This 7-Part Sci-Fi Series Quietly Became One of TV’s Best Space Operas

In the 2010s, the CW launched its “Dare to Defy” slogan, highlighting that its programming would be unlike any other on network television. That was especially true of its slate of DC Comics shows, which included Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl. However, the crown jewel of CW’s slate would debut in 2016 with DC’s Legends of Tomorrow​​​​​​. Over seven seasons, Legends of Tomorrow grew from a mere superhero show to a time-traveling space opera full of heart, humor, and a cast of characters you couldn’t help but love, even when they screwed up — which happened more than often.

Spinning out of a crossover between Arrow and The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow saw the Time Master Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill) recruiting characters from both shows to fight the immortal warlord Vandal Savage (Casper Crump). Eventually, the self-proclaimed “Legends” start defending the space-time continuum from all manner of threats, using a combination of superpowers, quick thinking, and a willingness to bend or outright break the rules. What really helped Legends take the top spot in the CW’s lineup was its willingness to venture into the weirdest of territories, helping it stand apart from its other comic book counterparts.

‘Legends of Tomorrow’ Thrived on Change

Legends of Tomorrow didn’t quite impress viewers or critics with its debut season, as many found the sprawling cast of characters and time-travel elements too much to follow. The creators took that to heart, with each subsequent season featuring changes in the cast and the threats the Legends faced​​​​​. While he originally started out as the leader, Rip Hunter would eventually cede control to Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), aka the White Canary. Other DC heroes, including Wally West (Keiynan Lonsdale) and John Constantine (Matt Ryan), joined the Legends on board their ship, the Waverider. Co-creator/showrunner Phil Klemmer summed up Legends‘ approach when discussing how Season 2 would change from Season 1:

“We’re coming at it from a completely different angle. We’re determined to make every part of season two feel like its own show…The team will basically have to find a new purpose. Once you save the world, what do you do then? The interesting thing about season two is I think it’s going to have a much, much different tone because our Legends are going to have a totally different purpose. They’re actually going to have a totally different constitution. There will be new faces and new everything.”

The episode that best embodies Legends of Tomorrow‘s shift from superhero show to comedic sci-fi romp is Season 3’s “Beebo the God of War,” which finds the Legends trying to stop Vikings from worshiping a popular stuffed toy named Beebo. Beebo exemplifies the blend of the ridiculous, heartfelt, and heroic that would come to define Legends; the very idea of Vikings treating a children’s doll like a god is extremely laughable, and this is coming from a show where a psychic gorilla tries to kill a young Barack Obama. Yet it also provided emotional catharsis for longtime legend Jax Jefferson (Franz Drameh), as he came face-to-face with a younger Martin Stein, who previously merged with Jax to form the nuclear-powered hero Firestorm. Given that Jax had to watch present-day Stein (Victor Garber) die during the Crisis on Earth-X crossover, it emotionally hit fans when they least expected it.

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‘Legends of Tomorrow’ Would Have Brought in a Fan-Favorite DC Hero Before It Was Canceled

Legends of Tomorrow took its wildest swing in Season 7, where the Waverider was destroyed by a mysterious force, stranding the Legends in 1925 Texas. In their quest to get back home, they encounter a mysterious man named “Mike” (Donald Faison) who gets them arrested by the organization known as the Time Police. Sadly, the series was canceled on that cliffhanger, which stung even more when Phil Klemmer revealed that “Mike” was actually Michael Jon Carter, the time-traveling hero known as Booster Gold! Given his own penchant for being a screw-up and Faison’s comedic talents, Booster would have made a perfect addition to the Legends.

Though Booster Gold won’t be appearing on Legends of Tomorrow, he’s slated to get his own television show in the future. David Jenkins will be penning the pilot, and hopefully, he will take lessons from Legends of Tomorrow ​​​​​​on how to portray the hero. A decade after it went off the air, Legends of Tomorrow still remains a truly unique entry in the superhero genre.

Release Date

2016 – 2022-00-00

Network

The CW