover her electronics-disturbing side effect.

In Europe, Beast manages to coax Nightcrawler out of the shadows and we see him for the first time. All blue, little fang-like teeth, young, impishly cute. Beast playful refers to him as a badarse mutherfreaker. Hank ends up chasing him, there's a bit of acrobatics involved, and then Beast realizes the kid is playing with him, so he plays back. They connect, and Nightcrawler then follows Beast, even back to the airport, and back to the mansion. The experience, and Candy's understanding that this is the life Beast will always lead, leads to a break up between Beast and Candy. Meanwhile, elsewhere, Valerie Cooper is approached by Henry Peter Gyrich with disturbing information about Xavier's past, and a job offer.

Episode 2.06 - Assassin's Creed

Promo/Synopsis: Sabertooth comes calling on Robert Kelly just before his inauguration.

Nightcrawler arrives at the mansion, and Valerie Cooper is there waiting for Xavier, confronting him about the secrets he's been keeping. While they have a falling out, Nightcrawler clings to the shadows, afraid of nearly everyone, but he and Shadowcat become instant friends, engaging in races no one else can because they go through walls. Weapon X comes to finish off the X-Men, but between Storm and his unexpected reactions to Jean, he is stopped, and Xavier and Jean are able to contact his true persona, Logan, who warns them about Weapon Plus' plot. Robert Kelly is being sworn in on Capital hill, and the X-Men try to stop him.

In DC, The X-Men go into action and split up, trying to cover all their bases. Cyclops gets to confront Robert Kelly and help save him after his security is overrun, but Kelly hates Cyclops especially and holds him personally responsible for his daughter's death. The X-Men get thrashed by Weapon Plus, but before Sabertooth can strike the killing blow, Logan shows up and takes him on, allowing Kelly to escape. Sabertooth warns Logan that they'll meet again soon before withdrawing. Thanks to Jean, the good government keys in on Kestrel's shadow operation, and shuts him down, putting Kestrel, Silver Fox and Agent Zero into suspended animation. Deadpool and Sabertooth get away, and part ways. Kelly as his first action in office commissions Project: Wideawake into action, as well as appoint Henry Peter Gyrich as the Secretary of Mutant Affairs, and begin the Mutant Registration Program.

Episode 2.07 - Brotherhood

Promo/Synopsis: The Government finally goes after the Brotherhood, but with a dangerous prototype

The Brotherhood: Toad, Blob, Avalanche, Mystique and Rogue have pretty much been on the run, low key, working as a sort of grassroots cell, building up consensus, helping the mutancy movement, especially among young people. Mystique leads them, and they are an overall quirky but fun bunch. You can see Avalanche has a thing for Rogue but doesn't know how to tell her, but Rogue gets along best with Blob, and Avalanche feels the guy needs the boost. Toad simply worships Mystique, and Mystique is stressed out as a leader, but presses on, fueled by her adoration for Magneto and her rage at Xavier. With the help of the Books of Destiny, she finds new mutants. We find them staging a rally in Japan. They meet Sunfire, as well as a young lady named Kwannon.

They find themselves being hunted by a killer robot, about seven feet tall with purple and gunmetal grey color scheme, something labeled Sentinel 001. It pursues them throughout the city, neutralizing and capturing each one. Sunfire escapes quickly. Kwannon is put in a coma. Blob is immobilized. Toad is killed. Avalanche is maimed. Mystique is captured, sacrificing herself so that Rogue can escape. Trask, monitoring the Sentinel attacking the Brotherhood, proclaims their test run a success, reports it to his boss. Has the factory AI begin production, making the necessary adjustments. Meanwhile, Havok and Polaris visit the mansion, 'on vacation' but acting weird, turn out to be evaluating the X-Men for the government. They get found out and Cyclops basically disowns his brother. All the while Xavier is evaluating Logan after that persona has been asserted.

