X-Men ’97’s finale features a massive amount of references, cameos, and Easter eggs, each one more exciting and surprising than the next.

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Men ’97 episode 10

X-Men 97’s finale features a massive amount of exciting Easter eggs, references, and a legion of exciting Marvel cameos. Featuring the X-Men as they go head-to-head with Bastion and his Prime Sentinels, the entire planet hangs in the balance as mutantkind’s greatest heroes face the threat of humanity’s zero tolerance in its most lethal form. To that end, the finale is the epic conclusion of this first reason with several nods to both the original comics, the original X-Men animated series, and more.

As seen in X-Men ’97 episode 10, the X-Men take on Bastion while Charles Xavier fights to get through to Magneto and his inner darkness. Featuring a huge surprise ending twist with some very exciting expectation subversion, X-Men ’97 season 1’s ending is easily one of Marvel Studios’ best finales of all time. To that end, here are 21 of the biggest and best Easter eggs and references from X-Men ’97 episode 10.

Changes To X-Men ’97’s Opening Credits

A Couple of Notable Changes

There are a few notable changes to X-Men ’97’s opening credits, a common trend across the entire season. For the finale, new shots include a sequence with young Charles Xavier and Magento united together before they became ongoing rivals, an important sequence considering Xavier’s exploration into the past while inside Magneto’s head in this final episode. The opening credits also feature an image of Emma Frost and the Hellfire Club from the original animated X-Men series.

Xavier Risks His And Magneto’s Minds Being Shattered

Teasing Onslaught

Seeking to break into Magneto’s mind, Magnus claims that Xavier forcing his way in could result in both of their minds being shattered. Taking the risk, Xavier brutally overwhelms Magneto despite his resistance, an encounter in the comics that resulted in the creation of the major villain Onslaught, a dark persona forged from the darkness of both Xavier and Magneto who was born shortly after the Master of Magnetism enraged Xavier by ripping out the adamantium from Wolverine’s body, just as he did in the previous episode of X-Men ’97.

Multiple Major Marvel Cameos

Both Mutant And Human Heroes

Following Xavier’s attack on Magneto’s mind and the reactivation of the Prime Sentinels, various Marvel heroes and mutants across the globe are featured reacting to Bastion’s renewed attack on the planet and its mutants. This includes the classic Wolverine villain Silver Samurai before the surprise reveal of both Iron Man and Captain America who are seen protecting President Robert Kelly. Daredevil is then shown fighting near Josie’s Diner in Hell’s Kitchen, just before Doctor Strange is shown at the operating table in Manhattan. Cloak and Dagger make appearances as well.

It’s also revealed the other countries are no less safe from Bastion’s forces. This includes the secluded nation of Wakanda which features The Black Panther and Dora Milaje. Russia’s Crimson Dynamo, Darkstar, and Omega Red are shown next, just before Psylocke and members of Canada’s Alpha Flight are met by Prime Sentinels amid the remains of Genosha. To that end, the cameos just keep on coming in X-Men ’97 episode 10.

“I Am Phoenix!”

A Part of The Phoenix Still Inside Jean

Defeating Mister Sinister once and for all and also saving Cable from the villain’s control, Jean Grey reveals that a small piece of the Phoenix still remains within her as she resembles the comics’ White Phoenix of the Crown. This also helps support the idea that Jean was indeed the Phoenix and that the Madelyne Pryor switch came later in the original animated series. It’s also incredibly epic to see Jean remove all the mutant DNA Mister Sinister had stolen over the centuries using the Phoenix’s power.

Magneto’s Amnesia

Another Onslaught Tease

Following Xavier’s forceful entry into Magneto’s mind, Erik could no longer remember who he was. This requires Xavier to help build his friend’s mind back up from its foundations, sans the darkness and pain Erik had long held onto. While Magneto’s amnesia also happened in the comics, it was far more intentional on Xavier’s part as an act of vengeance for what happened to Logan, an act that ultimately led to the emergence of Onslaught on the page.

Best At What You Do

Wolverine Isn’t Just A Killer

Telling a comatose Wolverine to do what he does best, Cyclops specifies that healing is what Wolverine does best. This is an extremely satisfying flip of what Wolverine’s classic line usually means. Normally, being the best at what he does is usually referencing his brutality and willingness to do things others won’t. However, Cylcops’ line points to the goodness of Wolverine and his more non-destructive side, which is a nice change of pace.

Bastion’s New Upgrades

Teasing A Body For Onslaught

Taking Cable’s cybernetic arm from the future, Bastion uses it to upgrade his own armor and systems. This gives him deadly wings that ultimately resemble the pointed armor shoulders of Onslaught, another tease that the merged darkness of Xavier and Magneto was going to find a home in Bastion by the finale’s end. However, the teases were simply teases and fun nods as the finale ends up subverting expectations by redeeming both Charles and Magneto by the episode’s end.

Remember It”

Rogue Avenges Gambit

Finally getting her chance to face Gambit’s killer, Rogue honors Remy’s memory by riffing on his classic line from both the original animated series and X-Men ’97 just before his death: “His name was Gambit. Remember it”. Rogue says this right before punching Bastion right in the face, sending him out from Asteroid M and onto the moon. As such, it’s an incredibly powerful moment that has been a long time coming for Rogue.

Blue Side Moon

A Classic X-Men Location

Continuing to fight on the moon, Bastion and the X-Men end up in the Blue Area, a section of the moon with its own breathable air and is the typical home of Uatu the Watcher. It’s also where the Shi’ar Imperial Guard fought the X-Men in the original animated series during the Phoenix Saga. It also became home to Attilan in the comics, the city of the Inhumans led by Black Bolt.

King T’Chaka

Still The Black Panther

With the global crisis in full effect, various national leaders convene to decide what should be done in X-Men ’97 episode 10. This includes Black Panther who’s revealed to be none other than King T’Chaka. As such, it seems as though T’Challa has not yet taken his father’s place in this animated Marvel Universe, either his mantle as the Black Panther or the throne as the king of Wakanda.

Magneto Protocols

References To Magneto Actors

Agreeing to enact the Magneto Protocols from the comics, President Kelly opens up Magneto’s file. In it, a list of aliases Magnus has allegedly gone by is featured with a few choice redactions. However, it’s easy to deduce the full names and who’s being referenced. The first is David Hemblen who was the first Magneto voice actor in the original animated series. The second is Ian, which is almost certainly referencing Sir Ian McKellan who first played Magento in live-action, followed by Michael Fassbender who played the younger Magneto in Fox’s rebooted X-Men films.