The Mutant Ages

If only X-Men: First Class were a story about Magneto's origin. Or maybe just a catalogue of Magneto's romance with Charles Xavier. That's almost what it is, but then there's a whole bunch of other plotlines and themes in here, and they sure don't fit together. Come along with Maddy, Ryan, and Todd on their quest to figure out where Moira bought those garters, what the hell Emma Frost was doing in a jail cell for two months, and whether Mystique can make a decision without a man's help.

Next week's episode: Listener mail!

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E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers, RyanPagella and DrToddHarper (or ArcanistFox). If you like what you hear, please consider supporting us via patreon.com/themutantages. Thanks!

X-Men: First Class (2011)

Ryan, Maddy, and Todd reunite for another live-action movie episode, and it's X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). This is our first time splitting a movie episode into two parts, and thank goodness, because we managed to spend the entire first hour of this episode dissecting the first ten minutes of this movie (!!!) and losing our minds over the decision to give Kitty Pryde psychic time-travel powers. We also discuss the abuse allegations against Bryan Singer and the bad atmosphere that many of the actors had described on the set of this movie. Above all, we get to see Bishop's eternal catchphrase in action: TIME TRAVEL IS REAL.

Next week's episode: Part 2!!

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E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers and RyanPagella. Our guest Todd Harper is on Twitter as well at @drtoddharper and @arcanistfox.

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X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Part 1

Finally, we've reached the final X-Men movie directed by Bryan Singer, although the fact that we have Dark Phoenix (2019) does not comfort us very much. Maddy, Ryan, and Todd collectively lose their minds over the sheer volume of characters in this movie, and the number of scenes that don't matter at all to the plot but still didn't get cut out of the movie. This is only the first half of our journey, so we haven't even gotten to Weapon X yet, but please trust that we're already mad about it.

Next week's episode: X-Men Apocalypse (2016), Part 2

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E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers and RyanPagella. Our guest Todd Harper is on Twitter as well at @drtoddharper and @arcanistfox.

If you like what you hear, please consider supporting us via patreon.com/themutantages. Thanks!

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Part 1

Maddy, Ryan, and Todd manage to finish their review of X-Men Apocalypse (2016), and they're all the worse for wear. What even happens in the second half of this movie? An extensive Weapon X section in which Wolverine runs around murdering people and running into the child version of Jean Grey, who might fall in love with him, except she's busy taking secret phone calls from Xavier, who's trying to avoid Apocalypse's Freaky Friday body switch plan. Cairo gets destroyed and Storm ends up attending Xavier's school because she doesn't have much else to do, and she also doesn't have any lines. Quicksilver is also here for all of this, and we don't know why.

Next week's episode: The X-Men anime!

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X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Part 2

Maddy, Ryan, and Todd dive in to the first half of Dark Phoenix (2019), which is significantly better than the second half of the movie. Despite being the lowest-rated X-Men film in the 20th Century Fox version of the franchise, Dark Phoenix has some good scenes and strong portrayals of Jean, Scott, and Xavier. When the movie sticks with the character drama  unfolding between these three characters, it's a strong story. Unfortunately, it's weighed down by the addition of the D'Bari aliens and the shadows left behind by the exclusion of the Hellfire Club from the entire Phoenix storyline.

Next week's episode: Dark Phoenix (2019), Part 2

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E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers and RyanPagella. Our guest Todd Harper is on Twitter as well at @drtoddharper.

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Dark Phoenix (2019), Part 1

Maddy, Ryan, and Todd struggle through the first half of Logan (2017). We might be the only Marvel-themed podcast hosts ever to dislike this movie? We do shout out a lot of things that we like, such as the performances (especially Dafne Keen), the fact that Logan and Caliban are definitely married, and the unsettling design of Xavier's psychic seizures, but overall, this movie is a slog and we can barely deal.

