Sunday, August 13, 2017

TV Show Review: Legends of Tomorrow - Season 2



Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Action with plenty of time hopping fun
Cons: None
The Bottom Line:
Time travel action
Great characters, lots of fun
Enjoyable show




“Stein’s About to Kill Sara in the Library!”  “With the Rope or the Candlestick?”

Of the superhero shows on the CW, most people seem to be less interested in Legends of Tomorrow.  Personally, I don’t see it.  It certainly has a different tone, one that is lighter overall, but I really enjoy this improbably time traveling crew.  And that didn’t change in season 2.

As season two picks up, the legends have scattered and tried to get on with their lives in the present.  However, historian Dr. Nate Heywood (Nick Zano) has discovered a time anomaly that could destroy the world as we know it.  With the help of Oliver Queen (guest star Stephen Amell), he reunites the team Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill), Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), Ray Palmer (Brandon Roth), Dr. Stein (Victor Garber), Jefferson Jackson (Franz Drameh), and Mick Rory (Dominic Purcell), and they head back to 1942 to protect Einstein and stop the Nazi’s from detonating an atomic bomb.

While back in time, they meet the Justice Society of America.  However, their trip ends in a disaster that brings Amaya Jiwe (Maisie Richardson-Seller) to the crew thanks to her desire for revenge.  It also shows the team that they are fighting a new threat, the Legion of Doom – a trio made up of Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough), Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman), and Eobard Thawne (Matt Letscher).

Now the Legends must race through time in an effort to stop the Legion of enacting their plan, which involves a spear that could permanently change time.  Can they stop these villains before time runs out?

Quite often, time travel can make my head hurt if I think about it too much thanks to the anomalies it will introduce.  Honestly, I don’t worry about that too much with this show.  They usually acknowledge any anomalies themselves if the crew isn’t trying to fix these problems in the first place.

Plus, the show continues to be fun.  Yes, it is definitely the most over the top of these DC Comics shows, and some of the acting reflects that.  But honestly, I don’t really mind.  Things are light and fun, and the trips through time are a pure delight.  Oh, I know this isn’t real history (Civil War zombies, anyone?), but the various settings are fun.

The characters are all given arcs again this season.  Obviously, we get to know the two new characters the best, but over the course of the season, Sara finds herself taking on a new leadership role when Arthur goes missing, Ray tries to be a hero without his suit, Rory deals with the loss of his partner and spending so much time around heroes, and Stein must face some unexpected consequences of their time hopping.

And the actors are all up to the task.  Yes, as I said, the acting is a little over the top at times, but it fits the show perfectly.  The most obvious is Dominic Purcell, who eats the scenery in his scenes in a completely delightful way and gets some of the best lines.

Any superhero show needs lots of special effects, and this one is no different.  They all look real to me.  Considering the number of effects in this show and the limitations of a TV budget, that’s saying something.

The season consisted of 17 episodes, and they are all included in this set in their native wide screen and full surround.  Extras include the obvious deleted scenes and gag reel as well as the shows 2016 Comic Con panel and a documentary on this shows part in the big four episode crossover from early December.

If you are looking for a show that best captures the feel of a light, popcorn summer action flick, this is the show for you.  Stick Legends of Tomorrow – Season 2 into your player and enjoy.

Season 2 Episodes:
1. Out of Time
2. The Justice Society of America
3. Shogun
4. Abominations
5. Compromised
6. Outlaw Country
7. Invasion!
8. The Chicago Way
9. Raiders of the Lost Art
10. The Legion of Doom
11. Turncoat
12. Camelot/3000
13. Land of the Lost
14. Moonshot
15. Fellowship of the Spear
16. Doomworld
17. Aruba

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