angelophile | Catching up with Wolverine and the X-men

I got completely distracted by episodes of ER, movies, being down the gym regularly, deadline and a bunch of other stuff and so got completely behind with episodes of Wolverine and the X-men. Especially since the show's been showing almost daily in the UK and episodes suddenly snowballed.

However, I used to get the occasional comment on my blow-by-blow review things, though, so I've played catchup over the last week and watched a few episodes. So, under the cut, find reviews of episodes 15 - 19 going from my memory of them.

Episode 15: Hunting Grounds

Kurt gets the spotlight again, continuing the story arc that's seen him bounced between pirates, Magneto and hitting on the Scarlet Witch along the way. (Let's pretend this continuity is the one that produces Nocturne.) Both she and Kurt are kidnapped by Spiral (following on from the earlier episode) and Mojo scuttles into view. The major problem I found with this episode is that there was no reason given for Mojo doing what he was doing. No mention of Mojoworld, just the slug sticking Kurt and Wanda in a death trap and springing traps on them. More of an Arcade scenario than a Mojo one, really, and despite Charlie Adler supplying Mojo's voice he failed to make any significant impact as a villain.

It did, however, nicely add layers to Wanda's character and continue to enrich Kurt, who's already received the focus of a number of episode, and limp voice acting aside, has been shown at the top of his game. There's been respect shown for him and a character and as a fighter and this episode continued that trend.

The plot, however, was not significant and one minor twist aside, served little but to reunite Kurt with the X-men and show that Magneto's still a bit of a cock.

Not bad but not outstanding either.

RATING: ***

Episode 16: Badlands

In the future Professor X's group of mutants go on the run from the sentinels, while in the present Kitty, Wolverine and Forge infiltrate the MRD's base. And that's pretty much it. This episode has filler written all over it and while it's not bad exactly, it's just weak and feels generally pointless. The future world isn't really fleshed out any more and the mission in the present is almost entirely pointless. There's a few highlights - Kitty's bossiness and Forge's lack of field experience make for some fun banter, but the future characters aren't given anything to do but run around getting their asses handed to them by sentinels. The very silly plot device that sentinels can mimic mutant abilities is best ignored.

The only significant thing about the episode is that it's about the only time, apart from House of M, where Lorna's been really treated as a "daughter of Magneto". Unfortunately I'm not sure the story does her any favors and she's either weak and childish or raving and childish, which isn't much of an improvement. Professor X is also coming across as a little too saintly and lacking grit.

So, not badly written, just surplus to requirements and weak on plot.

RATING: **

Episode 17: Code of Conduct

Another Wolverine-centric episode, at a point where it would have been nice to have a real team episode after a few where most of the X-men haven't appeared. In fact, the X-men are reduced to being a useless shower and the damsel-in-distress role while Wolverine gets the lion's share of the screentime with Rogue in tow. It's not a bad plot and there's some interesting stuff here, including an alive but weak Mariko and Silver Samurai. Mariko is a low point of the story - she comes across as terribly weak and instead of being fridged she gets life with an abusive spouse instead. However, Bob Forward of Beast Wars fame makes what he can of the script.

But, again, it just feels a trifle unnecessary and more Wolverine background stuff with the X-men being relegated. It's cool to have these episodes occasionally, but the focus has tilted a little too far in his favor on occasion and after a few episodes where the other X-men have barely had screentime, disappointing.

RATING - **.5

Episode 18: Backlash

Finally an episode that gives the whole team some time in the spotlight as Master Mold comes online and the X-men move to neutralize the threat, picking up some unlikely allies along the way. It's good to see the unit working on a mission, although they significantly don't work as a team. Under Wolverine's leadership they're a shambles and it's been a pleasure of this series to note that Wolverine hasn't suddenly been turned into a competent commander.

Elsewhere, the Sentinels show themselves as an effective threat, Magneto shows himself to be a git and undeserving of that "World's Best Dad" mug that Lorna bought him, Pietro shows that he takes after his father and the X-men get to kick ass and get slapped about in turn. Kitty also gets some humorous moments as she's left home to babysit and demonstrate her ass kicking skills.

An action episode and a good one at that, which advances the plot some.

RATING: ****

Episode 19: Guardian Angel

A surprisingly dark episode this one as Warren finds himself in conflict with his father with dreadful consequences and employed desperate measures that, as expected, go horribly wrong. The betrayals and violence aren't whitewashed, a romantic relationship between Storm and Warren is hinted at and the episode doesn't end happily at all. Still, it's Warren's own fault for anyone who sounds like that. No-one with a voice like that wishes you well.

Of course, due to the nature of the format, Warren's hard choices are sped through and he's left to be completely stupid in order to serve the plot, but the generous could excuse it as desperation. I'm disappointed that the other X-men don't get involved, including Warren's older friends, but the darker tone is quite surprising and it's a mature episode significantly low on laughs and lighter moments.

RATING: ****