TV

X-Men
1x03 Enter Magneto [2nd watch]
1x04 Deadly Reunions [2nd watch]
Returning as an adult to a show you loved as a kid is a risky proposition: what seemed entertaining when you were seven or eight might not work as well when you're well into your 30s. Heck, it's kind of silly to expect it to at all. But X-Men is actually pretty brilliant. The ongoing storylines are kinda unexpected for a kids' cartoon of this vintage; I believe X-Men was innovative in doing them. But even if you expect it, it's kind of surprising how thoroughly it goes into it. This isn't just a little bit of carryover, but full storylines unfurling over multiple episodes. Then there's all of the ethical conundrums and dilemmas, and character work that allows the heroes to be conflicted and fallible. Sure, it also still functions as colourful and action-focused entertainment for young'uns, but there's more depth and quality to it than was probably necessary — but that's also why it's such a classic.