A group of Russian generals attempt to restore the Soviet Union with the aid of Omega Red, an old enemy of Wolverine.
This episode provides examples of:
- '80s Hair: Darkstar's blonde hair is done in a thick manner that rivals that of Storm.
- Badass Boast: After Magneto successfully knocks out the T-Rex with the geyser.Magneto: I may not have my mutant powers, Charles, but I shall not die easily!
- Big Damn Heroes:
- Jubilee's attempt to help a store clerk getting harassed by the Friends of Humanity goes poorly, but then Colossus enters.
- At the prison, Omega Red ensnares Illyana and smacks Colossus down. Wolverine then arrives.
- Big "NO!": Colossus, when Omega Red starts draining Illyana.
- The Cameo: Maverick appears in Wolverine's flashback. Together, they stopped Omega Red decades ago. In the same flashback, Captain America appears on a computer screen in the lab in which Omega Red was created.
- Combat Tentacles: Omega Red has two, one emerging from each arm, which he uses to fight.
- Dirty Communists: The generals, who try to reconquer the former Soviet nations by force. And Omega Red, who also seeks to restore the Soviet "Empire" but under his own rule.
- Dirty Coward: The Friends of Humanity goons are all too happy to harass a harmless shop owner or gang up on Jubilee, but they run screaming when they see Colossus is no pushover.
- Dragon with an Agenda: Omega Red has no interest in being just an enforcer of the generals.
- The Dreaded: Omega Red says he was locked away for 25 years because the leaders were scared of him. He boasts that they were right to fear him.
- Early-Bird Cameo: For Captain America, whose image appears on a screen.
- Evil Counterpart: Omega Red is one to both Captain America (both are Super Soldiers) and to Wolverine (due to both possessing a Healing Factor)
- Flashback:
- Colossus recalls his life on the farm and saving Illyana from getting crushed by a tractor.
- A brief one of Omega Red's creation and Wolverine and Maverick facing him.
- Heel–Face Turn: Darkstar begins the episode as a follower of the generals, but she betrays them once she realizes how evil Omega Red really is.
- Healing Factor: Omega Red has one.
- Honor Before Reason:
- When Magneto points out how letting him drown would've made his own life so much easier, Xavier says a just life is more important than an easy life.
- A battered Wolverine insists he doesn't need help escaping the prison. Colossus picks him up anyway, saying it's good manners to help a guest in his country.
- Hope Crusher: During the climax, Omega Red deduces that Rogue is physically the strongest of Wolverine's allies. He's certain that taking her down will make a lasting impression on any onlookers.
- I Choose to Stay: Though Wolverine invites him back to the mansion, Colossus says he's staying to help rebuild his country.
- I Did What I Had to Do: Omega Red sees all the chaos and destruction he's causing as creating the order that the people wanted.
- Indy Ploy: Encountering a hungry T-Rex amid some geysers, Magneto immediately thinks up a plan to knock it out. Keeping the geyser between them, Magneto pelts the T-Rex with rocks to ensure it leans over to try to get him. Soon enough, the geyser goes off in the beast's face and downs it.
- Little "No": Omega Red, when he sees Storm is making it colder.
- Motive Rant: After Darkstar says the generals instructed them to simply exile a country's parliament.Omega Red: Instructed? The people instruct me. In this chaos of this union, the people are frightened. They demand the return to the iron hand of a true ruler. My iron hand.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Colossus saved Illyana from a tractor by using his powers and smashing it. However, the tractor was state property and damage was typically blamed on disloyal citizens. Colossus left the country rather risk his family getting punished by the government.
- Old Superhero: Downplayed. Wolverine is as tough as ever, but he consistently struggles against Omega Red. He barely beat him the first time around; now, he's got an extra 25 years under his belt, whereas Omega Red is as he was back then.
- Patriotic Fervor: Omega Red seeks to restore the Soviet Union and purge the current Russian "weaklings" that led to collapse.
- Save the Villain: Picking up from the last episode, Xavier saves Magneto from drowning by carrying him to shore. Magneto is rather perplexed by this, noting how much easier Xavier's life would be without him around.
- Sealed Evil in a Can: Omega Red had spent decades frozen inside a Soviet facility.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!:Omega Red: [to Colossus] Fool! You cannot stop me!
Wolverine: [entering] I can, ya stinkin' octopus! Just like last time. - Super-Soldier: Omega Red was created as the Soviet version of Captain America.
- Token Good Teammate: Darkstar is collaborating with the generals, believing it is for the good of the people
- Utopia Justifies the Means: Omega Red believes the recent political upheaval has left people scared and confused, thus requiring an iron hand.
- Vampiric Draining: Omega Red can drain the lifeforce of others with his tendrils.
- Would Hurt a Child: Omega Red tells Colossus to surrender, or else Illyana gets it.
- Written-In Absence: According to Jubilee, Cyclops, Jean, and Beast are in Washington testifying before Congress about mutants.
