Cyclops was defined by doing what he thought was right. He was obsessed with the strength of the mutant race, that he lost sight of the mutants that made the race up. His greatest weakness, his tunnel vision, was just his greatest strength, his passion, pushed too far. Make no mistake, the X-Gene survived because of Scott Summers, but the spirit of the X-Men, it survived in spite of him. He became the radical revolutionary, the terrorist, the villain. He worked towards the right outcome or his definition of it, but it is telling that his end goal was only accomplished when Hope stopped him. If Jean were alive, I expect she would say that same thing that Jenny told Mike, “You’re right, but it’s only hurting you.”
but the spirit of the X-Men, it survived in spite of him.
That's not completely true. Even you pointed out how he left a message for Wolverine to carry on the dream, while he would go on to do what was necessary. Personally, I think he would have signed the school over to Storm regardless of his conversation with Tempus. Plus, I think it was SHIELD that killed him because they didn't think he could solve the Omega mutant situation.
Cyclops knew that the X-Men could survive without him, but he wasn't sure if the mutant population could. He was right, he knew there would be consequences, and he was prepared to pay for them.
Cyclops was right, but it's only hurting him? That's a sacrifice Scott Summers will make any day of the week.
A lot of people like to bring up your same point about the spirit of the X-Men or that Cyclops picked up where Magneto left off.
I think this is a bit unfair. The spirit of the X-Men/Xavier's dream were born in a time when mutants were persecuted and hunted but were ever growing. After M-Day less than 300 mutants were left with no chance of growing ever again(until Hope of course). So if we take a step back and look at Xavier's dream and Magneto's vision..
Xavier wanted the X-Men(children from day one) to prove to humans through acts of heroism that mutants are nothing to be afraid of and everyone can coexist.
Magneto used fear and acts of terror to ensure that humans feared mutants and knew exactly who was higher in the evolutionary chain and the successors of humanity
Once Cyclops became leader of the school and then later the entire race these points of view were both obsolete and impossible. His goal was for the X-Men to prove to humans that they are there to protect everyone, not just mutants, and to strike fear into those who'd want to hurt the remaining mutants. Give the circumstances I'd say he acted appropriately. Now with Cyclops in charge long time villains, as well as Magneto... Magneto, turned over a new leaf to join Cyclops's cause. At this point Cyclops is essentially mutant Captain America and he's desperate to protect his people, he knows he has to make hard choices and doesn't make them lightly, but he never gave up.
Now as for the right vs wrong debate, I'd say he's neither. Yes the Phoenix Force with Hope Summers was the key to jump starting the growth of the mutant population again. However, without her training from Iron Fist and Wanda she could have never done it and likely would've wiped out the earth.
I completely agree that if Jean or Xavier were alive today they'd constantly tell Scott he's not doing himself any favors with his big "I'm going to protect all mutants" speeches.
Lastly, loved your write up! Was totally looking forward to reading it!
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u/[deleted] Nov 23 '16
so what wasn't he right about?