I'm going to spare you guys my usual 14 paragraph dissertation reviews of the episodes this week because it's been a pretty busy two weeks and I'm covering two episodes this week. First, I want to talk about how awesome it was that Legends of Tomorrow has received a 4 episode back order for season 2, bring the official order for the season up to 17. I'm really enjoying how the season is shaping up and it feels like the show has really found it's stride in season 2.
I think the biggest evidence of how focused Legends has becomes lies within the first episode of this review,
Shogun. I have to say I really enjoyed this episode. Sure, you could call it a bit of a filler episode because there wasn't much ground gained in the Legend's pursuit of the rogue time traveler, but that didn't stop it from being important. I really liked how this episode followed through with the theme introduced in the JSA episode about what it means to be a hero. Specifically, what it meant to Nate and Ray to be a hero, and changing Vixen's view of what a hero is. We all knew Vixen was joining the crew this year, so I kind of expected her to stay on the ship once she was introduced in the previous episode and then found Rex dying. What I like about Vixen being added to the team so far is that she is a true hero and I think watching her mix it up with the team is quite enjoyable to watch. She came aboard to kill Mick, stayed aboard to find Rex's killer and ends up finding some common ground with Mick, the man she originally saw as just a thief and a murderer. Vixen carries some strong opinions about how things work because she is a hero from a different time and comes from a team with a bit more order than the Legends have but I think watching her opinions change about what a hero is or has to be is going to be really exciting. I'm really on board with her edition to the team, because she's just a badass, I squealed a bit watching her and Sara take on those samurais in the woods and I can't wait to see more of her.
As for Nate and Ray, I think we can all agree this was a big episode for them. Nate finally got his superpowers he has wished for his whole life, while Ray lost the one thing in his life he felt made him super. Ray overcame his doubts about who is outside of his suit by donning the Samurai armor and standing up the Shogun, and finally seeing that maybe it's more than wearing a suit that makes him a hero. I did find myself wondering what's next for Ray as this episode ended, because what is his place on the ship if he doesn't have his suit? Nate though, found himself struggling to trigger his newfound powers. I found this plot a little bit paint by the numbers, but it was still enjoyable to watch. I've finally come around on Nate, even though he's essentially a super-powered Ray and I have to acknowledge how well done the Citizen Steel effects are unlike the debacle that was Roid Rage Nazi.
What really made this episode great was the fact that it was simply fun. Minus Jax and Stein, I think everyone really got a chance to shine and not only do some great fighting(props to coordinators on another solid episode of good fights) but we got some fine character moments as well. This episode is great because it used all of pieces to create a thrilling hour-long adventure that was engaging. If every filler like episode could be like this, then I think we would all enjoy them a bit more. I was watching the episode and I could actually imagine it playing out on the pages of an actual comic book. I don't know about you, but that's something I kind of look for when watching a show with comic book characters. I felt like I was watching someone's adaptation of a team up comic. It was so great, from the one liners to the action it just worked. I didn't mind the feudal Japan setting nearly as much as I did when Heroes did it. I'm also really curious as to what was 40 year Barry Allen's message to Rip that Martin and Jax heard. My theory is that it is something Legion of Doom related, and I'm sure we'll have to wait awhile to find out if I'm right. I think the role of Captain really suits Sara well, I really enjoyed her taking charge and I also really found pleasure in her killing those Samurai. Sara is a trained assassin and I know she wants to move away from that, but I can't help but feel like sometimes she's holding back so seeing her really let loose and take out these guys gave me all the chills in all the places. This episode really had me geeked out about what's next for the crew and the show and hoping each episode could be as fun as this.
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So imagine my delight that the follow up episode,
Abominations, managed to replicate the same formula for another stellar episode. My biggest gripe so far is that the Legion plot is really moving at a snail's pace., which isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as the pay off doesn't fall short like the Vandal Savage story line. To be quite honest, I wasn't mentally prepared to take on an episode set in 1863 during the Civil War given the current rumblings in my country right now. I really wasn't prepared for the brutality that Jax and Amaya not only witnessed, but were subject to. At the end of the hour though, I was really pleased because I realized this is why the world needs heroes because there's always a darkness facing us. I found this to be a really good episode for Jax, who in my personal opinion has been the most underused legend. His only real stories have always been B or C plot stuff at best, but surprisingly here he was front and center. Sure, there were zombie soldiers this episode, but that wasn't the story I cared about. I cared about Jax, on his own without Stein, trying to complete a dangerous mission that was vital to helping the Union win the Civil War, once again sticking to theme of what really makes a hero. I also really loved the heart to heart between Stein and Jax at the close of the episode. Jax's speech about seeing hope and dignity really hit me hard considering the place I'm in personally right now.
I liked that we also got see a bit more of Sara struggling with her decisions she has to make as Captain. I think it's really good to hear her admit aloud that she believes in her mission, because I can imagine as the outsider that she is, it's probably been hard making tough calls on behalf of everyone's else safety. This episode wasn't as action packed or effects heavy, but it was still fun. It also played out as if I was reading a comic in my mind and while I wasn't having as much fun as you think one would have in and episode involving zombies, I still enjoyed it. I did find fault with Mick giving Ray the cold gun. I get that Ray feels like he's nothing without his suit, but I think that's a self esteem issue he needs to face not just replace with another gadget. While it was sweet of Mick to do that, I just don't really support it. I'm sure it won't last, so I'll deal with it for the time being and I'll even admit I smiled a little when Mick told him he was looking for a partner.
The biggest take away from both of these episodes for me was just how much of a family these people have become. They were all pretty much outsiders when the series began, but they have really morphed into a solid familial unit. Even Amaya and Nate have just blended into the team with ease. I liked that this episode gave Jax and Stein a bit more to do other than just stay on the ship and I did find Steins fear of zombies pretty hilarious. There's no doubt these were two solid episodes for the series, but I'm really looking forward to when the team focuses on their primary missions; finding Rip and stopping the rogue time traveler. I'm curious when Barry's message about a war coming will come into play. I'm not in favor of Stein and Jax's decision to exclude the team, and I'm sure the fact that they did will ruffle some feathers at some point, the question is just how long until then. Either way, I'm down for the ride.
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So what did you think of these episodes? Are you like the direction of season 2 so far? Sound off below!
The next episode of Legends of Tomorrow, "Compromised" airs 11/10 on the CW!
About the Author - Winston Mize
I always have the most trouble coming up with a blurb to describe me. Which is really weird for someone who wants to make a career out of writing. If you think I'm awkward online, it's just because you haven't met me in person. I'd like to think I have other interests outside of TV, and maybe I do, but TV is the one that gets me most excited. I live a pretty boring life so TV's the way I get my fix, and I'd love to chat about it with you. I'm also always looking to guest or start my own podcast, so if you've got the opportunity, I'm in there like swimwear. You can check me out with different previews of various shows or read my reviews of iZombie, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Legends Of Tomorrow here on the site. If you're a fan on One Tree Hill you can check out my podcast about as well by checking out our twitter page @OnlyOthPod.
