DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW - Season 4.16

DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW - SEASON 4, EP. 16:  "Hey World"


We’re going to do something VERY different with these reviews, starting with the final two ARROWVERSE season finales we have here on the docket.  For this whole season (and I appreciate ALL of you who’ve tagged along for the ride), I have given a blow-by-blow recap AND review of the show---but I feel I’ve been short changing you.  Not enough ME, and more about the happenings of the episode itself.  Starting with these last two blogs (and all of next season), we’re going to be more about our thoughts and feelings ABOUT the show, instead of a straight recap.  It’s been a long journey to get here, but I’m glad I did it.  But for now, let’s get some thoughts out about the season finale, the season itself, of our Wacky Time Travelling heroes.

This final episode concluded an arc that gave us some interesting points in history to visit---not just from a historical aspect in and of itself, but for some of our main characters---along with magical beings, and the eventual “big bad” in the dark force of Neron.  The team had been in incredible disarray all season, and REALLY started fraying at the seams when Neron came into the picture, as well as Ray’s possession at the end.  But as I have said about Ray Palmer----he truly IS the heart and soul of the group, and without HIM…comic relief or as The Atom…the team truly suffers as a whole.  This was also a major arc for Ray, who had spent so much time this season trying to save Norah Dhark, and eventually getting through to her, to sparing one of his big loves---his friendship with Nate, even if it meant sacrificing his soul to Neron to do it.  This is DEFINITELY a far cry from the Ray Palmer that I have read in the comics as a kid.  But, this is also a show that has thrown away all conventions of these characters to create something watchable and entertaining.  Like I have said repeatedly---this is the one DC show that is the wink of the eye to the audience.  

This was also John Constantine’s journey to SOME sort of redemption this season.  All his missteps from his own past show, to joining the Legends, John has been PLAGUED by bad ju-ju throughout his existence in the Arrowverse.  Not being able to save the girl Astra, to failing Norah Dhark, to sending his boyfriend Desmond to hell, to not being able to initially rescue Ray….John has been a stew of messes up and down.  But, having to finally vanquish Neron, to save Dez, Ray, AND Norah, gives him a  check in the win column.  Astra, however, is another problem.  And a problem she will be as next season starts.  I don’t expect John to change in the least----wouldn’t suit him…but not sure HIS story is to truly continue here.  I could be wrong, but I could see him MORE suited moving over to DC Universe’s  SWAMP THING.  But hey…that’s just the comic kid talking.

We saw Sara Lance finally become a true leader---and lighten the hell up a bit.  Sara needed a find bit of tuning, and we got SOME of that last season, but this season…with the addition of Ava has her love interest, it gave someone for her to bounce off of that wasn’t Mick, Ray, Nate, or anyone else on the ship.  We got to see that Sara wanted a little more out of life, and Ava provides that.  Plus, they’re a great counter balance.  Ava is orderly, and by the book…Sara is spontaneous.  That came in handy during this season, and especially in the season finale, as they had to come up with a way to show the world that monsters weren’t always as scary as we seem.  For them to dance, and sing, and perform, allowed the actresses to stretch and show off their other talents.  And hey…had Melissa Benoist NOT been cast as Supergirl…I’d have given Caity Lotz a shot.

We were also introduced to Gary and Mona this season…the C-3P0 and R2-D2 of the team.  Total comic relief.  Gary’s nipple came back to haunt him…AND the team…towards the end, and all we got to see from him was wanting acceptance---to feel like he mattered and contributed.  And despite has apparent fear of most anything, he did make a contribution.  Acting as a ringmaster, and helping the team rescue the crowd when Tabitha was having Wexley attack them.  He’s still a goof…and will continue to play the part…but I’ve no doubt he’ll have SOME nugget of SOMETHING to help the team in the future.  Mona was more comic relief, though she DID gain magical powers towards the end.  Her powers WILL come in handy in a pinch, but much like Gary…she’s there for comic relief.  She did provide a lot of help at the end of this season.

Nate’s story was rather bittersweet.  All this time that his dad Hank play him by making a deal with Neron to get magical creatures, it was all to build an amusement park based on his son’s ideas as a kid.  Nate and Hank’s relationship was rocky, with Nate constantly looking for his father’s approval.  But as we saw…the park was Hank’s tribute TO his son…his gift.  Hank was proud of Nate, and the final episode after Nate’s death…where they got to have one last chat…was beautiful.  It gave Nate a chance to close that chapter of his life, and look towards the future….which is now muggy considering his now lost relationship with Zari.  But he gets her brother.

We met Zari as a refugee from the future who was an ancestor to the original Vixen.  With her gone to her past, Zari now filled that role on the team.  She was stern, rather cold, and didn’t want to really be a part of the team dynamic.  But as the season grew, she discovered she had a family.  She also somehow became the nurse den mother to this crazy group, having to keep everyone in line.  It was really nice to see her come into her own, and the budding romance between her and Nate was just starting to take off…bonding with the dragon…until it was snuffed out thanks to her stepping off the Waverider to tend to him.  Now, time is reset and it is HER that is gone, and now we have her brother.  An interesting dynamic to explore next season.

Mick was…well….Mick.  Though we DID get to see his “softer” side.  Mick wasn’t too much a major player this season, outside of this book, and seemed like he was on the sidelines most of the season, but when the chips were down…he stepped up.  It’s growth…for him.  Charlie as a new addition as well, having taken the place of Vixen…and her form.  She was the reluctant hero…and magical being herself, but she, much like Zari and Mona, proved to be a valuable asset---especially rallying the monsters and saving Mona in the final episode.  But she was also used by Tabitha and Neron as a catalyst  for their big scheme to scare and destroy the populace.  

This episode pretty much packed all it could into 40 or so minutes.  Action, some drama, the end of a wild story arc, and even an appearance by the Monitor---who showed up in EVERY show this season, thus laying the groudwork for CRISIS coming up.  I’m still wondering just HOW Plamer Tech became ground zero for Neron’s plans….yet the building was under attack from the Ninth Circle and Emiko Queen over on ARROW.  Someone’s going to have to explain that one to me still.

Either way, it was yet another fun episode, and a pretty crazy season at that.  This show has taken off in the last couple seasons in a COMPLETELY different direction than the ones we witnessed in the first two seasons.  Whether this arc continues, or we get another course shift with the appearance of the Monitor and the CRISIS remains to be seen.  In any case, we were treated to a season of adventure that didn’t take itself too serioiusly, and gave us a wonderful ride not only through certain aspects of history, but the history of our heroes themselves.  What time holds for our Waverider crew…who’s to say?  But for now…the adventure is over, and it’s time to take a break.  
Thanks for sticking with me this next season, and we’ll see what the future holds.  Don’t forget to subscribe and pass the good word along, and leave a comment…I’d love to hear it.


Until next time….