Days of Past Future
Apocalypse's latest scheme has scattered the X-Men across three different points in time, forcing the team to fight on multiple fronts. While some mutants remain in 1997, others find themselves stranded in the distant past and far future. To stop Apocalypse before his plans reshape history, the heroes must reunite across time itself.
Warning: Spoilers Below.
Into the Future
Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, and Morph awaken in a distant future ruled by Apocalypse's influence. Back in 1997, Bishop and Forge determine where the missing X-Men have landed and begin constructing a device capable of reaching them. Because of his relationship with Storm established in the first season, Forge volunteers for the mission.
His arrival is anything but welcoming. Massive Cyber-Hounds immediately attack, but Wolverine helps him survive the assault before Storm reunites with him. The team quickly explains how much has changed since they were transported into the future.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios
Cyclops and Jean, meanwhile, have finally reunited with their son, Nathan Summers. Sent into the future as an infant to save his life, Nathan now lives under the protection of Mother Askani and her people. She believes each group of displaced X-Men has been sent to a specific point in history connected to Apocalypse's larger plan.
Although Cyclops and Jean want nothing more than to remain with Nathan, Forge warns that they still don't understand why they were sent here. Staying in the future could also jeopardize Nathan's destiny as the hero known as Cable.
Family Comes First
Unable to walk away from their son a second time, Cyclops and Jean ignore the warnings from Mother Askani, Storm, and Forge. Their escape attempt is cut short when Apocalypse's Four Horsemen, Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death, capture the family and imprison them aboard Apocalypse's slave train.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios
Elsewhere, Mother Askani helps Wolverine, Morph, Storm, and Forge prepare a rescue mission. During their planning, she reveals Apocalypse's true objective: he intends to claim Nathan's body as a permanent vessel, allowing him to escape the endless cycle of regeneration.
Forge develops a strategy to infiltrate the train, but their ship requires an enormous burst of energy. Mother Askani tells Storm that only a powerful solar storm can provide it. Storm doubts she can accomplish such a feat until Mother Askani explains that she comes from an even darker future where she has already witnessed Storm succeed.
A Long-Awaited Truth
On the train, Cyclops, Jean, and Nathan are fitted with inhibitor collars that suppress their mutant abilities. Jean encourages Nathan to redirect the techno-organic virus in his arm into the device, hoping it will disable the collar.
Nathan initially struggles and grows frustrated after hearing his entire life that he is somehow "special." Realizing what he truly needs is honesty, Cyclops and Jean finally reveal that they are his parents and explain why they were forced to send him away as a child.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios
The revelation gives Nathan the confidence to overcome the inhibitor, freeing both himself and his parents. Together, the reunited family fights back against Apocalypse's forces.
At the same time, Forge's plan succeeds. Storm generates the massive solar storm needed to power their assault, allowing the remaining X-Men to board the train and drive Apocalypse into retreat.
Recognizing that 1997 remains the point where the X-Men are most vulnerable, Apocalypse abandons the future and shifts his attention back to the present. Nathan stays behind to lead Mother Askani's people and help rebuild after the battle, while the X-Men continue their pursuit through time.
Looking Ahead
As the episode closes, the adult Cable begins remembering the events his younger self experienced with Cyclops and Jean. Those memories inspire him to take action.
Joining forces with Psylocke and Archangel, Cable decides it's time to assemble a team capable of changing the future. Their first recruits are Jubilee and Sunspot, two X-Men who were never displaced through time at the end of the first season.
Final Thoughts
The season premiere delivers plenty of exciting moments and meaningful character development, particularly for Cyclops, Jean, and Nathan. Even so, the pacing feels a bit rushed. The future setting introduces compelling ideas that could have supported several episodes before the story moved on.
Despite that, the episode lays a strong foundation for the season ahead. With Apocalypse targeting multiple points in history and Cable beginning to assemble his own team, the story appears poised to expand in some exciting directions.
X-Men '97 is now streaming on Disney+.
Article Written By: Jeremy Brown for Stelmach Brown Media 2026
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