X-Men '97's second season concludes with "Survival of the Fittest," an episode that, while featuring strong character beats, struggles to deliver a cohesive and satisfying conclusion to its primary antagonist's arc. The season's ambitious setup, particularly concerning the ancient mutant Apocalypse, loses momentum in its latter half, leading to a finale that, despite some emotional highs, ultimately feels anticlimactic.
The handling of Apocalypse's storyline post-episode four has been a notable point of contention. After serving as a driving force in the season's initial episodes, the character fades into the background, leaving his motivations and actions unclear. His complex backstory, including his relationship with Candra, is treated as an afterthought in episode eight, diminishing the impact of his eventual return.
When Apocalypse finally confronts Professor X and the X-Men in the finale, the reunion lacks the gravitas expected. The momentum built around the character in the first half of the season has dissipated, resulting in a brief and underwhelming confrontation. The power-boosted Rogue quickly dispatches Apocalypse, a payoff that pales in comparison to the epic scale of storylines from the original series. Apocalypse's millennia-spanning master plan ultimately amounts to little more than stealing Gambit's body and briefly antagonizing the X-Men.
However, the season's climax shines in the build-up to the final showdown, featuring an epic clash between the reunited X-Men and the combined forces of X-Force and X-Factor. This conflict effectively pays off character arcs, particularly for Cable and Polaris, whose conflicted loyalties add a tragic layer to the battle. In a season that explores soured human-mutant relations, the sight of mutants fighting amongst themselves is both thrilling in a classic Saturday morning cartoon sense and disheartening.
Despite the underwhelming resolution to the Apocalypse plot, the episode delivers an emotional punch with the twist involving Nightcrawler. What initially appears to be another separation for Rogue and Remy is revealed to be Kurt's selfless sacrifice for his sister. This act provides a fitting and emotional end to Nightcrawler's journey, showcasing the writers' deep affection for the character. The implications of the Celestials' involvement suggest that they may seek a replacement for Apocalypse, hinting at future cosmic threats.
Ultimately, the season might have benefited from retaining the 10-episode structure of its predecessor. A longer format could have allowed for a more focused exploration of the X-Men versus X-Force and X-Factor conflict, while also giving more space to flesh out Apocalypse's narrative. While former head writer Beau DeMayo has offered insights into original plans for a tenth episode, it is perhaps best for the series to move past Apocalypse and establish a fresh direction for Season 3. The post-credits scene certainly teases what's to come, setting the stage for future developments.