Episode #10 - Shadowed Past
Original Airdate March 31st, 2001

Nightcrawler learns the truth about his birth Mother's past, but will he like what he has to here?

Credits
Written By: Bob Forward
Directed By: Steven E. Gordon
Music Composed By: William Anderson
Guest Starring: Kirby Morrow as Cyclops/Scott Summers, Scott McNeil as Wolverine/Logan, Venus Terzo as Jean Grey, David Kaye as Professor Charles Xavier, Brad Swaile as Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner, Maggie Blue O'Hara as Kitty/Shadowcat, Micheal Dobson as The Blob and Colleen Wheeler as Mystique/Raven Darkholme.

Review: Shadowed Past aims for poignant and nearly hits. Kurt’s search for his birthmother is juxtaposed against Rogue’s indifference on the same subject, and the two receive some character growth.

For all intents and purposes there are two Nightcrawlers. One is a dashing swashbuckler. The second is a spiritual ponderer. X-Men: Evolution employs the swashbuckler, so to see him pensive is a change of form. (Remember, nothing is sadder than the tears of a clown.) He wants nothing more than to meet his birthmother. He is not angry or vengeful toward her. He simply wants to know her.

An additional subtext is given for comics fans who know that Magneto is Pietro’s father. The two parents respective estrangements show varied results. Kurt is arguably better without Raven. Pietro is soiled by his limited interaction with his father.

Another plot-hole limits enjoyment. Why does Magneto feel the need to interfere with Kurt and Raven’s meeting? There are a myriad of reasons he could have; but without an explanation, the action scenes feel forced. (Forced action scenes were the primary stumbling block of season one.)

In conclusion, the episode had a good, core idea; and the heroes were well-written. But the action scenes were egregious, and Lance used another “rock” pun. In general, the repartee was subpar and hurt what could have been one of the season’s stronger episodes.