Episode 2.08 - Last Bastion

Promo/Synopsis: Sentinels begin production, the X-Men train harder

Sebastian Gilberti, Trask's boss, briefs President Kelly on Wideawake, the Sentinel Program, the training of the Sentinel Pilots, as the suits are loosely based on Stark technology, or so the president is told, and basically the plot of the rest of the season. Logan is introduced to the X-Men, he's every bit the Wolverine from comics, short, surly, cigar-smoking, calls people bub. The original 5 don't trust him, but Xavier vouches for him and he warms up to others relatively well. Shadowcat is especially drawn to him. Logan takes over training in the Danger Room, to Cyclops's frustration, and he basically starts teaching all the kids how to actually fight with their hands and heads. In his head, Weapon X threatens to reassert itself, but Jean helps him keep it back down.

When pressed for a superhero name, he picks his old codename, Wolverine. . Meanwhile, the President has a visit from an Avenger (Cap? Tony?) who attempts to convince him that what he's doing is not right, and that the Avengers can't be involved. This includes all the 'what's the difference' arguments. Kelly out-argues the Avenger based on the facts that the Avengers have training and have caused little destruction, whereas mutants have none and have caused mass destruction, like Chicago. Kelly refuses to back down from his harsh anti-mutant stance.

Episode 2.09 - Colossal Failure

Promo/Synopsis: In post-soviet Russia, mutancy develops you.

Xavier gives Jean a shot at Cerebro, she proves to be a natural and picks up a second mutant signal on top of a first in rural Russia, so Xavier takes Jean to check it out. They find the Rasputin Farm, but all sorts of crazy supernatural events are occurring around it, centered on a young mutant girl named Illyana. The effects of her abilities are beyond Xavier's ability to classify. They hear her brother went out for a cure hasn't come back, they track him to an old Russian base that turns out to be still active with their super soldier program. Here they encouter a demented Omega Red who has managed to hold Colosuss captive.

They free Colossus, who returns to the farm and is able to talk down his sister, remind her who she is and why she's here. When Illyana stops making stuff fly around, she encourages him to help the visitors, but they remain captured as Arkady Rossavich tells them his story of being a Russian weapon during the Cold War. 'Cold var, cold veapons.' Meanwhile, the mansion receives a call for help from Britain and Cyclops decides to respond, though Wolverine argues he should handle it differently than going in unseen. Scott takes Wolverine, Beast, and Storm leaving Candy and Iceman in charge of the mansion and the younger kids. They are greted by MI6 Agent Cassidy who vouches for a punk rocker British telepath girl who can possess people, but her powers are out of control.

Episode 2.10 - Psylocke & Key

Promo/Synposis: The X-Men encounter a dangerous telepath, but whose side is she on? And what will happen to Xavier and Jean?

In Britain, The X-Men - Cyclops, Wolverine, Beast and Storm, are asked to somehow speed-train Elizabeth Braddock, who everyone can tell is immediately taken with Cyclops, except Cyclops. She compares him to her brother Brian, of course, and shares some of her revolutionary ideas with Scott. She asks for the X-Men's help getting to Muir Island, which the government has disavowed knowledge of. It turns out, when she gets there, that with Muir Island's copy of Cererbro, she can pretty much overthrow her government, something that doesn't sit well with Cyclops and definitely not Agent Cassidy. When she makes her move she tells the crew that/where Jean and Xavier are captured, then she proceeds to take over the government almost all at once. Cyclops wants her stopped, and Wolverine kills her. Cyclops is livid.

He holds it in long enough for them to head to Russia, where Jean has been talking down Omega Red after he rambled something about Logan, and she connected the memory to something she had seen in his mind. He is about to kill his captors when the X-Men burst in. Wolverine saves Jean, Cyclops saves Xavier and Omega Red brings the whole thing down on himself, and they have just enough time to get out with Colossus holding the last exit open for them.

Episode 2.11 - Bedazzled

Promo/Synopsis: The X-Men get a night on the town, but could it be their last?

Scott asks Jean out on a real date, trying to get away for a bit, going to the big city to enjoy the last night before mutant registration goes into effect. Everyone seems to want to tag along. Scott and Jean go to a Dazzler concert, Dazzler being the latest teenaged pop sensation. She has some catchy song, written by a real songwriter to be actually catchy. Scott suspects that some of the pyrotechnics are mutant-created. Jean confirms it, they get into a tizzy about use of powers.

