Breaking into the Pentagon. If that were to happen in any other series I know about, they would devote an entire episode to it (perhaps even a few episodes or an entire season). But that's where Legends Of Tomorrow is different from other shows. It showcases its signature extreme fast pace by writing a break-in to the Pentagon - into the opening sequence. The team plans the heist and performs it, getting it over with by the five-minute mark. I understand that moments like this turn a lot of people off, but for a viewer like myself, there's nothing wrong with it. It gives a good example of the writers' creativity, as they can afford to use so many high- concept ideas in each episode, and also provides some spectacular entertainment. One minute the heroes are in the middle of a quick heist into an impenetrable headquarters, the next they're whisked away to Soviet Russia for their next crazy adventure. Sure, none of this is realistic or credible - but after all, it's important to remember that this is a sci-fi series based on time-travelling comic book heroes.
Although the rest of the episode doesn't quite live up to its monumental opening scene, it still manages to be a solid chapter in this evolving and unpredictable story. In the main plot of the episode, we are introduced to Valentina Vostok. She makes an impression as a passable villain on the way to the larger threat, Vandal Savage, who we don't see in this episode. Valentina is working on a Soviet version of Firestorm, which could have terrible consequences on the future. The episode ends with a massive cliffhanger, as Stein, Palmer and Rory are imprisoned in a gulag.
The subplots in the episode are decent as well. Having Sara and Kendra train (and fight) each other gave their characters more depth and a good role for the episode, while the story with Rip and Heatwave almost getting trapped by Chronos was intense. The colorful cast of characters is finally settling in by the fourth episode, and now we really get to see them evolve. The introduction to all of the Legends (with the possible exception of Rip) in the first episode felt a little bit rushed, but now the show is at a point where the viewers are getting to know them better - just like they're getting more familiar with each other. Some kind of a connection between the audience and the characters is important for any show, and this one is starting to succeed on that front.
All in all, White Knights was another awesome episode of this underrated series. Sure, the dialogue may not be the world's finest and the story doesn't have the depth of the many quality dramas out there, but that's not what the series is based on. By every episode it's becoming more clear that the reason why Legends Of Tomorrow is isolating so many viewers is simply because it doesn't try to achieve more than what it is: an entertaining show with intriguing time travel, compelling characters and a comic-book atmosphere. And that right there makes it a great show in its own league.
Although the rest of the episode doesn't quite live up to its monumental opening scene, it still manages to be a solid chapter in this evolving and unpredictable story. In the main plot of the episode, we are introduced to Valentina Vostok. She makes an impression as a passable villain on the way to the larger threat, Vandal Savage, who we don't see in this episode. Valentina is working on a Soviet version of Firestorm, which could have terrible consequences on the future. The episode ends with a massive cliffhanger, as Stein, Palmer and Rory are imprisoned in a gulag.
The subplots in the episode are decent as well. Having Sara and Kendra train (and fight) each other gave their characters more depth and a good role for the episode, while the story with Rip and Heatwave almost getting trapped by Chronos was intense. The colorful cast of characters is finally settling in by the fourth episode, and now we really get to see them evolve. The introduction to all of the Legends (with the possible exception of Rip) in the first episode felt a little bit rushed, but now the show is at a point where the viewers are getting to know them better - just like they're getting more familiar with each other. Some kind of a connection between the audience and the characters is important for any show, and this one is starting to succeed on that front.
All in all, White Knights was another awesome episode of this underrated series. Sure, the dialogue may not be the world's finest and the story doesn't have the depth of the many quality dramas out there, but that's not what the series is based on. By every episode it's becoming more clear that the reason why Legends Of Tomorrow is isolating so many viewers is simply because it doesn't try to achieve more than what it is: an entertaining show with intriguing time travel, compelling characters and a comic-book atmosphere. And that right there makes it a great show in its own league.