Wolverine and the X-Men: Episode 17: "Code of Conduct"

[CaptainCanada]

Synopsis:

[BLACKOUT]Wolverine returns to the Mansion to find that all the X-Men save Rogue have been abducted by ninjas, led by the Silver Samurai. The Samurai leaves a message with Rogue that Logan must fight him the next day. This relates to Logan's Japanese days, when he defeated the Samurai in battle for Mariko Yashida, but she told him to leave anyway and married the Samurai.

Logan and Rogue track down Mariko at the Japanese Embassy, where she reveals that he's now vying for a top position in the Yakuza, and needs to erase his past loss by killing Logan in combat. She tells them where the X-Men are, and they head off to rescue them. They fight a bunch of ninjas, but then get gassed, and they take Rogue, demanding, again, a fight tomorrow.

Logan consults with Professor X, and says that he hasn't fought like a samura in years, so he has no chance. Professor X pulls the memories of Logan's Sensei out of his mind and basically gives him a retraining course mentally.

Logan arrives at the fight (which is no-powers, swords only), and dukes it out. Samurai brags to him that he doesn't actually care about Mariko at all, and only married her so that Logan couldn't have her. Logan wins (again), and demands that the Samurai yield, but he doesn't, and instead uses his powers, blasting Logan around, and is about to kill him (which Logan seems willing to allow rather than break the rules), but the Yakuza boss intervenes because the Samurai broke the rules, and thus has irrevocably dishonoured himself.

The Yakuza leaving, taking the Samurai with them. Mariko tells Logan that the reason she chose the Samurai was because the Yakuza had already decided she must marry him, and would have killed Logan otherwise. She leaves, saying she took an oath to be loyal to the Samurai.[/BLACKOUT]

Thoughts:

[BLACKOUT]One of the better solo Logan adventures. The story with Logan is very Casablanca-ish.

This show does good sword-fights, between this and the Nightcrawler pirate episode. The best part is actually with Rogue, who absorbs two of the Yakuza ninjas ("Now I know bushido!") (the Yakuza seems way more like the Hand here than the actual Yakuza) and starts wielding two katanas at once.

Generally I think the show does a good job of writing Wolverine as Wolverine is what is normally Cyclops' role (though not always so much in how people react to it), and there's a moment here where he tells Professor X that he's always tried to keep his past separate from the X-Men because he doesn't want to drag them into his errors which is really good, but sometimes, like when Professor X actually calls Logan "son", this clearly seems like something that would be more Cyclops.[/BLACKOUT]

 

[usagicassidy]

I actually thought this episode was pretty boring and pointless. Not terrible, but I enjoyed most of the Wolvie solo episodes more than this one.

The ending was pretty epic tho - for a kids show.

 

[CaptainCanada]

"Pointless", I'll give you, in a wider context; the Wolverine episodes rarely relate to the season arc, and there's not even a connection to the Weapon X story that runs through a lot of the solos.

 

[sniktsnakt]

I was initially really hyped at the idea of Mariko, but a bit disappointed overall. Probably one of the weakest episodes so far, imo.

Still, good connections from a number of comic books. What bugged me most was the dropping of the other X-Men, and then the whole worry throughout the whole episode about Wolverine dying.

I mean, seriously. Do they know who this guy is? Even he seemed worried about it at one point, but what was the Samurai going to be able to do without his powers? Bounce his sword off his adamantium backbone? Boo hoo.

 

[DMRadz]

Boooo on this ep. That's all I got for it.

 

[Cyma]

The worst, pointless as usual Wolverine centric episode I’ve ever seen. The only things I liked were Rogue’s kung fu and Logan’s ghost thingy senses. Other than that, utterly boring. Professor calling Wolvie ‘son’ just made me cringe. And why does Mariko look like a stick?

I think I’ve had enough of Wolverine centric episodes for a lifetime! I feel like I just read a Mary Sue fanfic. Or rather a Gary Stu fic. Gary Stu and the X-men is a much appropriate title for the show I bet Wolverine would pass the Mary/Gary Sue test with flying colors

 

[Neto Magnus]

Since when does Wolverine have smell-o-vision powers?

