"The One Where We're Trapped On TV"
Well, it's official. Legends of Tomorrow has officially lost its damn mind yet again...in the best way possible. This was by far one of the most entertaining episodes in the history of the Arrowverse franchise truly cementing why this show is an absolute gift that keeps on giving. How in the world did they managed to do a self aware cosmic journey through various popular TV programs dishing out comedy gold while still delivering the essential dramatic character beats is beyond me. Everything from the Friends parody entitled "Ultimate Buds", the Star Trek homage called "Star Trip" and even a nod to Downton Abbey called "High Castle Abbey" was sheer perfection in its hilarious execution yet we still thoroughly followed up on major character arcs previously established. This is sorcery I tell ya!
Before we jump into the different TV show parodies, I do have to give a huge wave of appreciation for the incredible set design and sense of atmosphere with the central 1984 inspired dystopian world where the Fates have taken over crushing the world into a subliminal submission. The grey smothered color palette with the Fates propaganda surrounding the set designs, the civilians all being slaves to what they're consuming while wearing the same matching outfits, and even "crazy Gary" being on the sidelines telling people that something's wrong. The way in which the entire episode essentially revolves around this "world of truth" through the eyes of Gary and Mona and random citizens reacting to the Legends changing the dynamics of everything on TV was both brilliant and entertaining. There's just so much love and detail put into this episode's creative direction from start to finish and I have to give major credit to the production crew for carrying this vision all the way through. Alright, with that out of the way, let's get into the shows now.
For Ultimate Buds, I legitimately wanted to stay in this world for a lot longer than we did due to how well they adapted the overall atmosphere of 90's-2000's sitcoms that I personally enjoy. Behrad showing up to a huge audience applause is classic sitcom formula when a fan favorite character pops up, but in the case of Legends, it also acts as a dramatic in-universe and meta commentary on the character finally returning to the show. This in of itself is typical Legends fourth wall breaking brilliance, but done on a surprisingly multilayered fashion to suit various needs at once. This concept will be displayed throughout the rest of this episode's use of comedic parodying of shows and following significant dramatic plot threads simultaneously.
Following intentionally cliched sitcoms humor and storytelling, I particularly loved the bit with Nate showing up with a crossbow auditioning for a role to be Robin Hood in Starling City (great Arrow reference). Seriously Legends producers, just for me, please let their be an existing episode of Legends of Tomorrow somewhere that's entirely in this style following on this specific plot line. Anyway, what's awesome later on in this episode is how Zari (original Zari) and the others manage to escape this world by going against TV product placement ads completely insulting "Mush" which finally revealed the audience and cameraman behind the set having a jarring reaction. Again, absolutely brilliant stuff here as it perfectly ties in with the established dystopian "rebel against the system" concept. Now...about that previous wish of mines for making an Ultimate Buds episode or mini-series.
With Highcastle Abbey, I had literally no idea what to expect or look out for as I've never watched Downton Abbey prior (it's simply not my cup of tea). So it does kinda suck not to have much to highlight here for actual fans of the series as far as references go, but I did deeply enjoy how this segment shined a spotlight on Constantine and Astra's arc. After the Legends was given their conscious back, I found it compelling how John decided to let Astra have her dream situation with her mom existing as a character on this show and being alive once more. I've always stated that the greatest thing the Legends series ever did aside from Season 2's Legion of Doom arc was establishing itself as a legitimate continuation of the Constantine series.
The scene where John tells Astra that she was his first great sin after what he used her for was heart shattering. To then have him make the decision to be a part of this world as "the butler" character carrying out his penance and servitude was brilliant writing. How this segment ends with Astra finally coming to a place of acceptance with her mother's death and being at peace with Constantine was both natural feeling and beautifully directed. Honestly, if this episode doesn't get award recognition for how insanely well crafted it is successfully blending in so many different things that shouldn't work together, I'm gonna lose it.
Jumping into Star Trip, you have Sara and Ava being captains of the U.S.S. Faterider invoking the classic Star Trek series relationship between Kirk and Spock. Now, I'm admittedly not a Star Trek fan who would be able to pick out the different homages done in this parody, but there were some things that immediately caught my attention. My personal highlights for this series exploration was Sara and Ava watching the screen on the main bridge as the other Legends crew pop up as "Gromulans" (Romulan reference) completely confused of what they're supposed to be. There's just something about this imagery that got a good chuckle out of me with what would be the villains of a Star Trek episode being completely lost on what they're supposed to do.
