'X-Men '97' Episode 8: From Magneto's tattoo to Spider-Man's cameo, 5 Easter eggs you may have missed in 'Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1'
Contains spoilers for 'X-Men '97'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'X-Men '97' Episode 8 titled 'Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1' marks the beginning of a thrilling three-part finale, revealing a tapestry of classic references and notable Easter eggs.
The episode ramps up the tension, with humanity and mutants edging closer to a showdown, sparked by the reveal of this season's main antagonist, Bastion (Theo James). This leads to an array of exciting cameo appearances.
In this episode, it's revealed that Bastion is the mastermind behind the season's turmoil. His chilling backstory as a hybrid of Master Mold and Nimrod highlights him as the epitome of the Sentinel threat, encapsulating both the historical and futuristic aspects of mutant hunters.
Through his Operation: Zero Tolerance, Bastion aims to eliminate all mutants, prompting the X-Men to mount a vigorous defense against his Prime Sentinels.
On that note, here are 5 easter eggs you might've missed in 'Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 1'.
Beast references 'Kamar-Taj' from the MCU
In a pivotal scene where the X-Men discuss the tragic Fall of Genosha with Cable, Beast brings up the 'sorcerers of Kamar-Taj' and their exploration of absolute points in time, a concept also touched upon in Marvel's 'What...If?'.
This mention not only deepens the narrative but also confirms the presence of a broader Marvel Universe beyond just mutants.
The reference to Kamar-Taj is particularly thrilling as it ties back to characters like Doctor Strange and Wong, who appeared in the original animated series, suggesting they might still be active in this universe.
Magneto's tattoo is a reference to what happened in Auschwitz
Following the Fall of Genosha, Magneto finds himself a prisoner at the OZT facility, captured by Bastion and Sinister.
During a conversation with Valerie Cooper, viewers can see a significant detail, the identification number tattooed on Magneto's arm, reminiscent of his traumatic past in Auschwitz.
This number matches those used in the 'X-Men' live-action movies by Fox and originally in the comics.
However, it's important to note that the initial number, 214782, was later changed to 24005 in the comics, correcting a historical inaccuracy since the former would not have been a valid number at Auschwitz.
Baron Zemo's 'X-Men '97' cameo
In a twist of events, the infamous Marvel villain Baron Zemo (Rama Vallury) is disclosed as part of the OZT.
His revelation comes after a comment from Doom, leading Zemo to express his concerns that Bastion's Prime Sentinel program might be hindered as long as the US President and other global leaders view the X-Men as champions and friends of humanity.
Agreeing with Zemo, Bastion assures him that he has already devised plans to eliminate the X-Men, with an army of Prime Sentinels ready to be deployed.
The famous 'Magneto Was Right' catchphrase in 'X-Men '97'
In 'X-Men '97', Magneto dramatically boosts his powers at the North Pole, echoing the 'Fatal Attractions' storyline from the comics. During this crucial moment, Valerie Cooper endorses the iconic phrase 'Magneto Was Right.'
This statement, which became popular in the comics after Magneto's assumed death following the original Fall of Genosha, symbolizes a shift in perception among mutants, even appearing on shirts at the Xavier School.
This scene in the show marks a significant turn for Magneto, signaling his break from Xavier's peaceful approach and his readiness to engage in battle.
'X-Men '97' has a friendly neighborhood cameo
When Magneto unleashes a massive power surge from the North Pole, it catches the attention of Spider-Man, setting the stage for a potential confrontation.
This cameo is particularly thrilling, building on a hint from the premiere episode's Daily Bugle newspaper tease and recalling Spider-Man's previous team-ups with the X-Men in his own '90s animated series.
This appearance in 'X-Men '97' could be setting the stage for more exciting crossovers in future episodes.
'X-Men '97' final trailer
8 episodes of 'X-Men '97' are now exclusively streaming on Disney+.