Eric dives into the X-Men trilogy finale — the mutant cure, Jean’s tragic rise as Phoenix, Magneto’s bridge move, Storm’s leadership, and the Xavier/Magneto bond. Big moments, bigger riffs, all heart.

Special thanks to my co-producer, Nova, for helping shape the structure and flow of this episode.

CREDITS: Co-Producer: Nova – Creative collaborator and production partner for Marvel Maniac: An MCU Aftershow.

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Fresh out of the multiverse meltdown from last week, Loki finds himself slipping through timelines where the TVA never happened — and his friends are living completely different lives. From jet-ski dad to Alcatraz escapee, each version feels real, grounded, and worth saving. In this breakdown of Science/Fiction, I talk about why this might be the show’s most human episode yet, what Loki’s transformation really means, and how the quiet moments hit just as hard as the big effects. Plus, my favorite scenes, a few laughs at Obi’s genius, and why this sets up a finale that could go down as one of Marvel’s best hours of television.

CREDITS: Co-Producer: Nova – Creative collaborator and production partner for Marvel Maniac: An MCU Aftershow.

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

💡Patreon.com/MarvelManiac

💡 Have thoughts or theories? Share your feedback at MarvelManiacPod@gmail.com OR drop something in the tip jar and leave a comment! Your voice matters!

💡Assemble at: @MarvelManiacPod on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter

Support Marvel Maniac: an MCU Aftershow by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/marvel-maniac-an-mcu-aftershow

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The mutants are back, and this time they’re united! Join Eric, a.k.a. Mr. Honest, as we revisit X2: X-Men United (2003)—a sequel that takes everything the first X-Men movie started and cranks it up to eleven. From Nightcrawler’s legendary White House attack to Magneto’s jaw-dropping prison break, X2 delivers action, heart, and the perfect balance of heroism and moral gray. Eric dives into:

• Jean Grey’s unforgettable sacrifice at Alkali Lake
• How X2 planted the seeds for the Phoenix Saga
• Why this film proved superhero movies could be epic, emotional, and cinematic
• Its connection to today’s MCU and the multiverse

If you’re loving our shorter, reaction-focused episodes, this one’s packed with nostalgia, heart, and genuine Marvel Maniac excitement. 💌 Email the show: MarvelManiacPod@gmail.com ✨ Support the show and hear exclusive mini-episodes: Patreon.com/MarvelManiac Stay united… and until next time, Maniacs, disassemble!

💡Assemble at: @MarvelManiacPod on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter

CREDITS: Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Support Marvel Maniac: an MCU Aftershow by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/marvel-maniac-an-mcu-aftershow