On a similar note, Sara returns to present day Star City to go on a date with Ava. The sub-plot itself is fine, but you'd think with everything going on re Cayden James, that there would have been some allusion to it.
Most of the episode takes place back in 1717. This brings the crew into contact with the dreaded pirate Blackbeard. I'm not sure about the depiction. I mean, it does subvert expectations, and there were some good gags that came from it, but a part of me did want to see the character live up to his reputation.
Still, the pirate setting seems like a natural fit for a crew of superhero misfits. There are bits where the episode embraces it, but it seems like they could have done more. Mick takes to the environment like a duck to water and Amaya eventually embraces her "dread pirate" persona to an extent. It just seems like there could have been more swashbuckling to be had.
I also think that I'm growing weary of the Darhk's as adversaries. Damien just doesn't do it for me like he used to. He just kind of shows up and it doesn't pack the same punch. His best scene is when Ray comes to offer aid to a mortally wounded Nora. The fact that he didn't hesitate to give Ray Amaya's totem back was actually pretty heartwarming. It's somewhat undercut by what happens soon after, but they are villains, so it really should've been expected.
I found the undead Earth totem revenant to be the more interesting adversary. Well, OK, there wasn't much in the way of personality, but she was creepy and imposing. The fact that she effortlessly disposed of the Darhk's early on in the fight did make for a great "wham moment' and you knew that this was a force to be reckoned with. Granted, most of the Legends' heavy hitters were on the ship and Damien is ultimately the one to bring it down, but it was still a cool sequence
On other fronts, we see Rip continue his efforts to recruit Wally into the upcoming conflict. You'd think that Wally would be game, but between Jesse leaving him (wasn't that some time ago at this point?) and not really finding a place on team flash, he seems content to focus on his newfound spiritual journey. You'd think that he would have kept up the superhero thing independently, but such is not the case.
As such, the speedster and the former time master.....get drunk. I'm not entirely clear on the logic behind this one, but it was funny. The two do make for a good buddy pairing, even though pair of characters have just met, the two actors play off each other very well.
This results in some great character moments, such as Rip getting his coat back and the two busting out some "Careless Whisper" at a Karaoke bar in 1992 Japan. Is it weird that I found this to be the best part of the episode?
I'm not sure why Wally felt the need to "pants" Gary. It does make a nod to Wally's "jokester" persona that he's had for some time and Gary is a butt monkey, but the fact that Wally doesn't even know the guy is what throws me off. The alternative is that Rip told him to do it. I guess that does kind of work in its own way.
The sub-plot comes full circle as Rip tosses out the idea that Wally could find his place on the Waverider crew. It is consistent with what the show has been going for and Wally himself does seem like he's at least starting to open up to the idea. We'll have to see how that element plays out.
I wonder if the Bermuda Triangle will also play a role later. It was likely just a plot device to get the Waverider back to the present, but it does seem like they could have investigated that a bit more. They did hammer in the fact that it's called "the devil's triangle" and they are facing a demon, could be something there.
This episode had potential, but ultimately, it was just kind of there. It seems like it was more about setting things up. It does that adequately, in that Wally is starting to get brought in and the episode ends with Ray hostage and the Darhk's having a lot of the totems, giving the episode a "the villain wins" vibe. It is a step down from the previous episode, though. It passes the time, but I don't know how memorable this one is going to be in the long term barring the "Careless Whisper" sequence.
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