The Best Episodes of X-Men Season 3

Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken's rise to power via the M'Kraan Crystal is causing a universal implosion. The X-Men, Imperial Guard, and Starjammers find themselves overpowered and unable to stop it. Jean Grey must unleash her destiny as the host of the Phoenix, even at a most personal cost.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Mark Edward Edens

As the Dark Phoenix grows increasingly hostile, even destroying an entire star system, the X-Men struggle to figure out a way to stop her without harming their teammate Jean Grey.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Larry Parr

The X-Men face the Shi'ar Imperial Guard in a trial by combat to spare the life of Jean Grey, though even they begin to question the safety of the universe as long as the Dark Phoenix remains alive inside her.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Brooks Wachtel

Gambit, Rogue, and Wolverine take a ski trip in Germany. While Gambit and Rogue seem to be enjoying themselves, Wolverine is restless, and longs for some action. When he hears reports of a demon hiding in a local monastery, his investigation reveals not a demon, but a mutant, Nightcrawler, whose devilish appearance is in stark contrast to his peaceful and deeply philosophical nature.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Len Uhley

A cryptic postcard unleashes a flood of maddening and painful memories in Wolverine that threaten to drive him insane. To keep his mind from being torn apart, Wolverine and Beast travel to the one location that may hold the answers to his hidden past: the ruins of the top-secret Weapon X lab where Wolverine's bones were laced with adamantium. There he encounters other former 'test subjects'—Sabretooth, Maverick and Silver Fox—who are suffering similar mental breakdowns.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Steven Melching, David McDermott

Professor Xavier's claims of the capture of his alien soulmate Lilandra by Juggernaut and Black Tom Cassidy are met with skepticism.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Michael Edens

The Circle Club makes the Phoenix-controlled Jean Grey their new Queen, but finds two factors opposing it: her mental bond with Cyclops, and the presumed-dead Wolverine stalking after them.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Steven Levy

Lilandra seeks to protect the M'Kraan Crystal from her wicked brother, the Emperor D'Ken. But the interstellar pirates known as the Starjammers capture it, and Cyclops, in an effort to enact their own revenge scheme on the emperor.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Mark Edward Edens

Following visions from recent dreams, Professor Xavier sends his X-Men on a mission to the Eagle One Space-Station, putting them in the middle of an interstellar conflict.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Michael Edens

Fueled on by his desire to seek vengeance against the immortal mutant that changed him into a weapon of evil, Archangel persaudes Rogue into helping him hunt down and destroy Apocalypse.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Adam Gilad

The X-Men barely survive their return trip from space, Jean Grey discovering herself changed by the experience. Professor Xavier's dark half is given form, and proceeds to attack his students.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Mark Edward Edens

The flirtation between Cyclops and a mutant singer named Dazzler exacerbates the Phoenix-controlled side of Jean Grey, leaving her open for manipulation by a secret sect of mutants coveting her immense powers for their own evil designs.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Jan Strnad

A founding member of the X-Men, named Iceman, breaks into a government facility. He refuses to trust his former teammates about his reasons for doing so, but when Jubilee aids him in his quest, it leads to the team going up against another group of mutants, known as X-Factor.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Len Uhley

A group of cyborg mercenaries, led by a woman from Wolverine's past, seek his forced help in unlocking the secrets of a long buried alien spacecraft.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Michael Edens

An alien being called the Spirit Drinker drains the life-force of Jubilee and the Reavers, making strained allies of Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Len Wein

Cyclops discovers that Corsair, the leader of the interstellar band of pirates known as the Starjammers, is his father. He's a fugitive on the run from the Shi'ar empire, and seeks his help in proving his innocence. But can the man who abandoned him as a child truly be trusted?

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Doug Booth

Storm's unfettered weather-fury continues setting the stage for the rise of Garokk. Even if Storm can be brought back under control, the Sun God's geothermal rejuvenation will spell an end to the Antarctic paradise known as the Savage Land.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Marty Isenberg

Professor Xavier's step-brother, and sworn enemy, the Juggernaut loses his powers to a bumbling archeologist. He must overcome the pain of their childhood together, and have the powers restored to him to save his life.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Julianne Klemm

Mutant-draining, pterodactyl-man Sauron is persuaded into capturing Storm by Zaladane, the high priestess of Savage Land Sun God Garokk, unaware of her ulterior motives for unleashing the mutant's full potential.

Director: Larry Houston

Writer: Marty Isenberg