 

[CaptainCanada]

That's a creative rendering of his sense of smell.

 

[DMRadz]

I think it would have been better as he was sniffing around he's see stuff like Beasts lab messed up or Cycke's room like there was a big struggle. I'm not a fan of sniffing and seeing everything.

 

[echostation]

i'm just annoyed that a group of friggin ninjas took out the entire group of X-men... these guys have faced off with Apocalypse yet ninjas took them out

There should've been hundred of Ninjas then to take care of all the Marvel Civil war crap and even past global conflicts in the comic books... let the everso immortal invincible Ninjas kick ass...

 

[TheVileOne]

I liked the episode. Though I'm still hazy on how Logan's timeline works between Weapon X, Department H, Japan, the X-men, and what not in this series.

Sensed some big time jealousy from Rogue. Don't think she liked Wolverine's alone time with Mariko.

 

[The Overlord]

The worst, pointless as usual Wolverine centric episode I’ve ever seen. The only things I liked were Rogue’s kung fu and Logan’s ghost thingy senses. Other than that, utterly boring. Professor calling Wolvie ‘son’ just made me cringe. And why does Mariko look like a stick?

Due to dietary differences, Japanese women tend to be much thinner then Western women.

 

[TheVileOne]

Dunno, just didn't dig the character design for Mariko. Looked a little awkward.

 

[Cyma]

Sensed some big time jealousy from Rogue. Don't think she liked Wolverine's alone time with Mariko.

That wasn’t jealously. That was amusement. Didn’t you notice her smiling so broadly? Finding out Wolvie(the guy who doesn’t show romantic interest in women or relationships) used to have a girlfriend he fought over with another guy for marriage. It's like a page from a romance novel and therefore amusing when applied to a guy like Wolvie.

 

[Ratcrawler]

The worst, pointless as usual Wolverine centric episode I’ve ever seen. The only things I liked were Rogue’s kung fu and Logan’s ghost thingy senses. Other than that, utterly boring. Professor calling Wolvie ‘son’ just made me cringe. And why does Mariko look like a stick?

I think I’ve had enough of Wolverine centric episodes for a lifetime! I feel like I just read a Mary Sue fanfic. Or rather a Gary Stu fic. Gary Stu and the X-men is a much appropriate title for the show I bet Wolverine would pass the Mary/Gary Sue test with flying colors

^My thoughts exactly. Thanks.

 

[Neptune]

Seriously? I thought this was a very cool episode. But i'm a sucker for ninja's and samurai's. Rogue has officially become my favorite X-man in this cartoon. She was great. The only thing i didn't like is that the X-men were beaten by a hand full of ninja's. THE X-MEN, the most powerful and well trained mutants got their asses handed to them by 4 ninja's WE NEED MORE TEAM ACTION DAMNIT!

 

[TheVileOne]

That wasn’t jealously. That was amusement. Didn’t you notice her smiling so broadly? Finding out Wolvie(the guy who doesn’t show romantic interest in women or relationships) used to have a girlfriend he fought over with another guy for marriage. It's like a page from a romance novel and therefore amusing when applied to a guy like Wolvie.

Jealousy covered up by amusement!

 

[Cyma]

The only thing i didn't like is that the X-men were beaten by a hand full of ninja's. THE X-MEN, the most powerful and well trained mutants got their asses handed to them by 4 ninja's WE NEED MORE TEAM ACTION DAMNIT!

It has been a year so they might be out of practice. And even if the X-men had acted awesome with their powers and defeated the ninjas it would’ve looked bad for Wolverine. He wouldn’t have gotten his ‘X-men needs to be rescued by me’ episode

Jealousy covered up by amusement!

Nah. It’s easy to tell if it was jealously covered up with amusement in cartoons and TV series. This was definitely amusement.

 

[Ratcrawler]

Seriously? I thought this was a very cool episode. But i'm a sucker for ninja's and samurai's. Rogue has officially become my favorite X-man in this cartoon. She was great. The only thing i didn't like is that the X-men were beaten by a hand full of ninja's. THE X-MEN, the most powerful and well trained mutants got their asses handed to them by 4 ninja's WE NEED MORE TEAM ACTION DAMNIT!

