X-Men: Evolution "The Stuff of Villians" Talkback (Spoilers)

**Bird Boy** · 10-04-2002, 11:36 PM

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

Episode #34 - The Stuff of Villains
Original Airdate - October 5, 2002

When the Brotherhood is expelled from school with nowhere else to go, Magneto sends Gambit to get them to join his side. Meanwhile, Wanda gets her brother Pietro arrested and Magneto sends Gambit and his new recruits to break his son out of jail.

Comments?

**JohnStewart-GL** · 10-05-2002, 02:03 PM

This has been an episode i've been anticipating all week. Gambit..SPOKE! His VA was pretty good but like Mackenzie Rainelle said he needs work keeping up the accent. But i think he'll improve. Gambit was also pretty bad in this ep. I like how he beat up the brotherhood. Proving Magneto's team is superior.And there were hints aint Spyke's departure.

**Lunacat** · 10-05-2002, 02:24 PM

I honestly thought this episode was the best for Season 3 so far (how can you go wrong with a Brotherhood episode?) Todd once again stole the show with his antics (dressing up like Pietro was really funny

)

I actually kind of like Gambit's voice simply because he didn't overuse the accent, it sounded very good IMO. I'm very pleased with the way the story is going (Evan should be out of the picture very soon! Hooray!)

I'm actually happy that Pietro is in charge of the Brotherhood now (like he was supposed to be from the beginning, occording to his official bio). But, perhaps that's just the Pietro fan in me speaking up

The action was very good and it was nice to see some more non-anti mutant humans on the show (besides Amanda).

I only have two complaints on this episode:
1.) Where has Pyro been all season? We haven't seen any sign of him as of yet.
2.) The reason Pietro was arrested? I didn't understand that, he's locked up in a vault, obviously put there by someone else, and they arrest him? LOL, perhaps I was just tired or something, but I didn't understand it.

**joshualane** · 10-05-2002, 02:33 PM

I thought it was a decent episode for the most part. Although it was light on action, there were definitely a lot of "seeds" planted for future events. Nice to see Gambit again...wonder when Colossus & Pyro show up again?

**Mackenzie Rainelle** · 10-05-2002, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by Lunacat

2.) The reason Pietro was arrested? I didn't understand that, he's locked up in a vault, obviously put there by someone else, and they arrest him? LOL, perhaps I was just tired or something, but I didn't understand it.

::fluff:: I dunno....maybe he came speeding out of there when the cops opened up the many boxes, and since that obviously marked him as a mutant, they called in the military to handle him. .........Or something.

**Serenity** · 10-05-2002, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by JohnStewart-GL
Well another new episode of X-men Evo aired this morning.
This has been an episode i've been anticipating all week. Gambit..SPOKE! His VA was pretty good but like Mackenzie Rainelle said he needs work keeping up the accent. But i think he'll improve. Gambit was also pretty bad in this ep. I like how he beat up the brotherhood. Proving Magneto's team is superior.And there were hints aint Spyke's departure.

I agree with JohnStewart-GL, I also like the way how he beat up the brotherhood too.

I really enjoyed this episode.
So far their doing a fine job this season,
I liked all three X-men Evolution episodes so far.

I also found the scenes with toad in Quicksilver's costume really funny and cute.

Can't wait for next weeks episode.

**czyznyck99** · 10-05-2002, 02:54 PM

Sorry Serenity, but next's week's ep is a repeat, as of right now anyway.

Gambit, hmmm, I like his moves, I'm going to have to adjust to his voice. Pietro in charge of the Brotherhood...fine. I have a feeling that if Avalanche really cares that Mystique might be coming back, he should leave and find her. I sense some tension foaming.

The ep was good, this was definately holding the elements of Season 2, not knowing who is going to align with who, etc.

Later.

**Storm** · 10-05-2002, 03:14 PM

This was a great episode

We finally heard Gambit and I have to say he's a great character hopefully Gambit and Rouge will get the flame burning

Anyway good episode and hopefully Toybiz will finish figures for Rouge, Jean Grey, Professor Xavier, Beast, and Shadowcat

**Sandoz** · 10-05-2002, 03:39 PM

A Brotherhood-centric episode! Huzzah! I loved this episode, and Kitty's "Can't Lance stay out of trouble for one day?" was cute. Hopefully they're on their way to a reconciliation.

