TV Review | X-Men '97 Season 2 (Episode 9)

“The Season 2 finale of X-Men ’97 is both a spectacular, action-packed spectacle and a surprisingly underwhelming conclusion.”

It’s Wednesday, so this means it’s time for a new episode of X-Men ’97 but this is also the end of the road. Today is the season finale, but don’t worry the series has already been renewed for the third season. The season 2 finale is now streaming on Disney +.

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

THE BIG FIGHT

It’s the season finale, so it needs to go big, and X-Men ’97 certainly delivers on that front. It’s mutant versus mutant, as X-Force and X-Factor join forces to take down Gambit/Apocalypse, while X-Corp fights to protect him, giving Rogue a chance to save the real Gambit. The result is an explosive showdown, and X-Factor doesn’t hold back when it comes to the weapons they bring to the battlefield. It’s a massive conflict with everyone joining the fight, and this action-packed sequence is easily the highlight of the finale.

On a side note, make sure to stick around during the credits. There’s a mid-credits scene that teases what’s to come next season. This is going to be exciting.

AN UNDERWHELMING CONCLUDION

Moreover, Apocalypse was presented as the big boss of the season. After all, he’s the greatest threat the X-Men have ever faced. So coming into the finale, there’s obviously a lot of expectations concerning this iconic villain. Unfortunately, the series doesn’t deliver on this front. The conclusion of Apocalypse’s story arc is underwhelming to say the least. It had the potential to be truly epic, but that potential is ultimately wasted. The same can be said with Gambit’s return.It also undermines the impact of his tragic death in Genosha in the first season. This episode relies on several emotional twists, but instead of delivering the same powerful impact as previous episodes, they fall flat.

VERDICT

The Season 2 finale of X-Men ’97 is both a spectacular, action-packed spectacle and a surprisingly underwhelming conclusion. Overall, this has been a great season, filled with high stakes and major surprises, but the final two episodes haven’t quite lived up to the rest of the season.