X-MEN: EVOLUTION'S "MINDBENDER"

[Eric J. Moreels]

{Originally posted at X-Fan v3.0 on January 8, 2002}

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/evo/xmevologo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/evo/xmevologot.jpg" align=left alt="X-Men: Evolution logo"></a>The Kids' WB! network will premiere a new episode of the second season of X-Men: Evolution, entitled "Mindbender", at 10:30am on Saturday, January 26.

In other X-Men: Evolution news, the show ranked as the #2 broadcast program in Kids 2-11 (3.7 rating/14 share), Kids 6-11 (4.3/17) and Boys 2-11 (4.8/18) in its 10:30 am ET time period, and as the #3 broadcast program in Girls 2-11 (2.5/10), tying with Pokémon: Johto League Champions, and Girls 6-11 (3.0/12), tying ABC's Disney's Lloyd in Space. The teenage mutant series took the #3 program spot among all competition in Boys 6-11 (5.5/21) and finished among the top 10 broadcast and cable programs in Kids 2-11 (#10), Kids 6-11 (#9) and Boys 2-11 (#5).

Kids' WB! dominated the 4th Quarter 2001 as the #1 broadcast and cable network for Boys 6-11 (5.0/22). The top-rated network also finished #1 among the broadcast competition in Kids 2-11 (3.0/13), Kids 6-11 (3.6/16) and Boys 2-11 (4.2/18) for the third consecutive year. Among Kids 2-11, Kids' WB! outperformed Fox Kids (2.0/9), ABC (1.7/8) and CBS (1.6/8).

[Eric J. Moreels]

{Originally posted at X-Fan v3.1 on January 25, 2002}

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/evo/xmevologo.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/evo/xmevologo.jpg" align=left alt="X-Men: Evolution logo"></a>X-Fan recently checked in with X-Men: Evolution story editor Greg Johnson to find out more about the upcoming new episode "Mindbender", which premieres on Saturday, January 26 at 10:30am EST on the Kids' WB! network.

"'Mindbender' is a mystery, hence our reluctance to give away any of the plot before it airs," Johnson told X-Fan. "As in most mysteries, the revelations are what makes it work, and those are best experienced without too much foreknowledge. But I can say that this episode has a very bizarre, nightmarish kind of tone, and possesses the least amount of dialogue of any show we've done. You'll also get to see some of our characters like you've never seen them before."

"Mindbender" was written by former X-Men: Evolution story editor Bob Forward from a story by Johnson. The episode was directed by Steve Gordon.

[xtremexman]

That was such a good episode. I didn't ever think they were going to have such a major villain as Apocalypse on the show, but I guess the Kids WB wanted it to be a surprise. Well, let me just say that they succeeded. It was indeed a surprise, and by far the biggest shocker of this season. I can't wait to see Apocalypse in full.

Hmmm... maybe they are saving him until the season finale?

[Kevin Woodside]

Hey, I've been missing a lot of episodes this season. What's this about Apocalypse being on an episode? If so, what role did he play and what was the episode about?

~W~

[spiderboi20]

Okay this episode was about mesmero, who is a tan guy with body tattoos all over his body, messing with the x-men by taking control of jean grey to help gain access to ancient artifacts around the country mainly. later on he would add kurt, kitty, & spyke w/jean to do his bidding. he would take over their minds and make them break in to museums and steal what he needed. the remaining main team, professor x, cyclops, beast, wolvie, rogue go after them and stop them and try to capture mesmero. he gets away and we find out that what he gathered was just the first key, of the three keys out there to open the doors to let apocalypse out of his capture in a mountain in asia i believe. its a setup for season 3 to let us know who we will be dealing with next season. there you go, that's the gist of the episode. the animation is at it's peak and the story and character development is wonderful too. the best part is rogue absorbing jean's telekinesis and using it like a pro.

[gambitX]

I loved Rogue... she is SOOOOOO good with those powers. She was good with JEan's and Mags and Scott's!

[spiderboi20]

yeah gambitx, i'm going to have to agree with you there, rogue handled jean's powers like they were nothing. it makes me wonder if the professor has had rogue absorb their powers in danger room sessions so she could get used to them and have the ability to use them if they are out cold in a fight so rogue could have more arsenal to her powers. what i wouldn't pay to see that covered in an episode, seeing the professor train her in that way in the danger room in one episode, that would be greath. i wish she would gain telekinesis as a permanant power other than the ms. marvel powers this time around. they would allow her the ability lift her self up, fly in essence, and long range combat with weapons. but her with only leeching power works well also.

[jono]

yeah, that Apocalypse bit was a shock! i'm thinking they'll save him season three and i'll bet mystique is working for him now!