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X-Men Season 3 Episode 6

The Phoenix Saga (4): The Starjammers

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AIRED: 9/8/94

Lilandra seeks to protect the M'Kraan Crystal from her wicked brother, the Emperor D'Ken. But the interstellar pirates known as the Starjammers capture it, and Cyclops, in an effort to enact their own revenge scheme on the emperor.

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Jubilee gets left behind again. Looks like she'll never be an astronaut like she always wanted.

8.6

By ZaleIsBackAgain, Dec 27, 2006

Phoenix decides to take all of her friends to where the M'Kraan crystal is being stored. Though moments later after arriving, a group of space pirates that call themselves the Star Jammers, jams into the ship, and steals the M'Kraan crystal whil kidnapping Cyclops. Corsair made plans with D'Ken to exchange the crystal for half of the wealth of the empire, but he had another plan under way. He would make Cyclops the prisoner, though will use his abilities to get a clean shot at Corsair. During the exchange, Phoenix uses Cyclops as a honing device. The exchange was ruined when D'Ken sent out his men, but Phoenix brought reinforcements. In the confusion of the battle, D'Ken had possession of the crystal, and transformed himself into a mighty being. Though the biggest of worries is the crystal absorbing the entire universe.

Not as good as the previous episodes. In fact, a lot of animation programs after the suspense episodes for me, don't live up to its hype. Well, except for One Piece. Still a good episode though, that's hard to dispute. The little twist of Corsair being Cyclop's father was pretty cool, but what makes it cooler is that Corsair doesn't know that too. It's just so interesting that he was talking about his wife being killed, and Cyclops is ignorant of who she really is. The whole meeting though was really intriguing. Both sides had a counter, so it wasn't just a simple case of one side being duped by another. The conclusion of this episode was well done, and it makes you wonder how the next episode will wrap things up without screwing things up. I've watched a lot of great arcs go down in disappointment because it had a sucky ending, so it makes it even more curious how X-Men will handle it.moreless
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A high point in the series

10

By Neo2100, Aug 09, 2005

The Starjammers is a brilliantly crafted piece in the Phoenix Saga. The plot picks up its pace and becomes even more riveting. Mark Edward Edens sets up all the pieces for their culmination in the final segment.

The episode begins at Cassidy Keep where Jean/Phoenix meets up with Xavier, Lilandra and the X-Men. They must rendezous with Lilandra's ship where the Crystal's being kept. Cyclops, Storm and Beast arrive on the island in the blackbird. This presumably has to be a goof since Wolverine took the blackbird to Muir Island in the previous episode. If not, then there are two such jets.

Cyclops sees Jean staring at the sky, using her telepathy to inspect D'Ken's ship. Despite the intensity of the plot, this episode still allowed moments of true character to drive the story. Jean and Cyclops have a heart-to-heart moment as she asks him to support her as she carries out her mission. She tells him that the fate of billions of star systems are on their hands. Just what Gambit wanted to hear. The Phoenix takes the X-Men to deep space using her own form of transportation. This phenomenon can be witnessed from every corner of the planet by every superbeing, including Emma Frost from the Inner Circle. Jean leaves Xavier and Jubilee behind. Thank god the Phoenix realized Jubilee would be a serious liability to the mission.

The X-Men arrive at Lilandra's ship. I love the fact the Beast is overjoyed with the opportunity to study the Shi'Ar technology. Another excellent use of character. The plot takes a whole new turn as the Starjammer vessel appears and brings the cruiser's shields down. The Starjammers proceed to use a stun beam on the cruiser, knocking out every Shi'Ar on the ship. But the X-Men are still on their feet. Beast realizes the beam was tuned for Shi'Ar life forms. Corsair and his crew board the cruiser in order to get the M'Kraan Crystal. After a brief skirmish, Cyclops brings Corsair down and is ready to fry him for good. Corsair contacts Raza to recalibrate the beam for humans, despite his being one. Jean uses this moment to scan his mind and uncovers the truth. She stops Cyclops from blasting him. This enables Raza to activate the beam, knocking everybody out. Corsair's crew take the Crystal as well as Cyclops. The plot gets more and more invested.