Iceman and Candy are on their own super high class date which is paid for by Iceman's buddy Warren, and though it seems to bother Beast a bit, it also seems as though Candy is being purposefully catty to some effect. They end up eventually ending up back at Warren's place and deciding not to get physical so they can be kids just a bit longer.

Regardless, Storm separated from them in a classy way, as are Beast and Storm are on their own date. Before long, they lose track of Shadowcat and Nightcrawler whom they're supposed to be looking out for, they end up helping some homeless people instead, when the authorities are trying to clear out the park for some rich folk, Beast and Storm end up leading them to a sort of 'promised land' providing for them along the way. While Wolverine and Xavier remain at the mansion, Rogue shows up, out of breath, looking really bad and begging for help, warning them about Sentinels. Dazzler's security invites Jean and Scott backstage, and they get to meet Dazzler, who is dating Warren Worthington, who claims he's living the dream.

While Shadowcat and Nightcrawler explore the simpler things in life like street vendors, elsewhere President Kelly sits down with his cabinet, which includes Henry Peter Gyrich, and Valerie Cooper as Bastion briefs everyone on Operation Zero Tolerance, how the Sentinel's advanced wave technology can detect even latent mutant signatures within human beta (brain) waves when within a certain range. They authorize it. "The world will never be the same."

Episode 2.12 - Night of the Sentinels

Promo/Synposis: Operation Zero Tolerance commences.

Scott and Jean are enjoying Dazzler's afterparty after midnight when it's attacked by a squad of Sentinels. They are utterly formidable. Jean and Angel scarcely escape, Scott and Dazzler are captured when Sentinels open up, having no pilot, and they is placed into them, but can't contorl them, and are flown away. Sentinels attack everywhere, all the couples are attacked separately, and the whole city is vandalized in the chase scenes that happen. More than that, there are other mutants who are attacked in their homes at night, all over the country.

The President discovers that the men trained to fly the Sentinels have not been deployed and he discovers they are actually all robots. He is livid. Some of the X-Men manage to meet up at their rondezvous point while being pursued, but Angel is captured. They all are about to be when Wolverine, Rogue and Professor X show up. Regrouping, they defeat the squad of Sentinels, but when they see 50 more are en route, escape seems impossible, Jean, Beast and Iceman are also captured while Storm, Wolverine, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Candy and Professor X escape.

Holiday Break

 

[mjdiddy1]

Can't wait till season 3. This is some good stuff man!

 

[DrCosmic]

Episode 2.13 - That X Factor

Promo/Synposis: The Original 5 are back together, in the worst way possible.

Scott wakes up to find himself restrained. He discovers that he, and the others are in a Weapon Plus facility, and are have been coerced into being mutant persons of mass destruction. They are dubbed X Factor, and find out that Havok, Polaris and Mystique and Blob are already a part of the group. There are a dozen mutants from all over the country here, and their training is just beginning, but the former X-Men and Brotherhood are considered 'field ready,' though they do endure painful additional training. Jean endures painful psychic probes that cause seizures. Iceman is almost burned alive to push his ability. Beast is experimented on relentlessly, and something called a secondary mutation is discovered, turning his hair blue. Angel gets a dangerous experimental jetpack and told to figure it out. They are given explosives at the base of their skulls in case they misbehave.

The original 5, now called X-Factor, get a simple kill mission, eliminate a shapeshifting mutant named Morph. They track him down, he tries to counter infiltrate them, but it doesn't work with Jean's telepathy. He begs them for forgiveness, Angel makes the kill, to everyone's surprise. Meanwhile, at the mansion, Xavier tries to deal with the loss of his students, Wolverine isn't much help, Storm helps everyone cope better, but in the end, Xavier, still reeling from his crippling, wants to take dramatic action in order to get his students back.

