Episode #2 - The X Impulse
Original Airdate November 11th, 2000

Mystique hopes to use Toad as a spy in Xavier's Institute. Meanwhile, The X-Men are introduced to a new member, Nightcrawler!

Credits
Story By: Rick Ungar, Greg Johnson
Written By: Greg Johnson
Directed By: Gary Graham
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, Christopher Grey as Avalanche/Lance Alvers Maggie Blue O'Hara as Kitty/Shadowcat and Colleen Wheeler as Mystique/Raven Darkholme.

Review: The second episode of the series followed the inauspicious debut, Strategy X. In similar style to Strategy, the audience is introduced to an X-person, Kitty Pryde, and a rogue, Lance Alvers.

The plot is simple: Kitty runs. First from her parents, then Lance, then Jean, then Lance again… all the while abusing the phrases “like” and “you know.” (Not like everything is a simile, you know.) This episode depends on the strength of the new characters, because the plot is Karen Carpenter-thin… something to do with stealing test answers for profit. Unfortunately Kitty is a bit too cliché as the angsty, distrustful adolescent. Meanwhile, Lance seems discontent with the power structure and wants to stick it to the man, an interesting approach; but his dialogue is buried beneath too many “rock” and “rumble” puns.

The episode also suffers from a plot-hole. Why would the Professor not approach Lance, as well? Jean poses the same question, and Xavier replies, “Leave it to me.” He then proceeds to do nothing. He ignores Lance despite the fact that he is relegated to a Foster home. Hmmm, a parentless child with destructive powers—does any one else think this might be an at-risk kid?

Lance would go on to be one of the more interesting characters in the show. He and Kitty carry the episode “Joyride,” and their relationship would arguably out-cute Scott and Jean. Kitty, also, would cease to be a sheltered brat and relent on the valley-girl speak. But before the good ship Lancitty sailed, this episode left one wanting.