Hindsight (Wolverine and the X-Men)

Hindsight is the 3-part pilot episode of the new animated series Wolverine and the X-Men. It was written by Greg Johnson and Craig Kyle and directed by Boyd Kirkland, Steven E. Gordon, and Nicholas Filippi. The first part aired on September 6, 2008(Canada), the second September 13, 2008 and the third September 20, 2008.

Plot

Hindsight, Part 1

The episode begins with Shadowcat, Colossus and Nightcrawler training in the Danger Room where it becomes very difficult and all three come into captivity. It turns out Wolverine was tampering with their session as a goodbye present, making the level very difficult. Outside, Logan sees Jean Grey and Cyclops having an argument where Jean mentions to Cyclops that it is not she he should be apologizing to but Logan. He then meets with Beast, asking if he knows where Rogue is. Beast acknowledges that he believes Rogue is upset that Logan is leaving. Logan goes and speaks to Rogue in which Rogue tells Wolverine that he is like family and he keeps leaving her. Angry with him, Rogue walks away. Logan is then seen walking towards Professor X and Storm, when, with no apparent cause, the Professor and Jean both suffer telepathic shock and suffer seizures. Logan runs toward the Professor, but is blinded by a bright light.

When he awakens, the scene has shifted to the present, and it is revealed to be one year after the events in Logan’s dream. A group of trailers passes him and a girl named Erica waves from one to which he acknowledges her. While riding a short while after, there is an explosion in the opposite direction to which he hesitates to go see what has occurred. It is revealed that the trailer in which Erica was in collided with a train. Logan arrives at the scene and runs into the flame to find Erica who is said to be trapped inside. While finding her inside, the trailer explodes leaving Erica’s parents distraught. When the fire subsides, Logan is seen lying face down to the ground and Erica safely underneath him. The parents are relieved to find Erica safe. Many of the bystanders, especially one named Carl, are uncomfortable with the presence of a mutant and are not supportive of helping Wolverine who is now injured but in the process of healing. The parents decide to help Wolverine and take him with them since Carl has called the authorities in order to report Wolverine. While sleeping Logan has another dream about what happened after the flash of light. It is shown that there was an explosion and it was directed at Professor X whose wheelchair is left destroyed and his body no where in sight. Logan awakes to find himself at the family’s house. He overhears the Erica’s mother speaking to Carl about them having him in their house. After a short while, the MRD arrive and storm the house arresting the family due to their lack of co-operation. Logan attacks on seeing this but is not successful in rescuing the family who is taken away in a helicopter.

The family is then shown at a facility in which mutants are being kept in cells. Colonel Moss approaches and asks about Logan but they still deny knowing who they are speaking about. He responds saying that “his name is Wolverine and he is very dangerous”. Now feeling a little upset, the girl says that she disagrees with his comment and he screams at her that he is.

Logan goes to the now destroyed mansion. It is shown that Beast has been conducting research to find out what caused the explosion and Beast also mentions that not only Professor X is missing but also Jean. Beast then says that he has found that the explosion was centred on Professor X but there is no plausible explanation; no evidence of combustion, chemical reaction, radiation or electromagnetism. Beast then asks Wolverine why he is here due to the fact that he doesn’t show up without a reason. Logan explains that the MRD are getting out of control and that they snatched the family for helping him. He asks beast for his help and Beast replies that he can’t and why doesn’t he ask the other. Logan admits he doesn’t know where anyone else is and that he really needs his help to which Beast accepts. After hijacking an MRD vehicle, Logan disguises as an agent and Beast pretends to be a captured mutant and they go to the MRD facility. On entering, they attack the guards but while doing so, Randy is taken from his cell. Colonel Moss threatens him to tell about Wolverine and when he doesn’t, he slams his head into a device in which it seems he is having a very high pitched noise sent to his brain. Beast locates the cells in which the prisoners are held and they defeat the MRD for now. They free the family and the captive mutants which include Boom Boom, Pyro, Dust, Wolfsbane and Rockslide. After torching the hangar using Boom Boom’s and Pyro’s ability, two jets begin to pursue. This time, Dust attacks and causes the jet’s propellers to malfunction and explode. This allows them to escape.

Logan is then seen leaving the family safe in the mountains telling them that the MRD will lose interest in them. Erica pleads for him not to leave but he tells her, he has to. He goes to the X mansion and talks to Beast. He asks about the other Heroic mutants are and Beast tells him that they have gone their separate ways. Beast then says that the cells will be filled again by the next day and Logan agrees saying that a war is coming. Beast asks what they will be doing next to which Logan replies ‘We bring back the X-Men’.

Hindsight, Part 2

Toad, having just been arrested by the police, is being taken, when Blob attacks and breaks him out of the car. Avalanche then destroys the road beneath the police cars and Quicksilver runs up and leaves them with a threat for Senator Kelly.

