The "main" focus of the plot is on Sara, as she, Ray, and Gary try to track down Ava, who seems to have gone missing. The group learns that her family is actually a pair of actors and that one specific year is marked as off-limits to any sort of time traveler. As such, the group naturally goes right there.
In doing so, the group finds out the dark secret that Rip had alluded to earlier (something I got backwards in a previous article). When the group arrives, they find a city full of Avas. Now, the title suggests "robot" and the group jump to that conclusion too, but it turns out that the Avas are actually more akin to genetically engineered clones. The title still fits, given the subsequent identity crisis, but that was some good misdirection. It would have been a shame if the title gave away the big reveal.
Ava herself is just as shocked as the others when she learns the truth. It gives her some degree of sympathy and it gives her a new motivation as she is determined to learn the whys of her situation.
The clone fiasco also gives Sara and Gary some development. It's been hinted that Gary had a thing for his boss, but it's pushed to the limit here. It does make for some great comedic banter between the two, but it also gives Sara a chance to work through her own issues and doubts about how things have been going. It also looks like the two might start mending fences. It's early to say, but the dialogue between the two did suggest it as a possibility.
Plot B follows Nate, Amaya, and Wally; as they discover that Mari has been injured. With the spirit totem in the possession of the Darhks, time is starting to solidify, meaning that she can't inherit it later. She still acts as a vigilante, but with no powers, she's much more vulnerable.
In attempting to talk to her to persuade her from taking a break, they instead find Kuasa. While they jump to the conclusion that she means the injured hero harm, Kuasa makes it clear that they are still sisters and that she means to protect her. To that end, she is reconsidering her alliance and wants to reclaim the spirit totem. Better to be in the hands of her family than in those of an ancient demon.
It was some good character development for the antagonist. The episode plays with it and has her double cross the heroes, well Nate more specifically. She probably would have gone through with it, but a pretty brutal speech from Amaya sets her straight. The heel-face turn is short lived, however, as Mallus kills her in the episode's climax. It's played surprisingly tragically, given that she's largely been an enemy to date. Even Mick and Zari take a moment to reflect on the loss of a fellow totem bearer.
On a similar note, even Darhk himself is having second thoughts about this. Yes, he made a deal with a demon, but in seeing the effect Mallus is having on Nora, he's realizing that he's losing the person he did it all for in the first place.
Considering this came on the heels of Kuasa's double cross, I'm surprised that Nate bought into it so quickly, but it does make some sort of sense. While I doubt that Darhk will be turning hero anytime soon, it is possible that he lends his abilities towards helping stop Mallus in the finale. Having heroes and villains team up to take on a much bigger bad is a frequent thing in comics, so it wouldn't be entirely without precedent.
The third plot is probably the closest thing to filler, though it does have some significance in the overall plot. While Mick is having fun using his new powers to cook food and make fart jokes, he needs to be trained to be more effective with his newfound abilities. Being another totem bearer, Zari is the natural pick to do this.
The two butt heads initially, largely due to Mick's crudeness and ignorance. I kind of feel like they overdid it with him on that front, but it did still make for some funny moments and the two do bond and come to a better understanding of each other by episode's end.
This episode had a lot on its plate and it managed to find a strong balance. The plots all had momentum and all were given the time they needed. There was also a solid balance in terms of tone. There were plenty of gags and one liners, but there was also more serious material that maintained the necessary sense of tension and weight. This episode probably is one of the season's bigger ones in terms of both plot and character development. It'll be interesting to see where things go from here.
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