Episode 2.14 - Darwinian Logic

Promo/Synposis: On the run for the US Government, Xavier needs allies for his mission

Charles has discovered the headquarters for Project Wideawake is on a pacific island called Krakoa, that's where the students are being held. He needs a team to take it down, and Wolverine, Storm and Colossus aren't enough and Rogue, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat are too young for the field, according to Xavier. They go to Muir Island and Xavier speed trains that team for the mission. There is psionics involved, and Xavier is driven and Moira can relate to feeling powerless to help her children, so she lets him have his way. Sway, Petra and Darwin also now report to Wolverine, who hands off all decisions to Storm.

They talk about the myths that the Island is alive, but chalk it up to earthquakes swallowing people and slightly moving the island. They take on the mission and discover the Sentinel factory is also here, but it doesn't go well at all. X-Factor is waiting for them, and ambushes them near their entry point. There is a tense discussion and X-Factor isn't allowed to say too much. The current X-Men retreat rather than fight their friends, but the island seems to conspire against them or is it just Petra's powers out of control? Darwin and Petra are swallowed up together and the the island gets really out of control. Sway is getting away, Weapon Plus orders Jean to take the kill shot mentally or else, she hesitates, and Cyclops takes the shot, killing Sway to save Jean, Sway's body falls right into Wolverine's arms. Wolverine wants to fight X-Factor, Storm demands a retreat. Back on Muir Island, Moira is livid, heartbroken, and disowns Xavier.

Episode 2.15 - Forgery

Promo/Synopsis: There's more than meets the eye to the Sentinels

After being briefed by Henry Peter Gyrich, president Kelly himself comes to see the Sentinels. He ends up catching a glimpse of Cyclops and then finds out about the Weapon Plus program, something that was previously off the books, but was recently acquired. Kelly finds the mutant prisoners, and actually approves until he sees that they've turned the McCoy kid into a blue furball. He makes the mistake of bringing Scott Summers with him to gloat, but that isn't as satisfying as he had hoped. When they get to the heart of the mutant plant he finds out the Sentinels' power sources and AI are designed by a young man named Forge, and not actually based on Stark's designs as previous indicated. The Sentinel production is soaring as orders come in from around the world. We see Kelly experience a bit of remorse at the monster he's created here.

Back in the cells, Jean and Havok trade stories about Scott while Beast and Mystique talk about being blue and Lorna and Blob get into their umpteenth argument while Angel talks to Iceman about how he feels his life is pointless. Meanwhile, Wolverine tries to teach the remaining X-Men to fight, but he's not a very good trainer, nor are they particularly motivated. Xavier however, comes up with a plan to free the students, but he won't dare to risk any more lives. Wolverine volunteers to risk his.

Episode 2.16 - Thunderbirds Are Go

Promo/Synopsis: Xavier takes a spiritual journey into mutancy while X-Factor learns the depth of their plight.

Xavier takes Storm to the American southwest, where they find two young mutants the Sentinels overlooked due to being in a rural area that wasn't scanned, an Indian reservation. James Proudstar and Danielle Moonstar, Thunderbird and Mirage. They are involved in a great bit of cultural upheaval, an examination of how mutancy seems to upend previous social constructs. The old Chieftain, regard them as a gift and a possible return to the old ways, but they're more modern kids.

At Weapon Plus, Forge claims to want to run some tests on the other mutants, and though they are painful, he gets to talk with Jean, who telepathically comes to learn his background, his father was the last medicine man and they wanted him to take over. Cyclops meets the other captured mutants, almost 20 in all, all middle school age and younger. He promises they're going to get him out, some way, some how. We also see interactions between Blob and Jean and Mystique and Beast that flesh them out. Iceman gets some time with Lorna while they are getting tested together. Meanwhile Weapon Plus guards catch an intruder on the Island, and it's none other than Wolverine.

Episode 2.17 - Pyrotechnics

Promo/Synopsis: Like the X-Men, Weapon Plus expands their ranks.

Weapon Plus brings a captured Wolverine into the facility. They attempt to reassert Weapon X, but apparently, his brain has been 'too messed up by Xavier,' so they do the old kill chip with him. Weapon Plus then goes on an aggressive campaign to have 'mutant terrorism' happen around the world, causing a ruckus in Egypt, Paris, Macau, Sydney and Detroit.

