The ending of X-Men ’97 episode 5 was incredibly climactic, bringing plenty of death, destruction, and tragedy to the show’s story and characters.

Warning! This article contains spoilers for X-Men ’97 episode 5.

X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending featured a shocking attack on the mutant nation of Genosha, one that served up a tragic, climactic third act. After X-Men ’97 episode 4’s ending focused on Storm and Forge, X-Men ’97 episode 5 picked back up with the other members of the team. As Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, and Wolverine dealt with a press tour of the X-Mansion, Magneto journeyed to Genosha to oversee the country’s formal induction into the United Nations alongside Rogue and Gambit.

With only a handful of episodes left before X-Men ’97 season 1’s ending, episode 5 ramps up the story in a huge way. The attack on Genosha by an army of Sentinels will surely lead into X-Men ’97 season 2’s story as well as have big ramifications for the remaining episodes of season 1. With Professor X missing from X-Men ’97, the fallout of Genosha’s assault will likely fall on Cyclops’ shoulders given X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending seemingly killed off several major characters in shocking fashion.

Who Sent The Army Of Sentinels To Attack Genosha In X-Men ’97 Episode 5

There are several potential candidates behind Genosha’s attack in X-Men ’97 episode 5.

The story of both X-Men ’97 and X-Men: The Animated Series means that several candidates could be raised as the aggressor against Genosha. The involvement of Sentinels seemingly hints at two former enemies of the X-Men being responsible for the attack: Henry Gyrich and Bolivar Trask. These two characters were responsible for overseeing the Sentinel program in X-Men: The Animated Series, and appeared in X-Men ’97 episode 1 to see their work continued, only to be stopped by Cyclops and the X-Men. In a bid for revenge, the “Godzilla Sentinel” could have been created and sent by Trask and Gyrich.

Another possibility stems from Marvel Comics. In the New X-Men comic book, specifically issue 115 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, a similar attack on Genosha takes place. Sentinels invade the island, killing millions of mutants, and are sent by another long-time X-Men villain: Cassandra Nova. In Marvel Comics, Cassandra Nova is the evil twin sister of Professor X and becomes hellbent on eradicating all mutants, leading to the attack on Genosha. It could be the case that X-Men ’97 is adapting this run, and Cassandra Nova is behind the attack as a new villain for the show.

Cassandra Nova is rumored to be the main villain of the upcoming Marvel Studios movie, Deadpool & Wolverine.

Did Magneto & The Morlocks Die In X-Men ’97 Episode 5?

Several major X-Men characters may have perished in Genosha’s attack.

At the end of X-Men ’97 episode 5, Magneto is shown defending the Morlocks from the “Godzilla Sentinel.” Magneto holds back the giant Sentinel’s weapon, which is targeting him due to his status as an Omega-level mutant. Eventually, Magneto’s barriers are breached by the Sentinel and an explosion occurs before the Sentinel exclaims that the Omega-level threat has been eliminated. This seemingly implies that Magneto and the Morlocks were all killed in X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending, begging the question of whether this actually happened or if they could return somehow.

In Marvel Comics, Magneto was thought to have been killed in the attack on Genosha by Cassandra Nova. However, it is later revealed that he somehow survived his injuries due to being smuggled to a shelter by his followers. It could be the case that X-Men ’97 reveals Magneto survived this way too, with the Morlocks potentially aiding their leader by smuggling him away from the blast.

Is Gambit Dead? His X-Men ’97 Fate Explained

The tragic loss of a major X-Man could lead to several future stories.

X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending not only saw the seeming end of Magneto but Gambit as well. After Magneto’s apparent death, Rogue flies into a rage against the giant Sentinel. Gambit, in an attempt to spare her life, charges the Sentinel himself after subduing Rogue. As he is about to deliver the final blow, the Sentinal stabs Gambit with a metal, protruding arm. Gambit then uses his mutant abilities to supercharge the arm, imbuing the entire Sentinel with kinetic energy. The Sentinel explodes, though Gambit is seemingly killed in the blast.