Next week's episode: Logan (2017), Part 2

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Logan (2017), Part 1

Maddy, Ryan, and Todd watched the second half of Logan (2017). Maddy finally confronts her nemesis, X-24, while Ryan continues to question why this version of Logan doesn't match up with any other we've seen. Todd, meanwhile, regrets having watched this film. But we did it! We did it...

Next week's episode: X-Men: Dark Tide (2006)

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Logan (2017), Part 2

After a little break to reset, Maddy and Ryan return to a biweekly release schedule and debut their review of The Gifted pilot episode, "eXposed." Emma Dumont and Amy Acker win one trillion acting awards from us for their performances here, but they're not alone -- this is a strong pilot episode! Ryan remembers The Gifted going off the rails at some point, but much like Wolverine and the X-Men, this series opens strong.

Next episode: "rX," The Gifted (S01E02)

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"eXposed," The Gifted

Maddy and Ryan find that the second episode of The Gifted is almost as good as the pilot, with the exception of some superfluous interrogation scenes between Jace Turner and Reed Strucker. This TV show remains a showcase of Amy Acker and Emma Dumont's acting prowess, and it's nice to see both of them getting their chances to shine. We know this show goes off the rails at some point, but for now, it's still thrilling.

Next episode: "eXodus," The Gifted

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"rX," The Gifted

Maddy, Ryan, and Todd convened in person (!!) to watch an episode of 1960s television that has lived in infamy for Chris Claremont and all X-Men fans. The show is called The Avengers (but not *those* Avengers), and the episode is called "A Touch of Brimstone" because it's about the Hellfire Club. We discuss the incomparable Emma Peel, the inspiration for Emma Frost, as well as all of the other unexpected inspirations in this episode.

Next episode: "eXit strategy," The Gifted

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"A Touch of Brimstone," The Avengers (1966)

Ryan and Maddy struggle through "eXit strategy," the fourth episode of The Gifted, which features a prison break that results in Lorna (and Reed) finally rejoining the Mutant Underground. You'd think that would make us happy, and Emma Dumont does get some incredible moments as Lorna, but other than that this episode is a total slog. Blink's character has been completely reduced to "woman who has a crush on John," and John suddenly has a new backstory with the mutant Pulse who can disarm electronics and mutant powers. Marcos briefly revisits his former life as a lackey for a drug ring, which is another side-plot that feels like wasted time. Amy Acker and Emma Dumont are still the best actors on this show, but all the dialogue sounds identical and boring, so it's hard to feel anything other than sorry for the performers doing their best with this material. After recording this, we decided we needed a break, so we'll open up the mailbag.

Next episode: Listener mail!

E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on social media at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers and RyanPagella. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting us via patreon.com/themutantages. Thanks!

"eXit strategy," The Gifted

Maddy and Ryan respond to questions from listeners and get off-topic even more often than usual, with discussion ranging from their cosplay/convention memories to Ryan's fanfiction.net account and a very real-sounding list of episode synopses for X-Men '97. In the second half of the episode, The Mutant Ages: The Comic Book has become The Mutant Ages: The Manga.

Next episode: "boXed in," The Gifted

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Listener Mail, February 2024

Maddy, Ryan, Todd, Katie, and the other Ryan (Truman) convene to hyper-analyze the X-Men '97 trailer, shot by shot. Why is Magneto addressing the UN? Who is the bun in Jean's oven? Is that even really Jean Grey, or is it Madelyne Pryor? We have so many questions, and we can't wait for March 20th.

Next episode: "boXed in," The Gifted, for real this time lol

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X-Men '97 Trailer

Ryan and Maddy return to The Gifted for an episode in which the characters literally walk in circles. To be fair to Reed Strucker, there is an actual plan involved in doing this, and it does work, but is it interesting to watch? Not really. There are some great moments in this episode, though, such as when Blink finally confronts Dreamer over the brainwashing routine.