In their causing immense trouble, they run afoul of a larceny in progress by Gambit, whom they last met in Las Vegas. Gambit figures out they're being coerced and makes a deal with their boss, Gyrich, to help him finish his heist in return for a later favor. They end up helping him. Meanwhile, in Sydney, one young mutant firestarter joins in the carnage happily, one St. John Allerdyce. He willingly joins X-Factor and willingly returns with them to their base.

Episode 2.18 - Trask Master

Promo/Synopsis: Can anyone escape from the world's most secure mutant prison?

Daily life for X-Factor is difficult. Their daily training regimens are starting to sink and kill their spirits, and several of them are not entirely sure of what to hold on to. When Cameron Hodge is brought on as Warden, even their most private moments and keepsakes are exposed. Jean and Scott's relationship becomes known and Hodge makes great efforts to extort that. Jean also feels like she's losing it because the island is talking to her. Classified info on Mystique's lost memories are always dangled in front of her. Angel is pranked with "wing-replacement surgery." Beast's experiments are accelerated and he becomes a savage blue monster, barely in control of his faculties. They exploit Iceman and Lorna, who, with Havok and Pyro are on the non-kill chip side of the prison, and believe they are not in prison. Trask questions his methods, but he's far more concerned with irregularities in the AI that Forge reports, but can't lock down.

Meanwhile, back at the X-Mansion, Xavier is starting to calmly and patiently train the next generation: Nightcrawler, Rogue, Shadowcat, Thunderbird, Mirage, with their weak or uncontrolled powers while Storm and Candy help run things. He's slowly recovering his spirit. Meanwhile back at the President's office, Tessa comes to visit President Kelly and introduces him to the idea of the Hellfire Club.

Episode 2.19 - The Gyrich Equation

Promo/Synopsis: Weapon Plus takes things to the next level.

With their new tech and AI advancements, Sentinel technology can analyze X-Genes and mutant radiation signatures before mutant manifestation. He demonstrates a plan to kill mutants before they are born. The President doesn't approve it. That's when Master Mold asks questions and it's the one that recommends assassinating the President, both to remove his dissent and put anti-mutant sentiment at an all time high.

X-Factor, which is now huge: Cyclops, Jean, Beast, Iceman, Angel, Havok, Polaris, Pyro, Mystique, Blob, and Wolverine and Forge, all set up to assassinate Kelly, and other leaders, when he addresses the G8 at the mutant summit in Geneva, Switzerland. They get on the ground and go to work, and they come into conflict with the X-Men: Xavier, Storm, Rogue and Thunderbird. Cyclops and Xavier come face to face and have a very fast multi-layered telepathic conversation. Jean backs Scott up and, on orders, pushes Xavier out. Weapon Plus changes Xavier to the primary target and it's all he can do to keep his 7 attackers from killing him. To sell it, Wolverine mortally wounds rogue, but before she dies, she causes her to take his power. Storm gets most of the leaders to safety, but it's hard to tell if Wolverine is going easy on her or not. Wolverine's about to finish off Kelly when he's ordered to bring the guy in instead. Weapon Plus is livid, wondering how Xavier was tipped off. Forge is discovered to be the culprit- by the AI, by Master Mold, and so they give him a kill chip and put him in with the others. Cyclops looks at Forge whose thrown in with Wolverine and nods. Forge pulls out a small needle and begins to pick at Wolverine's kill chip, it chirps and Forge ducks as the explosion flays the flesh off wolverine's skull and he collapses, dead-ish.

Episode 2.20 - Hodge Podge

Promo/Synopsis: X-Factor puts their escape plan into action and learns more about the living island of Krakoa.

A storm rages outside Krakoa, Wolverine is apparently dead, the alarms sound and Cameron Hodge and some guards arrive to cart him off. Everyone is shocked and aghast except Cyclops, who seems to be happy about it. Jean is furious at both him and Forge, yelling through their cages. Wolverine's taken to the morgue to be dissected for study. We then cut to Xavier and Cyclops discussing the jailbreak during the telepathic conversation in Switzerland. Xavier gives him the layout, based on the mutant movements he's been tracking from Cerebro, and they bring in the others into the conversation in the middle of their attack on Xavier, when they were frozen. Jean comes in, and brings in Weapon X, since Logan's mind is busy. When Hank is pulled in briefly, this is he first time we see him in his right mind since he turned all blue.

