The famous consummation scene between Jean and Scott in UXM 132 features an important assertion of Jean’s sexual agency and power, setting up some of the prominent symbolism that will lend meaning and purpose to the Dark Phoenix Saga. #xmen 1/9

Jean subverts two power dynamics with Scott by challenging his role as both leader and as controlling figure in their relationship (as defined by existing gender roles). 2/9

The scene builds around exclusion. Scott asks to talk to Warren privately, thus excluding Jean from an important strategy discussion despite the fact that she is easily the most powerful member of the team. 3/9

Jean demolishes this exclusion as soon as they start talking about her – interrupting Scott and dismissing Warren, whilst declaring her own agenda in conflict with theirs. It’s at once a subtle action and an aggressive power move. 4/9

She then admonishes her partner for being Cyclops instead of Scott, showing both insight into his damaging compulsion and, again, agency in controlling the situation – effectively ordering Cyclops to quit being Cyclops for a bit. 5/9

She acts even more aggressively in taking his visor off without even discussing it with him. She then exercises an extreme flex of her superpower by casually containing his optic blasts. 6/9

Those same blasts have been interpreted as a sexual allegory by prominent comics scholars (symbols of repression vs adolescent eruption). Containing them can then be read as a form of sexual control, which, of course, it is on the literal level here as well. 7/9

She even shooshes him in a condescending manner (“hush”) and tells him to (very politely) shut up and kiss her. In all of this, the scene makes it abundantly clear that Jean is in control; Jean has the power in this situation. 8/9

The significance of the scene as the consummation of a decade long will-they-or won’t-they, adds weight to the agency and power Jean is showcasing here, creating a consummation that rests upon an acceptance of and acquiescence to the power of Phoenix. 9/9