Next episode: "got your siX," The Gifted

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"boXed in," The Gifted

Next week, the Mutant Ages will pivot to X-Men '97 and go back to weekly episodes, but until then, Ryan and Maddy have one more (terrible) episode of The Gifted to recap and review. Is this episode as bad as they say it is? Or are they just impatient to get to X-Men '97? Why not both! In this episode, Blink quits the team (good), Dreamer tries to seduce John (bad), and Reed Strucker has lost his wedding ring (sad). We'll check back in on this crew many weeks from now, and we aren't looking forward to it.

X-Men spotlight: John Proudstar, a.k.a. Thunderbird

Next week's episode: "To Me, My X-Men" and "Mutant Liberation Begins," X-Men '97 (mega-recap of both premiere eps)

E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on social media at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers and RyanPagella. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting us via patreon.com/themutantages. Thanks!

"got your siX," The Gifted

Maddy and Ryan convene for the double-header premiere episodes of X-Men '97, which just may be the best-ever X-Men adaptation in our lifetimes, as well as the emotional pinnacle of this podcast's run up to this point. We analyze every single frame and line of dialogue in both episodes, and perhaps the only problem with that is for some reason we called X-Cutioner by the wrong name (X-Terminator) about half the time. We were just too excited and/or distracted by the fact that Wolverine and Morph are canonically banging on this show. And have you seen that photo of Xavier and Magneto cuddling??? We aren't over it, or really anything else that happens on this episode.

X-Men spotlights (yes, plural!): Valerie Cooper and X-Cutioner

Next week's episode: "Fire Made Flesh," X-Men '97

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"To Me, My X-Men" + "Mutant Liberation Begins," X-Men '97

Madelyne Pryor has quite the complicated backstory in Marvel Comics, and it's fascinating to see how X-Men '97 chose to shorten and adapt her story. A lot of the changes really work, but the whole episode moves so damn fast that Maddy and Ryan can only conclude that this should have been a two-parter. The Goblin Queen deserved more time to cook!! Perhaps the real star of this episode is Morph, whose relationship with Wolverine has gotten very emotionally confusing for seemingly both of them. Wow!

X-Men Spotlight: Madelyne Pryor

Next week's episode: "Motendo/Lifedeath Part 1" X-Men '97

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"Fire Made Flesh," X-Men '97

Ryan and Maddy have hit the first episode of X-Men '97 that they don't completely adore, and it's got a lot to do with the representation of Mojo in this episode. But also, as the world's number one Jubilee fan, Ryan has a lot of thoughts on the writing of Jubilee in this episode and not all of them are positive. We're both not sure what to make of the speedy rendition of Lifedeath that happens in the last couple minutes of this episode. We'll just have to wait for "Lifedeath Part 2" in order to find out where that plotline's heading...

X-Men Spotlight: Sunspot AKA Roberto de Costa

The X2 blooper reel (this is actually a relevant link to the episode lol): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Ghbo8DIyY

Next week's episode: "Remember It," X-Men '97

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"Motendo/Lifedeath Part 1," X-Men '97

Now more than ever, Ryan and Maddy are warning all of you about spoilers in this week's review of X-Men '97. You really need to see "Remember It" for yourself in order to understand why, but be warned that it's an absolutely devastating watch, especially when it comes to the queer metaphor in the mutants' story. This is an episode about Genosha, and if you've read the comics, you have some idea of what the means, but the X-Men '97 rendition merges multiple comic book storylines into a heartbreaking masterpiece.

X-Men Spotlight: Trish Tilby

Next week's episode: "Lifedeath Part 2," X-Men '97

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"Remember It," X-Men '97

Ryan and Maddy were expecting "Lifedeath Part 2" to fit what its title suggests, but instead, this isn't so much an episode about Storm and Forge as it is an episode about Lilandra and Xavier. Our least favorite Professor is considering whether he should return to Earth or erase all of his memories of it so he can get married to Lilandra, and we all know which one he'll choose, even before he gets a vision of what happened to Genosha. The Storm/Forge storyline is wonderful, but there's not enough of it. What's with the pacing on this show???