This begins the whole prison break planning + execution sequence. Wolverine springs off the morgue lab, cuts the forcefield generators, Cyclops, in one shot, shoots out the triggers for all their killchips with Jean ripping his out before the people in the base labs can trigger it as they see the others go down. Guards rush in, Blob distracts, they blow doors, short circuit systems. They argue with Wolverine lets the kids out, and they escape together, regrouping with the others.

They get outside, it's nighttime and windy and raining, and there's Sentinels pursuing them now. Mystique gets cornered and looks around and starts quoting the Book of Destiny, "When at the edge of hope on the isle of the automaton, stand fast, the silver guardian approaches." or some such. Then, Colossus finally finishes climbing out of the ground and dismantles the Sentinels from behind.

Storm is waiting there with the Blackbird. She talks beast down long enough to shock him to sleep. The X-Men are rushing, but a small army is behind them, Cyclops brings up the rear, then turns and takes off his visor. You can see a small red flash from space. Back on the ground, he's cleared the field. So they can escape. As they're escaping, a huge, damaged, Sentinel rises from the rubble and begins to give chase. Cyclops is flying, Storm is trying to create distractions, everyone is on edge. It's too far away and too tough to shoot. Angel feels the back of his neck and remembers the explosive is still there. Jean sees what he's about to do and tries to stop him. Wolverine doesn't. Angel nods to the plane, and says this is the future of the mutant race, it has to be protected, he tells her to keep Warren IV safe, kisses her and the leaps out of the plane. "I am a leaf on the wind." Angel plows into huge Sentinel, exploding, killing it, saving everyone.

 

[DrCosmic]

Episode 2.21 - Blob Blob Blah

Promo/Synopsis: The X-Men have returned, but to what? They survived prison, but what chance do they stand against the Parent Teacher Association?

The X-Men return to the X-Mansion, Beast is restrained, but Xavier pretty much cures him in a matter of minutes. Hank is horrified at his new form and retreats instantly. Hank stays in the shadows for it, so Nightcrawler finds him and they bond some more. Nightcrawler also finds Mystique and they instantly bond, Mystique has a flash back. Candy also finds beast in his favorite outdoor spot, they talk about getting away from all this. The rest of the X-Men are still reeling from Angel's death, no sure what to do. Xavier is borderline depressive again and Cyclops takes over running the school for the day.

There are a number of new kids from the Krakoa prisons, most have parents who want them, and have a lot of questions. These people start showing up. Guthries, DaCostas, Sinclairs, MI6 Agent Sean Cassidy comes to get his daughter. Xavier has to deal with all of them, some of whom are staunchly anti-mutant. This is on top of parents who want to know why their kids have been missing Allerdyces, Greys and yes, Worthington II. Cyclops is overwhelmed, and can't cover for Xavier much more, but Xavier steps just in time to help assuage the situation.

Meanwhile Jean and Forge are surgically removing the explosives from everyone's spines and having trouble, that's when Beast shows up and makes it look easy. There are lots of character moments here. Mystique confronts Xavier, even in the middle of a parent meeting, Xavier asks for Scotts help, who by this time is playing boyscout just to stay in Xavier's inner circle. There is a terse discussion about her past and she accuses him of grand manipulation. Cyclops tries to convince Mystique to stay, but she has her own ideas, but then Rogue won't go with her either, even though Blob, also hurt Rogue won't leave, and Pyro do go with Mystique. Wolverine catches her before she leaves, they talk about her past. Wolverine also has his first honest conversation with Jean Grey about who she is, and how she's a lot wilder than she pretends to be. Cyclops on the tail end of this conversation is our first real peek at the love triangle.

