Confessions of a Liberal Puritan

the beginnings of the relationship of Mystique and Magneto, and yes, it made me feel terribly sorry for her, even more so when I think ahead to his treatment of her in the 3rd film

I know! It seemed in this film as though Erik was using Mystique as sort of the 'next best thing' to having Charles himself in his bed. Yes, I believe he was completely genuine in his 'you shouldn't have to hide' and 'you're beautiful in your true form' lines that he used to win her over, and Charles was certainly clueless enough about what his sister really wanted and needed from him to make it easier for Magneto to move in on her. But still, Magneto never expressed one thousandth of the concern for Mystique having been robbed of her powers in film 3 that he did for Charles lying there on the sand with a bullet in his spine, and it can't all be put down to Erik being so much younger and more emotional at this earlier point in their shared history.

Powerful stuff!