Rogue finds Gambit’s lifeless body after this, muttering the words “I can’t feel you” before the episode cuts to black. Therefore, the burning question of X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending is whether Gambit is truly dead. In Marvel Comics, Gambit has only been killed once, when he sacrificed his life during a fight in Otherworld. Due to his death occurring in Otherworld, he was resurrected by Apocalypse as one of the villain’s Four Horsemen, before eventually recovering his original personality and powers.

Given this storyline in the comics, it could be the case that X-Men ’97 brings back Apocalypse as a major antagonist. His defeat in X-Men: The Animated Series included hints that Apocalypse could return in the future, which could explain how Gambit returns. While Gambit’s death in X-Men ’97 episode 5 took place in the real world and not Otherworld, Apocalypse could still revive him in some way, teasing Gambit’s return as an agent of the X-Men villain in future seasons of the show.

What Will Become Of Rogue After X-Men ’97 Episode 5’s Ending?

The deaths of Magneto and Gambit will greatly affect Rogue.

More so than any other character, Rogue will be impacted by X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending. The attack on Genosha took the two men Rogue had cared for in the past away from her, likely leading her down a dark path. However, the seeming death of Magneto could see Rogue take up the mantle of Genosha’s ruler as was presented to her in X-Men ’97 episode 5. This way, Rogue could continue the legacy of Magneto and Professor X while also helping the mutants hurt in the attack, similarly honoring Gambit’s sacrifice.

Will X-Men ’97 Episode 5’s Ending Affect Genosha’s UN Status?

Genosha’s attack could make humans more sympathetic to the mutant cause.

Before Genosha was attacked in X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending, the gala to induct the country into the United Nations was underway. This begs the question of whether the attack will hinder this, or potentially aid it. X-Men ’97 made it clear that the rest of the world was aware of the attack on Genosha, with the other X-Men watching footage of the massacre. It could well be the case that these tragic events make humans even more sympathetic to the mutants’ cause, with aid being sent to Genosha in future episodes.

X-Men ’97 Episode 5 Teased Cable’s Importance To Genosha’s Fate

The son of Scott and Madelyne could have a role to play in the future of X-Men ’97’s story.

Perhaps the most intriguing element of X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending took place right before the attack on Genosha: Cable’s warning. Before the Sentinels are unleashed, Madelyne senses that her son is nearby. Outside, she finds Cable, who tries to warn Madelyne about the impending attack. However, Cable is too late and is sucked back into a time portal, before the episode fully shifts focus to the Sentinel attack.

X-Men ’97 has changed Cable’s origin somewhat, with the son of Cyclops and Madelyne being taken into the future by Bishop to save him from Mr. Sinister’s techno-organic virus. After seemingly growing into Cable in the future, Nathan Summers attempts to warn his mother of the attack on Genosha. This could hint that Cable may try this again, potentially changing the outcome of the attack and saving the lives of Magneto, Gambit, and millions of other mutants in a deviation from Marvel Comics.

In the comics, Cable is taken to the future by members of Clan Askani, a group dedicated to fighting Apocalypse, hinting at the latter villain’s involvement.

X-Men ’97 Episode 5 Sets Up Two Different Love Triangles

Episode 5’s tragedy is offset by typical X-Men love triangles.

Finally, amid all the death and destruction, X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending also teased two love triangles for the future of the show. Throughout most iterations of the X-Men, Scott, Logan, and Jean have been wrapped up in a love triangle, from The Animated Series to the Fox live-action X-Men movies. X-Men ’97 is seemingly continuing this plot point by having Jean Grey kiss Logan in episode 5. Confused about her memories, Jean momentarily lapses in her loyalty to Scott by kissing Logan, teasing drama to come.

On the other side of this love triangle – or more aptly, love square – is Scott himself. X-Men ’97 episode 5 introduced the idea that Madelyne and Scott have remained in touch using the former’s psychic powers, just as Scott and Jean used to. When confronted about this, Scott reveals to Jean that he loves both her and Madelyne, primarily driven by the latter being the mother of Nathan. While X-Men ’97 episode 5’s ending introduced more tragic, compelling story points than this, it remains the case that the love lives of the titular team will cause problems going forward.