X-Men ’97 – S02E08 – The Dead Man’s Hand – Transcript

X-Men ’97
Season 2 – Episode 8
Episode title: The Dead Man’s Hand
Original release date: August 5, 2026

Plot: Rogue has nightmares of an undead Gambit. X-Force brings Apocalypse’s corpse to X-Corp on Genosha, and Cable explains that Gambit seemingly came back too powerful and killed Apocalypse. The two groups join forces to track down Gambit, resurrected as the Horseman of Death. Gambit returns to New Orleans, where he brainwashes his old family, the Thieves Guild and ex, Bella Donna into his servants. En route, the X-Men and X-Force are ambushed by Gambit and he successfully brainwashes Nightcrawler and kidnaps Rogue. Rogue awakens to a candle-lit dinner, with Gambit revealing that Apocalypse once fell in love millenia ago with an Egyptian priestess, Candra the X-Ternal, who was previously Rama-Tut’s aide, but Candra used the romance as a ruse to gain a portion of his power and abandon him. Gambit summons the X-Ternal, to steal that power from her and use it to bind Rogue to himself as an immortal couple. The X-Men and X-Force arrive and engage Gambit’s forces, but are fended off by Nightcrawler. Xavier enters Gambit’s mind as he joins the power to Rogue and knocks her out. In a battle of minds, Xavier manages to overcome Gambit and find the soul of Apocalypse possessing him. Though Apocalypse resists, Rogue’s soul enters and successfully forces him into a temporary slumber. After Cable attempts to kill Gambit to kill Apocalypse, Jubilee and Sunspot leave with the X-Men and the unconscious Gambit. Elsewhere, Dr. Cooper convinces X-Force to join forces with X-Factor.

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Transcript

Note for Students & Writers: This transcript is archived here for educational purposes, critical analysis, and screenwriting study. All rights belong to the original creators.

[screaming]

How? How could this be?

[fireworks exploding]

[♪ enchanting music playing]

[inhales, exhales]

[sighs]

Remember, chère… [♪ music ends abruptly]

Oh.

…some things be deeper than skin.

[gasps]

[screaming in pain]

[screaming, panting]

Hold on, Jean. I thought we said no powers.

It’s not my fault that your tells are so obvious.

Your turn, Professor. Are you in or out?

[sighs] Sadly, [chuckles] I must fold.

Well, that leaves myself und the very quiet Dr. McCoy.

Don’t let him sucker you in, Beast.

Aces over eights.

The Dead Man’s Hand. Fortunately, mine is much livelier.

Three threes from your fellow friend in blue.

[gasps]

[Jean chuckles] Way to go, Beast.

[Nightcrawler] At least tell me how you broke my streak.

“Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes playing a poor hand well.”

Jack London.

[Cyclops] Yeah, yeah.

Save it for the book club.

[all laughing]

[sighs]

Is everything all right, my child?

Just glad to be among friends.

[alarm blaring]

Now, who pulled the fire alarm?

An unidentified military bomber, heavily armed with psionic jammers.

Unidentified aircraft, you are trespassing private airspace.

Please state your purpose.

[Beast] Surely only a madman would try and breach our EMP field.

[Professor X] This is your final warning.

Alter course immediately.

Hank, prepare to engage.

Wait! I can sense a mind through the jammers.

Presence drawn to… me and Scott?

Nathan?

Oh, dear.

Hi guys, we need help.

We’re coming in for a landing.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

Son.

[Jean] Nathan.

It’s, um… good to see you again.

Yeah, there’s a lot to catch up on.

Right now, there’s been a murder.

And that’s not even the bad news.

Rogue…

There’s something you need to see.

[sighs]

[Psylocke] Apocalypse overestimated his ability to control a Horseman who’s been resurrected from the grave.

So, what you’re saying is, whatever has been brought back might not really be Remy?

We’ll know when we find him.

Which is why we need you to use Cerebro to do so.

No way we’re helping you add Gambit to your posse’s dirty hitlist!

This isn’t about killing him.

It’s about undoing the evil in him.

Rogue, years ago, you freed me from Apocalypse’s corruption.

[Psylocke] We sneak you in close so you can use your gifts to restore Gambit’s soul.

But how do we know his soul is there to restore?

We have to believe that a part of Gambit endures.

Such questions will have to wait until we’ve recovered him.

That mean we have a deal, Chuck?

On one condition, this is our rescue mission.

Brute tactics will not be tolerated.

Gambit’s not himself.

We’re just here to make sure he doesn’t put anyone else in danger.

[Rogue] Gambit’s alive?

And he’s killed Apocalypse?

