Arrow 4×08 – Legends Of Yesterday

What a disappointment.

I get that the CW wants to launch its next big hit (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow), but did it have to do so at the expense of The Flash and Arrow? Whereas last season’s crossover was a thrilling masterpiece in every way, I was downright bored by this year’s much-hyped event. It should have been astounding, and it ended up being anything but.

My main issue with the crossover is that it chose to focus almost completely on the Hawkman/Hawkgirl/Savage trifecta. I understand this from a business point of view (they have a show to set up after all), but it doesn’t exactly make for immersive TV when all your favourite characters get minimal attention as a result.

To add further salt on the wound, the writers decided to explore Oliver’s paternal issues through the Olicity lens (a storyline that is gradually turning Arrow into a soap opera). I appreciated the fact that they brought back Samantha and confirmed Ollie’s paternity, but it feels like the kind of storyline that will now be placed on the backburner until the eventual series finale. Still, we at least got to see some heartwarming moments with Ollie bonding with William. You could genuinely feel Stephen Amell’s enthusiasm and warmth radiate throughout that entire sequence.

And then there’s Laurel. I don’t understand how the writers can so obviously relegate the show’s original female lead to the sidelines. It’s not like she doesn’t have a purpose (she is the Black Canary after all), but they continue to push Felicity to the forefront at her expense. The Black Canary had what amounted to ten seconds of screen-time, and that’s just not okay as far as I’m concerned.

Bits & Arrows

– The Egypt teaser was well-made, but felt so far removed from everything this show is about. I kept wondering what the hell I was watching.

– The logo was much better than the one created for The Flash crossover. Be sure to read Chris’ excellent review of that!

– I like the Hawkman/Hawkgirl outfits..

– Stunning shot: the explosion with all our characters burning in a most horrifying manner! I won’t soon forget that visual!

– Time-travelling Barry is always fun!

– All things considered, Savage is a creepy enough villain and I think he’ll be great on Legends. 

– What was the point of Laurel’s Canary Cry? Did it actually do anything? Why are they wasting her so horribly?

– Badass group shot. If only the action lived up to that potential.

– Captain Cold action figure! Wentworth Miller must be so proud!

– Oh joy, Oliver is lying to Felicity again. Drama *eye roll*.

– Was anyone surprised by Malcolm taking Savage’s ashes? Were we supposed to believe he died with Legends coming soon?

Starling Quips

Thea: Well, I googled reincarnated nut jobs and came up with nothing.

Felicity: Yeah, but you were acting fine with everything while we were home, and now that we’re here in Central City, you’ve just been not…you.
Oliver: Well, maybe it’s too bright and sunny for me here.

Kendra: Yeah. You know, we should talk.
Cisco: Never in the history of romance have those words ever meant anything good.

Cisco: Look, you’ve got a lot on your plate right now. And I just don’t want to be that piece of very nutritious broccoli that you scrape off the plate to give to the dog.

Oliver: I’m not really a hugger.
Barry: Yeah, tell me something I don’t know. But the thing is, I am fast enough to just hug you without you knowing, so you might as well let me.
Oliver: Yeah.
Barry: Thanks. Wasn’t so bad, right?

Conclusion
A hugely unsatisfying crossover event. Here’s hoping Arrow can move out of Legends’ shadow and start making sense again.

Nad Rating
B-