TV Review | X-Men '97 Season 2 (Episode 8)

“The penultimate episode of X-Men ’97 season 2 is intense and deeply emotional as it marks the big return of Gambit but in a very different role.”

It’s Wednesday, so this means it’s time for a new episode of X-Men ’97. Episode 8 is now streaming on Disney +, are you all ready for the season finale next week?

A scene from Marvel’s *X-MEN ’97* Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel. © 2026 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

THE RETURN OF GAMBIT

Episode 6 ended with a major cliffhanger: Apocalypse bringing Gambit back to life, but clearly not the Gambit we once knew and loved. Then last week’s episode ended with Apocalypse dead and the new Gambit missing, leaving even more questions about what comes next. This week’s episode finally answers these questions.

This marks Gambit’s big return, but as the cliffhanger suggested, he comes back in a very different role: as a villain. Undoubtedly, he makes a formidable foe for X-Corp and X-Force. The episode delivers some intense and powerful action sequences, and because of the nature of the threat, even Professor X gets involved and is given one of the coolest action scenes of the series so far.

But this episode is more than just a showcase of big action. It is also deeply emotional, especially for Rogue. Even though this is a different Gambit, he is still Gambit to her, and that makes the situation far more complicated. Watching her deal with the return of someone she loves, adds a powerful emotional layer to the story.

WAS IT THE RIGHT CHOICE TO BRING BACK GAMBIT?

Gambit’s return also raises a big question: was it the right choice to bring him back? X-Men ’97 has proven to be a series where character deaths carry real weight, impacting both the characters and the story itself. It is a show willing to take risks and make difficult choices, which gives the narrative genuine stakes. The audience never knows if their favourite character will survive a major battle.

However, bringing Gambit back could potentially undermine that impact and lessen the emotional weight of his original death. What is important for the story is not what the fans want but what the story needs. We will have to wait for the season finale to see how this storyline concludes.