Jessie Robertson reviews the eighth episode of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow season 2…
Big-Brother Super-Hero Fight…..
For the Legends mid-season finale, we go to “Che-Cawgo!” as we say around my house, to the time of Al Capone as our deadly duo of Dahrk and Thawne becomes a terrible trio to include Malcolm Merlyn. The idea is to make Capone really powerful, Mayor even, but to what end we don’t know. I think it’s just a reason to dress the Legends like Elliot Ness’ Untouchables (and a reason to let Ray reference that movie in front of Ness.) The bad guys are trying to collect a Nazi pendant that Sara snatched and they use Capone as their catalyst. As with most weeks, it’s simply a set piece but I was trying to wrap my head around Merlyn being brought back through time, since between this show and The Flash, it still gets cloudy on how time-travel works. Also, this group being used as this year’s villains for Legends makes this show feel second tier; let me explain. Each of these villains were featured as the big bad for Arrow and The Flash in different seasons; each have now been defeated (or even killed and erased from time) before but are back. I understand the reasons: 1) they are under contract and 2) they are all effective in their own way. But, giving us villains once beaten already just feels re-treaded and that the Legends aren’t as powerful or resourceful as their more experienced counterparts. Or maybe that the villains aren’t as tough as they were. I don’t know where I’m going with this but it’s not as dynamic as I thought the CW’s version of the “Legion of Doom” would be.
Martin’s time aberration (his daughter) continues to be an underlying plot this season, and I don’t know if it’s because I have 2 daughters myself, but I found Stein’s speech after he started remembering her life damn touching. Even more touching; the way Sara defends his right to keep his daughter within history by exchanging the pendant for Stein and keeping his secret, even though she knows it’s a terrible idea. I did balk a bit at the idea that Sara will protect this family (the Legends) if she can’t save her own family; ;her bond to these people can’t be as strong as hers to Laurel, but we’ll bite for the intentions of the show. (Wonder if she caught Arrow this week?). We also get to see the nerdiest macho brother duo of all time between Palmer and Nate get to blossom, as they compete for title of “Head Nerd” on the team. It’s innocent, it’s endearing and it keeps the vibe of Legends in tact, when it gets too serious and sappy, as surprisingly it can.
The most surprising return this week was Leonard Snart, at least, in Rory’s mind. You know there’s a way they’re bringing Cold back into the mix because just a few short scenes of his smooth jazz tone and bourbon on the rocks voice is sorely missed. I only half-noticed but Rory uses the same type of inflection when he speaks; it’s not as pronounced as Cold’s but it’s still there and it’s a great detail. He grows on me in different weeks and some weeks it doesn’t feel like he adds anything. Tonight, he adds; because they (the creators) remembered why he and Snart were recruited in the first place. Sometimes, you need the thief element to get a job done and going up against Capone and his gangsters, that’s exactly what’s needed. It was fun to see Amaya enjoy herself as a gangster too. I’m digging the vibe (sorry Cisco) between them.
8/10- All in all, Legends continues to be a fine show, an average show, a show that I watch and enjoy and don’t hate because I want it to be better, like Gotham.
Other Notes:
– I don’t know if Merlyn traveling through time is throwing me off, or trying to figure out how much hair grease he used to keep it down. Merlyn is most definitely a Dapper Dan man.
– Sara is so the most bad ass of all the Legends and I love when she jabs at the baddies: Merlyn: “It’s about time I teach you a few things.” Sara: “Those who can’t do, teach.”
– Nate is a fine addition to the team, and he was dropping history lesson after history lesson about Capone, but Mick had it right last week when he saw Nate in his new costume: “You look like a star-spangled idiot.” It’s atrocious.
– Captain Hunter has been found…in Hollywood…in the 60’s….with an American accent….making a movie about himself….yeah I don’t know.
Jessie Robertson
Originally published December 9, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
