Graduation Day (X-Men)
| "Graduation Day" | |
|---|---|
| X-Men: The Animated Series episode | |
| Episode no. |
Season 5 Episode 76 |
| Written by | James Krieg |
| Original air date | September 20, 1997 |
| Episode chronology | |
Graduation Day is the series finale of the animated series, X-Men. It originally aired on September 20, 1997.
Plot
At a Mutant/Human Relations Summit, Henry Peter Gyrich attacks and cripples Professor Xavier with a psychic energy disrupter, and subsequently gets arrested. The X-Men and Moira MacTaggert try to save Xavier, but all seems lost. They need help to try to contact the Shi'ar, who would be able to provide a cure, but they lack the power to do so. They decide to search out Magneto, who they believe can help Xavier send a psychic message to the Shi'ar in his weakened state.
Magneto, meanwhile, is preparing a mutant uprising on the island of Genosha in order to overthrow the humans once and for all, as he considers Gyrich's actions as a signal that it is time to do or die. The X-Men arrive just in time to speak to him before he gives the word to the crowds of mutants awaiting his leadership and tell him of Xavier's critical state. He is conflicted between either saving the life of his "worst enemy, and perhaps [his] only friend" and leading the mutants to victory. In the end he caves in and returns with the X-Men to use his magnetic powers (Xavier's brain-waves are apparently electro-magnetic) to help Xavier send his psychic message. It is successful, and Xavier awakens just in time to thank Magneto and tell each of his X-Men individually how proud he is of all of them before passing away.
Lilandra comes and has a cure, but Professor Xavier must leave with her and go with her to the Shi'ar Empire to be cured, unable to return. He bids farewell to his X-Men. The last scene ends with all of the X-Men (along with Magneto) standing outside the mansion saying goodbye to Professor X. They face a world with an uncertain future.
Continuity
- Gyrich returns, confusingly, with a new hair color, lacking his trademark sunglasses, and failing to follow up on the continuity of his last appearance.
- Morph appears to have rejoined the X-Men and regains his trademark humour previous to his accident.
- In the Marvel Ultimate Universe, Jean, Cyclops and Wolverine go to fight Magneto as the "original X-Men" which is a reference to this episode although without Storm.
Trivia
- This was the only episode animated by Hong Ying Animation.