Who are the Sentinels in X-Men '97? Explained
In the X-Men '97 series, the X-Men deal with new-era hazards, namely the Sentinels. These giant robots aim at and attack mutants and the X-Cutioner – a new villain who assists the anti-mutant organization Friends of Humanity (FOH).
Since Sentinels are programmed to track and kill mutants, the X-Men and others face a constant danger of being caught by them. In the latest series, they are also newly equipped with cutting-edge technology, making them more vicious than ever.
X-Men '97 is a nostalgic rollercoaster ride for the fans of the original series as it freshens up the much-loved characters and their storylines. Along with its improved graphics and new character designs, the series has also added villains like X-Cutioner, Magneto, Mr. Sinister, and Hellfire Club to increase the rate of action and adventure.
What is the role of the Sentinels?
The Sentinels are the giant robots that are specialized to attack and ruin Mutantkind in the X-Men universe. Bolivar Trask is the scientist who invented the Sentinels as mutant-hunting robots, while Henry Peter Gyrich is associated with the Mutant Control Agency and plays a role in the Sentinels' operations.
The Sentinels first appeared in the two-part series premiere of X-Men: The Animated Series, Night of the Sentinels, where they attacked and exposed a group of mutants, including Cyclops, Jean Grey, Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Beast, and Morph.
Currently, they have a new weapon, a gun that makes mutants lose their powers, and can thus be called a nullifier. The X-Cutioner, who joins the anti-mutant organization Friends of Humanity (FOH), is the one who wields this weapon.
Who created the Sentinels?
The Sentinels were created by Henry Peter Gyrich and Bolivar Trask, a brilliant but paranoid scientist introduced in X-Men #14 (1965). Trask believed that the mutants, who manifested their powers in a chaotic and rapidly changing way, were a menace to the very existence of humanity.
So he came up with the idea of a Sentinel to keep the numbers of the mutants under control. The Sentinels have been designed to seek out and attack mutants, thus posing the greatest challenge to a peaceful life for both the X-Men and the other mutants.
In the X-Men '97 series, the Sentinels were redesigned with advanced technology and showed a more aggressive behavior towards mutants.
What Sentinel killed Gambit in X-Men '97?
The Wild Sentinel kills Gambit in X-Men '97 episode 5.
Gambit finally chose to destroy the Sentinel because he had the powers to charge up the robot and then ultimately destroy his life while he did so.
His final moments were a testament to his selfless heroism and undying love. His last words in the show were:
"De name is Gambit. Remember it."
The Sentinels have also been adapted for live-action films, with their most notable appearance being in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Watch X-Men '97 on Disney+.