Summary

• X-Men '97 Episode 5 reveals Cable's tragic backstory, shedding light on his techno-organic virus and time-traveling destiny.
• Jean Grey's lack of knowledge about Cable's true identity adds emotional depth to the series and sets up potential heartwrenching moments.
• Scott Summers' unawareness of Cable being his son sets the stage for a poignant reunion and further exploration of the X-Men's complex relationships.

X-Men '97 Episode 5 saw plenty of returning characters, including Cable, for an exceptionally brief and poignant scene.

X-Men '97 recently "introduced" Nathan Summers, the son of Scott Summers and Jean Grey's clone, Madelyne Pryor. However, almost as soon as he was born, Pryor kidnapped him while in her Goblin Queen persona under the influence of Mr. Sinister. Sinister's ensuing experiments on the baby caused him to contract a techno-organic virus that forced the new parents to send him into the future with Bishop to be cured. This future is where Nathan is destined to become Cable, the time-traveling mutant with whom the X-Men have interacted on plenty of occasions - including a consequential run-in with Jean Grey.

X-Men 97 Episode 5 Revealed A Big Detail About Cable's Past

Cable only briefly appeared in Episode 5 as he attempted, in vain, to warn the mutants on Genosha of the incoming danger in the form of the Wild Sentinel after traveling from the future. The touching scene saw Madelyne reconnect with her son, recognizing his eyes before he had to return. Jean evidently did not reach the same realization. Her interactions with Scott throughout X-Men '97 have failed to throw up this important piece of information, which has been the case ever since X-Men: The Animated Series, suggesting that Jean is none the wiser.

" It" has seemingly concluded with Madelyne Pryor among the many fatalities, making this moment with her son even more poignant.

This is despite Jean's interaction with Cable in X-Men: The Animated Series suggesting that she discovered the truth of his parentage. The series heavily implied that Jean became aware of Cable's parentage when she read his mind in the "Time Fugitives" arc of X-Men: The Animated Series. X-Men '97 seems to establish that this was not the case, given Jen Grey's silence on the matter. This is a somewhat positive development given that Jean Grey has never seen fit to enlighten Scott, suggesting she didn’t because she didn’t know the truth herself rather than through spite.

Why Jean Didn't Know Cable Was Nathan

Jean Grey's ignorance of Cable's parentage could be attributed to his time displacement during their fateful interaction, but this feels like it warrants elaboration. Given Jean Grey is one of the most powerful X-Men on the team, her telepathic powers should have revealed this important piece of information - especially given Cable hinted at his own awareness in X-Men: The Animated Series. Instead, exactly what Jean discovered upon reading Cable's mind is seemingly shrouded in mystery.

This is especially puzzling given that Cable is aware that Jean - or at least her clone - is his mother, as indicated by his final words of the episode: “I'm so sorry, Mom.” Cable being none the wiser in X-Men: The Animated Series has evidently been retconned by this fact as the powerful time-traveling mutant would have been aware then if he is aware during X-Men ‘97 Episode 5. Either way, the development sets X-Men '97 up for even more heart-wrenching moments in X-Men '97 episodes.

X-Men '97 Changes Cyclops' History & Sets Up An Amazing Moment

X-Men '97 has cemented the fact that Jean Grey hasn't been withholding this important information from Scott and that Cable's father has always been unaware of his true connection to the time traveler. X-Men '97 Episode 5 saw Scott Summers crack under the scrutiny of a human interviewer when subjected to questioning about his supposed son with Jean. His lashing out at the reporter put the X-Men and their relations with humans in a precarious position, but it also showed just how cut up Scott is in the wake of losing his son two episodes prior.

Given that Scott is unaware that Cable is his son and therefore capable of visiting his father in the past, this sets up a particularly heartwarming moment for the series, like Madelyne Pryor's fleeting final moments with Nathan. Scott's evident love for his son, as illustrated in his telepathic conversation with Madelyne before being confronted by Jean, means that he will no doubt recognize him as Cable. When Cable will reappear in X-Men '97 remains to be seen, but the narrative significance of this moment makes his return all but certain.

Key Release Dates

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