Still controlled by the Fates, the Legends find themselves in a 1984-esque world and soon discover that things aren't as they thought they would be. The Legends must convince the civilians to trust them and stand up for their right to choose, but the Fates don't make it easy by resurrecting the Encores once again.
In 2019, the television industry aired 532 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the season finale of The CW's Legends of Tomorrow.
"Swan Thong" was written by Keto Shimizu & Morgan Faust and directed by Kevin Mock
The Legends have to embrace different tactics with each confrontation they have with the Three Fates. With Atropos, it has to be a physical and draining battle. She is the god of war who can viciously take away life. Sara has become connected to her. As such, it's only fitting that she is the one who takes on Atropos in battle. She prevails in the end as well. Her actions lead to the destruction of the Loom of Fate early on in this finale. It's the clear and concise plot point. Atropos is killed and taken away from her sisters. That brings physical pain to both of them. With Charlie, the Legends have to remind her of the importance of free will. Yes, it can absolutely bring chaos and destruction to the world. Humans can't always be trusted to make the right decisions. Sara can argue that making mistakes is part of destiny as well. However, it's Lita who actually gets through to Charlie She understands just how insane her conception actually was. Rory went back in time to his high school reunion. And yet, she is grateful that she has a father in her life now. That's actually a role that Rory has fully accepted as part of his identity too. He struggled knowing how to be present for her given his responsibilities aboard the Waverider. And now, being a parent is a priority to him while also allowing Lita in on just how crazy and weird his life can be. He wants something better for her and will try to preserve that independent spirit for as long as possible. That is an inspiration for Charlie. She finds herself again because of that. She was defeated because her sister had won. She got to recreate the world in her image where the Fates decided absolutely everything that happened. Even after the Loom is destroyed, Lachesis remains in power. She will claw onto that no matter what. She views herself as an immortal god who is much more powerful than humanity. As such, it is her responsibility to lord over them. They can't be trusted to make decisions for themselves. In fact, she can only see the horrors that have erupted throughout history. Sure, she crafts the perfect narrative that plays to the story of control she sells to the public. However, it is very effective. It makes the confrontation with her much more significant. She views the Legends as the villains. The ones who disrupted the genuine goals she had. She was given that fate alongside her sisters by the Loom. Without that, she grasps for it. She has held onto this desire for generations. She has hated Charlie for breaking the Loom and running away. That destruction could never be fixed. Her sister would always create more chaos. And yet, Lachesis was the one whose manipulation threatened to destroy absolutely everything. She projected herself as coming from a position of strength. In reality though, she was crushing others down to make herself seem big. It's the pattern she embraced with both Charlie and Astra. She had to be what they needed in order to survive. As such, she could manipulate them into helping with her grand agenda. That doesn't work out for her. It doesn't lead to her death though. It just returns her to being a human. One who is only in control of her own fate. She is given the freedom to have that life as well. Charlie grants her that peace and forgiveness. She has the necessary perspective to understand this is something Lachesis should have despite the horrors she has done to others over the years. What she has always wanted can never occur again. She is defeated. That closure is freeing. Charlie understands she has a family with the Legends but also needs time to just live her own life for awhile. She is grateful for everything they gave her. That is the profound journey of this central mission. The Legends may mess up the timeline over and over again. They are dealt love-torn lives that never quite seem to work out in an easy or simple way. The original Zari has to return to the totem to ensure that Behrad doesn't die because the two timelines are converging together for ultimate control. She makes that sacrifice knowing her family is alive and well. It just means Nate is devastated again when his love has to leave for a fate elsewhere. That is a pattern repeating for him. And yet, there is freedom that comes from this adventure aboard the Waverider. It may never stop. Sara is abducted at the end of the season. The mission will start anew. And yet, this team has the resilience to continue forging ahead because of the confidence they are constantly inspired by from one another.