X-Men Spotlights: The Adversary and Deathbird

Next week's episode: "Bright Eyes," X-Men '97

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"Lifedeath Part 2," X-Men '97

X-Men '97 gets back on track again with "Bright Eyes," an incredible episode about Rogue having a well-deserved mental breakdown in the wake of "Remember It." We get some actual closure in the form of Gambit's funeral and the various characters' reactions to it, then Rogue wrecking shop at a military base and then at Gyrich's mysterious holding facility. The big reveal, which came as a relief but not necessarily a surprise to us, is that Bastion is the one pulling the strings — and Mr. Sinister is just coming along for the ride, except he's being a predictably judgmental bitch about it all. We can't wait to see whatever his ulterior motive turns out to be.

(In this episode, we talk about the X-Men: Zero Tolerance trade paperback, which is worth reading for background and is comprised of Generation X #27, X-Force #67–69, X-Men #65–70, Wolverine #115–118, Cable #45–47, and X-Man #30.)

X-Men Spotlight: Bastion

Next week's episode: "Tolerance Is Extinction Part 1," X-Men '97

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"Bright Eyes," X-Men '97

The first episode in X-Men '97's three-part finale has its ups and downs. The ups: Bastion's Prime Sentinels are here and they're straight out of a horror movie, evocative and cool. Trish Tilby is one of them! Kurt Wagner is also here and he's got three swords (one for his tail). The downs: Storm still isn't back yet, Rogue is asleep (for some reason?), and Jubilee isn't acting like herself. Bastion's Prime Sentinels are a metaphor for radicalization but it's not clear how the process actually works (are people opting in to the procedure? then why didn't Trask know he was one?). And why is Mister Sinister here at all? And, wait, why are Baron Zemo and Doctor Doom here? This show is moving so fast, and even when we slow down and take notes on every single line and plot point, it still doesn't quite make sense... but hey, it's not over yet!

Next week's episode: "Tolerance Is Extinction Part 2," X-Men '97

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"Tolerance is Extinction Part 1," X-Men '97

Maddy and Ryan analyze "Tolerance Is Extinction Part 2," in which Magneto has some truly epic monologues, but a plan that makes no sense. What did Magneto do to planet Earth, exactly, in "Part 1" of this trilogy? Whatever it is, it's going to cause the world to end in 12 hours, unless Magneto reverses course. He's chosen to return to Asteroid M, but he doesn't seem to care that much about convincing all of the rest of mutantkind to join him in creating a new nation, and instead seems fine with letting both mutants and humans die on a destroyed planet. Would Magneto really do that? Maddy and Ryan say hell no. By the way, the rest of this episode is about fighting Bastion and Mr. Sinister, but that stuff doesn't make any sense either, which is a bit odd since those two were supposed to be the Big Bads this season.

Next week's episode: "Tolerance Is Extinction Part 3," X-Men '97

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"Tolerance is Extinction Part 2," X-Men '97

Maddy and Ryan settle in for the somewhat anticlimactic ending to X-Men '97, featuring a confusing death scene for Bastion and a lot of leftover questions about what exactly was going on. Magneto's earth-destroying plan from "Part 2" remains unexplained, although his storyline with Xavier is the strongest (and creepiest) part of this finale. The best part of the episode is its ending, which sets up a promising start for season two, although we aren't sure how excited to feel given the whirlwind of season one. If only this show weren't in such a rush and spent more time on its characters' motivations, because the character drama was always its strongest element.

Next episode: We're not sure! Either a wrap-up episode or Listener Mail depending on what we feel up for doing next.

E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on social media at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers and RyanPagella. If you like what you hear, please consider supporting us via patreon.com/themutantages. Thanks!

"Tolerance Is Extinction Part 3," X-Men '97

Welcome to the pilot episode of The Mutant Ages! Maddy and Ryan's first step on their journey of watching every animated X-men TV show episode, ever, is Pryde of the X-Men. This TV pilot made in 1989 never ended up getting picked up for a full series. Why not? Let us explain why. Oh, and don't forget: Spider-Man wants you to register to vote!

