Though innately dysfunctional, the Mystique/Rogue relationship combines profound affection, bad choices, and poor communication. Despite the extremes of the fictional world they occupy, the pair reflect a lot of how real-world parent/kid dynamics work. @LetsTalkRogue #xmen 1/9

Mystique and Destiny took Rogue in after she was rejected by her birth family, but at the same time they also radicalized Rogue as a minor and placed her in very dangerous situations in service to Mystique’s mission. 2/9

Despite this, it is significant to note that Rogue does not actually reject Mystique and Destiny when she leaves them. She goes to Xavier very specifically because she needs help and feels that Professor X is the only one who can provide it. 3/9

Nonetheless, Mystique takes this personally and her hatred for the X-Men develops further out of the perception that they stole her daughter from her. While this is an errant perception, it nonetheless reflects the extent of her emotional bond with Rogue. 4/9

Things come to a head during the ‘Fall of the Mutants’ story where Mystique warns Rogue to stay out of Dallas due to Destiny’s prophecy. When Rogue refuses, Mystique tries to arrest the X-Men for the sake of protecting her daughter. This goes poorly. 5/9

Mystique even volunteers to join the X-Men in their demise, but is rebuked by Wolverine. When the end comes, it’s Mystique who screams “Murderer!” at Forge. She later references his debt to her and the extent to which her hatred endures. 6/9

Mystique is a deeply driven and violent character, but her love for Rogue creates situations throughout the series that render Mystique vulnerable, a rarity for one of Claremont’s most badass and committed characters. 7/9

Similarly, it’s in scenes with Mystique that we get reminded of Rogue’s true age and immaturity. In both instances, Claremont is using the mother/daughter relationship to add complexity to otherwise hard-edged characters. 8/9

In short, they humanize each other. Watching them struggle to express their mutual affection, to come together, and to minimize their negative impact on each other (despite good intentions) is both familiar and compelling. 9/9