Senator Kelly then has a press conference in which he tells the public about his threat. Warren Worthington III/Angel is seen having an argument with his father about attending the conference. Senator Kelly then reveals his weapon to protect humans against mutants; the Sentinel Prowler. As the machine is being demonstrated, it identifies Rogue hidden in the crowd, and begins to attack. Rogue tries to flee from the sentinel, but finds herself trapped. Angel appears and distracts the Sentinel, and manages to rescue Rogue. While flying away, he is shot in the wing, and begins to fall. However, before they hit the ground, Beast catches them, while Wolverine jumps in and destroys the Sentinel. Angel is happy to see the X-men are back together but they explain that they are not yet. Logan pleads with Rogue to join the new team, but she refuses. Beast asks Angel if he wishes to come back but he also disagrees, due to the fact that he uses his father’s money to help mutants and if he were to join a mutant group, he would be cut off.

Senator Kelly is seen talking to Angel’s father, Warren Worthington II. Senator Kelly expresses his view that the Sentinel Project was a disaster but Warren assures him that there is a way out, telling him to announce that the Sentinel project is canceled and they will be able to put the focus back on the Brotherhood of Mutants.

Toad approached Rogue in which they have a small dispute leading to Rogue touching Toad, absorbing his powers and knocking him out. The rest of the Brotherhood appears and Domino talks to Rogue about the situation mutants are in. She manages to get Rogue to join them and she mentions that they plan to chat with Senator Kelly.

Cyclops is watching the news about the mutant registration act, before blasting it into the wall. Logan bursts through the door, and starts provoking Cyclops about Jean's disappearance. Angry at his comments, Cyclops blasts Logan through the wall and into the alley.

The Brotherhood goes to Senator Kelly’s house, and Avalanche destroys his house despite Rogue’s attempt the stop them. Domino then explains to Rogue that it will be their houses being destroyed if the registration act is passed. After destroying the house, they take a van which was parked outside and they drive through town. Stopping at a traffic light next to an MRD vehicle, Rogue tells them not to do anything but Toad spits at one of the officers. The MRD start to chase them but Avalanche eventually brings down the buildings after them causing the MRD to stop the chase. They go to Warren Worthington’s home. There they use Rogue to take Warren Worthington II’s memories which include Senator Kelly’s itinerary.

Logan goes back to the X-Mansion telling Beast that neither Rogue nor Cyclops will join. He asks who else he tracked down and Beast tells him he has tracked down Kitty, Peter and Bobby. Kitty was staying at her parents’ house but when they started getting harassed she just left, Peter is in Russia but he says he will not leave his family again, and Bobby’s parents will not allow him to speak to him but he has high hopes that he is willing to return. Logan says odds are still in their favor because the Brotherhood has Toad and Blob, but Angel walks in and says that it’s time to recalculate because Rogue has joined them and they are planning to take down the Senator. On hearing this, Logan says they have to stop them but are visiting Bobby first. At Bobby’s house, his parents will not allow Bobby to go with Logan and Beast claiming that they almost got him killed last year. When they don’t comply, Logan kicks open the door and Bobby runs out. While walking away, Logan says to Bobby’s parents that he is a mutant and they have to deal with that. Bobby is excited that the X-men are back but Logan tells him that it is only the three of them. He then asks if they couldn’t get in contact with Kitty before she left, saying that she is going to Genosha. With that, they fly to the ship in which Kitty is being taken to Genosha. On seeing the helicopter, she runs and phases through the side, saying very cheerfully as she enters that it’s about time. They head back to the still destroyed mansion only to find Rogue. Kitty and Bobby are excited to see her but Logan stops them and Beast takes them to find uniforms. Rogue and Logan talk and Rogue expresses that she is not the same as the Brotherhood and tells Logan what they are planning to do.

Warren Worthington III realizes his father is using the Senator as bait and his father admits he is, saying that this will cause the registration act to be signed for sure. The X-Men arrive, so Domino shoots inside the building from across the street. This causes panic inside and the MRD officers from outside are seen running into the building. Rogue comments that it’s too late, it has begun and Logan commands Kitty to phase the helicopter through, into the building. After doing this, they have a short battle with MRD officers, Domino shoots down the helicopter and while Rogue is trying to escape, Angel saves her from an MRD officer. Logan realizes that the Brotherhood is not inside and commands the X-Men to leave but Senator Kelly instructs the officers to capture them. Wolverine makes a hole through a wall and after himself, Kitty and Beast pass through, Bobby freezes the hole with solid ice, trapping the MRD inside and them on the out. They flee down the alley and Logan says that the Brotherhood used Rogue, only to realize she is not with them. While running back to get her, Angel stops them telling them to get in the car and that Rogue has escaped.