We have witnessed our share or miracles.

Huh.

My daddy used to say, a miracle is just wrapping paper for the next tragedy.

Rogue, this is not the time for your colorful lamentations.

Remy is back.

I know, Kurt. I know.

And I’m afraid of what that means.

Everything will be fine, sister.

I promise.

We’ve made some updates. We call it…

Cerebra.

[Professor X] If Gambit is out there, this will help me find him.

[♪ captivating music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Mighty untoward, peekin’ at another man’s cards.

[gasps, groans]

[Professor X panting]

Professor, did you find him?

[Professor X] I fear there’s more to this darkness than we have yet to understand.

Just tell us where he’s gone.

He’s gone home.

Evenin’, Robert. What’s goin’ on?

[Robert] You tell me, Bella Donna.

It’s you who invited us here, no?

Don’t be stupid.

Why would I send myself this invitation?

[Gambit] The invitations were mine.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[all gasping]

Surprised to see me?

I know I am.

Remy? But you… Aw, petite, you don’t look so happy to see your thieving ex.

What the hell happened to you?

What happened, big brother?

For starters, I died.

[gasps]

Then the Devil snatched me out of the grave.

A real bad customer.

[all gasping]

Remy, please.

[Gambit] Don’t be scared, chérie.

Death is evolution.

[all groaning]

[all screaming]

[Jubilee] Hey, I…

I’m sorry. I know this will be hard. Facing Gambit.

Got nothing to be sorry for, sugar.

Remy’s weighing on all our hearts.

Can’t let regret make it feel heavier.

Heck, probably best X-Force stayed clear of Remy, anyhow.

Sure, they can be a little intense.

But tracking Apocalypse these past few months, I’ve learned that you can’t shut your heart off.

‘Cause that’s the thing that’s gonna get you through this.

Family reunion time already?

We wanted to check in…

See how you’re holding up.

It must have been strange, finding Apocalypse.

Not exactly how I’d pictured my destiny.

Why didn’t you tell us, Nathan?

That you’d met us as a boy?

Why not reach out when we got back?

Time would have ripped us apart again, like it always does.

Well, I’ve about had my fill of what happened yesterday, or could tomorrow.

For once, son, can we focus on what we could be today?

[Jean] A family.

We scout for Gambit quick and quiet, unless we want X-Factor and their Mech-Sentinels on our butts.

No way Val Cooper and her government stooges found us.

I sense no Mech-Sentinel pilots outside, but I do sense–

A swarm of black holes where minds and souls should be.

[missile whistles]

[explosion]

[all grunting]

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[Bella Donna grunting]

Bella Donna? Robert?

What’s he done to ya?

Skip the shock and awe.

Find Gambit. Now!

[all grunting]

[gasps]

[groans]

[grunting]

[gasps]

[Rogue grunts]

Remy?

Remy, it’s me. It’s Rogue.

Apocalypse poisoned your mind.

I can help you.

Just trust me.

[Gambit] You know… life does flash before our eyes when we die.

[♪ melancholy music playing]

And when I died… all I saw… was you.

[gasps]

What’s wrong?

That ain’t possible.

Warned you, chère.

Some things, they be deeper than skin.

Sleep.

[gasps]

[Jean] X-Men, I’ve lost contact with Rogue.

[both grunting]

I’m on it!

Put her down, Remy. You are not yourself.

[grunts]

[groaning]

Now, neither are you, mon ami.

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[tires screeching]

[explosions]

[all grunting]

The wings are coming off.

We gotta go after Gambit.

No, we need every telekinetic landing this plane

or we’re all toast.

[straining]

[straining]

We can do this, son, together.

[both grunting]

[screaming]

[panting]

[groaning]

[screaming]

[reporter] The Pentagon has confirmed the plane belonged to X-Force.

They’ve yet to say if this was a failed terrorist attack or a crash.

News was spooking the kids, so I put on The Exorcist.

Didn’t get these back just to play gym coach while Jean and the others are blown out of the sky.

The school will be safe with Colossus.

Right now, our family needs us.

And X-Men fight for their own.

Let’s move.

[gasps]

Kurt, what’s he done to you?

Time to rise, sister. Dinner is served.

And you are the guest of honor.

[♪ slow music playing]

Evenin’, chère.

[chuckles] Siccing your brainwashed ex on me is a mighty bold way to ask a lady out to dinner.

You did always like my unorthodox flair.

Gambit never woulda dreamed you’d be working with the merc hunting me down, neither.

Cable? No, Remy.

We were tryin’ to save you.

[sighs]

I thought I could.

World’s been conspiring to keep us apart for so long, chère.