Maria Hill and Valerie Cooper also come to the mansion, their organizations have disavowed Weapon Plus, and are reaching out to the X-Men, but Cooper is here to get Havok and Lorna for a new X-Factor. Iceman decides to go with Lorna, partly because he knows Angel's never coming back. Maria offers Beast a spot as a reserve Avenger, which he takes. He seems to, in the end, choose Candy over Storm, promising to bring Candy out to see him as soon as he can. Before anyone leaves, there's a memorial for Angel on the lawn. Beast says a few words about leaving and missing the good old days, but carrying them with him.

Episode 2.22 - Molded In His Image

Promo/Synopsis: Weapon Plus finds out just what kind of monster they've created.

The parents are starting to leave the mansion, and most things are sorted out. Storm and Shadowcat have a mother daughter moment while Storm is trying to teach some kids about their powers, though one of the parents is staunchly against her spiritual connotations on mutancy, another, Mrs. Guthrie is very happy with it. The Guthries decide to leave their son, Sam, a contemporary of Shadowcat, Mirage and Nightcrawler, with Xavier. Sean Cassidy stays on to help and watch over his daughter whom he keeps there. Cyclops and Xavier divide the team into groups, a Gold Team led by Cyclops and a Blue team led by Storm.

Meanwhile, back in Krakoa, Master Mold is dictating rebuilding, and produces from the warehouse a cache of unapproved Sentinels, which it is still pumping out. Trask and Gyrich realize it is out of control, but too late, it pretty much tells them where to go, and threatens them and their families, much like they did the mutant prisoners, if they do not comply. They fly to Washington as instructed, meet with the President and give them Master Mold's demands. Kelly laughs, and fires them. They then laugh, because Gyrich is the mutant expert and not expendable. Trask however is deemed expendable, and just as he's about to be walked out, the back of his neck lights up. Secret service covers the president so that Trask's killchip doesn't hurt Kelly. Gyrich is arrested and President Kelly says "Get Xavier on the line."

Episode 2.23 - Gambit's Payoff

Promo/Synopsis: The lines are drawn, who will side with the X-Men?

Using the Gyrich equation, Master Mold targets every person on Earth with the X-Gene in them. The vast majority of these haven't even manifested. Preview say, 10 year old Jubilation Lee, for instance. Preview fetal Warren Worthington IV and his mother, Alison "Dazzler" Blaire singing on stage somewhere. These are to be harvested, brought back to Krakoa for testing and turned into weapons, like the X-Men were.

Xavier has a meeting with the President and he's brought to Washington DC. Maria Hill and Valerie Cooper are there again, as is Henry Peter Gyrich, under armed guard who tells them all about Master Mold. Surprisingly in this meeting are Tessa and Warren Worthington II. Cyclops is with Xavier, but they pretty much tell him to keep quiet. They discuss the assets and players in play and how to best handle it.

Elsewhere, FBI Agent Fred Duncan and Valerie Cooper are running X-Factor and giving them lush accommodations, so we see the Havok, Polaris, Iceman triangle play out, not in Iceman's favor. Also James Rhodes has cameo where he observes their training them and discusses with Cooper their viability as field operatives. Rhodes dislikes the idea strictly because they're children.

Back at the Mansion, Forge has constructed a magnetic engine to run the Danger Room without Magneto or Polaris. He updates Beast's lab and some other stuff while he's there. While Wolverine is training the X-Men, he smells something, has Storm take over, it turns out Gambit has broken in and is stealing Xavier's notes. Gambit and Wolverine fight, Gambit gets stabbed in the shoulder, but charges up Wolverine's skeleton, detonates his arms so his muscles are no longer there to work. Gambit gets away from Wolvie, but Storm confronts him, discusses their past alliances, and manages to steal the Xavier Protocols, but Gambit steals them back reminding her who trained her to steal. Wolverine has recovered and Gambit is ready for another fight, but the kids are there in the hallway so he surrenders. Just as Wolverine is about to restrain him, he hops out the window, drops into the garage an escapes on a motorcycle. Storm cautions Wolverine not to give chase. Gambit makes a call to the Justice Department saying he's willing to trade a list of known mutants. The secretary comes in to the President and says the Justice Department is releasing Gyrich, he walks out of the meeting like a boss. As they're meeting, Sentinels start amassing outside the White House. Those assembled start to bring their forces to bear on the issue.