Meanwhile, Erik and Gladiator return to D'Ken's ship for debriefing. This is when they're greeted by an outrageously funny message from Corsair, who's offering the crystal in return for "half" the imperial treasury.

The X-Men begin to recover from the stun beam. When Wolverine asks Jean why she didn't allow Cyclops to blast Corsair, she secretly recalls that she saw that Corsair was Scott's father.

This leads to the best part of the episode, as Corsair has a talk with Cyclops. He tells him that he plans to put an end to D'Ken as soon as he lays his hands on the crystal. He tells Scott the story of his long vendetta against D'Ken. He's truly willing to risk the entire universe to avenge the death of his wife. And he has no regrets concerning the blatant use of Cyclops in his little scheme. But deep down, we see a man truly in conflict with himself who could never forgive himself for the past and move on. And Cyclops would soon share that same fate. Like father, like son, the story moves along in an emotional way, paving the way to a bittersweet ending that can be predicted even if you don't know tha real outcome of the Phoenix.

Lilandra's cruiser reactivates and sets a pursuit course to the Starjammers. Impatience is omnipresent in this ship. Nobody can stand the waiting around. Lilandra asks the Phoenix to use her powers to bring them to the crystal. Jean/Phoenix explains that she recovers slowly, even though she becomes more powerful each time she uses these powers.

The starjammer's ship docks with D'Ken's cruiser which is stationed near the sun. We get to see a very touching moment between father and son as they ride the transport tube. There's also one of the best and most quiet music themes in the series. It captures this moment perfectly. It's a simple story of a simple man caught up in gigantic events that could change an entire universe. Corsair tells Cyclops he's from Earth. He even makes a remark about his son's eyes. This relationship would finally be unveiled in Orphan's End.

As Corsair and Cyclops approach D'Ken and Gladiator's Imperial Guard, Cyclops is contacted by Jean, who uses him as a homing signal for the Phoenix. D'Ken grabs the crystal while the Imperial Guard sets up a trap for Corsair. Fortunately, the Phoenix arrives bringing the X-Men. Now the fun begins. Wolverine says it better than anyone: "Start the ball Cajun"!

There's a very prolongued battle between the X-Men and the Imperial Guard. Curiously enough, while Gladiator could fling Juggernaut across the ocean, Rogue apparently can knock him away as well. Her powers must be increasing. It turns out that the D'Ken Corsair was desperatly trying to kill was a shape-shifter. The real one is across the room giving orders to the Imperial Guard.

The X-Men manage to grab the crystal and give it to Lilandra. There's a real show of teamwork in this battle that wasn't in previous battles in the series. The X-Men have truly evolved into a cohesive fighting force.

I love the closing blast door gag. It's very reminiscent of Star Wars: Episode IV. While Wolverine and Beast struggle to secure it open for a while, Rogue has the upper hand. And none of the Shi'Ar robots or members of the guard thought about shooting Rogue and dividing the X-Men to improve their chances. No wonder the good guys always win. In the end, Corsair saves Cyclops from Erik the Red and flee this room.

This ending is little bit of cheating. Lilandra wasn't the first one out by the door. How did D'Ken and Gladiator get to the other side unnoticed? If Lilandra wasn't the first to pass the doorway, how come none of the X-Men tried to stop D'Ken and Gladiator from grabbing Lilandra and the Crystal? I know this story is based on the comic book, but this still requires some serious suspension of disbelief to work at all. It works as a surprise and a bit of suspense as well.

D'Ken begins to recite the words that will open the galaxy inside the crystal. Even though the Phoenix tries to stop him, it's still not enough. D'Ken is empowered by the M'Kraan Crystal and becomes a superbeing. This last set of events prompt the beginning of the end for the universe. This is one of the best cliffhangers ever done. The payoff to this situation lies in the final part of the saga.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Lenore Zann	Rogue
Chris Potter	Gambit/Remy LeBeau
Catherine Disher	Jean Grey/Phoenix
Cedric Smith	Professor X/Charles Xavier
George Buza	Beast/Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy
Norm Spencer	Cyclops/Scott Summers

