Written by: Kevin Berge
The Legends are back to prove it's totally okay to destroy history if it's fun. (Image Courtesy of: denofgeek.com)
Quick Take: Legends of Tomorrow Season 2 fully embraces the campy wild fun of the series' concept and benefits from that steady focus. With a strong cast of charismatic performers including a host of fantastic villains, this was a marked improvement over the premiere season and the strongest DC season this year.
Season Reviews: Season 1
***This is a review of the recently completed second season of Legends of Tomorrow, looking at the season as a whole. It will include spoilers for the entire season including the finale, so viewers of the series should not read ahead if they do not wish to be spoiled on major events.***
The first season of Legends of Tomorrow was an intriguing concept masking poor writing and a group of new characters that were woefully acted. Much of that excess has been eliminated for the sake of season two with the writing also improving as the concept of the series has become clear.
After destroying the Time Masters and taking over their duties in righting the timeline against anomalies, the Legends now led by Sara with Rip having disappeared travel through time as a new threat emerges, the Legion of Doom. A combination of Eobard Thawne, Damien Darhk, and Malcolm Merlyn of the Arrowverse returned to attempt to steal the Spear of Destiny and change their fates.
Science fiction stories can be told in many ways, and few are more successful than adventuring fun. Legends of Tomorrow always needed to let loose and be the true fun of the Arrowverse, and here it was completely embraced, clear from the first scene of the first episode.
There was a bit too much silliness at times especially as the series struggled to have boundaries. Anyone and any story was fair game with little sense of focus on the consequences. The drama was not as strong as the humor or comraderie, and there was still an unnecessary romance.
However, at its core, this was exactly what Legends of Tomorrow needed. The series gained its identity with a cast that was far better overall even without perhaps the strongest actor of the first season (most of the season). While there were few incredible episodes, there were few duds as well with almost entirely a straight focus in the series.
***This is a review of the recently completed second season of Legends of Tomorrow, looking at the season as a whole. It will include spoilers for the entire season including the finale, so viewers of the series should not read ahead if they do not wish to be spoiled on major events.***
The first season of Legends of Tomorrow was an intriguing concept masking poor writing and a group of new characters that were woefully acted. Much of that excess has been eliminated for the sake of season two with the writing also improving as the concept of the series has become clear.
After destroying the Time Masters and taking over their duties in righting the timeline against anomalies, the Legends now led by Sara with Rip having disappeared travel through time as a new threat emerges, the Legion of Doom. A combination of Eobard Thawne, Damien Darhk, and Malcolm Merlyn of the Arrowverse returned to attempt to steal the Spear of Destiny and change their fates.
Science fiction stories can be told in many ways, and few are more successful than adventuring fun. Legends of Tomorrow always needed to let loose and be the true fun of the Arrowverse, and here it was completely embraced, clear from the first scene of the first episode.
There was a bit too much silliness at times especially as the series struggled to have boundaries. Anyone and any story was fair game with little sense of focus on the consequences. The drama was not as strong as the humor or comraderie, and there was still an unnecessary romance.
However, at its core, this was exactly what Legends of Tomorrow needed. The series gained its identity with a cast that was far better overall even without perhaps the strongest actor of the first season (most of the season). While there were few incredible episodes, there were few duds as well with almost entirely a straight focus in the series.
Congratulations on not being Hawkgirl. You have not failed this series. (Image Courtesy of: denofgeek.com)
Yes, Wentworth Miller was missed this season until his return late for the finale three episode (excluding his brief appearances as a supposed phantom in Rory's mind), but the cast was strong enough to compensate. Caity Lotz has almost taken sole lead in the series with just how much she dominates the screen.
Victor Garber and Brandon Routh were solid foundations of the supporting cast while Dominic Purcell continues to be a hilarious revelation as the scene stealer. Matt Letscher (Her) took on the daunting role of replacing Tom Cavanagh and matching up to Neal McDonough and John Barrowman, and he was great in the lead villain role.
Because of that performance, Eobard Thawne has fairly clearly solidified his status as number one villain in the Arrowverse with the focus on Thawne's continuous struggles to fight his role as a time aberration. Merlyn and Darhk were more just charismatic baddies, but they are so good that their story did not matter too much.
This story has many twists and turns from the use of The Justice Society of America who become a bit too background to the reveal of Rip Hunter's fate and how his role changes. Rip's story in regaining his spot with the Legends but ceding the captainship to Sara is one of the best emotional hooks.
Ultimately, the last few episodes feel a bit rushed, but they have many fun moments. Honestly, the fundamental issue might have just been that this series had too few episodes at only 17 versus the usual 23. Having the alternate reality of the Spear of Destiny share space with the Legends going back in time to meet themselves in just two episodes was far too little time for a fantastic arc.
The best episodes of the season were "Invasion!", the climax of a great Arrowverse crossover, "The Legion of Doom" where Thawne's full struggle is revealed, and "Aruba" which, as a finale, fully embraces the madness of the series with wild twists and turns. The finale also helped to reveal that there may just be consequences for all the ridiculous time meddling, making for an interesting set up for season three.
Overall, this season captured the joy and adventure of the concept of the series perfectly, coming as a completely unique television experience. If not for the rushed finish, this would have stood up to the best Arrowverse seasons even with its sillier episodes.
Victor Garber and Brandon Routh were solid foundations of the supporting cast while Dominic Purcell continues to be a hilarious revelation as the scene stealer. Matt Letscher (Her) took on the daunting role of replacing Tom Cavanagh and matching up to Neal McDonough and John Barrowman, and he was great in the lead villain role.
Because of that performance, Eobard Thawne has fairly clearly solidified his status as number one villain in the Arrowverse with the focus on Thawne's continuous struggles to fight his role as a time aberration. Merlyn and Darhk were more just charismatic baddies, but they are so good that their story did not matter too much.
This story has many twists and turns from the use of The Justice Society of America who become a bit too background to the reveal of Rip Hunter's fate and how his role changes. Rip's story in regaining his spot with the Legends but ceding the captainship to Sara is one of the best emotional hooks.
Ultimately, the last few episodes feel a bit rushed, but they have many fun moments. Honestly, the fundamental issue might have just been that this series had too few episodes at only 17 versus the usual 23. Having the alternate reality of the Spear of Destiny share space with the Legends going back in time to meet themselves in just two episodes was far too little time for a fantastic arc.
The best episodes of the season were "Invasion!", the climax of a great Arrowverse crossover, "The Legion of Doom" where Thawne's full struggle is revealed, and "Aruba" which, as a finale, fully embraces the madness of the series with wild twists and turns. The finale also helped to reveal that there may just be consequences for all the ridiculous time meddling, making for an interesting set up for season three.
Overall, this season captured the joy and adventure of the concept of the series perfectly, coming as a completely unique television experience. If not for the rushed finish, this would have stood up to the best Arrowverse seasons even with its sillier episodes.