How in the world did they fit all that into 44 minutes?
Following on from The Flash, the two teams merge to take down Vandal Savage. Not only do we get to see Kendra Saunders in action, but we also see how Oliver manages the idea of having a son. In fear of spoiling the epic-ness of this episode, that is all the synopsis I will be giving you. However, I will tell you my jaw dropped.
After jumping off a building on the Flash, Kendra is starting to remember her past lives. The audience is taken back in time with her as she, and Khufu (Hawkman) travel the halls of a pharaoh’s palace. Vandal Savage is also there, just as power hungry as he is in the present day and lusting for Chay-Ara. One of the hawks’ comic stories mirrors the TV in that they are reincarnations (in other stories, they are alien cops) who search for each other but once reunited, their lives will end in murder. However, this storyline has Hath-Set, an Egyptian Priest, murdering the pair in Egypt and reincarnating with them. The translation to the screen in having Vandal Savage as their murderer and immortal hunter is a brilliant use of cannon, especially as they have kept his comic story pretty close as well.
In this episode, we learn that Chay-Ara and Khufu’s people both feared destructive asteroids and used the asteroid metal (nth metal) to forge different items. Vandal Savage, however, used the asteroids to his advantage. Although not specifically stated as his immortality origins, it looked as if he used the murder of Chay-Ara and Khufu, and the asteroids to create his immortality. The comics have Vandal Savage from the time of cave men. However, the original story is also associated with asteroids, and Savage’s comic nemesis can also reincarnate. The writers have been very clever in intertwining the two stories of Savage and the Hawks while still staying remarkably true to their origins.
The episode ran astonishingly well and had me sucked in the whole 44 minutes. And you’d think with so much happening and so many major players all in one space that someone would forgotten. It would have been very difficult to give every character a reason to be present. But the writers managed it, with Diggle using A.R.G.U.S. connections; Laurel and Thea digging info up from the police; Felicity, Caitlyn, and Cisco creating protective gloves; the Hawks training; and Barry, Ollie, and Merlyn confronting Savage for information. And it worked. It all flowed magnificently, with no noticeable hiccups like the Constantine cross-over. However, Pappa Joe and Patty were missing. Given that Patty is remarkably close to Barry’s identity (shooting Harry at Star Labs in the Flash Control Room), I would have thought there would have been a scene with Joe West evading questions. And more Patty could never go wrong.
As for a set up for Legends of Tomorrow, it is quite possible the CW has nailed it. Hawkman is still two dimensional, but Kendra is quickly becoming a fantastic hero addition to the TV. If she has half the witty lines that her character had on the animated series, I will be ecstatic. And the live action representation of Vandal Savage is magnificent, especially as he causes Merlyn to tremble in fear. I did question if Ray Palmer should have been invited to the party, but to have him in an already crammed episode could have been overkill and ruined its flow.
With previous DC Domination conversations and with Hawkgirl being the main focus the past two episodes, it makes me wonder if the TV DC universe now has its own trinity.
The Green Arrow: Dark and brooding.
The Flash: Light hearted Boy Scout.
Hawkgirl: The strong, level headed equaliser.
One thing’s for sure: I have high expectations for the Legends of Tomorrow.
Quote of the Episode: The Indiana Jones reference is the only thing I understood. (Thea)
