This is something new I'm going to be doing for each episode: an Author's Review of the episode that will explain everything that happened, what this means for the series and characters, a few Easter eggs, etc. I hope you enjoy! If you like these little reviews, please let me know by leaving your own!

This is the first episode back after the mid-season finale, and we left off at this huge cliffhanger where -23 and Rogue are in the gymnasium, knocked out, and Trask is sending in a kill-squad. So the episode resumes and, as I'm sure many of you probably guessed, both of our heroes make it out alive. When they're escaping though, Rogue begins to show some very badass skills that we haven't seen to this point. She becomes ruthless, killing soldiers without a second thought, and trying to assassinate Trask; she exhibits fighting skills we haven't seen from her before, indicating that she is very good with any weapon given to her, and can still hold her ground without [a weapon].

So where did Rogue learn all of these skills and how to be so ruthless? That story is what we're setting up for a major storyline in the coming episodes of this season and next season!

The story focuses heavily on X-23 and Rogue, because I needed to get them out of the Sentinel Project and away from the government. It takes a while to outrun the United States government, even with mutant powers! Fortunately, Rogue seems to have connections and skills that are never ending.

(NOTE: If you translate the scene where Rogue is talking to the old woman correctly, you'll get a HUGE plot spoiler for the next episode) After Rogue and X escape Pennsylvania and are on their way to New York City and the Xavier Institute, X decides that it is best for her to leave Rogue and split up. This may seem like an abrupt decision, but X and Rogue have always had a sister-like relationship and X is afraid that her presence is only going to put Rogue in danger, and thus she leaves. I also wanted to include several more fight-scenes, such as a helicopter chase, a car chase, and a few more shoot-outs, martial arts battles. Unfortunately, that would have been too heavy on our heroes and so I'll have to put them somewhere else.

This episode also introduces one of the most famous comic-book villains of all time: The Phoenix Force. As we all know, Jean Grey is [one of] the host[s] of the Phoenix Force in the comic books and thus she is here. The Phoenix Force will have a major role to play in upcoming episodes, and will take a front and center role in the second season.

This episode is more of a Part 2 than a premiere, and thus we are wrapping up most of the storylines that have carried over. Gambit recruits Lance to join Magneto, President McCoy calls Xavier to Washington and they debate on mutants, and Lorna arrives at the Institute. Lorna hasn't been seen much this season, nor will she be, but I'm slowly building up her storyline, which will culminate in the third season!

If you stayed around for the EPILOGUE (another new thing I'm doing), then you watched Rogue arrive at the Institute, somewhere she was already grounded. We know from her encounter with Magneto in Episode Five: "Mystique" that Rogue left the Institute after having a sexual relationship with Erik...or at least…that's her excuse…

There was only one Easter egg this episode-

Jean Elaine Grey (Elaine Grey is Jean's mother in the comics)

I really hope you enjoyed this episode. This is the last…I don't want to say small…the last "non-big" episode of the season except for perhaps Episode 11. Next week's episode; "Secrets" is the most important episode of the season because that is where I set up most of the plotlines for the rest of the season as well as future seasons**. Episode 10 is the return of Kate Bishop and her final appearance this season.

If you like this series and want to see more of it, I can not stress enough how important reviews are! I'm not asking for a college paper on the episode, just a "cool" or "change this" will do. It lets me know that the series is being read and enjoyed. If you really like the series, you can check out my profile for episode titles, synopsis, release dates, and updates on the series. To get round-the-clock updates, notifications, and exclusive previews, follow me on Twitter! (Link on profile) Don't forget to come back tomorrow for an exclusive clip from next week's episode!