Warning: This article contains spoilers for X-Men ’97 episode 9, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2.”

Tragedy may have befallen the X-Men team in X-Men ’97 yet again, as another prominent mutant hero seems to have been killed off. Set outside the MCU, X-Men ’97 caught up with the titular team from X-Men: The Animated Series in the 1990s, bringing back the likes of Cyclops, Storm and Rogue, roughly a year after Professor X departed Earth. With only one episode left to release, X-Men ’97 has featured some intense twists and turns, and has included many emotional and memorable moments, which continued in dramatic fashion in X-Men ’97 episode 9, “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 2”.

After Magneto emitted an electromagnetic pulse and wiped out Bastion’s Prime Sentinels in X-Men ’97 episode 8, the second chapter of X-Men ’97’s three-part finale saw the Master of Magnetism don his iconic helmet and turn his back on humanity. After Magneto turns Rogue and Sunspot to his cause, he eventually comes into conflict with Professor X, Jubilee, Wolverine and Cyclops, while the other X-Men members battle Bastion, his army of Sentinels, and Mister Sinister. This culminated in shocking and haunting moments in the final moments of X-Men ’97 episode 9, which may have seen another X-Men member killed off.

Did Cable Just Kill Jean Grey In X-Men ’97?

While Professor X, Jubilee, Wolverine and Cyclops handled Magneto and his new allies, and Storm and Forge battled Bastion’s massive army of Sentinels, Jean Grey was cornered by Mister Sinister in X-Men ’97 episode 9. Mister Sinister attempted to manipulate Jean Grey, noting that he could inform her of exactly when he switched her with Madelyne Pryor, her clone, Cyclops’ former lover, and Cable’s biological mother. This spar saw Mister Sinister take control of Cable himself, proving the older Nathan Summers is still connected to his childhood abductor, but the futuristic X-Men member was aimed tragically at Jean Grey herself.

This sequence saw Cable, under Mister Sinister’s control, reveal that his mother’s powerful telepathic abilities had been passed down to him. While his technological weapons were no match for Jean Grey’s abilities, Cable’s telepathy proved to be far stronger than Jean’s own powers, so this battle seemingly culminated in Jean Grey’s demise. Bidding a final farewell to Cyclops by connecting to him through her power, Jean Grey submitted to Cable’s attack, apparently ending the animosity between Jean Grey and the son of her clone, but leaving Jean Grey’s fate and Cable’s reaction to his actions under Mister Sinister’s control uncertain.

How Jean Grey Could Have Survived

Jean Grey’s fate has been left unclear after X-Men ’97 episode 9, as she hasn’t revealed to be either dead or alive. However, it’s very possible she could have survived this assault, as she has in the past. Jean Grey has referenced her evolution into the Phoenix several times throughout X-Men ’97, so it’s possible she could still somehow be connected to the Phoenix Force. This would allow her to return in X-Men ’97’s upcoming finale, even stronger than before. Ultimately, it’s likely this attack will bring Cable and Jean Grey closer in X-Men ’97, though only time will tell.