I"m Annoyed X-Men ’97 Disproved A Great Villain Theory, But It Makes The Ending Even Better

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for X-Men '97 episode 8, "Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1."
Summary

X-Men '97 episode 8 introduced many villains into the animated series, but one remains unseen.
One major theory suggested Valerie Cooper could have been Mystique in disguise, but it seems this theory has now been disproven.
Valerie Cooper releasing Magneto is even more powerful if she's a regular human, as she declared that "Magneto was Right."

A popular villain theory may have been disproven in X-Men '97 episode 8, "Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1," but the truth makes one momentous scene even more powerful. X-Men '97 episode 8 marked the first chapter in the animated series' highly-anticipated three-part finale, pitting the X-Men team against the human-Sentinel hybrid Bastion, and his army of terrifying Prime Sentinels. Before Marvel Studios introduces the X-Men into the live-action MCU, X-Men '97 has been adapting some of Marvel Comics' most intense and emotional storylines into animation, and 1997's Operation: Zero Tolerance is the perfect foundation for the series' epic finale.
Bastion, voiced by Theo James, finally made himself known in X-Men '97 episode 7, and was revealed to have been manipulating events throughout the Marvel Studios Animation series. While Bastion himself didn't battle the X-Men in episode 8, "Tolerance is Extinction - Part 1," the powerful supervillain utilized his cybernetically enhanced Prime Sentinel sleeper agents to wreak havoc. Bastion himself brought together several other legendary villains, including Doctor Doom and Helmut Zemo, to enact his Operation: Zero Tolerance initiative. However, one villain still hasn't appeared in X-Men '97, despite theories she could have been hiding in plain sight all along.
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Related 10 X-Men The Animated Series Villains The MCU Should Use In Its Live-Action Movie X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men "97 have included many powerful Marvel villains that would be brilliant to see adapted into the live-action MCU.
Mister Sinister Proves Valerie Cooper Is Not Mystique In X-Men ’97

Since X-Men '97 kicked off with episode 1, "To Me, My X-Men," one popular theory arose suggesting that United Nations official Valerie Cooper may have actually been the shape-shifting mutant Mystique in disguise. Cooper's appearance during times of turmoil, apparent fascination with X-Men member Rogue (who is Mystique's adoptive daughter), and slight changes in the color of her eyes led many to believe that the iconic Marvel Comics villain could be returning in X-Men '97. However, X-Men '97 episode 8 may have disproven this theory, as Mister Sinister named Valerie Cooper as a regular human, and he would surely know.
Mister Sinister's fascination with mutants means he is more likely than anyone to be able to spot one in hiding, so Sinister calling Valerie Cooper a human all but confirms that she is, in fact, not Mystique. This major theory gained a lot of traction as X-Men '97 progressed, so many may be disappointed by her being revealed to be a normal human being. However, this makes her actions throughout the series even more commendable, as she has been attempting to cultivate mutant equality. This took a huge turn in X-Men '97 episode 8, though, which saw Cooper claim that "Magneto was Right".

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Valerie Cooper Saving Magneto Is Even More Powerful If She’s A Human Close Valerie Cooper was sent by the United Nations to monitor Bastion in X-Men '97 episode 8, but this brought her face-to-face with Bastion's captive, current X-Men leader Magneto. After being taken captive by Bastion, Valerie Cooper delivers a rousing speech about the devastation caused because of humanity's hatred of mutants, eventually claiming that "Magneto was Right." This speech plays over a few scenes that show Cooper releasing Magneto from his restraints, allowing the Master of Magnetism to escape from Bastion's lair and emit an EMP across the globe, wiping out not only the Prime Sentinels, but everything else electrical, too.
If Valerie Cooper is a regular human, this moment is even more poignant, as she turns against her own kind and empathizes with mutants. Magneto's philosophical beliefs regarding the coexistence of humans and mutants have always been controversial, but the traumatic events of X-Men '97 seem to have convinced many that he was actually right all along, even regular humans like Valerie Cooper. This will likely cause more conflict in the series' final two episodes now that Professor X has returned to Earth, but it seems both Magneto and Valerie Cooper may have been pushed too far.

X-Men '97 AnimationAdventureActionSuperhero X-Men '97 is the direct continuation of the popular 1990s animated series X-Men: The Animated Series. Taking up where the third season left off, Marvel's revival brings back famous mutants such as Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Cyclops, Beast, Magneto, and Nightcrawler, who fight villains like Mr. Sinister, the Sentinels, and the Hellfire Club.
Release Date March 20, 2024 Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Writers Beau DeMayo Upcoming MCU Movies
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