"...Ah'm as Good as Dead."

So.. to begin, there is a lot that has happened in the X-Men continuity from the last posts' issue. Since this is a Rogue character analysis and not a character guide of all these people, I'm not going to go into every detail, which is difficult in issues like this one had with the interweaving storylines. Otherwise this would make the longest blog series planned even longer. With all that said let's begin the analysis of Uncanny X-Men #171.

Rogue is first shown in this issue when Charles psychically tells Piotr that they have a visitor at the door. Piotr is on guard because Charles called him Colossus, and once he opens the door Rogue begs to not mistake her for an enemy because she needs the X-men's help.

The first piece of dialogue for Rogue in the issue already shows that she has changed, greatly, from the last time she was involved these people. To be fair, later it is said that she absorbed Carol's powers a year ago, so it's almost real-time from the issue releases and as anyone in the world knows, a week can change someone in severe ways, and just imagine how much change can happen in the course of a year.

What X-Men are there(including Lilandra) are gathered together as Ororo gives Rogue's history to the group; as well as the audience who have not read the issue nearly two years ago. Kurt wonders if it's possible that she could be a distraction for an incoming attack, though Charles assures him that she is alone.

Charles begins the conversation proper when he asks Rogue why she is there and what she wants? She tells him that he should know as he has the ability to know; notably calling him Xavier. He responds by trying to teach her respect by telling her that she should call him Professor Xavier, and he can't read her mind because of the two opposite personality and thought patterns.

With that alone it does show the difficulty of living with that mind twenty-four hours a day, and the lines that follow prove how that could drive even the strongest mind insane.

Rogue says that she did not intend to absorb the powers permanently(which could be a bit of retcon if one looks at the flashback part of the previous issue, but it works as she was shown to be a two-dimensional character from the X-men's perspective). Kitty doesn't buy it, as it's more presumed than shown that she and Carol have gotten close since she became Binary and an almost honorary X-Men member.

Charles tells Kitty to be quiet as Rogue proceeds to say that her powers are out of control and the slightest touch triggers the thought patterns, making it confusing to know what thoughts or feelings are her own.

Once that is told, Kurt says that her punishment fits her crime. It's not entirely clear, but Kurt is not shown to be much of a man of faith at this point in the history of X-Men, so this reaction from him makes sense. Sure it's been shown before as 'God Loves, Man Kills.', shows that he has some background of faith, but he is not so much into the faith that it makes him almost unrelatable to most for his quickness to forgive.

Raven is said to have been informed about all these issues that Rogue has had, but Raven said that they could handle it by themselves. How she intended to help is unknown, but maybe she thought Destiny could help, but at the same time it could just have been a brush-off for the time; even though we know that she cares for her adopted daughter in her own way. Rogue says that while she loves her, she was wrong, which is why she turned to the X-Men for help as she knows that Charles could help, even though she realized that she would get the reception shown to be true.

Kitty still cuts her no slack in thought or demeaner and Charles scolds her for that attitude. Kurt asks why they should be fair to her and Charles says that while he understands and accepts their dislike for her, it's not helpful in his examination to have so many negative thoughts in the area and tells them to leave.

Ororo asks if it's wise to leave him alone with Rogue, but Charles assures her that he and Lilandra are fine and believes that Rogue is genuine. Before they leave the last image shown is Rogue in a fetal position.

This is the issue where you can see why Charles is a beloved father-figure for this group. While this was touched on with Logan's first few issues, Rogue is really where we see the character Charles has and his compassion for any mutant; regardless of background. This also explains why Rogue has such a connection to Charles as the years go by as he was the only one to stick up for her, or at least hear her out during her potentially darkest point; in every way.

That's all for this one guys. I had planned on covering the entire issue, but this issue establishes so many essentials elements about the character in the years to follow. So the last half will be covered once I come back to this blog post in the not too distant future(I'm not going give dates anymore as life seems to make that impossible and this is a hobby not a job). Thanks for reading guys.