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Camilla Scott

Lilandra

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (9)
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- Storm, Moira MacTaggert and Banshee appear in this episode, but do not speak.
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- This episode features the first appearances of the Starjammers: Corsair (the human leader), Ch'od (big green guy), Cr+eee (his little pal), Hepzibah (the white cat-lady), and Raza Longknife (orange skinned cyborg). Also, the first appearances of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard: Starbolt (firey fellow), Flashfire (electric-fist guy), Oracle (pale-skinned telepath), Smasher (white and blue suited man), Titan (size-grower), Hobgoblin (shape-shifter), Warstar (green robot with two aliens within), Quake (rock guy), Hussar (blonde, red-skinned woman with the laser whip), and Manta (yellow-faced, black-caped energy protecting woman).
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- Captain Britain, the Circle Club (Emma Frost, Jason Wyngarde, and Sebastian Shaw, who will make their debut in "Dark Phoenix (1): Dazzled"), and Marvel Comics sorcerer supreme Doctor Strange, all have cameos as the Phoenix departs Earth.
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- The blond boy in Jean's vision will next appear, all grown up, in "Cold Comfort", as the mutant Havok.
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- Black Tom Cassidy makes his final appearance on the series here, in a fleeting (or fleeing) cameo.
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- When Wolverine tells Cyclops Jean is alright, and they both look up at the Phoenix, his costume is colored fully yellow in the long shot.
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- When the Phoenix comments, "We must move quickly to safeguard the crystal", her voice is that of Lilandra, not Jean.
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- In the previous episode, the Blackbird was left on Muir Island. In this one, Cyclops, Storm, and Beast land at Cassidy Keep in it... despite the fact all three were in New York when the team went to Muir to begin with.
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- When Cyclops is being held captive, those flashings lights kept changing, when it was close it had 5 on the left side, but a long shot it had 6 flashing lights.
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QUOTES (13)
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- Wolverine: (after being flashfried in the back) What's cookin'?
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- Gambit: Pirates? Where dey keep dey swords and eyepatches?
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- Ch'od: Aliens, Corsair! Ugly ones, too!
  Wolverine: Who are YOU callin' ugly, lizard lips? (pops claws)
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- Wolverine: (after getting zapped) Ooaugh. Who knocked?
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- Wolverine: (after being teleported) Whoah. Next time I'll take the bus.
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- Beast: Interesting weaponry... (gets hit by Cr'eee) Effective, too!
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- Beast: (to Lilandra) I was heartened to discover that you were not a figure of the Professor's unbridaled imagination!
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- Corsair: I wouldn't know mine now if I saw them. Except I remember my oldest boy...he had his mother's eyes.
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- Corsair: The Emperor and I had a friendly chat
  Cyclops: What are you to him?
  Corsair: A festering wound in his side. He calls me pirate, and worse.
  Cyclops: I think he's right!
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- D'Ken: In the name of Sharra and K'ythri... in the name of the sacred ancestors of the Shi'ar... I call upon the nine dying stars, in the world which was no name... unlock the power of the M'Kraan... and make the galaxy... MINE!
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- Jean: In our hands lies the fate of a billion star systems. Of lives beyond measure.
  Gambit: Just what I wanted to hear.
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- Rogue: (about the M'Kraan) That's what all the fuss is about?
  Gambit: How you fit a whole galaxy in there?
  Beast: Its faceted configuration gives the crystal infinite storage capacity for refracted light energy.
  Rogue: I knew there had to be a simple explanation.
  Gambit: You like it, chere? I get you one for Christmas.
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- Rogue: Lilandra's out colder than a left over hush-puppy.
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NOTES (3)
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- Animation Company: AKOM Animation.
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- Loosely based on Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct 77).
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- This episode (and the other four parts) originally aired over five consecutive weekday afternoons. It made its Saturday Morning debut on November 5th, 1994.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- Beast: Our safety is our speed. Ralph Waldo Emerson.
  The first part of the quote from the famous 19th century essayist, is "In skating over thin ice..."
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- Rogue: Lilandra's out colder than a left over hush-puppy.
  Hush puppies are fried cornmeal balls usually served in the Southern USA, where Rogue is from.
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