Word. What's next? The JLU getting kidnapped by a rag tag crew of pirates?

 

[Syncos]

Though this episode wasn't particularly strong in story, it seemed to get some things right. When rogue and logan were fighting ninjas in the warehouse, Logan got a chance to actually use his claws. And rogue definitely slashed two ninjas through the midsection. even though the kills were off screen, they were well pronounced with a wet slashing sound. It's the best thing the series has done to insinuate actual violence so far. And i'm surprised they got passed the censors.

 

[DJSCARLET]

Seriously? I thought this was a very cool episode. But i'm a sucker for ninja's and samurai's. Rogue has officially become my favorite X-man in this cartoon. She was great. The only thing i didn't like is that the X-men were beaten by a hand full of ninja's. THE X-MEN, the most powerful and well trained mutants got their asses handed to them by 4 ninja's WE NEED MORE TEAM ACTION DAMNIT!

Though this episode wasn't particularly strong in story, it seemed to get some things right. When rogue and logan were fighting ninjas in the warehouse, Logan got a chance to actually use his claws. And rogue definitely slashed two ninjas through the midsection. even though the kills were off screen, they were well pronounced with a wet slashing sound. It's the best thing the series has done to insinuate actual violence so far. And i'm surprised they got passed the censors.

Best scene ever. Rogue fighting and killing off the ninjas was freaking awesome. And I love that we could hear her killing them (didnt think i would hear that in a kid show). I do want to see the x-men, sans wolverine, beat down on another team though. I know the rest of the x-men come second tier to wolvie, but come on! X-men TAS was a huge hit, and only a had few eps didicated to the runt.
All in all, i like this episode. mainly because of rogue and the sword scenes. plus it was cool to see logan's past in japan.

The worst, pointless as usual Wolverine centric episode I’ve ever seen. The only things I liked were Rogue’s kung fu and Logan’s ghost thingy senses. Other than that, utterly boring. Professor calling Wolvie ‘son’ just made me cringe. And why does Mariko look like a stick?

proving that marvel really does want logan to replace scott.

Jealousy covered up by amusement!

Vile, do you actually want to see Rogan in watx?

 

[TheVileOne]

1. Yes

2. We already are

 

[TheVileOne]

1. Yes

2. We already are

 

[DJSCARLET]

After seeing stolen lives i wouldnt mind if they wrote rogue being the offspring of wolverine and mystique. i think that would really different and interesting to see.
i just hope there wont be any rogue vs mystique vs jean over logan's love. how cliche would that be?

 

[Dread]

Episode 17, shocker, another Wolverine solo episode (mostly) that has little if anything to do with the main plot. I am sure everyone is expecting me to roll my eyes at it and dismiss most of it, but no, not me. I must admit that I have a soft spot.

If some who have wondered about my harsh criticisms wondered if I hated Wolverine, a quick glance at my HULK VS. WOLVERINE review in the Marvel Movies section should put that to rest. Despite my shifts in character preferences since I was 12 or even 19, I do still like certain aspects of Wolverine, and Wolverine used in certain ways. Among the things that helped draw me to the character were those stories in Madripoor or Asia. The stories about honor, his bid at being a "failed samurai", the stuff with Mariko, his longtime tragic love, and of course his enemy from that area, Silver Samurai.

Spoiler

This was one of the rare areas where the 90's series completely dropped the ball. After faithful recreations of Sabretooth and Omega Red, even a Saturday Morning version of the Weapon X saga and then-recent revelations in WOLVERINE (the solo series), by Season 4, the 90's X-MEN series finally got to Silver Samurai, and the episode, "The Lotus and the Steel", circa 1996, was a mess. While the idea of Logan being shaken from his recent battle with Proteus (the first time he felt fear) as well as various other tragedies in his life, Logan goes off for some inner peace. What followed are story cliches that were old even in 1996 and a complete lackluster version of Silver Samurai; no name, just a token thug threatening the token peaceful village Logan just so happened to be staying at. He slinks off in shame, and even today it is painful to watch that episode. I dare say Shredder fared better in the original Ninja Turtles TV show.