We both learned to expect the worst.

But now, now we’ve been dealt a whole new hand.

That gap between the man I was and the one you want is finally gone.

Or at least, it can be.

This is just so strange.

Getting you back, why, is all I ever dreamed of.

But now, you’re here and…

I don’t know if I should be relieved… or scared.

I ain’t crawled outta my grave to repeat regrets.

This is our second chance.

So, no more holding my cards close to my chest.

So, here they are, belle.

I learned Apocalypse ain’t no different than us.

He had a love that broke his heart too.

A priestess of ancient Egypt courted him, convinced him to give her a piece of his power… [exclaiming in pain]

[Gambit] Only to betray him.

A trap she laid to seek revenge for what he did to her people.

[groans]

She done run away with it, right here to the bayou.

Locals know her as the X-Ternal.

Her relic will make you immortal like me.

It’ll bind us together forever, husband and wife.

And then nothin’, not even death ever keep us apart again.

[sighs wearily]

How do I know I can trust you?

‘Cause I’m offering us a second chance.

You gotta believe in me.

Believe in us, chère.

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

[distant whoosh]

[♪ suspenseful music continues]

[squelching]

[gasps]

The Assassins Guild calls upon its covenant with the X-Ternal.

Let this tribute awake you from your sleep and summon you forth…

[rumbling]

[thunderclap]

[gasps]

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[thunderclap]

Who dares disturb my slumber?

C’est moi.

[External] Remy LeBeau.

This is unexpected.

You have become stained and defiled.

What is it that you seek?

[laughs maniacally]

This is forged from the very fires of creation, given to me by Apocalypse.

‘Fraid not, it belongs to me.

You stole it from my predecessor.

You dare to defy me?

I have stood by the Devil’s side and glimpsed his dark intents.

I will not indulge a scoundrel to entertain his–

[squelching]

[gasps, groans]

Sorry, gotta cut this game short.

What goes around, come around.

Remy, no!

[sighs] What did you do?

[Gambit] Going all in, chère.

You ready?

Gambit, we don’t want to fight you.

But we will.

Stand down. Now.

Remy, please.

If that your bet, mes amis, I call.

[all yelling]

Tides, rise and help cleanse this foul ritual.

[all gasping, coughing]

[grunting]

[grunting]

[yelling, groaning]

[all groaning]

[Jubilee screaming]

[all screaming]

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

[groaning, screaming in pain]

[Professor X] Remy, it’s time to end this madness.

[grunts]

[groans]

[Professor X] In the battlefield of the mind, my will shall prevail.

Now this be an unexpected delight.

[groans, screams]

Where was this will back in Genosha when Gambit needed it?

As Jean once used the power of the Phoenix to bind the M’kraan Crystal, I now bind you with the power of–

[Professor X groans]

[grunting]

[both grunting]

[Professor X exclaiming in pain]

[grunts]

[gasps]

[gasps]

Remy!

If you can hear me,

come back to me!

[exclaiming in pain]

[Gambit] Professor.

Help me, please!

[grunting]

Everyone, close your eyes!

X-Force, Gambit’s exposed. It’s time to make our move.

Nathan, no!

[all gasping]

We don’t want to hurt you, but be certain that we will.

Cable, what gives?

Sorry, kiddo. Had to play nice to get close enough for the kill.

Nathan, do not make me take over your mind.

Apocalypse is in there, and it’s my destiny to kill him.

[gasps]

After all this time, the teacher has still learned nothing.

You… You’re alive.

In here? How?

I would have thought, after your beloved Magnus, you might have finally understood.

I always survive!

[♪ dramatic music playing]

[groans]

[groans] Professor!

[Professor X exclaiming in pain]

[groans]

[yelling]

Remy!

[♪ dramatic music continues]

Come on, sugar!

[groaning, panting]

[gasps]

[yelling]

[groans, gasps]

[Professor X] X-Men, we must retreat, now!

Kurt, you’re back with us?

[grunts]

[grunts]

[machine beeping]

[Professor X] His vitals are faint, but his neural activity… most strange.

Apocalypse will not stay contained inside Remy’s consciousness much longer.

If we do not move quickly, he will take him over for good.

[Rogue] I’ve got you, sugar.

I won’t lose you.

Not again.

[Warren] Your honeypot didn’t work.

[growls softly]

Enough, Warren.

It’s time to regroup.

With whom?

It’s just us three now.

[explosion]

[all gasp]

[Nathan chuckles] If you think you’re taking us in, you’re in for a surprise, pal.

Hey, chief.

You’re not the ones we’re after.

What do you say to both of us getting what we want?