Aside from the hilariously cheap looking ship scenes, and Sara doing the classic "No!" scream with one of the shipmates dying, Mick randomly showing up as Khan had me laughing out like an idiot. Thank you Legends writers...thank you for this. And much like the sitcom episode having a brilliant way for the characters to escape, Sara decides to use the TV trope of the heroes always winning against the network by creating a scenario where they all die unceremoniously forcing Charlie to cancel them. Again...BRILLIANT! Before this bit however comes a nice dramatic moment between Sara and Ava as she tells her that an artificial life of everything going perfectly planned with no consequences isn't truly living at all. This exchange displays both Sara's tranquil mind of accepting everything good and bad that has and will come her way while also showing Ava's dream situation of a perfectly successful track record in everything that she does. Hmmm, sounds like someone has fully embraced her "Paragon of Destiny" role now.
As for Mister Parker's Cul-de-sac, this was of course a follow up to a previously introduced in-universe version of Mister Roger's Neighborhood which the series has already utilized in a similar fashion as this episode. However, now we actually get to see the "real" Mister Parker and just loved how they managed to make him seem eerily sinister towards the end. As Charlie starts rewriting the character and plot of the show's episode, I thought it was funny how his re-entering on the show depicts him as something of a god-like side villain forcing the Legends to sing and dance about repressing their feelings, forgetting everything that happened, and go back to obeying the Fates. All while doing it in the classic Mister Rogers jolly tone. Guys, I'm trying here. I'm really trying not to sound like a broken record using this word but...BRILLIANT!
Overall, as bold as it is to say this, this may go down in history as my all-time favorite episode of Legends of Tomorrow as it perfectly conveyed what the series has been pushing to do for seasons now. It's the perfect, yes I said it, perfect blend of self aware 4th wall breaking comedy and legitimately deep dramatic storytelling all in one beautifully directed package. This my friends is what the ultimate episode of Legends of Tomorrow looks and feels like. You have laughter from hilarious dialogue and visual gags, tear jerking reactions from deeply rooted character moments, and fun Easter eggs to point out and speculate over. As random as this episode may seem on the surface, it truly feel as though the entire series has been building up to this one moment of clarity where the creative heads behind the scenes can say "Yes, I think we finally cracked the code on what this show is". Now, what will we do about the Fates story with the Legends now breaking free into the dystopian reality? The possibilities here are endless. Also, I hope this reality gets brought up in a future crossover considering this is Earth-Prime after all.
On a side note, this is by far the best use of Zari in an episode reminding audiences just how competent the hero can be when placed in a high pressured situation
Bonus Thoughts
1. Hilarious Moments
This episode is filled with individual hilarious moments. Just a few of my favorites that I haven't mentioned already are Nate randomly yelling out "Not today Satan!" charging after Mister Parker, Gary and Mona deciding to wear "Ultimate Buds" merchandise even during their life changing discovery of reality, Mick's daughter and her mother reacting to his Khan appearance, and Mister Parker's giant hand abruptly grabbing the U.S.S. Faterider dragging it down to his show. There's also some funny brief character reactions in the episode such as Constantine's disgust of realizing he was a butler and Nate acting childish like when Mister Parker sings towards him. This is honestly one of those episodes that demands a rewatch just to catch some of the other hilarious gags.
2. This Is Permanent Right? Please Say Yes!
One of the coolest things from this episode character-wise is the fact that they managed to not only bring Behrad back but also have both Zaris existing at the same time as separate characters in the end. This creates a pretty interesting dilemma not only for the Legends crew with their personal history and relationships to the characters, but the series itself. Personally, in a perfect world, I'd love to have Behrad and original Zari on the Waverider alongside the new Zari (as I've gotten a bit used to her now) creating an interesting new dynamic to the crew of what this character represents (one character split in 3 technically). Realistically speaking, something tells me that I may not even get 2 out of the three here and this is just a one time deal only. Please don't make me choose writers.
3. New Opening Titles
Legends of Tomorrow has kept up a fun tradition of occasionally doing an alternate version of the opening titles to fit a specific story point in the season. Here we have the opening credits displaying the new Fate World Order theme of this new reality with a slew of Communist propaganda imagery and the Fates themselves.
4. Missed DC Comics Opportunity?
Though technically not a character from the comics originally, the overall concept of this episode felt like it would've fit perfectly linking with a Teen Titans villain called Control Freak. The character was created for the popular animated series and had the ability to morph reality to fit his movie fandom desires while the Teen Titans fought to take him down leaping from film to film. I felt like with Legends' tone, this would've been a great opportunity to adapt the character to live action perfectly fitting in with the meta 4th wall breaking direction of the series. However, obviously this may not have fit with the current story revolving around the Fates taking over the world. Still, I can't help but think how cool of a standalone episode this concept could be. Get Jack Black or Kevin Smith if he wants to try out his acting chops on a franchise that he's had a hand in directing.
Episode Rating: 10/10
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