Much as "Overflow" from W&TXM was a better version of the 90's X-Men episode "Whatever It Takes", this episode, "Code of Conduct", is basically a superior version of "Lotus and the Steel". And in this way, Kyle, Yost, and Johnson are smart to actually improve on something the 90's series did, as this show will always be compared to that (as well as EVOLUTION, their last collaborative writing effort). This episode also has some homages to UNCANNY X-MEN #172-173 (circa 1983), in which Silver Samurai and Viper poison the entire X-Men on the eve of Logan's wedding to Mariko, and he has to team with Rogue (who at the time he didn't trust, since she had just left the Brotherhood) to track down the villains. That story, incidentally, ended with Logan finally willing to trust her after Rogue took a blast meant for him and was mortally wounded. He shared his power with her via a kiss (and keep in the mind, the creators of Rogue always "intended" for her to be no older than 18-19 during those early 80's adventures).

Of course, it isn't a perfect translation, and there are some cliches to be had in this episode. It has things like sword-duels, obligatory mentions of honor, and perhaps the most infamous, the training montage. All it needed was Micky calling Logan a bum somewhere.

The episode begins with Logan returning to the Mansion after one of his solo treks. He immediately smells something amiss with his tracking power. He enters the Mansion and the X-Men are gone. Using his tracking power and "detective instinct", Logan pieces together what occurred, or at least an educated guess, which was the X-Men being attacked and gassed by ninjas. The only one left is Rogue, who has been bound to a chair to deliver a message from their leader, Silver Samurai.

A historian would mention how ninja and samurai were never allies in actual ancient Japan, but Western comic writers long ago blended the two together, figuring "Japanese is Japanese", so I don't blame this show for following the lead. Besides, the moral of the episode was that the Silver Samurai had no honor, and thus hiring ninja was more than in character for him.

It also is worth noting that this is the second episode Greg Johnson has written where Rogue is bound hand and foot; the other was "Cajun Spice" from EVOLUTION's 4th season. It also is not the first time that these writers have had a single mundane threat defeat the ENTIRE X-Men effortlessly except for Logan for storyline reasons; Kyle and Yost basically did that to introduce X-23 in EVOLUTION Season 3's episode, um, "X-23". Considering ninja are pretty much the canon fodder of comic books, cartoons, and movies (unless they are named characters), it does seem a bit convenient for the X-Men to be easily dispatched with by a team of ninja. The MRD thinks they can be rid of them with giant robots or hordes of men with hi-tech guns, when all they need are some throwing stars and Adam West style knock-out gas. To be fair, Storm, Cyclops, and Iceman at least manage to defend themselves and beat one ninja before being felled. While Forge and Nightcrawler also should have been inside the Mansion, they are not shown. I could imagine Nightcrawler, especially this show's version, putting up one helluva struggle. If even the useless Cyclops can beat one Ninja, Kurt in this show could take 50 before being dropped.

I know it is plot convenience, and I know there is only so much time. It wasn't a major downside to the episode, but something I did note. After all, in the original UXM #172, the entire X-Men are poisoned rather than gassed by attacking ninja, so there was that allusion to the old comic, I guess. Still, losing to Ninja is a bit like losing to your grandma in wrestling.

The "scent vision" is a new idea from Kyle & Johnson and while it is a little cheesy, I think it is a good way to show Logan piecing together clues of a scene from his senses and deduction; animation is a visual medium after all, and it saves them the trouble of Logan narrating it all. I don't mind it, since it has only been used twice within 17 episodes.