Back at the X-Mansion, the X-Men watch as Senator Kelly says that due to the attack, the registration act will be passed. Wolverine goes out to speak with Angel who tells him that the MRD doesn’t have Rogue and that she fled, probably blaming herself. Logan still upset shrugs and agrees. Warren then tells him that he did the right thing and Professor X would’ve done the same. Rogue is then seen with the Brotherhood and they congratulate her for setting up the X-Men and showing her loyalty towards them. They then welcome her as a member of their group.

Hindsight, Part 3

An unseen person is approaching the mansion. At the same time, Wolverine is given a tour of the now in construction mansion. The unseen person turns out to be Emma Frost and Wolverine is not pleased to see her. She tells him her reason for being there; to join the X-men. He declines her but she offers to find Professor X.

On hearing this, Hank, Kitty and Bobby also come to speak with her. They speak about her prior activities and why she closed her school which was similar to Xavier’s Institute. After semi-forcing her membership, she gives Logan her card and says to call when Cerebro is completed. Wolverine believes though that she just wants access to Cerebro.

Logan tells Beast that he believes she is after something but Beast says that he would find it foolish not to accept her offer as she may be able to find the Professor or Jean. When entering the Danger Room, its automated defenses start up and attack Logan, who retaliates. When everything is destroyed he finally manages to get to Forge.

Forge completes Cerebro and Emma Frost locates a comatose Charles in Genosha. Beast tries to plea with Logan, to contact Magneto before going but Logan believes that Magneto was the cause of the blast.

Logan goes and speaks to Cyclops about them finding the Professor. Cyclops asked if Jean was they located Jean but they didn’t, however, Cyclops still returns. While on their way to Genosha, Scott talks to Emma about Jean, and Emma states that she will eventually be able to locate Jean assuming she around(hinting Logan’s will to get rid of her). They arrive in Genosha just as the stealth mode is fixed. Kitty phases into a part of Genosha, before the others, to scope the area and she tells them that it’s like an iron maze and their on Magneto’s turf. They split up to cover more ground but Magneto uses his powers to catch Wolverine. Cyclops and Iceman intervene but both are defeated. Iceman however, manages to knock off Magneto’s helmet. Beast, Kitty and Emma arrive. Emma, now that Magneto’s helmet is off, can try to read his thoughts. However while doing so, Magneto throws Wolverine across the room, hitting into Beast and Emma. Kitty who Magneto is not able to catch claims that it won’t work on her but he simply gives her a piece of metal to hold on to and he removes the metal flooring from beneath her.

Wolverine explains that they just came for the Professor but Magneto claims he came looking for trouble. Eventually after much pleading, Magneto releases them and they go to see the Professor bedridden. Magneto explains the professor appeared on the island one week prior and Emma states that he has no brain activity. Wolverine angrily says that Magneto is keeping an eye on him and not caring, claiming that he knows Magneto is afraid of the Professor. Beast then says to Magneto that what Wolverine is trying to ask is if they can take the Professor home to which Magneto agrees as the X-Men are Charles' children. Magneto then offers for them to stay in Genosha but they decline.

Back at the Mansion, Professor from the future manages to communicate to the X-Men. He shows them what the future is like; a world ruled by Sentinels. He states that he remembers nothing that happened and that he awakens from the coma twenty years after the explosion. He also says that the reason the future became like that is because of the X-Men. In that time line, they went their separate ways and were defeated. He tells them that only as a team do they stand a chance to change the future. He then says that he cannot stay any longer but will try to make contact again.

The scene then switches to Professor X in the future. He is seen in Cerebro and he can walk. He then exits the mansion and runs past the graves of Shadowcat, Beast, Iceman, Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Forge and Colossus.

The scene switches back to the present with Logan speaking to the X-Men about what they have to do and that the world needs them.

Characters

X-Men

  • Wolverine / James 'Logan' Howlett
  • Beast / Hank McCoy
  • Cyclops / Scott Summers
  • Rogue/Marie
  • Iceman / Robert 'Bobby' Drake
  • Shadowcat / Katherine 'Kitty' Pryde
  • Emma Frost
  • Angel / Warren Worthington III
  • Professor X / Charles Francis Xavier
  • Forge
  • Storm / Ororo Munroe
  • Nightcrawler / Kurt Wagner
  • Phoenix / Jean Grey
  • Colossus / Piotr Rasputin

Brotherhood

  • Magneto / Erik Magnus Lensherr
  • Quicksilver / Pietro Maximoff
  • Domino / Neena Thurman
  • Avalanche / Dominikos Petrakis
  • Blob / Fred Dukes
  • Toad / Mortimer Toynbee

Other Mutants

  • Pyro / John Allerdyce
  • Boom Boom / Tabitha Smith
  • Dust / Sooyara Quadir
  • Rockslide / Santo Varroca
  • Wolfsbane / Rahne Sinclair

Other characters

  • Robert Kelly
  • Colonel Moss
  • Warren Worthington II