And I also hope that someday the Evo action figure line will be continued. There are a ton of figures I'd love to buy, should they ever be made. *huggles imaginary Avalanche and Shadowcat action figures*

**Mister Intensity** · 10-05-2002, 06:00 PM

I thought this was the weakest episode of the season so far. The characterization of the Brotherhood boys seem very off. While I didn't expect the writers to allow Lance to bury Principal Kelly, I really expected him to really give him a BIG scare before some type of circumstance (Kitty coming in, Kelly attempting to call police, one of the other Brotherhood members coming in, Kelly letting them back into school, etc.) stopped him from completing the task. Also, what makes Quicksilver qualified to lead the Brotherhood besides being Magneto's son? He never shown much leadership abilities before. Besides, with the implication of Wanda living in the Brotherhood house, the last thing Magneto would want to do is expose him to Wanda.

For a brief moment, I expected Gambit to introduce Pyro as the new leader since he is someone new (the X-Evolution bible says that he and Avalanche are old friends but until that is stated in an episode then it is not true). Why would The Brotherhood even want to be part of Magneto's squad at this point? Over and over it is pointed out that their first loyality is to Mystique not Magneto, even though he was the power behind their formation. Lance would either direct the others to look for Mystique or just give up entirely and become apathetic. They wouldn't just cave into Magneto's desires without a good reason and Pietro saying, messing with him is like messing with Magneto is not a good one. They, particularly Lance, would most likely walk away saying he is tired of being used and just use their powers for selfish reasons without any regard for either side of the mutant movement.

Another flaw was Wanda's powers. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't Wanda's hex powers supposed to affect probability, making improbable but not impossible things happen? Too much of her power usage this episode leaned towards the impossible. Making Pietro trip (which wasn't how she stopped him), I could buy but moving garbage bins through apparant telekinesis I don't buy.

Too much about the actions taken by the characters just didn't ring true to me in this episode. Besides, The Brotherhood should have wiped the floor with Gambit, especially if Lance just let lose and let his powers ripped.

Mister Intensity

**CouchWarrior** · 10-06-2002, 11:57 AM

I didn't find this episode that great. It needed more Kurt.

I like Spyke, why don't you guys?

I'm glad Lance and Kitty are through! They should go back to Kurt chasing Kitty.

Kurty 4ever! **dances and waves "Kurt+Kitty" flag** Also, Why you guys so hyped up on Gambit? Except for his red eyes, nothing else is thst great. His powers confuse me, to much people have flame powers. ><;; And with all the characters being someone elses mother or sister or father or long lost cousin-in-law or his babies momma or twin who got plastic sergery or sum other relationship that makes them realitives, Gambit sounds like he's Rouges dad....

WHICH WOULD MEAN HIM AND MYSTIQUE HAD A FLING!

I like this theory, but it most likley is wrong....

Oh, I also think Principal Kelly is Mystique. Think about it, Mystique is missing, He know swhere the Brotherhood live and personnaly goes to there house, then kicks thme out of school when they didn't get rid of the exaverier kids.

Sounds like Mystique to me...

**JohnStewart-GL** · 10-06-2002, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by CouchWarrior
I didn't find this episode that great. It needed more Kurt. I like Spyke, why don't you guys?

I like Spyke. Hes not my fave but hes cool. oh and CouchWarrior the relationship between Gambit and Rogue is they had a long on going relationship in the comics. Plus gambits my 3rd favorite X-man. he rules. And he doesn't create fire he kinda turns things into explosives, mainly he uses playing cards.

**Lunacat** · 10-06-2002, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by CouchWarrior
Oh, I also think Principal Kelly is Mystique. Think about it, Mystique is missing, He know swhere the Brotherhood live and personnaly goes to there house, then kicks thme out of school when they didn't get rid of the exaverier kids. Sounds like Mystique to me...

Yeah, we were throwing that theory around last week, I honestly hope that isn't the case though. Kelly as a villian is really a neat idea (remember, Xavier didn't "finish the job" while wiping out his mind in season 2). He could slowly be going mad

I like that idea better for some reason.

**Lachesis** · 10-06-2002, 01:18 PM

Okay, I guess. The Brotherhood joining up with Magneto is fine, but they totally ignore Mystique in this round.

So. . . Wanda's a free agent until further notice, Pietro's going to be lording it over the Brotherhood, and Magneto's playing it safe. My biggest problem here was Gambit, who sounded really, really forced with the accent. Maybe it's because I was such a fan of the FOX version, but this guy's got a long way to go.