This leads to Wolverine and Rogue going off to rescue the ninja, and Logan being reminded of his past in Japan. He had been training to be a samurai, and was in love with Mariko Yoshida. However, to settle honor with the Yakuza family that she was involved in, she had to marry the Silver Samurai. This is a mind reference to Frank Miller's WOLVERINE mini. Logan sought an honor duel for her hand, but despite winning, she married the Samurai, for reasons Logan didn't know. Rogue, at the very least, constantly seeks answers from the "always in motion" Logan as he sneaks into the Japanese embassy to try to find Kenuichio Harada (who, for the first time, is animated without his armor, at least briefly) and the X-Men. Instead he finds Mariko, who still bares feelings for him and notes that she only married Harada because it was what her family wanted, and both of them would have been slain had she not done so. In macho man style, Logan presumes he would have protected both of them. It is obvious that Mariko is in a loveless marriage, and reveals where the X-Men are after Logan promises not to appease Harada by giving him a rematch duel. The loss to Logan was the only one of Harada's career, and he seeks to settle that debt, albeit by forcing Logan's hand by kidnapping his friends. Rogue, of course, is interested in the tale of Mariko's past love and seems bemused by the idea of Logan once being smitten and nearly engaged. Mariko's design is a bit thin and whispy, but I had no problems with her.

Harada/Silver Samurai looked great; his costume is very detailed and was animated very smoothly. Wolverine and Rogue get to fight off some ninja as they seek to track down the X-Men, and of course because they are the feature heroes, they can beat about two dozen of them at once. In the end, though, Harada uses gas to beat Logan and add Rogue to his X-Men collection to force a final showdown.

To Logan's credit, he actually is distraught at the idea that his own personal feud involved the X-Men and now was risking their lives. As everyone will recall, Logan hypocritically lashed out at Scott for that very thing in episode 12. No mention of that is made, though; yelling at Cyclops is always fine. Future Xavier embraces Logan, calls him "son" and unlocks memories of his old sensei so Logan can have a training montage and work on his kendo skills again. Faster than you can say "GONNA FLY NOW", Logan is back to his bushido ways. Much like in the X-films, one could buy Xavier being this close and passionate about helping ease Logan's pain or help him learn if he did so for any other X-Man. But he isn't. Scott was in turmoil and Xavier has left him to mope in peace. Ororo is the other natural leader and beyond ordering her rescue from the Shadow King in episode 4, he has nothing to do with her. The idea of Logan being the rag tag leader by circumstance is fine; but do we have to steal away Scott's position in Xavier's heart? Can Logan stand to have any character in the X-Men have or be something that he is not? Does the entire universe have to bend over backwards to prove that the X-Men are nothing without the almighty biker berserker?

After that bit, though, the rest is peachy keen. Logan arrives in full samurai dress and katanna for the fight, as have Silver Samurai and a strange masked ninja who may be Logan's old mentor, but also acts like the referee from SAMURAI SHOWDOWN. I almost expected him to raise a little white and red flag for each round, or throw random food at them for health. The sword duel between Logan and Harada is well done. Of course, Logan fights with honor and has the advantage, and of course Harada resorts to cheating via his power to try to win, losing his clan's respect. Logan saves the day with his heroism, the X-Men are returned to him like stolen luggage, and all can cheer in his awesome. There still is that romance between Mariko and Logan, but she remains honor bound to him as his wife, and despite Harada admitting he only married her to, ahem, "****block" Logan from her, Mariko will remain faithful. While a comic book likely would have allowed Logan to kiss a married man's wife after all that, a network TV show won't, so off she goes into the mist. It was a sad moment.

While this episode has less to do with the main plot as the Weapon X ones, I enjoyed the faithful transition of Mariko and Harada, and that Asian aspect of Logan's storied history. What I could have done without was the consistent story conveniences set up to showcase how useless the rest of the X-Men are without Wolverine and that he is the absolute center of their universe, the one Xavier cares about the most, the only one who inspires Rogue to fight competently, and so forth. Those shipping for he and Rogue, though, might notice she didn't seem as concerned as Frost was for Scott, and almost was bemused to see her "hero" involved in a dime story samurai romance. The fight sequences were done very well, and I liked how Logan didn't beat Harada with a kick for network standards, but actually sword-chopped his helmet off. Not the best episode of the show, but one of Logan's better solo episodes, with a more faithful transition of one aspect of Logan' character than has been captured by animation before.

Next episode, according to TV.com, should feature more of the X-Men again.