[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Director: Alexandra La Roche
Writers: Grainne Godfree & Morgan Faust
Stars: Victor Garber, Brandon Routh & Caity Lotz
Summary
The Legends team up with Rip to take on a vampire in 1897.
Positives
Damien Darhk makes a welcome return in this episode. The character is as corny as ever, which helps the show immensely any time he’s on screen. Neal McDonough gets what the tone of this show should be and plays into it; he’s always entertaining. I’m hoping his return will give this season some much needed energy.
Heatwave is the consistent source of good humor. I enjoyed his persistence in reading Bram Stroker’s Dracula even in times of peril. He has carried a stake with him his entire life just waiting to kill a vampire; that is hysterical.
Negatives
This episode is a gigantic missed opportunity. The idea of the Legends fighting a vampire is gold and, of course, it’s just a guy with a two-prong needle. Why not have an actual vampire? That could have been so much fun. Additionally, the episode takes place in 1897 London. Damien Darhk’s resurrection has touches of Frankenstein so there’s some classic horror influence here. It could have been fun to lean into that in the direction. Maybe the episode could have been black and white or at least be a little more stylized. This is the show that could get away with doing that and it’s shot like any other episode. So much imagination could have gone into this and is perfect for the show.
I hate the idea of turning Firestorm into one being. I understand Victor Garber has to leave; that is fine. But why not find a new partner? What makes Firestorm unique is that it’s two people in one body; that’s a fun and inventive idea. He’s just going to be the Human Torch now and that’s lame. There are characters from the comics they could bring in to be the new half if the writers ever bothered to read any. What could be interesting would to be to bring in a partner that would be the body and Jax would have to be the brains. That could take Jax in a new direction that would actually be interesting.
Sara’s new White Canary costume is the ugliest thing. I have no idea why they changed it; the last one was cool. Maybe it was uncomfortable for Lotz to wear but I can’t imagine this new one is more comfortable. It’s an all white, skin-tight, leather catsuit complete with cleavage. She looks more like a disco themed ice skater than a superhero.
Verdict
I didn’t care for this episode. It’s concept had me intrigued but the fun idea was a misdirect for a fairly lame plot. It’s nice to have Darhk back because at least he’s funny and he knows what show he’s in. But the episode is pretty dull and uninspired.
