A nerdy archaeologist accidentally steals Juggernaut's powers, leaving him on the brink of death, and the X-Men are the only ones who can help.
Tropes:
- Abusive Parents: Juggernaut's father (and Xavier's stepfather) is revealed to have been this, openly abusive to Cain (while nobody was around to see) and only marrying Xavier's mother for the money. Cain mentally gloats to Xavier that his old man's a real piece of work who also didn't give a damn about Xavier or his mother.
- Accidental Hero: Juggernaut had just managed to grab Xavier to pummel him, but then the nerdy archaeologist finished saying the incantation and gained his powers.
- All There in the Script: The robot Juggernaut briefly fights is named as "large green Neanderthal robot" in the script (the producers weren't allowed to directly use his true identity's name or likeness at the time).
- Armor-Piercing Response: During their last mental chat, Cain boasts that he will always be Xavier's living nightmare, but the Professor takes that burden in stride.Cain: I don't care! Can't you get that through your thick skull?!
Xavier: Perhaps one day, you will. [disappears] - Be Yourself: Spoofed when the nerdy archaelogist who became the new Juggernaut finds his newfound powers aren't helping him pick up women, Cyclops and Wolverine say this. Turns out by the end of the episode when he's Brought Down to Normal, once he helps a woman by lifting the rubble from her, she takes a liking to him, and he receives a kiss.Cyclops: You know, some girls like guys who are themselves.Wolverine: (pops claws) In fact, we can help you with that.
- Being Good Sucks: Xavier feels compelled to save his stepbrother, despite acknowledging how the guy's existence is an open wound. Reliving painful childhood memories makes it even worse, but he ultimately goes through with saving Cain.
- Berserk Button: The Juggernaut briefly interrupts his trip to the mansion to attack someone for calling him a mutant. He can't stand any kind of comparison to the stepbrother he hates so much.Juggernaut: I AM NOT A MUTANT!!!
- Bring It: After the Juggernaut has recovered, Wolverine tells him to make his move already. The Juggernaut passes up the opportunity and simply walks out.Wolverine: Make your move, tough guy!Juggernaut: Another time, short stuff! When I'm in the mood.
- The Bus Came Back: Juggernaut had vanished since getting thrown for miles by Gladiator during the Phoenix Saga arc in season 3. It's revealed he had been tossed into the ocean where he sunk to the sea bottom and had since been walking on the seabed towards land. An unknown number of days have passed until he finally climbed up to land where he made a beeline for the Xavier Institute.
- By The Power Of Grey Skull: The Cytorrak incantation. Even Cain has memorized it to heart as it was from those words he had gotten his Juggernaut powers."Whosoever possesses the sacred gem shall prepare himself to receive the power of the crimson bands of Cytorrak. Read these words, and go from this place a human Juggernaut!"
- The Cameo: As Cyclops and Wolverine leave Muir Island, Morph and Moira bid them farewell.
- Character Development: For Juggernaut and to a lesser extent Professor X, as we learn the reason for Juggernaut's villainy and his animosity toward the X-Men.
- Dark and Troubled Past: The audience learns about Xavier and Juggernaut's past together.
- Does Not Know His Own Strength: The new Juggernaut, who was a nebbish researcher, understandably has a bit of trouble with this. He seems to get a little better as he goes clubbing.
- Everyone Has Standards: The X-Men would rather have Juggernaut die after learning he can't survive without his powers. Xavier, however, cares too much for that to happen and orders them to find the new Juggernaut and fetch the source, even if it means Cain may continue to torment him. On the other side, even Juggernaut (as villainous as he is and as much as he hates Xavier) can't seem to bring himself to immediately turn on the people that saved his life, so he just tells them off and says he's no longer in the mood to fight anymore and leaves.
- Friendship Moment: Cyclops and Wolverine were visiting Morph on Muir Island when they got the call about the Juggernaut.
- Gold Digger: Mr. Marko (Xavier's stepfather) was a particularly vile example. Not only did he only marry Ms. Xavier because she was a rich old lady, he almost seems annoyed that it's taking her so long to die.
- Guile Hero: With the team currently away from the mansion, Beast lampshades how he and Xavier will have to get very creative and fast before the Juggernaut arrives. All their attempts at stalling and misdirection just delay the inevitable, with none of the others even arriving until after the nerdy archaeologist unknowingly foils the attack by getting the Juggernaut's powers.
- I Owe You My Life: When it's all over, the Juggernaut simply walks off and says he's no longer in the mood for a fight. Xavier suggests that's his way of saying thanks.
- It's Personal: As revealed this episode, Cain Marko had a serious vendetta against Xavier, making sure he was ostracized from a young age.
- Kick the Dog: Xavier learning that his stepfather cared nothing for him or his mother, just the family fortune. Xavier also relives the various ways that Cain bullied him, including being outed as a mutant.
- Lawyer-Friendly Cameo: Three guesses who the "green-skinned Neanderthal" robot Juggernaut faces in the Danger Room is a representation of. A pastiche of the Power Rangers is also briefly seen in the studio Juggernaut crash-lands into.
- Mundane Utility: Gambit is shown using his power to help fix the engine of a broken down school bus.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Reexperiencing awful memories of his childhood causes the normally stoic Xavier to condemn Cain as a sadistic bully and question the point of trying to help him. Talking to Storm helps snap him out of this.
- Parental Favoritism: Subverted. Juggernaut blames Xavier for the abuse he got from his father, believing said father favored him, but in fact, he was no more loving of Charles than Cain.
- Pet the Dog: After getting his powers back, Juggernaut walks away without causing trouble for Xavier out of gratitude for his stepbrother saving his life.
- Power Incontinence: The young Charles Xavier had headaches, could tell his mother was slowly dying and in pain, and even accidentally read Cain's mind sensing his envy of his stepbrother. This was the act that truly cemented Cain as his nemesis, as after discovering Charles is a mutant, he outed him in front of his peers - alienating him from them.
- Save the Villain: The entire episode's focus is on saving the dying Cain Marko. The entire team reminds him that Cain has been after his head for sometime know.Xavier: Do you think I don't know that!? His very existence tears at me! But he's still my brother, and I must do everything in my power to save him.
- The Scapegoat: Throughout his life, Cain had a lot of frustration about his self-worth and how badly his abusive father treated him. He couldn't take it out on the old man, but he could on his younger stepbrother, especially after discovering his telepathic powers.
- Shout-Out: "HERE'S JUGGIE!"
- Ungrateful Bastard: Appears to be the case when Juggernaut storms out after the X-Men save his life, but Xavier notes that his stepbrother doesn't cause any more damage than he already has, which he believes to be Marko's way of saying thanks.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: The nerdy archaeologist accidentally steals Juggernaut's powers, leaving him close to death.
- Would Hurt a Child: Juggernaut's father is revealed to have been abusive to him even as a child.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Cyclops and Wolverine's reaction when Beast relays Xavier's demand to find the new Juggernaut (and the stone he got his powers from), informing them of his stepbrother's predicament.
- Your Worst Memory: When reading Cain's mind, Xavier relives assorted bad memories of his childhood, but it's Cain outing him as a mutant to their friends and his crush that breaks him.Beast: What happened?
Xavier: I thought I was over this! But I was so young, and it hurt so much.
