Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for X-Men '97 episode 5, " It"

Summary

• Magneto rises as a leader of the UN-recognized nation of Genosha in X-Men '97 episode 5, mirroring the original comics.
• X-Men '97's Genosha-focused episode is filled with Easter eggs and references, including nostalgic character cameos and storylines.
• Gambit and Magneto face a shocking fate in episode 5 as Genosha falls in a tragic echo of the comics.

The new X-Men '97 episode 5 is absolutely full of incredible Easter eggs and references. Continuing the adventures of the X-Men in the wake of Charles Xavier's apparent death and Magneto's inheritance of the X-Men team itself, the epic twists and turns just keep on going. As such, X-Men '97 is no exception as one of the most intense and exciting episodes yet.

Previously in the episodes of X-Men '97 that have been released thus far, the team of mutant heroes has been grappling with the reveal that Mister Sinister replaced Jean Gray with a clone who's now going by the name Madelyne Pryor. Likewise, a powerful Storm met with X-Factor's Forge who offered her a path to potentially regain her command of the elements. Now, X-Men '97 episode 5 features a return to the mutant nation of Genosha with an impressive amount of Easter eggs and references.

20 Genoshan Flag

Straight From The Comics

At the beginning of X-Men '97, Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit arrive in the newly UN-recognized Genosha. As they land in the Blackbird, the mutant nation's flag can be seen waving in the wind. Notably, it's the exact same design as the Genoshan flag that's seen in the original Marvel Comics.

19 “Magneto Is/Was Right”

Darkly Teasing The Future

Appearing before crowds of cheering mutants, it's revealed that the citizens of Genosha carry high levels of and adoration for the X-Men and their new leader. Magneto is given some obvious love in particular with signs reading "Magneto Is Right", proving the power of his words at the recent UN council meeting. However, it's also a reference to the original comics with the phrase "Magneto Was Right" having become a popular rallying cry by mutants in the wake of Magneto's supposed death, shortly after Genosha was recognized by the UN (mirroring X-Men '97).

18 Magneto/Xavier Statues

A Shared Vision

In a similar vein, statues of Magneto and Professor Xavier are erected on Genosha. Meant to honor their shared vision of mutantkind having a bright and peaceful future, Genosha is certainly a product of that long-held desire. Likewise, it's also a likely reference to Magneto and Xavier agreeing to work together and rebuild Genosha after it was destroyed in the original comics.

17 Glob

Robert Herman

Amidst the crowd of mutants on Genosha is none other than Robert Herman's Glob. Having completely transparent skin made of bio-paraffin, Glob's entire skeleton can be seen at all times. As such, he's not a hard mutant to spot. In the original comics, Glob was a member of the New Mutants.

16 Pixie

Megan Gwynn

Another Genoshan resident and X-Men '97 newcomer is Megan Gwynn's Pixie. Beyond her ability to fly with her impressive wings, Pixie can also wield magic. Furthermore, Pixie can generate a hallucinogenic dust which she can use to distract and disorient her opponents as well.

15 Nightcrawler's New Role

Communities of Faith

X-Men '97 episode 5 reveals that Nightcrawler ed Genosha's leading council of mutants with a focus on helping various faith communities that had come to the island. This is not unlike Nightcrawler's recent role in the comics with the mutant nation of Krakoa. With mutantkind having developed the ability to resurrect themselves and their memories in the event of their deaths, Nightcrawler began forming a new mutant philosophy and faith as a whole, helping guide mutantkind's spiritual well-being for a new age.

14 Multiple Man

James Madrox

Genosha now looks to be the home of Multiple Man aka James Madrox. A member of Forge's X-Factor in the original X-Men series, it's unclear if the team is still active by the time of X-Men '97 or not. At any rate, Multiple Man is seen creating several copies of himself while dancing with several other Genoshan mutants. Madrox was also briefly featured in the live-action X-Men: The Last Stand.

13 Dazzler

Alison Blaire

Seen performing in the street and at the Hellfire Gala in the evening, Alison Blaire's Dazzler makes two brief appearances in X-Men '97 episode 5. She also received a brief reference in the previous episode as well. Having the ability to turn sound into powerful blasts of colorful light, it's no wonder that Dazzler is both a hero and a pop star in the comics' Marvel Universe. To that end, there are some rather large hopes that Taylor Swift will make an appearance as Dazzler in the MCU's Deadpool & Wolverine movie.

12 Exodus

Bennet du Paris

Exodus is featured among the dancing mutant crowd as well in X-Men '97. Real name Bennet du Paris, Exodus has the unique power where his telekinetic, telepathic, and teleportation abilities are enhanced when others around him or he himself have faith. Once a servant of Apocalypse, Exodus would become a follower of Magneto and most recently Hope Summers in the comics, believing her to be the next mutant messiah.

11 Genoshan Council

Seems To Mirror Krakoa's Quiet Council

Inviting Magneto to become their Chancellor of Genosha, it's revealed that the mutant nation is being led by a council of mutants including the likes of Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost, Banshee, Madelyne Pryor, Callisto, and Moira MacTaggert (though the X-Men animated universe has yet to reveal if she's a mutant like she is in the comics). As such, this council does bear a similarity to Krakoa's Quiet Council in the comics where mutant leaders hailing from all aspects of mutant life and culture were included in its ranks.