Is bowling an Olympic sport? If not, nevermind, Legends of Tomorrow is back now with an episode where Sara, Mick, Spooner and Astra got transported to an alley in space, and had to defeat the Pin Killers in a game to return home. Meanwhile, Nate and O.G. Zari went camping, and Ava picked out her wedding dress.
1. The Most Powerful Legends Foes Yet?
Folks, I don’t know how to say this, but there are aliens (that look like humans) who can turn planets into bowling balls. That’s right, Earth gets turned into a bowling ball, so not only were Sara’s group playing to go back home, they were playing to make sure they had a home to go back to. Granted, the Pin Killers’ powers seemed to be pretty limited to the setting the alley’s creator, Buddy (Alvin Sanders), had generated, but holding planets in your hands is no small feat. And whoever thought Sara would bowl the planet back to its original location? We are a long way away from Arrow, that’s for sure.
2. What is Not Made Better by Food?
Sara figures out the best way to encourage her team to win is to buy a meal from Buddy, consisting of nachos, fries, root beer, and a cherry coke “for the lady.” (I couldn’t make out the bottles, and work out if he actually meant one of the ladies, or the pregnant Mick.) It’s a good life lesson I think: have you ever felt overworked or stressed, and then realized you just haven’t had something to eat because you’re so concentrated on a task? That’s always a good thing to bear in mind, whatever you’re doing, but especially if you have a 24/7 job like the Legends — food isn’t just a distraction, it’s a literal energy boost.
3. Not Rock and Roll
Nate and Zari’s camping storyline showed us what was happening planetside after Earth got turned into a bowling ball (complete with giant holes), but it was pretty rote compared to everything else happening in the episode. Sure, it was sweet how the end of the world made the two realize their relationship was worth all the stresses that come with it, and the effects shots of the holes and the finger in the sky were very impressive, but the couple they met — Jeff and Jamie (Gavin Langelo and Jenna Romanin) — weren’t very funny. Jamie in particular suffered from mostly describing everything as being “rock and roll,” which got very old quick, and never became funny again — definitely not one of the show’s finest gags.
4. Directed by Jes Macallan
Ava Sharpe herself, Jes Macallan, directed this episode, her second time behind the camera after a short film called Self, E. It’s partly why Ava spends so much of it with Gary, testing out her appearance for her big day with a mirror, while Constantine and Behrad tried to find a way to reach Earth without adding to her anxiety. (I’m sensing a theme.) As a result, Gary encouraging her to try all these looks felt a bit like marking time, but it was a fun part anyway; it was pretty adorable to see Gary try a dress himself, and the sight of Ava marching around while looking like an absolute bridezilla when she realized what was going on was amusing.
5. Constantine’s Living Fast
Constantine’s especially hyperactive: he’s buzzing after restoring his powers with the blood potion, and eager to explore what he can do again. When he enters the bowling alley at the end, Buddy senses something is askew about John, and mutters that his dealings will be the death of him. It was announced during San Diego Comic-Con@Home that Matt Ryan will be playing a different character in season 7, but I hope this doesn’t mean Constantine will actually die by the end of the season, as it would be a huge bummer — imagine how Zari 2.0 would react (unless she dies as well, which would also be really upsetting.)
Bonus Thoughts:
– Hey, remember the ending of Men in Black? Oh, no reason.
– Sara quotes Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz in quick succession when she arrives at the alley: she’s become a real film nerd.
Continued below– It’s really funny how I kept expecting Sara and Spooner to be bad at bowling: I guess I’m too used to the punchline of someone being built up to be good at something and fumbling.
– I find the sight of Constantine eating popcorn while watching the game really funny for some reason.
– Nic Bishop, who played the Pin Killers’ leader Mike the Strike, also appeared as General Kilgore and Sheriff Stapleton this season: it’s either an alien conspiracy, or a very smart way to make sure you don’t have too many actors flying to set during a pandemic.
I’m pleased to say Legends is back on schedule, and that we’ll be back next week to discuss “Bored on Board Onboard.” “Bork, bork, bork!”
