The Flash Review: “The Legends of Today”

An important two-part episode begins on The Flash, and will continue on Arrow. Something akin to a Justice League begins to form in order to battle the immortal Vandal Savage.

Title: “Legends of Today”

Director: Ralph Hemecker
Writers: Aaron Helbing, Todd Helbing, Greg Berlanti. Andrew Kreisberg,

Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash
Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow
Casper Crump as Vandal Savage
Ciara Reneeas Kendra Saunders / Hawkwo… Wait, girl?
Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon
Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells
Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow
Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak
Falk Hentschel as Carter Hall / Hawkman
Willa Holland as Thea Queen / Speedy
David Ramsey as John Diggle / That Other Guy
Teddy Sears as Jay Garrick/The Flash
Shantel VanSanten as Officer Patty Spivot
Jesse L. Martin as Detective Joe West
John Barrowman as Malcolm Merlyn
Neal McDonough as Damien Dahrk
Anna Hopkins as Sandra

Premise

When a mysterious newcomer (longtime DC supervillain Vandal Savage) attacks Kendra, Barry uses his Flash-sense, presumably, to determine he’s a mystic villain, and the team heads to Star City for experienced help.

Meanwhile, back at the particle accelerator, Jay must temporarily regain his superspeed in order to save Harrison Wells’ life.

High Point

Caspar Crump, whose name sounds more like a comic-book character than “Vandal Savage,” gives a compelling performance as the central villain. He bodes well for the second half, and for the forthcoming Legends series.

Low Point

The Stupid Force was much in abundance:
-The Magnet Arrow attracts guns instantly—but no other nearby metal
-People throw out secret identities like candy at a parade
-Dr. Wells apparently, in multiple previous tries, never consulted a biochemist while working on his formula designed to affect biochemical processes
-Did I mention the causal attitude about secret identities?
-Kendra realizes she faces serious danger, so she goes outside alone
-How does anyone in the WBDCU even still have a secret identity?
-S.T.A.R. Labs reverts to its open door policy; Patti walks right in

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6 Heroes must join forces, despite differences, to battle a common foe.

Effects: 4/6 It’s difficult to do plausible CGI wings on a budget. They don’t embarrass themselves here, but I would rate the effects as average.

Acting: 5/6 The episode features some strong performances, including our lead heroes, Carlos Valdes’ Cisco Ramon, and Caspar Crump’s Vandal Savage.

The Hawks, who aren’t getting along yet, show more chemistry than Barry and Iris. The Flash and the Arrow continue to build theirs.

Story: 3/6 Conceptually, the episode is promising. I like the idea of a comic-book-style crossover event on television, and they’ve simplified things appropriately by tying Savage to the Hawks. Some of the first part gets marred in plot silliness. Malcolm Merlyn and his Merry Men turn up twice for instant cameos like chorus dancers in a musical. The information they provide could be learned some other way. They’re out of place and clutter an already cluttered ep.

Emotional Response: 4/6

Production: 5/6

Overall: 4/6

In total, “Legends of Today” receives 28/42

5 replies on “The Flash Review: “The Legends of Today””

  1. Ok, so they’ve been treating Patty like an idiot, and now that that’s come back and bit them in the ass Joe just tells her to GTFO? SERIOUSLY???

    Cisco messing up and using Barry’s real name was actually kind of funny, but the leap from that to letting her know who everyone else was?… nope.

    I’ve always kinda liked Vandal Savage, as a character, especially since Hereafter.

  2. I’ve watched both parts of this and after a few days to absorb it just seems out of phase with the rest of the Flash episodes and also Arrow’s current season. Sure we have seen Kendra becoming Hawkgirl but in the context of Zoom and Damien Darhke this doesnt make any sense at all. Its almost “Hey Big Bad’s we’re going to take a weekend vacation, be back to interferring with you both next week.” Its almost like these are complete stand alone episodes that could have been put in the story anywhere so why here?

    • It’s all a timed setup to spin off Legends of Tomorrow which premieres next month (titles all fit, too). Probably no more reason than that.

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