X-Men: Evolution "African Storm" Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Discuss this episode of the fan-favorite X-Men: Evolution animated series!

Episode #21 - African Storm
Original Airdate - November 17, 2001

Storm is tormented by Houngan, an evil African shaman who wants to take over Africa. Storm and the X-Men have to stop an enemy who knows every weakness of hers.

Comments?

[atari_14]

I agree, this season is doing really well. i've only had a chance to see some of the new ones. But so far they are really good. Another reason i thinkso is i'm total fan of Xmen, and other marvail comics/cartoons.

[Barb Gordon]

This ep was definetly a good one. First time I've seen it too. It was great to see Storm get focused on, and Evan was a bit different than he normally is. Not so care-free and air-head like, but actually serious and a bit of a jerk--when he thought he was leaving that is. I liked how Kitty was like the second person to come see what was up with Storm in the bedroom and in the bathroom. Obviously she's really attached to Storm, and it was great to see that.

Barb^-^

[James Harvey]

Kitty is actually becoming a pretty good character. I was annoyed by her, like, totally, like, y'know, like airhead, Valley, like, totally, persona which got just really annoying. She's actually becoming more than just a one-dimensional teenager. And this episode was just an awesome thing - nice to see the focus be on someone else. Making me anticipate the Wolverine/Nick Fury episode even more!

[optimal321]

This ep was actually very good... until the part where that guy stole Storm's spirit w/ his staff. I don't know... that just seemed so lame . But overall it was good.

[batE]

This ep made me into a dedicated Evan-maniac. Sure he can be jerky (the way he treated Kurt is a great example), but he's very resourceful and getting better in controlling the spikes and using them to good use. And I'm loving the skateboard-in-battle thing (yeah, it's a little gimmicky, but still . . .) I thought it was interesting that Xavier worked so hard to recruit Evan, but was willing to send him back to help, among other things, take some of the pressure off Storm.

The fight scene was a little short, and the Hungan was pretty lame, actually, but I liked this because I'm one of the few Evan fans (who admits it, anyway), and this was an episode mainly about him.

Oh, and it seemed weird that Evan was going thru so much angst, and my boy, his main antagonist, didn't make an appearance! What was up with that?


Who's ready for the brand-new ep Retreat? I know I am!

batE

[DR. BELCH]

It was fair...but how does a guy just decide he's going to take over Africa and that it's his right? Power or no, wouldn't guys like Nelson Mandela have some objections?
Storm's claustrophobia is touched upon as well, although Fox did a better job of it...and is it just me, or is Beast woefully mishandled? Besides not seeing much airtime in this ep, he seems to exhibit a lot of apelike mannerisms, like knuckle-walking, holding things with his feet, and acting like an angry bull gorilla during battle (in the last new ep w/ the carny hypnotist)....

[Matt Hazuda]

I thought it was a good episode, but then they had to let Spyke stay(even though I knew he would, I was kind of hoping they'd surprise me)

[James Harvey]

Granted the episode was not the best, but it was still pretty good - much better than the first season. I'm also really liking the animation. In the last new episode, the Carmey one, the animation was superb in that episode, and it was goo din this one as well. The Storm animation was very, very nice - much better than what FOX could ever do.

[Sandman]

A Storm episode that seemed equally as much about Evan. The other stuff in this episode was too silly to take seriously, so I concentrated on the Spyke/Storm/X-Men relationship. It is interesting that Xavier was willing to give up on Spyke so easily and send him home. I wonder how many times he thought of sending Bobby(who was even worse than Evan) home?

They seemed to be trying to make Evan more popular by connecting him to established characters. He was Storm’s nephew, Pietro’s rival, Kurt’s buddy, Beast’s helper in both Beast of Bayville and Retreat. But it didn’t work because of Evan’s poor character development. Ironically, it was on his own with the Morlocks that he became his own character. This is one of the episodes you quickly forget about after you have seen it. It is too bad that the new DVD has maybe the three worst episodes of season 2 on it. But it is worth it just for On Angels Wings.

One last thing. This is the only episode where you can see any hints of the Bezerker/Sunspot rivalry that was mentioned in their original pre-season 2 bios. Usually New Recruit stuff is the first to go when they start cutting scenes from episode story boards.

[screw on head]

another weird ep for me, it's the same feeling i got from adrift. the story choices here puzzled me as well. i understand they're trying to place these characters into humanizing situations, but they really smother out any fan pleasing elements, leaving any satisfying action to be crammed into the last few minutes. great, utilize these scenes to give some nice character moments, but don't forget they've mutants with extraordinary abilities. really, all the cool action happens at the end, after all the clunky thriller scenes. i just didn't buy storm running around scared, like a b-movie actress, which is the way she acted, quivering scared. the writing on the bathroom mirror scene was the last straw, it was getting tired. and spike running away, well, he never came across as strongly rebellious to begin with, and him running away, it was a convenient beat to give storm, that all she knows is lost, and as a result, his running away seemed contrived, in service to her plight. some really beautiful action at the end, but this ep is a great example of some unbalanced structuring of a story. nice idea, but bad execution.