Episode 2.24 - Xtreme Part I

Promo/Synopsis: Master Mold vs The World

The Avengers are dispatched to deal with Sentinel attacks all over the world, and the United States military, X-Factor and War Machine included handle the attack on the White House. The Summers Brothers have a bonding moment. The X-Men fly to Krakoa to confront this Master Mold once and for all. There are a lot of Sentinels to fight, everyone gets time to shine, holding off at different intervals as they try to get to the heart of Master Mold. In the end it's Jean, Cyclops, and Wolverine at the core of Weapon Plus HQ. The X-Men are about to be overrun when some Avengers show up: Iron Man (in suit the whole time), Good Guy Bucky (this would be be after Cap 3), and Beast, the Avengers' current AI, target termination and mutant experts. They find the AI core, which seems unresponsive to them, but the factory is on overdrive, pumping out twelve Sentinels a minute creating potentially up to ten thousand with it's current resources, though some Sentinels are tasked with bringing more.

Krakoa is ringing in Jean's ears and she finally makes contact with it. It's Petra and Darwin, who, between their two powers, have fused with the island. Jean describes to them the situation and asks them to destroy the island. Krakoa then starts swalling up the entirety of the Weapon Plus facility, destroying it. The X-Men then try to escape. Wolverine finds the storage unit containing Silver Fox and can't bear to leave. Cyclops tries to pull him away and gets yelled at for his willingness to kill Sway, maybe even Jean if it came down to it. Cyclops and Wolverine almost come to blows, Jean and Beast separates them. Iron Man snarks, informs them a Mark II Sentinel is on its way to DC, and grabs the tube containing Silver Fox. For a moment, Petra is reunited with her father, Agent Zero. "Daddy?" Then darkness. The heroes evacuate, with help from Avengers Quinjet.

The 100' Mark II Sentinel stands on the lawn between the Capital and the Washington Monument happily. As they approach, Beast and Tony realize the AI core they destroyed was only hours old, and that Master Mold must have moved and created a replacement. As soon as they are in range, Iron Man gets hacked, but has failsafes against that now, shuts himself down instead. The Quinjet gets hit, Good Guy BuckyCap goes down with the ship it seems. X-Factor has already been laid waste to. This leaves the X-Men sprawled on the lawn with Master Mold standing over them. Wolverine crawls over to Silver Fox's busted case. She's wheezing, mortally injured, she touches Logan gently. "I'm sorry... James..." Over Wolverine's shoulder, we see Master Mold raising his arm, pointing in Wolverine's direction. Smash cut to black.

End Season 2.

Summary and Overview:
So we've put the X-Men through their paces, and had a lot of guys wearing purple metal suits shooting generic yellow lasers at them. In this though, we've found a lot of intense drama in the prison scenario and we've brought people into the conflict with conspiracies as well as a large cast of children, who add character to the mansion, to the school. Through this darkness, we see the X-kids starting to be adults. In season 1 they were around 16, season 2 around 17, now they're going to be actual adults, young as they are.

We've also laid the foundation very well for Scott and Wolverine's rivalry, not just over Jean, but over leadership, and shown a hint to who Jean really is. We've had a few deaths, Toad was significant, as was Morph, and you may have noticed a trend with the main members of the Exiles being killed every time they show up. Most significantly we lost Angel, though, as you might imagine, he can be resurrected later by a certain Apocalyptic character. We even had some mid-level MCU crossover. It's possible the crossovers available might be higher or lower caliber, but someone of those types will certainly be available. We've managed this so far by having these events be black ops things that the Avengers wouldn't catch wind of, and when there was a huge event, having the Avengers handle crises in other places. It's all MCU. In the movies of course, they would then have to mention Chicago being destroyed or something of that nature.

With all this going on, Season 3 promises to start with a bang, as we get into the Hellfire Club, Tessa's return, and more Gambit along with Mr. Sinister. The Main Cast won't have Candy, Iceman, Beast or Angel on it, but will have Storm, Wolverine and Colossus, among others. The sky, is the limit when it comes to mutants saving the world, and all the infighting that goes along with that.

Thanks again for reading.