'Legends of Tomorrow': Season 4, Episode 13: 'Egg MacGuffin

 

Some "Legends" episodes try to juggle multiple plotlines.  The results are mixed.  Sometimes the episode is able to provide just the right balance to each, while others feel too crowded.  This one is much more the prior.

This episode not only manages to juggle them, though. They seem to intersect in almost "Seinfeld" like fashion.  It makes it hard to break down, but utterly fascinating and compelling to watch.

The brunt of the episode's focus is on the newly possessed Ray.  The good news is that the possession is much more limited than the last episode's teaser suggested.  Neron can exert some influence, such as taking control of one of Ray's hands or by conversing with him "Green Goblin" style through a reflective surface; however, Ray is still himself.  It is this limitation that Neron hopes to eliminate via using Ray to murder somebody he loves.  

Speaking of, this is another episode that puts a lot of emphasis on love.  The two other sub-plots incorporate it in some fashion.  You have Sara and Ava trying to play matchmaker with Nate and Zari via use of a mission to retrieve the titular macguffin, as well as Charlie convincing Mick to let her pose as Mick's author persona to collect a big check.  Sara and Ava also try to be part of a Waverider book club.

It sounds all over the place, but the writers managed to fit it all together surprisingly well.  Like the best "Legends" episodes, this one manages to also bring a balance of off the wall comedy and pop culture shout outs while also delivering compelling character drama.  

Ray is an obvious example, as he has to battle Neron's urges to murder those close to him (namely Nora and Nate), but Gary actually gets a surprisingly compelling go here.  Not only does he immediately step up to offer to help Ray when Constantine isn't available, but his butt monkey status gets deconstructed and leads to the hapless assistant agreeing to join the demon after realizing that he's sick of it.

Ray himself concedes to Neron's influence when it looks like Nate is about to be killed by Ray's own hand.  Constantine makes an effort to vanquish the demon but is unable to do so.  With a willing host and a new follower, the episode does end with Neron coming away the victor.  It makes sense, as it ramps up the tension leading to the season finale.

Overall, this was a very strong episode.  The plot moved well ahead, the jokes worked, the character interactions were on point, and it leaves you wanting to find out what happens next.  This comes highly recommended. 

Click here to open an E-Trade account

Click here to open a RobinHood account

Click here to become a Swagbucks member

Click here to open a FundRise account

'Luke Cage' Season 2, Episode 9: 'For Pete's Sake'

 

With Bushmaster gunning for them, Luke and the others hide out in a Rand pharmaceutical center that is about to be opened until they can come up with a concrete plan.

This, not surprisingly, leads to a more dialogue driven episode.  It works extremely well as the characters all bounce off each other in fascinating and entertaining ways.  Both the script and the cast bring their A-game so each scene stands out.  You'd think that there would be a highlight or two, but just about every scene works and keeps you engaged for the episode's whole duration.

Misty and Mariah clashing is, of course, fun to watch.  You could almost put those two in a room and just have that be the episode as they are both capable of some pretty amazing snark.  It gets to the point where Misty is on the verge of outright attacking Mariah, but Luke breaks it up before it can start.

Another highlight comes from the fact that we see characters who wouldn't seem to sync up interact.  Luke's dad gets solid scenes with both Mariah and her daughter.  The prior is especially notable as Mariah seems to drop her guard and open up about parenting.  It's a really good scene, even though Mariah is later shown to have just been trying to get the guy's cell phone to make a call.  A later conversation shows that the deception goes even further, as Mariah reveals that she has no love for her daughter and with understandable reason.

The episode does culminate with a big action climax, as Bushmaster and his squad storm the building.  Again, just about everybody gets a chance to shine here.  Luke and Bushmaster face off again, with Luke taking the win, though Bushmaster does give him a hell of a fight.  Misty herself gets to face off against some mooks, and while Mariah doesn't throw hands like the aforementioned characters, she does get her hands on a high-powered assault rifle and dishes out some pain and payback of her own.

While Bushmaster does end up in cuffs and police custody, you kind of figure that it's not going to stick.  This isn't the season finale.  Sure enough, he escapes.  There are obvious parallels to Fisk's but the scene still works really well.  It doesn't feel like a rehash.  The story Bushmaster tells is equally compelling and Mustafa Shakir does a great job delivering it.

This was a very strong episode and coming down to the final four is bittersweet.  On the one hand, this is gaining some serious steam.  On the other, I have quite a few other shows to get through in order to get caught up. Still, it's going to be interesting to see how things play out going forward.

Click here to open an E-Trade account

Click here to open a RobinHood account

Click here to become a Swagbucks member