**Chibi Kageboshi** · 10-06-2002, 02:02 PM

I liked this episode but it seemed so short. Pietro is making me mad.. i even qwant to beat up on him :P and i think the whole spikes having a rough time returning to Spyke's body will cause the problem of him having to leave.

**oranthal** · 10-06-2002, 03:19 PM

gambit: i'm not liking his voice so far. his character design will also take some getting use to.

scarlet witch's power: what is it anyway? she has mutant powers of probability, but in the show, it seems more like psychic powers.

**Mackenzie Rainelle** · 10-06-2002, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by oranthal
scarlet witch's power: what is it anyway? she has mutant powers of probability, but in the show, it seems more like psychic powers.

Her best skill is divination, I think. But she's got some pyro/telekinesis too.

**Pyro** · 10-06-2002, 04:29 PM

PYRO , PYRO , PYRO !!! I was hoping he would at least be in "The Stuff of Villains", and when Gambit said the Brotherhood would have new leadership I was sreaming "Pyro!" but he wasn't there. Where has he been for the past 4 episodes?!

I might just have to find a new favorite character.

...but I digress.

This episode didn't really appeal to me. First of all, the title in my opinion did not make sense. I expected "The Stuff of Villains" to have more evil in it, more of a sinister plot, maybe teach us more about Magneto' s new group. But instead Scarlet witch hunts down Magneto, Gambit hangs around, Brotherhood boys run an errand to join Magneto, and Rogue and Kitty phase through trucks to follow them, *short action scene inserted here*, Nothing has accomplished except that Pietro is leader of Brotherhood and Rogue and Kitty have detention. Kitty is mad and Rogue Prof.X and Scott share goofy smiles.

The highlight of the episode was seeing Gambit, though I don't like him working for Magneto. I have no problems with his look and I liked his voice but his accent needs work.

I think Wanda's powers do alter probability, i.e. the probability of dumpsters surrounding you goes up when she uses her powers, same for the probability of Pietro getting stuck in place while running.

I thought it was funny how in the opening scene, Scarlet Witch and Caliban talked slow. Caliban I can understand but the Scarlet Witch was like "There.....is.....some..one.....else...................... my....bro...ther................... Pi.....e.......tro"

**Sandman** · 03-03-2004, 03:36 PM

Oh that wacky Brotherhood.

Good Stuff:

Everything with the Loserhood. Lance acting like a den mother and knocking Blob out of the house. Toad running around in Pietro’s uniform was very disturbing. But you had to laugh at his, “I’m Peeaatryyooo!” and Quickwart. Lance seeing a naked Toad. I can only imagine that they found out more than Pietro was just a neat freak when they went through his room.

Pietro returns to the Brotherhood. huzzah! But what was with that wacky look in his eyes?

Toad draws with his feet. Lance plays the guitar. Wanda can ride a bus. Fred reads! Who knew they had all that talent?

Lance was particularly irritable in this episode. Everyone from Toad, Blob, Kelly ,Gambit, and Pietro seemed to anger him. And his, “All I want to do is get my hands on Pietro.”

When Colossus delivered a message to Wolverine he punched a truck and put lots of innocent lives at risk on that highway. Never mind tearing up somebody’s barn. Pyro nearly set a bridge ablaze and blew up a tanker just to deliver a message to Wanda. Notice how Gambit calmly delivers his message to Lance and only acts when he doesn’t listen to him. We know where all the brains in the Acolytes went.

Not So Good Stuff:

Kitty was really annoying with her constantly wanting to call Scott. Plus, I believe her car jumping thing with Rogue broke all laws of physics.

Rogue made a rock pun. The only cartoon character that hasn’t sounded lame making rock puns has been Terra from Teen Titans.

When did the U.S. army start using tasers? Oh yeah, kid’s show.

The big butt kicking that Gambit supposedly laid on the Brotherhood that showed how superior Magneto’s team was to the Loserhood? It was actually really lame when watching it. Gambit swings around on the ceiling fan and then kicks a pizza box at Blob. He then grabs Toad and threatens to blow up him up. Lance only sends one tremor toward Gambit and just um...stands there doing nothing. It was the type of fight that made everyone look bad.

When I first saw this I also swore Pyro was going to lead the Brotherhood. Pyro has always been hardcore Brotherhood in the comics and was originally suppose to be on that team. But Evo made Pyro a death loving psycho who probably couldn’t lead a flea circus. So I guess it was for the best.