Jean Grey has always been one of the most powerful mutants on the team, but suddenly she's getting more power than even she can control. At first, it manifests itself intermittently with headaches. Then Jean's extra power explodes completely. Can Cyclops and new recruit Rogue save her from her own runaway abilities?
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- All Love Is Unrequited: As Cyclops rushes over to comfort Jean once it's all over, Rogue looks openly devastated.
- Always Someone Better: Scott manages to narrowly best Duncan at assorted track and field games. It's what causes Duncan to ram into him during a race.
- Bridal Carry: Scott carries Jean into the Xavier Mansion this way when she collapses. Somewhat crossed with Pietà Plagiarism because she's unconscious/incapacitated.
- Cool Teacher: Well, coach in this case. Hank sees Duncan ram Scott off the track to win a race; he immediately kicks Duncan off the team for it and helps Scott get his glasses back.
- Dialogue Reversal: When Scott is trying to talk Jean down, he tells her that he knows her better than anyone ever has or ever will, and he knows she can do this. Later, returned to normal, Jean casually comments, "That's what I like about you, Scott. You know me better than anyone else ever has or ever will."
- Education Through Pyrotechnics: Nothing explodes, but the general spirit is the same; the first lesson given by Mr. Hank McCoy, knowing the general mindset of his high-school-age students, is how to make a Stink Bomb.
- Foreshadowing: Hank McCoy helps Scott find his glasses and knows that it's imperative he keep his eyes closed if he's not wearing them. Moments later, when Jean's overload causes her to start telepathically flinging sports equipment about the place, McCoy catches two shot put balls that were headed right for him, showing that he's incredibly strong.
- The End... Or Is It?: A mild case, but even though the immediate crisis is over, Scott notes how Xavier is going to be working with Jean every day to help her maintain control.
- Energy Absorption: Rogue has to do it to Jean to allow her to regain control.
- Godzilla Threshold: As Jean gets dangerously out of control, Rogue volunteers to absorb some of her thoughts and powers, which would give Cyclops the chance to talk to Jean. Xavier thinks it's too risky to try, but Wolverine says they don't have many other options. Xavier reluctantly agrees.
- A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read: A minor example, when Jean accidentally reads Rogue's mind and hears her snark at her for winning an award.
- Pet the Dog: Jean accidentally causes a javelin to be sent flying towards Kitty. Observing this, Lance causes a tremor to knock her and some nearby girls over so that the javelin misses.
- Power Incontinence: Jean has a massive case.
- The Resenter: As Xavier reminds her about the importance of scheduling friends' visits in advance, Rogue grouses to herself that Jean would've gotten special treatment.
- She Would Have Done the Same For Me: Rogue's reason for helping Jean.Me and Miss Popularity here, we're worlds apart...different galaxies. But then I realized something. She would do the same thing for me.
- Secret Secret-Keeper: Implied with Hank, as he tells Scott (whose glasses got knocked off) to keep his eyes shut. After his glasses are back on, Scott looks confused by what he meant, but Hank simply tells him to take five and walks off.
- Ship Tease: This episode is full of this between Jean and Scott.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Rogue over Jean reading her mind, as she thinks it was done deliberately.
