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For those who love the wacky heroics, wild adventures, and incredible stories, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is the best show you aren’t watching. Admittedly, the series had a rocky beginning, with an uneven first season. All the elements were there – B-level characters from existing Arrowverse shows combined with Doctor Who’s Arthur Darvill playing the time travelling Time Lord with a Box Time Agent with a Waverider, Rip Hunter, a plot line that tug at the heart strings, and a formidable big bad. The problem was that the show took itself way too seriously. Thankfully, this formula was thrown out into the time vortex at the start of season two, and the show has continuously gotten better ever since. Now, they travel through time fixing thing that have gone wrong (typically due to their own actions). If you aren’t watching Legends of Tomorrow each week, here are a few reasons why you should give it a chance:
Real-World Figures
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As the Legends scramble to fix time, they frequently run into real-world figures from ancient history, pop culture, and even political events. An incredibly entertaining aspect of the show is watching them encounter, and subsequently save, certain figures from the past. Most notably, they have run into Barack Obama, Helen of Troy, Elvis Presley, Blackbeard, Leif Erikon, Hedy Lamarr, Isaac Newton, and P.T. Barnum among others – and that’s just in the third season. Season two had them encounter George Lucas, J.R.R. Tolkien, Queen Anne, and King Arthur’s Court among others.
Inside Jokes and Pop Culture Quips
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Personally, I love inside jokes and pop culture references in my geeky-based television. My favourites are jokes like this one; made by Martin Stein, played by Victor Garber (who, in case you didn’t watch Titanic in theaters multiple times as I did, played Thomas Andrews in the film):
I refuse to step foot on the Titanic. Whoever built that ship ought to be shot.
In reality, Andrews was the individual who designed the ship. An earlier season had Snart, played by Wentworth Miller, offering input on an upcoming mission to get a target out of jail, reminding them that it wasn’t his first “prison break.”
There have been other fantastic pop culture references as well. Everything from ET to the Wizard of Oz to Star Wars has been referenced at one point or another. The show has also included more than a few nods to fellow time-travelling series Doctor Who, including Constantine telling the legends that he’s not “Doctor Wibbly Wobbly What’s-His-Face,” one of Rip’s cakes resembling the Twelfth Doctor’s opening sequence, and Constantine (again), drawing upon the Tenth Doctor with a good ol’ fashioned “Allons-y Alonso.”
Supportive Teammates
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Unlike other teams, cultivated by bringing together the best of the best, the Legends have always been a group of misfits – people who join because they don’t really fit in elsewhere. Despite the dramatically different personalities, the genuine support and compassion each team member has for the other is another huge draw to the show. They’re less the Justice League and more a family – people who may not have much in common but who would drop everything to help one another. In a world filled with so much bickering, harassment, fighting, and selfishness, it is refreshing to tune into a show where, yes, bickering and in-fighting happen, but you can trust that at the end of the day, these are characters that care.
Sara’s Journey from Killer to Captain
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Character growth is another huge part of Legends of Tomorrow. Balancing ridiculous adventure, crazy plot lines, humor, and serious character growth is a difficult task, but one that the show’s writers are definitely up to handling. Sara’s journey alone has made the it worth watching, including the uneven first season. She started out the series as someone who was unsure about who she was, but with time, introspection, and a lot of discipline, became the team’s leader. Her journey is inspiring, especially for those who are wrestling with their own demons. She never makes you believe that it’s easy, but always makes you believe that it can be done.
Queer Representation
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If you, like me, have been aching for a show with queer actors as well as characters, Legends of Tomorrow is here for you. Captain Sara Lance is bisexual, visibly seen in relationships with men and women throughout the series. Most recently, she has fallen for Time Agent Ava Sharpe, in a plot line that was adorable and tense all at once. Additionally, Leo Snart (Earth X’s version of Captain Cold aka Leonard Snart), Constantine, and guest characters like Guinevere, Louis XII, and Queen Anne are all depicted as being queer.
This representation does not stop in front of the camera. Many of the series’ regulars and guest actors are also members of the LGBTQ+ community, including Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Amaya Jiwe/Vixen), Keiynan Lonsdale (Wally West/Kid Flash), John Barrowman (Malcolm Merlyn), Wentworth Miller (Leonard Snart/Leo Snart/Captain Cold/Citizen Cold), and Greg Berlanti (the show’s producer).
Bonus: This is Literally How They Defeat a Big Bad
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At one point, the team Voltrons themselves together, intending to create something a little more badass than a talking stuffed animal, but saving the world as a result nonetheless.
Legends of Tomorrow is a bonkers and crazy show with just the right amount of compassion and heart to make it one hell of an entertaining ride.
