In the middle of its last season, Marvel’s Runaways shifted its main villain from an evil group of aliens to a powerful dark witch who harbors a connection to Nico.
But, was the transition too quick with no real closure for the storyline with Jonah and his family?
In any case, Morgan le Fay and her story progressed throughout Marvel’s Runaways Season 3 Episode 4, Marvel’s Runaways Season 3 Episode 5, and Marvel’s Runaways Season 3 Episode 6 and set the foundation for something we have never seen on the show.
Before Morgan could step into the leading role of villain, Leslie gave birth to a half-alien daughter — Elle.
And, in a crazy plot twist, it turned out that Elle was the one who was mentioned in Xavin’s prophecy, not Karolina.
Xavin, who slowly warmed up to the idea of humanity with the help of Molly, was a natural when handling baby Elle. Who knew? It might have to do with the fact that Elle is half-alien, which is sort of where Xavin ended up after her humanity lessons.
The prophecy is the only hope my people have had for millennia. I have devoted my life to it. If she is not my great love…why is my face leaking?
Xavin
In the end, Leslie gave Xavin her baby — a little too easily for a mother who had just given birth — and they went back to the Gibborim home planet instead of Jonah and his family.
Here’s to hoping they return in some capacity because Xavin was just starting to become a very likable character. Plus, Leslie will probably want to see her child again at some point, right?
We saw the Runaways standoff one last time with the Gibborim aliens. Thankfully (or not so thankfully) Nico was able to make them disappear just like she made AWOL and his crew disappear on Marvel’s Runaways Season 2 with a spell from Morgan.
But, are they really gone?
Besides from a throwaway line from Nico about their parents and Alex being separated from the aliens when they entered the dark dimension, there was no real clarity as to what happened to Jonah and Co.
Group Leader: Welcome to Alien Abductee Anonymous. Everyone, find a seat.
Man #1: They looked like hot blonde chicks and they were very interested in me — sexually.
Man #2: They beamed both me and my cow up. For the longest time, just talked to the cow. Like, I think they thought he was in charge.
Woman: They told me they would reveal the secrets of the universe to me.
Man #1: Then they probed me — anally.
Man #2: Then they probed me. I don’t think they ever probed my cow, they seemed to respect him too much.
Woman: And they probed me with incredible knowledge about the meaning of existence…and with an anal probe.
Victor: Oh, actually I’m just here to support my friend.
Stacey: It’s okay Victor, it might help.
Victor: Well, my experience began when an alien ingratiated himself into the friend group. He cured my cancer by injecting me with his DNA which caused me to go berserk and try to kill my son. Luckily, my wife shot me in time. I sabotaged the alien ship and he responded by leaping into my body where I lived in a constant state of drowning. While he was in control of my body, he slept with my wife, imprisoned my son, and indirectly forced me to have sex with her. The only way I was finally rid of him was when his energy was torn from my body as I was thrown into an alternate dimension where I was forced to relive childhood abuse over and over again.
Man #1: When you say that he injected you with his DNA, you mean by anal probe right?
Victor: I was never anally probed.
Did they, too, get trapped in the dark dimension? Just floating around with no hosts? Or did they truly disappear, never to be seen again?
We need to know just what happened to the Gibbs to get closure from a storyline Marvel’s Runaways has been telling since the beginning.
The dark dimension was an interesting use of introducing the viewers to the next evil force the Runaways will have to face. It almost made up for the abrupt villain transition from Jonah to Morgan.
Plus, alternate worlds that allow our main characters to learn new things about themselves, their parents, and their next threat are always so intriguing to watch. It’s a different way of inventive storytelling that is always welcome.
Molly learned the truth about her parents, Karolina found out that Nico’s darkness frightened her, and they all saw the power the place possessed.
Chase: Since there’s a very good chance that we don’t make it back from this, I wanted to tell you what I think of you. Which is that you’re amazing, you’re brilliant, you’re strong, you’re not afraid to be unpopular — I mean you stand by your beliefs no matter what anybody else says. You’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met.
Gert: Chase, this is really sweet, but-
Chase: I love you Gert.
Gert: What, what did you just say?
Chase: I love you and I have for a really long time. I guess I’ve just been too stupid and weak and insecure to tell you that before, but I just needed to say it in case I never get another chance.
And, unfortunately, they were not able to save Alex, so this is sure not to be the last we have seen of the dark dimension. Maybe Cloak and Dagger will come along for the ride next time? They do have some experience in that area.
Oh, and apparently, they have all been gone from the real world for six months! Time moves fast when you are on the verge of forgetting everything you have ever known.
Ever since Nico came into possession of the Staff of One, her powers have grown exponentially at a worrisome rate. And that has not gone by unnoticed by Karolina.
While Nico’s power can be described as dark, Karolina is the epitome of light. They are very different, but in the end, they both have the same goals and morals.
Tamar: What the hell is that?
Xavin: The Magistranian Abstract. It’s recognizing the next royal heir.
Tamar: Oh yeah, of course. I should’ve guessed. Hey, after we’re done with this whole baby situation, can y’all do me a favor and literally never come back here again?
On the last few episodes, however, Karolina has shown that she does not trust Nico’s powers and is not only frightened for her, but she is also frightened of her.
Nico does need to slow down, take a step back, and communicate with Karolina, but it isn’t likely that she will truly turn evil and join Morgan.
Even though we last saw her performing a ritual with Morgan’s coven, Nico’s main goal is saving Alex because of the guilt she feels. She is a true leader, and her friends are her main priority. Her darkness isn’t a burden, it’s a strength.
How cool is Morgan as a villain though?
It would have been ten times better if she had gotten a full season to be the only big bad, instead of only truly becoming a threat halfway through Marvel’s Runaways Season 3, but she is pulling out all the stops.
Not only is she proving to be a physical threat with her expansive knowledge of magic, but she is also a psychological threat. She knows how to twist things and manipulate, and she knows just who to target.
Nico: What’s going on?
Gert: Chase just disintegrated my phone in some kind of semi-psychotic jealous rage.
Chase: No! I found this weird feather in the phone and then, look, it just kind of like self-combusted.
Karolina: What’s happening?
Nico: Um, Chase blew up Gert’s phone.
Chase: Why do you immediately believe her?
Nico: Feminism.
In the six months that she has been in our dimension, she trapped Robert in her spell, rose to the top of Wizard, and is mass-producing a cell phone that allows her to control all of its users.
My bet would be on Morgan in a fight between her and Jonah, meaning she will not be a villain that is easy to defeat for the Runaways.
What did you think Marvel’s Runaways Fanatics?
Were you put off by the quick shift of villains? Are you on Karolina’s or Nico’s side? And, how funny was the AAA — Alien Abductee Anonymous — meeting?
Let me know in the comments and do not forget that you can watch Marvel’s Runaways online right here on TV Fanatic!
Marvel’s Runaways Season 3 is now streaming on Hulu.
Sarah Little is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.