This is either the best Legends of Tomorrow episode in a few weeks, or I’m just getting numb to what they are doing, and so this seems like an improvement.
1. The time-displaced JSA
The best parts of this season have been those that involved the Justice Society of America, and I’m not just saying that as a huge JSA mark. There is something about having them connect the past to the present (and the future) that feels more complete with the JSA. Having them spread across time to protect the Spear of Destiny is a fun device, and allows the team to have relevance outside of the 40s era. It also allows the Legends to encounter them on a one on one basis, which allows for more character development and interesting stories to tell.
That said? Next time they travel to the future, I hope we get more than just a 5 minute look inside one room. The year 3000 was a huge bust.
2. Ray knowing medieval shit
The show has never quite hidden the fact that Ray and Nate are huge nerds, and have strong opinions – and bountiful information – on a lot of nerdy things. Ray being a big fan of Arthurian legends and Camelot fits squarely with his character I suppose, and it gave a character that has felt aimless for the better part of a season a reason to do something for once. Sure, staying behind to fight as part of Arthur’s forces doesn’t make a lick of sense in the story – sometimes I think these characters forget that their mission is to protect time, and not just live out fantasies – but it was nice to see him care about something.
Giving him a laser sword (I refuse to play into his Star Wars fandom again, even if his line about copyright infringement did get a chuckle out of me) was another one of those “ok, Legends, I’m not sure what the point of this is, but ok!” I’m not such a time travel Nazi that I’m going to get all up in arms about tiny things changing the future to such insane degrees, but this episode posits that Stargirl – as Merlin – essentially changes English past to the legends that we’ve come to know would radically change history. Not to mention seeing a man fight with a laser sword would cause all sorts of new legends to pop up.
3. Sara horny, Legends
I’ve mentioned before how I really appreciate the show giving Sara just a full on sex positive approach, and letting her seduce every historical figure she can. I also appreciate the idea that just about every female historical figure would recognize the beauty and allure of Sara Lance and fall prey to her charms, even if they had never considered themselves attracted to women.
In fact, that would be a wonderful storyline: Sara’s real superpower is that she’s able to bed anyone she wants. Season 3, folks.
4. Stargirl <3s Arthur
On the same token, the “I’m staying in the past/an alternate Earth” for my love is a trope that’s a little played out, don’t you think? I mean, we don’t know how long Stargirl has been in the past for, but it seems like a lot to give up her entire life for an unwashed king, isn’t it? I mean, I guess the heart wants what the heart wants, and who am I to judge?
But I do wish that the show let Stargirl be more than just someone who sometimes uses a cool staff and who falls so in love with a man that she abandons her time for him. She deserves more than that.
5. Prisoner Rip
The presence of Rip on the show since being brainwashed has been a weird one. On one hand, I keep expecting him to just pop out of this at some point and be a good guy, but then he keeps doing impossibly bad things and taking that idea and making it seem silly. I’m all for that – these shows should surprise and challenge us more than they do, and the back and forth with Rip has been legitimately more interesting than just about anything else the show has thrown at us so far this season. He is certainly the most interesting “member” of the Legion of Doom. My problem with it is that it is still a little “safe” as far as the show goes. Last year, the show had balls; it killed off Captain Cold, it vanquished Vandal Savage, it did things that most first season TV shows would never dream do. This season, it has been a lot more safe – and a lot more obsessed with spectacle. George Lucas, King Arthur, Nazis – do these really make for a better show? They could, if used properly, but that’s not what the show has been doing this season.
What did you think? Let me know in the comments!
