TV: SHOW, DON'T TELL: X-MEN '97'S MASTERY OF SUBTLE STORYTELLING

BY IRVIN RIVERA

(L-R): Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Jean Grey (voiced by Jennifer Hale), Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann), Morph (voiced by JP Karliak), Magneto (voiced by Matthew Waterson), Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd), Jubilee (voiced by Holly Chou), Beast (voiced by George Buza), and Gambit (voiced by AJ LoCascio) in Marvel Animation's X-MEN '97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

Amidst all the discussion about superhero show fatigue, I contend that superhero/comic-book movies and shows are far from dead. What really needs to be addressed is the lack of truly exceptional storytelling, which, for the most part, is where many projects falter.. I am saying this in the context of the recent episodes of Marvel Animation’s X MEN ‘97. The writers and everyone involved in this project just keeps nailing it per episode- they’re bringing soap-opera, the drama, the weird, vast complexities of human relationships back to these characters and that’s wildly refreshing at the very least. 

(L-R): Rogue (voiced by Lenore Zann) and Nightcrawler (voiced by Adrian Hough) in Marvel Animation's X-MEN '97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

After watching the recent rollercoaster ride of episode 5, I blurted out loud- that may be one of my most favorite Marvel episode so far- the writing, the pacing, the music, the DRAMA, it’s all perfectly balanced and delivered with precision and care. If you haven’t watched any episode yet, please do. Doesn’t matter if you’re an animation fan or not. If you love good storytelling with complex, dynamic characters, this is the show!  

It shows, it rarely tells. And that’s what I love about it. I know there’s layers of things and nuances that can be better done in animation over live action, but a lot of recently released shows nowadays like to just tell instead of showing the audience what is happening. It almost borders on the fact that they’re undermining the intelligence of their audience. The audience can figure it out. GIve your audience something to think about. They’re smarter than you think. 

(L-R): Bishop (voiced by Isaac Robinson-Smith), Cyclops (voiced by Ray Chase), Magneto (voiced by Matthew Waterson), and Morph (voiced by JP Karliak) in Marvel Animation's X-MEN '97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

I love shows that take me to a whirlpool of emotions by not telling me that I should be sad or angry or literally narrating what is happening in front of me. I like it when it just happens and you, as an audience figures it out. It doesn’t feel forced, and it takes you to your core experiences as you draw from that universal pool of human emotions and experiences and reinterpret it your own way- that’s how you get connected to the narrative of what you;re viewing. X MEN ‘97 takes me there. And a lot of shows and showrunners should definitely take note. For most of the shows, please SHOW DON’T TELL. Bring back the drama and don’t tame it or dumb it down. Humans are complex, horny, angry, jealous, spiteful, happy, confused, excited, traumatized creatures that having that shown in a creative light, in different forms like animation, is a delight.