What. An. Episode.
Today's fifth instalment of X-Men '97, titled "Remember It," begins by following a documentary crew in the X-Mansion as they get to know the team. There's plenty of drama away from the cameras, though, including a moment which sees Jean Grey kiss Wolverine as she attempts to figure out her muddled past.
Logan tells her to go back to Cyclops who, after making his feelings known about humans to the interviewer, is comforted by Jean...except it isn't Jean. It's Madelyne Pryor; she and Scott have been having a psychic affair for weeks in the wake of their son being taken into the future by Bishop.
Meanwhile, on Genosha, Magento, Rogue, and Gambit explore the mutant paradise ahead of it officially becoming part of the United Nations.
There are heaps of cameos (Nightcrawler!), while we also learn that the island is currently ruled over by a council made up of Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost, Banshee, Callisto, and Moira MacTaggert. They want Magneto to be their King, but he'll only do so with Rogue by his side.
The X-Man confesses to Gambit that she and Magneto were once romantically involved and decides to be with the Master of Magnetism...until they share a dance and she realises it's Remy she wants.
Jean and Madelyne are both hit by some sort of psychic blast and the latter is reunited with Cable. She realises he's her son before the time-traveller is pulled back to the future after issuing a dire warning.
With that, a massive Sentinel attacks Genosha and lays waste to its population. Rogue and Gambit spring into action to save the Morlocks while Magneto attempts to hold the giant robot at bay; countless mutants die and, after using his powers to protect his fellow X-Men, Magneto and the Morlocks are also killed.
Gambit saves Rogue, only to lose his life in the process. He goes out a hero, though, and uses his powers to destroy that massive Sentinel and save the few remaining mutants on Genosha (Banshee, Sebastian Shaw, and more are among the deceased).
A devastated Rogue cradles the dead Gambit in her bare hands and says, "I can't feel you," as the episode ends.
Who was behind the attack? That's not revealed, though comic book fans will know it was Cassandra Nova (Deadpool & Wolverine's rumoured villain). Whether she's about to make her X-Men '97 debut remains to be seen, but it's fair to say none of us saw these developments coming.