Spotlight X-Men: Shadowcat

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Episode 1 - Pryde of the X-Men (1989)

Ryan and Maddy's second episode of The Mutant Ages features their first foray into X-Men: The Animated Series, with a big spotlight on Jubilee. Did you know that Jubilee is one of Ryan's favorite X-Men? Anyway, this episode is already way longer than we planned for it to be, so bear with us. We had to analyze the opening credits of the show, okay? Enjoy!

Spotlight X-Men: Jubilee

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Episode 2 - "Night of the Sentinels Part 1,"  X-Men: The Animated Series

X-Men: The Animated Series gets real heavy in the second episode, because our heroes lose one of their own. Ahh, Morph, we hardly knew you! Ryan and Maddy do a spotlight on Morph's comic book history, and then, analyze whether or not Wolverine and Morph were dating. Because we ask the important questions on The Mutant Ages.

Spotlight X-Men: Morph

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Episode 3 - "Night of the Sentinels Part 2," X-Men: The Animated Series

At last, Magneto has arrived to introduce some moral complexity to the world of X-Men: The Animated Series! Maddy liked this episode, but Ryan thought it needed another draft. The show writers went wild with the literary references this time, so get ready for some Shakespeare quotes. This week's spotlight is on Magneto, who has a confusing and contradictory comic book history and is nonetheless one of Maddy and Ryan's favorite mutants! 

Spotlight X-Men: Magneto

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Episode 4 -  "Enter Magneto," X-Men: The Animated Series

Professor X is a jerk. Ryan and Maddy keep telling you that, but in this episode, it's really astounding how much of a jerk he is! We've reached X-Men: The Animated Series' fourth episode, "Deadly Reunions," in which two pairs of boyfriends get reunited: Xavier and Magneto, plus Wolverine and Sabretooth. Except there's one little problem with shipping Sabretooth and Wolverine: it might be incest, depending on varying comic book canons. Oof. Anyway, we'll tell you all about it on this week's THE MUTANT AGES!

Spotlight X-Men: Sabretooth

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Episode 5 - "Deadly Reunions," X-Men: The Animated Series

Maddy and Ryan discuss "Slave Island," in which our X-Men: The Animated Series heroine Jubilee puts up with the worst vacation ever, thanks to Gambit. Storm also gets plenty of moments to shine in this episode, and she even gets a cute scene with her girlfriend Rogue. (According to the writers of the show, they're not canonically dating, but they're TOTALLY dating.) This episode also introduces us to Cable, everyone's favorite bisexual time traveler. Maddy gets on a soapbox about the fact that Marvel won't just let Cable and Deadpool date, so strap in for that.

Spotlight X-Men: Cable

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Episode 8 - "Slave Island,"  X-Men: The Animated Series

The Mutant Ages delve into a live-action adaptation for the first time, and they also have their very first guest: Mary Ellen from Let's Watch 2 Movies, the other podcast that Maddy co-hosts at Atomic Blue Productions! Welcome, LW2M fans, to a show that discusses queer subtext in the X-Men and also tries to turn that subtext into text at every turn.

We hope you all enjoy this visitation of Maddy and Ryan's teenage years, including a rundown of all the WAV files Maddy had of voice lines from this movie, the mall food court where Ryan first saw the X-Men movie trailer, and Mary Ellen feigning interest in Marvel minutiae. If you enjoy this episode, consider listening to Let's Watch 2 Movies (soundcloud.com/letswatchtwomovies).

E-mail us your feedback at themutantages@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter at TheMutantAges, MIDImyers and RyanPagella

Episode 15 - X-Men (2000)

Maddy Myers and Ryan Pagella review and break down the queer subtext of every X-Men cartoon/tv show/movie/game/book EVER. And maybe date Wolverine.

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