X-Men ’97’s Latest Episode Brings Back The Watcher, But What’s It All Leading To?

The most recent episode of X-Men ’97 had a shocking moment at the end, and it included a cameo from the Watcher. In fact, this is the second time that the Watcher has shown up in the animated series, and both instances had him show up when one specific character was involved in a defining moment. This was the X-Men ’97 Season 2 episode titled “Danger.exe” which brought Danger to the X-Men world. Most of the episode had the X-Men battle Danger while dealing with Valerie Cooper, who was intent on bringing them down. However, it ended with a moment that will shape the last three episodes of the season.

Professor X explains to his X-Men (now called X-Corp) that he senses Apocalypse is up to something, and this leads to the scene in Athens where Apocalypse awakens the first of his new Horsemen. It is the resurrected Gambit, who will become Death, as he was in the comics. However, before the scene shows Gambit’s resurrection, it shows the Watcher in the sky watching over Apocalypse and Athens.

Why Is the Watcher Showing Up in X-Men ’97?

The thing to understand about any scene that sees the Watcher observing something happening is that it is an important moment that changes the timeline. As fans saw in What If…?, the Watcher is always there to watch when moments happen in the multiverse that change the course of history. He is not allowed to interfere; he only observes and witnesses these moments. Sometimes, the moments are horrific, such as when the Marvel Zombies conquered the Earth and when the heartless Doctor Strange Supreme destroyed his world.

However, other times, the Watcher is there to witness when something important happens where the heroes step up and do something that is more positive. That leads to the moments in X-Men ’97 when the Watcher appeared. The first time was in X-Men ’97 Season 1, Episode 5, titled “Remember It.” He appeared in the sky to witness the most tragic moment in the series, right before the Sentinels attacked and massacred the mutants on Genosha. This was also the moment when Gambit sacrificed his life to save others, one of the most heroic moments in the first season.

That makes the second appearance interesting, because it can’t be a coincidence. In X-Men ’97 Season 2, Episode 6, “Danger.exe,” the Watcher is there again, and once again, it is during Gambit’s story. This is notable. The Watcher observes entire storylines happening based on certain moments. In this series, he is only observing one person, and that is Gambit. The first moment had Gambit dying in a Sentinel attack. The second moment had Gambit’s resurrection thanks to Apocalypse. The Watcher is observing Gambit’s story, and that is important for the rest of the series.

What Does the Watcher’s Appearance Mean for Gambit?

In the comics, Gambit didn’t die before Apocalypse turned him into the Horseman known as Death. Instead, Gambit knew that Apocalypse was creating a new group of Horsemen, so Gambit volunteered to become a Horseman because he believed he had the strength to withstand Apocalypse’s psychic domination over him. However, Gambit was wrong, and he couldn’t stop Apocalypse from corrupting him, although in the end, Gambit did come around and help the X-Men beat the ancient mutant. Based on the scene in X-Men ’97, Gambit had no say here, and Apocalypse brought him back from the dead to use him.

What is important to note here is that the Watcher wouldn’t be here if this were just a mutant that Apocalypse planned to use for his own goals. Gambit will likely play a role in the story as the mutant who helps bring down Apocalypse, as he did in the comics. There is also a really good chance that this appearance of the Watcher is indicative that the timeline is going to change. The last three episodes are titled “Strange Land, Savage Heart,” “The Dead Man’s Hand,” and “Survival of the Fittest.” Those don’t reveal much, but there is a chance the next episode could go to the Savage Land, the next will focus on Gambit as Death, and the final will set up the third season.

Apocalypse bringing in Gambit as the Horseman Death could set up the massive “Age of Apocalypse“ storyline in X-Men ’97 Season 3. This would make sense for several reasons. The Watcher being there indicates that the timeline is about to branch off, and there isn’t a bigger alternate timeline story in X-Men comics than “Age of Apocalypse.” Of course, the biggest thing about that story was the surviving X-Men trying to revert the timeline to the proper one. The Watcher is there, likely watching the two moments that led to the diversion, which are Gambit’s death and his return as the Horseman Death. The next season could be about that What If world, and then end with the return to this Earth. The Watcher knows something is about to happen, and all that is left is for the animated series to play the event out.

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