Well, “Invasion” is over, the Legends have a new cast member, and I’m very tired. Let’s get to it!
1. Goofiness
One of the defining qualities of Legends of Tomorrow is the inherent chessiness that the show exhibits. This is usually manifested in Ray, but there are lots of instances of lazy storytelling transforming into this goofy sort of tone. It happens across the board, from the moralizing that comes with interacting with such easy targets of anger, like Nazis or village-burning shoguns, to team members who dislike each other saying shit like “we’re a family.” It is a part of the show that you have to accept if you’re going to not throw your drink at the screen, and I’m usually fine with it.
That said: Cisco and Felicity, easily the most Legends-ish characters on their respective shows, were some next level goofy in their scenes aboard the Waverider. I know that I would be full on geeking out if I were on a timeship, but c’mon guys, have some self-respect.
The show continued the crossover’s trend of giving the current show’s feel to the episode, but this one effectively blended all four shows in the most successful way. At no time did it not feel like Legends, but the scenes with the other characters didn’t feel out of place, either.
And Ray’s joke about Kara looking like his cousin? *italianchefkissingfingersemoji* That’s exactly the kind of cheesiness I want from this show.
2. That stupid-ass mask
I know this is a minor nitpick, but does Steel really need that mask? It looked like the Atom’s costume from the failed Justice League of America pilot from 1997.
(Note: if you haven’t seen that before, it is insane and boring at the same time. That’s a rare feat to pull off. One day, ask me about the VHS copy of that I bought at a convention in 2001 that was ripped from a digital source, and somehow froze for 20 minutes on an image of the Atom’s crotch. Actually, skip asking me, that’s pretty much the story)
I know his costume itself isn’t exactly Batwoman’s in terms of design, but I can deal it. That mask though? It’s straight up terrible. Have him drop it in a volcano or something. Or, just have him realize that having a metal face means you don’t need a mask. Just ask Colossus.
3. Sara’s past
Sara has become such an important part of Legends, that it is weird to remember how firmly of an Arrow character she is, and how that has shaped her so thoroughly. Seeing her interaction with Ollie in this episode showed how much she has grown and changed since her days on that show, even after she died and was resurrected. The current Sara is the undisputed leader of her team, more confident in every part of her life, and someone who fears nothing.
Seeing her brush up against her past was an interesting way to show her growth without being over the top about it. It was a subtle (for the CW) way to show the audience just how different she now is.
4. The big battle
What is interesting about the big battle at the end of this episode was just how useless most of the Legends were. I mean, sure, Stein designed the tool that saved the day (and with Jax, transmuted the bomb), but aside from Firestorm, did anyone really have a role in the final battle that couldn’t have been done by, say, Wild Dog? I mean, they are unquestionably better fighters than Team Arrow 2.0, but I sort of wish the show used their individual talents better. As I mentioned to Alice yesterday, I wanted to see Ray ride an arrow into an alien’s head and have Kara throw Mick into a gaggle of Dominators, firegun blazing. Sadly, we didn’t get too much of that, which sort of undermines the Legends and their abilities a bit, don’t you think?
But I do want to show some love for letting Firestorm’s transmutation powers shine through. For fans of the character that pre-date this show, that was always an essential part of his repertoire, and the show rarely, if ever, uses it. Good for them for making that front and center for the team, because it sure as shit seems like his energy blasts aren’t all that effective.
Continued belowAlso, this was clearly a Civil War reenactment. Captain America: Civil War. BOOM!
(but for real, this was the airport sequence blown up)
5. Lily
So, I was thinking about Lily a lot after watching the show. Everyone else knows Stein has a daughter, except for him, so he is essentially Barry in his own personal Flashpoint. He can’t just come out and say “I don’t know you, fool!” but he also probably can’t carry on the way he’s been going right now. Will they try to fake amnesia? Will they attempt to have someone else find out all about her and then tell him? Can Gideon scan her memories and give them to Stein?
These shows, this season, have all been about paradox, and the idea of trying to fix them, and while I understand that is an interesting plot point, I’m glad that this episode seems to say “nope, we are going to leave things as they are and deal with the consequences later.” That makes for a messier, but more interesting universe. Having Cisco realize that he is just as bad as Barry, having Stein realize that he can’t just erase his daughter*, and having Diggle forgive Barry for erasing his daughter from existence all push the shows forward in ways that don’t exactly tie up loose threads, but rather find interesting things to do with them.
*It is sort of a huge dick move that Stein only cared about his daughter once he saw her brilliance. I love how the show has no qualms about Stein being a pedantic asshole about 1/3 of the time he’s on screen.
So, what did you think of this episode? Let me know in the comments!
