Jessie Robertson reviews the fifth episode of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow season 2…
Yes, we do hug!
Ah, the 80’s, from the sappy love songs to the Cold War to women’s shoulderpads, this episode made sure to nod to all sorts of fun 80’s riffs, including, and most importantly, Damien Dahrk in a Miami Vice white suit jacket. There….Are…No….Words! This week’s ep plots around Dahrk being a time “anamoly” of sorts, being somewhere he shouldn’t be, in this case, in the White House trying to blow up, so to speak, the truce eminent involving the US and Russia, while securing more nuclear arms for himself. Dahrk still exudes that wry humor that permeated his whole Arrow season 4 run but the sinister seems to have lifted off of him; while he’s still a cold and calculating killer, here he can do his best Don Johnson impression, trade quips with fellow super villains and balk at the good guys stepping in front of his plans, even if they ruin them. Dahrk, in himself, was never the issue with Arrow season 4 so he works well here. Thawne, though, is more of a plot device at this point; he commits the murder, the catalyst for this season, he walks in and out when he’s needed and nothing more; Now, Matt Letscher (playing Thawne) had a very good turn earlier this year in The Flash, but other than that, has not had much chance to shine. We’ll see if he gets that here.
I have also recently finished season 1 of Legends so I’m a bit more caught up but much as I suspected, I didn’t miss a whole lot that lessens my understanding and enjoyment of this season. Besides Leonard Snart, the players missing this season aren’t dragging down the show and their replacements are much more enjoyable (ex. Nate and Amaya) because they don’t become exposition machines and Nate is just charismatic and goofy-fun while tonight Amaya went from background character to being the voice of what the JSA stood for and it was a great turn; When Sara asks Amaya what would you do if you found Rex’s killer? Her instant response: “Arrest them, of course. What else?” The dark thoughts roaming in Sara’s mind are a far cry from how Amaya was taught to deal with super-villainy. The shot of the JSA gym being in cobwebs and disrepair was a great shot for showing her that the ways of the JSA are a distant past, even if sole remaining member Obsidian (lurking in the rafters, why I have no idea) still holds them up when he speaks to them. It’s hinted that even he has to remain in hiding, somewhat, because the choices he’s made are still not widely accepted (he is gay) but he has still found happiness despite that, finding someone; it plays off nicely as Amaya describes that her and Rex were going to leave the team regardless since fraternization is frowned up but they were in love anyways. All I really want is for the JSA show to replace the Legends.
Besides me desperately wanting Brandon Routh to do a Leonard Snart impression, his bromance with Mick wasn’t that impactful. We meet young Martin Stein again, who’s not nearly as fun to watch as when he was a pot-smoking hippie in the 70’s.
8/10- More JSA stuff intrigues me, Nate and Ray were both fun as always and Sara fought a huge Russian bruiser, all in all not bad
Other Notes:
– I liked how the villains weren’t getting along; that’s a tried and true villain trope in comics lore
– Did anyone else think it too convenient they were all just walking around the White House with no restrictions? I mean, okay, the Wild West, but the White House?
– Ray asking if Mick wanted apple slices was the highlight of the hour.
– I honestly thought Obisdian dies here; I like the touch of realizing hey! we have a time machine that can heal any wound and let poor Lance Henrikson stay alive
Jessie Robertson
Originally published November 11, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