[STARTOUNZ]

It is interesting that Xavier was willing to give up on Spyke so easily and send him home. I wonder how many times he thought of sending Bobby(who was even worse than Evan) home?

I was disappointed with that as well. I mean was Evan even put on probation, let alone be given the opportunity to shape up (before the Hungan kidnapped Storm)? It seemed out of character that the Prof would discuss the situation with Storm behind his back like that. If she was so burdened with him, why not have Wolverine get him up for some early morning training sessions to remedy his tardiness or have Beast help him with his studies? After all, he is a teacher and the place is an institue. There are certainly more than enough people to help him out. And you're certainly right about Bobby, not to mention Tabitha. They're much dimmer characters who've consistently been reckless, yet they got the usual punishment and were never threatened with getting booted. Bobby alone should have gotten his keyster kicked out for his antics in "Joyride". Tabby at least had the common sense to leave with all her problems, but eventually came back (hopefully reformed). At least when Spyke did leave in "X-Treme Measures", it was via his own choice once he came to terms with his growing powers and used them effectively to protect the Morlocks. But from what was seen in the future visions in "Ascension" (II), he eventually returns to the X-Men as well.

[Lyranfan]

I hadn't thought about Bobby in that respect - his antics in Joyride (which is next show up) surely is a reason for him to be booted. Startounz has a great point about Hank - why not try tutoring first? Maybe the Prof lightened up after Evan's turnaround?


Likes

1) My favorite part is when Kitty escapes from the whip (though you'd think it would sting a little bit) and phases through the crate knocking the guy into the water. Only a defensive power, eh?

2) As Storm is grabbed, Evan has the sense to go get help rather then try to take on the kidnappers himself. This is the most important thing they teach in first aid classes - first ALWAYS send for help.

3) "Risty's" slip about Storm's claustrophobia and how Rogue gets suspicious

4) Hank's attempt at no powers volleyball. Too bad Ray had a wicked temper :anime:

5) It seems contrived but I like that fact that the guy Nirambo comes to help Storm and warn her about the bad guy coming for her

6) When Storm screams and wakes up from her dream, Logan is first on the scene


Dislikes

1) I missed Jean's TK stunt to Evan the first time I watched this episode - a hint to why she is so hated - she totally overreacted - I guess it was left over Taryn Scott angst. (Now I know where that Scott and Taryn shot comes from that I've seen)

2) Screw on head again has great comments about quality of writing - it seems contrived that she'd be afraid of the dark like that. I understand the need for drama but I'd think she'd be tougher then that.

3) Not sure how the tribe bypassed the security systems. And I agree with optimal about the staff - I'm just not big on magical weapons

[Wolfsbane]

I know this TV series has made a lot of rounds in the past, but I always somehow miss this one. I turn it on and it seems as if it were half-way over but I wasn’t sure. Even then I only got to see bits and pieces of the episode because my dad kept shooing me away from the TV. I remember seeing that cloud coming out of Storm’s mouth and raised an eyebrow. I saw the kids playing in the fog and got to see Rahne morphing. Then Hank took them in to play volleyball, but my dad shooed me out of the room again. When I returned I saw even skating through the house saying “I’m saying! I’m staying!” and then it was over. I can’t wait until I get the DVD so I can watch it all the way through.

[Rogue LeBeau]

This is the talkback for the X-Men: Evolution episode "African Storm".

Episode #21 - African Storm

Original Airdate - November 17, 2001

Storm's state of mind is questioned when she believes menacing shadows are haunting her. Are they for real, or are these ghosts from her past?

Comments?

I was finally able to catch a repeat of this episode and...it was good. I was really surprised with how much of an improvement this season has been over the last season. We fnally get a nice Storm focused episode. Also, Evan (Spike) for the first time, possibly ever, was actually not annoying. He was actually a tolerable character. The aniation was, again, top notch and the script was actually pretty good as well. This season is by far doing a great job. I wonder if season three will top it.

How old do you think Storm was in that pic?

[Spider-Man]

YTV airs this episode during their late-night block tonight.

[addismad]

i liked this episode as it was one of the very few in the first two seasons, we got to see Storm a bit more

i liked how her past came back to haunt her and she started to fight againts the x-men

BUT

i wish there could have been more action towards the end, especially her againts the x-men, and also when she gets her revenge

but other than that, not too many compaints

[StormDragon318]

I am glad that they had at least one episode in which part of Storm's past was revealed, and it was good to see her claustrophobia being touched on. I wish that Evo had had the chance to show Storm's childhood years working for the Shadow King in Cairo, though.

[Movie06]

Not a bad episode. I think LyranFan's thoughts on the episode summerised mine the best.