The penultimate episode of X-Men ’97 Season 2 has arrived, and it brings back one of the most beloved characters in the series. Gambit (voiced by A.J. LoCascio) is officially back from the dead, but there is a catch. The Gambit who returns is not the same charming Cajun mutant fans remember from Season 1. Apocalypse (Ross Marquand) has transferred his consciousness into Gambit’s body, turning the hero into a corrupted version of himself.
Episode 8, titled “The Dead Man’s Hand,” runs for 31 minutes and features the return of characters from Gambit’s past, including members of the Thieves and Assassins Guilds. The official logline reads: “The X-Force team arrive at the X-Corp tower with ominous news of deadly trouble for the X-Men. The teams unite as they investigate a ghost from their past”.
Rogue’s Nightmare Sets the Tone
The episode opens with Rogue (Lenore Zann) in Genosha, dancing with Gambit in the same red dress she wore in the fifth episode of Season 1. This moment of happiness quickly turns dark as Gambit’s skin changes to a darker shade, and Rogue wakes up startled.
The scene then shifts to the X-Men enjoying a poker game at the X-Corp building. Beast, Nightcrawler, Professor X, Rogue, Jean Grey, and Scott Summers are all present, having a good time together. The peaceful moment breaks when an alarm goes off, signaling an unidentified aircraft approaching.
The X-Men prepare for battle, but Cable (Chris Potter) and Jubilee appear on the screen asking for permission to land. Once they touch down, X-Force brings in Apocalypse’s body from the previous episode. Jubilee also hands over Gambit’s card to Rogue, revealing that the Cajun mutant has been resurrected.
X-Force and X-Men Join Forces
With the revelation that Gambit is alive, the X-Force and X-Corp teams decide to work together to find him. Professor X manages to locate Gambit at his home in New Orleans.
For those who remember the original X-Men: The Animated Series, Gambit was a member of the Thieves Guild who was excommunicated. This episode brings back Bella Donna, a member of the Assassins Guild and Gambit’s former fiancée, along with Robert LeBeau, Gambit’s brother.
Gambit Turns the Guilds Into His Army
A meeting takes place between the Assassins and Thieves Guilds, involving Bella Donna and Robert. Both guilds received invitations under each other’s name, but both Bella and Robert claim ignorance about who sent them.
Gambit reveals himself and uses his powers to turn the guild members evil, much like Apocalypse turned people into his Horsemen. This transformation gives Gambit an army to carry out his plans.
The X-Men Confront Gambit
The X-Force and X-Corp teams travel by plane to save Gambit but are attacked by the Cajun mutant and his newly turned allies. Gambit reveals himself to Rogue and knocks her and Nightcrawler unconscious.
When Rogue wakes up, she finds that Nightcrawler has been turned like the members of the two guilds. Gambit reveals to Rogue that Apocalypse was betrayed by a woman named Candra, whom he turned immortal. Candra appeared earlier in the season as the woman Kang left behind in Episode 4.
Gambit’s Plan for Rogue
Gambit offers Rogue the same immortality by giving her the crystal that serves as Candra’s source of power. He and his henchmen prepare for a wedding ceremony, with Rogue willingly participating. They summon Candra, and as she is about to attack, Gambit sticks the crystal inside Rogue, knocking her out.
At the same time, Professor X enters Gambit’s mind to save the latter’s soul. With great difficulty, Charles manages to find Gambit’s soul and tries to bring it out of the corrupted body.
A Reunion That Falls Short for Some
While the return of Gambit has been a long-awaited moment for fans, some critics feel the episode does not deliver the emotional impact expected. IGN’s review notes that Gambit’s resurrection “doesn’t pack quite the emotional punch his death did back in 2024”.
The review also points out that the backstory between Apocalypse and Candra feels underdeveloped. We learn that they were former lovers, and Candra stole a piece of his power before forsaking him. This information is conveyed through a brief flashback sequence, which does not do the story justice.
Despite these criticisms, the episode does have its moments. The scenes between Rogue and Gambit stand out as some of the better moments of the episode. Rogue’s opening nightmare is a strong start, and her entrance into Gambit and Xavier’s psychic battle is also noteworthy.
The Summers Family Drama Adds Depth
One element that works well in this episode is the focus on the Summers family drama. Episode 8 makes the most of the fleeting alliance between the X-Men and Cable’s team, along with all the awkwardness that comes from father and mother being reunited with their now much older son.
This plays right into Cable’s more ruthless nature and his struggle to still be the man his parents raised him to be. The series manages to make viewers care about this complicated family tree.
Gambit’s Love for Rogue Remains
One of the most interesting aspects of this episode is that Death retains Gambit’s personality. Even in his corrupted state, Gambit is still in love with Rogue. His goal is to ensure that death never tears them apart again.
When Rogue and Gambit first reunite, Gambit steps out of the shadows and says, “Life does flash before our eyes when we die, and when I died, all I saw was you”. Rogue reaches for his face, and nothing happens — the invisible barrier between them is gone.
Death retaining Gambit’s personality makes this a truly difficult decision for Rogue. She lost him once, and now she has him back. Plus, the barrier that prevented them from touching is gone. This emotional complexity adds depth to the episode.
What This Means for the Season Finale
As the penultimate episode of Season 2, “The Dead Man’s Hand” sets up the season finale. The episode ends with Professor X inside Gambit’s mind, trying to save his soul from Apocalypse’s corruption. The outcome of this psychic battle will likely determine Gambit’s fate.
The series has been building toward this moment since the Season 1 finale, which showed Apocalypse finding one of Gambit’s cards. Post-credits scenes from the previous two episodes have shown Gambit’s transformation, and now he is here in full.
Season 2 will release nine episodes across seven weeks, ending on August 12. Episode 9, titled “Survival of the Fittest,” is scheduled for August 12. Fans will have to wait until then to see how this storyline concludes.
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Final Thoughts on Episode 8
“The Dead Man’s Hand” is a solid episode that brings Gambit back into the spotlight. While it may not reach the emotional heights of Season 1’s “Remember It,” it effectively sets up the season finale.
The voice work from A.J. LoCascio and Lenore Zann stands out. LoCascio does not overplay the danger presented by Death Gambit, but he does soften the character’s one-liners, adding a layer of sadness. Zann subtly transitions from sorrow to hope to anger as she finally reunites with her beloved, only to be turned into a pawn by the force controlling Gambit.
The episode also brings the X-Men fully together after spending nearly the entire season split into different camps. Seeing the team united adds to the excitement as they prepare for the final confrontation.
X-Men ’97 Season 2 Episode 8 is now streaming on Disney+. New episodes release weekly on Wednesdays. The season finale arrives on August 12.
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