Graduation Day (X-Men episode)
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| “Graduation Day” | |
|---|---|
| 'X-Men: The Animated Series' episode | |
 X-Men saying goodbye to Xavier |
|
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 76 |
| Written by | James Krieg |
| Original airdate | September 20, 1997 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Hidden Agendas" | – |
| List of X-Men 1992 TV Series Episodes | |
Graduation Day is the last episode of X-Men: The Animated Series. It originally aired on September 20, 1997.
[edit] Plot
At a Mutant/Human Relations Summit, Henry Peter Gyrich attacks and cripples Professor Xavier with a psychic energy disrupter. The X-Men and Moira MacTaggert try to save Xavier, but all seems lost. They need help to try and contact the Shi'Ar, who would be able to provide a cure, but they lack the power to do so. They decide to search out Magneto, who they believe can help Xavier send a psychic message to the Shi'Ar in his weakened state.
Magneto, meanwhile, is preparing a mutant uprising on the island of Genosha in order to overthrow the humans once and for all, as he considers Gyrich's actions as a signal that it is time to do or die. The X-Men arrive just in time to speak to him before he gives the word to the crowds of mutants awaiting his leadership and tell him of Xavier's critical state. He is conflicted between either saving the life of his "worst enemy, and perhaps [his] only friend" and leading the mutants to victory. In the end he caves in and returns with the X-Men to use his magnetic powers (Xavier's brain-waves are apparently electro-magnetic) to help Xavier send his psychic message. It is successful, and Xavier awakens just in time to thank Magneto and tell each of his X-Men individually how proud he is of them before lapsing into unconciousness again.
Lilandra comes and has a cure, but Professor Xavier must leave with her and go with her to the Shi'Ar Empire to be cured, unable to return. He bids farewell to his X-Men. The last scene ends with all of the X-Men standing outside the mansion saying goodbye to Professor X.
[edit] Trivia
- Xavier leaving the X-Men forever is obviously a metaphor for his death, possibly a form of censorship since they were most probably not allowed to actually show him die.
- Confusingly, Gyrich's appearance in this episode is unlike any of his previous appearances in the show, almost looking completely different.
