X-Men '97 S2E5: Wolverine's Wild Ride, But What's the Rush?

Warning: This review contains full spoilers for X-Men '97 Season 2, Episode 5!

It speaks volumes about the creative team behind X-Men '97 that we're already halfway through Season 2, and only now are we diving headfirst into a Wolverine-centric episode. This is a deliberate departure from the classic X-Men: The Animated Series, a choice that has largely paid off by giving other mutants their much-deserved time in the sun. But eventually, the legendary Cal Dodd's Logan had to step into the spotlight, especially given the monumental loss of his adamantium in Season 1. That's why it's a bit of a head-scratcher that "Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs" ultimately does surprisingly little with Wolverine's post-adamantium status quo.

As its title playfully suggests, this latest installment is a spiritual successor to the original series' "Weapon X, Lies, and Videotape," once again plunging us into the murky depths of Logan's dark past with the infamous Weapon X program. This time, Wolverine isn't just seeking answers; he's assembling a ragtag team to infiltrate a new Weapon X facility, only for his allies to quickly realize he has deeply personal, ulterior motives for venturing back into the heart of that beast.

A Bloody Blueprint: '80s Action Throwback & Unexpected Allies

Let's kick things off with what this episode gets spectacularly right. "Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs" is a glorious, unashamed throwback to classic '80s action cinema. We're talking direct homages to genre titans like Predator and Aliens, and honestly, who doesn't love a good old-fashioned story about a bunch of muscle-bound, grizzled grunts charging into a mission, only to realize they're wildly out of their depth? It's a formula that still delivers a primal thrill.

The reintroduction of fan-favorite characters like Sabretooth (Darin De Paul), Lady Deathstrike (Erika Ishii), and Maverick (Crispin Freeman) through this lens was unexpected, to say the least, but it absolutely works. There's a raw, visceral energy to their dynamic, and seeing Logan assemble such a volatile, yet effective, crew against a common foe is pure mutant mayhem. And honestly, there's something morbidly fitting about Wolverine and Yuriko's inevitable reunion again devolving into a brutal conflict over extraterrestrial invaders.

Morph Takes Center Stage: A Long Overdue Spotlight

Beyond the explosive action, Episode 5 also shines brightly as a Morph-driven story, and it's about damn time! This is a character who, despite their shapeshifting abilities and immense potential, has felt chronically underserved in the new series. This installment goes a long way toward making up for that lost time, digging deep into the wonderfully oddball bond between Morph (J. P. Karliak) and Logan. It further blurs the lines, making us question whether Morph's deep affection for Wolverine is simply pure friendship or something more akin to unrequited love. The emotional weight Morph brings to this episode is palpable, and it solidifies the argument that this character absolutely needs to be in the spotlight more often.

Too Fast, Too Furious: Rushing the Source Material

However, not everything is sunshine and adamantium claws in Episode 5, and it brings to the forefront what I've come to identify as X-Men '97's most significant flaw. This series has an undeniable tendency to move at breakneck speed, blazing through rich Marvel Comics source material with a reckless abandon that sometimes feels detrimental. That problem rears its head on more than one occasion here.

As genuinely fun as it is to see the terrifying Brood introduced to this universe (complete with a fantastic homage to Marc Silvestri's iconic Uncanny X-Men #234 cover), their treatment as little more than an afterthought is perplexing. They serve primarily as a narrative device to force Logan back into that adamantium bonding tank, when in reality, the Brood are a cosmic threat worthy of an entire X-Men saga. While nothing stops the series from revisiting them down the road, one has to wonder if it ever will, or if this was their one brief, glorious, and largely underutilized moment.

Adamantium's Quick Comeback: A Missed Opportunity?

Worse still, and far more frustrating for long-time fans, is the jarringly abrupt way X-Men '97 wraps up Logan's adamantium subplot. I confess, I had a gnawing suspicion this was coming when the trailer prematurely spoiled his metallic return, but that foreknowledge does little to lessen the frustration now that it's actually happened. In the comic books, Wolverine losing his adamantium was a seismic event, serving as the catalyst for literally years' worth of intricate storylines. Writers like Larry Hama masterfully exploited that particular plot twist, exploring the profound psychological and physical fallout.

The post-Season 1 time jump hasn't helped matters, creating a narrative vacuum around Logan's internal struggle. The episode, despite its emotional beats with Morph, ultimately doesn't devote enough time to truly digging into Logan's mindset as he grapples with being "defanged." Yes, the ultimate reveal that he feels he's "nothing" without his signature claws rings true and is a powerful moment that I hope the series continues to pull on. But why couldn't X-Men '97 have delved deeper into Logan's plight before so quickly bringing the adamantium back? Why couldn't we have received a spiritual successor to Season 1's deeply introspective "Lifedeath" episodes, exploring this monumental change? So much storytelling potential feels left on the table here. Episode 5 is an entertaining romp, no doubt, but it could have been so much more.

The Verdict: A Wild Ride, But What's the Rush?

X-Men '97 finally delivers the Wolverine-centric episode we've been waiting for, but the results, much like Logan himself, are a mixed bag. "Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs" excels as a genuinely fun throwback to classic '80s action movies, delivering thrilling set pieces and some welcome character reintroductions. The much-needed emphasis on the chronically underutilized Morph is also a standout treat, adding surprising depth to the episode's emotional core. However, this installment also highlights what might be the series' biggest Achilles' heel: its tendency to charge through classic source material at far too speedy a pace. The Brood are criminally underutilized, serving as little more than plot fodder, and the quick, almost dismissive resolution to Wolverine's adamantium loss is especially disappointing. While entertaining, one can't help but wonder: what's the rush, exactly?

FAQ

Q: Is "Weapon X, Lies, and DVDs" a standalone episode, or does it connect to larger plotlines? A: While it has a somewhat contained narrative focused on Wolverine's past, it's a direct sequel to a classic X-Men episode and significantly impacts ongoing character arcs, particularly Wolverine's adamantium status and Morph's relationship with Logan.

Q: How does this episode handle Wolverine regaining his adamantium? A: The episode sees Wolverine regain his adamantium by its conclusion, which is presented as a relatively swift resolution to a storyline that, in the comics, spanned many years. Some fans may find this pace to be quite abrupt.

Q: Which classic X-Men characters make a return in this episode? A: The episode reintroduces iconic characters like Sabretooth, Lady Deathstrike, and Maverick, who join Wolverine's team for his dangerous mission back into the Weapon X facility.