The second season of X-Men ’97 dropped its first three episodes on July 1, 2026, and Episode 2 titled “A Force to Be Reckoned With” is packed with details that go beyond the surface. The episode introduces X-Force and X-Factor, two major mutant teams from Marvel Comics, but one specific Easter egg in the episode means more than fans might realize at first glance.
The episode begins with a group of young mutants running from Multiple Man and seeking shelter at the ruined X-Mansion. This group includes Kid Omega and Penance, two characters from the comics who have deep connections to the X-Men universe. The moment establishes that the X-Men are truly gone and the world is left to figure out how to handle mutant affairs on its own.
X-Force vs. X-Factor: The Conflict Defines the Episode
Cable assembles a new team called X-Force to hunt down Apocalypse, recruiting Jubilee, Sunspot, Psylocke, and Archangel. Meanwhile, the US government creates a sanctioned mutant team called X-Factor, led by Havok (Cyclops’s brother) and Polaris (Magneto’s daughter). The two teams represent completely different approaches to handling mutant threats, which is why this episode carries so much meaning.
The episode cleverly mirrors the old philosophical divide between Professor Xavier and Magneto. But instead of the usual leaders, it shows a younger generation of mutants fighting over how to protect their kind.
X-Factor operates as a government-approved team that captures mutants under the pretense of protecting them. X-Force operates outside the law and kills when necessary, as shown when Archangel executes War at Cable’s command. The conflict between the two groups shows that even without the X-Men, the debate over how mutants should survive continues.
The Music Choice Carries Hidden Meaning
One of the most talked-about moments in the episode features Jubilee listening to “Volcano Girls” by Veruca Salt while fighting through a helicarrier full of guards. The song choice is not random. It serves as a nod to the 1990s setting of the show, but the lyrics carry a deeper connection to Jubilee’s character journey.
The chorus repeats the line “I don’t wanna go I don’t wanna go,” which represents Jubilee’s internal struggle. Earlier in Season 1, Jubilee had the chance to stay in a perfect virtual world but chose to return to reality and face her problems. Now she faces another choice about whether to follow Cable’s violent path or find a different way to help mutants.
The song is from 1997, the same year the original X-Men series ended, making it a perfect fit for the show’s timeline. The track also appears on the album “Eight Arms to Hold You,” which includes a song called “Spiderman ’79,” another Marvel connection that fans have noticed.
The Easter Egg That Matters Most
The episode introduces X-Factor as a government team, but the real significance lies in the children X-Factor has captured. Among the mutant kids held in cells are the Stepford Cuckoos and Glob, characters with significant comic book histories. The presence of these young mutants hints that the show is building toward something bigger.
Jubilee freeing these children shows she understands what is at stake. She argues with Cable about killing unarmed mutants and points out that they should not follow the same rules as Xavier. Her decision to release the captured children proves she wants to protect the next generation of mutants, not just fight Apocalypse.
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What the Episode Means for the Season
The second episode establishes that mutants are now divided into factions. Cable wants to fight Apocalypse with any means necessary. X-Factor wants to control the mutant population under government orders. Jubilee wants to protect innocent mutants without crossing into killing. These different viewpoints will likely cause more conflicts as the season continues.
The post-credits scene shows Cable having flashbacks to the future where he made difficult decisions, suggesting his backstory will play a bigger role. Apocalypse remains the main threat, and his horsemen are still out there, waiting to cause trouble.
X-Men ’97 Season 2 continues with new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+. Episode 3, “Rise of Apocalypse – Part 1,” picks up the story and shows what happens when the X-Men face their greatest enemy across different time periods.
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