It may sound like the plot of an overdone Halloween themed episode, three days late, but Episode 4: Abomination is actually the perfect exploration into the many levels of fear and bravery that a Legend must master.
After a man crash lands in the middle of the Civil War, a sudden outbreak of what can only be described as zombie-ism (even if Stein really, really doesn’t want anyone to use the Zed word) causes our team to be split into three smaller groups in order to set the course of history right. Sara and Nate head off to alert the Union about the incoming horde. Jax and Amaya attempt to set right what was undone by the death of Henry Scott, who at the time was on a mission to steal and deliver Confederate secrets to General Grant and the Union army. And Stein (who is so thrilled about his role in this) and Ray get tasked with creating a cure for the virus that Mick managed to get infected with in the two seconds they were off the Waverider (zombies, man).
The thing about this season of Legends is that they are focusing more on these mini moments in what seem like individual episodes in a sort of slow build towards the overall theme of the season. Without Rip, we know that the team has to learn their own strengths and weaknesses as they build themselves into a new breed of Time Masters. And while their ultimate goal is to find Rip, they are getting to do something they’ve never really had a chance to do before: grow. Season 1 followed so much of Rip’s coming to terms with the things he could not change as it parallels with Snart’s journey to discover what he could. But Season 2 has given a chance to see everyone else’s growth. Each episode gives our Legends the obstacle they need to overcome to find a personal strength.
This week was no different. By placing the Legends into a world overrun with zombies it was easy to see that this week’s premise would be facing fears that you can’t control, that unstoppable darkness (like a million rage-filled running undead soldiers), head on. And while Stein truly is simply afraid of zombies, everyone else encounters something more, something that in the past may have made them feel like something less.
For Ray that still lies in coming to terms with how he fits into the team. He spends most of the episode trying to find the cure to the zombie outbreak so that he can save Mick. He plays doctor, scientist, and at some points even therapist to Stein (who is absolutely losing it the entire episode, which he thinks is totally justifiable because zombies, obviously).
Nate has to continue to learn to trust where his power comes from. While he and Sara try to help Grant keep his men from being eaten by zombies, Nate has to face the fear of not being able to call on his power when it’s necessary or risk becoming one of the undead…or worse (pretty sure getting blown up is worse than being a zombie).
Sara still wars with herself over the constant threat of putting her team in danger. She struggles both internally and externally with how to keep them safe yet still save the day. And while that doesn’t stop her from making the tough calls, it’s nice to be reminded by a man like Grant that if you believe in your cause and your team then you have to believe in your decisions too.
Amaya has to learn the hardest lesson for any superhero to learn: you can’t fight every battle. Her fear of not acting in time, or at all, continues to jeopardize the mission and compromise the team. So, in an ironic turn of events, it’s Jax that must teach her to wait and trust in the bigger picture and the ability to save time.
But while everyone faces down their fears, it’s Jax’s story arc that leads us through the darkest moments and into the light. After infiltrating a slave owner’s plantation in an attempt to find the information Henry Scott was going to deliver to the Union, Jax is chained up in the barn with a group of slaves left to suffer through the night. We see not only Jax’s fear and pain, but the shock waves of it through Stein as it grows even larger. But even when all seems lost, Jax is reminded by the others that they won’t let anyone break them. That the power of hope is the one thing they won’t give up.
When Amaya comes to save him, Jax decides they must free everyone before they go. One of the men tells Jax he doesn’t want to go, that it’s too dangerous if they get caught. Jax, finding his own courage tells them, “It gets better. Not perfect, but better. But it starts with us not giving up.”
If the Legends ever had a motto that would be it. They aren’t the perfect heroes you expect. They argue. They make rash choices. They’ve probably caused as many problems throughout history as they’ve fixed. But they keep going. Not because they know that someday they will get to the point where everything’s perfect and they can go home, but because by not giving up they can continue to make things better. One moment at a time.
The wrap up of the episode was beautifully done. Not only did the team save the day (of course they did! And Ray even cured the zombie virus…talk about a super power), but they each found a new level of courage within them.
Stein was able to rise up when Ray was knocked out and face Zombie Mick on his own. Ray faced the fear of not having a role on the team, taking charge and helping in every aspect he could (even making lunches). Amaya learned not to be afraid that there might be a moment where she has to put the mission over an individual, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t still get the chance to be the hero (and in this episode’s case, still save everyone). Sara learns the power of her choices, while Nate learns more about the power within. Jax found his courage in others’ refusal to give up hope no matter what they faced. And Mick…well Mick found something he never thought he’d find. A partner (did anyone else tear up when he gave Ray that gun? Just me…okay.).
In the last three weeks our Legends have found their brain, their heart, and their nerve, perhaps next week they can finally begin their journey to find their home…if whatever Future Barry’s secret message still looming over our heads doesn’t get in the way first.
Written by Shannon Brewer, LoT Beat Writer -- Click to read Shannon's posts
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