Every week, Fangirlish writers will be discussing new episodes of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and sharing their thoughts, feelings, and speculation about the hour’s hot topics in a little something we like to call Fangirlish Roundtables.
Today, we’re breaking down episode seven of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, “Marooned,” where we discuss the divide between Snart and Rory, that final scene, and our love for Captain Canary.
What were your overall thoughts on “Marooned?”
ALYSSA
I thought this was another solid episode of Legends of Tomorrow that took a week to focus on character rather than the bigger picture of stopping Vandal Savage. Of course that’s always in the forefront as the reason for this mission, but this episode wasn’t about stopping Savage in the past so much as it was a chance to explore some new character dynamics that were actually pretty shocking in their outcome. Legends continues to surprise with this character exploration, especially the strained relationship between Snart and Rory and that shocking conclusion…or maybe it’s not a conclusion. You never know on this show. And of course this episode was solid my book because of the Captain Canary development that we got that showed me that we’re in for a nice slowburn that will be worth it in the end.
LIZZIE
This was clearly a filler episode, in a season where it feels like we’ve gotten a lot of character-driven episodes that do nothing to advance the plot. Considering that I’ve already decided that the plot doesn’t matter, though, I must say I really enjoyed this episode. It had a lot of good Sara/Snart interactions, it played up on the conflict between Snart and Rory perfectly and it gave Stein a chance to finally save the day. (In a beret, no less). The only problem I had with it is that, in order to make all of this work, the show was forced to make Rip look even more incompetent, and there’s going to come a point where I’m going to BEG the crew to take over the Captain duties, because Rip seems to be missing on everything he tries.
LYRA
Overall I thought that the plot whipped up for this week’s episode was weak. I love space pirates *cough* Firefly *cough* but why does it have to be paired up with an ineffective leader like Rip Hunter? He needs to step it up if I’m meant to believe the importance of this mission. Right now the only thing keeping this ship floating is the interpersonal relationships being cultivated. Without that they’d be dead in the water.
We saw the divide between Snart and Rory grow as we realized that Snart has changed as a person while Rory has not. What were your thoughts on their relationship?
ALYSSA
I feel like a broken record at this point, but one of the relationships that has intrigued the most with its development has been that between Snart and Rory. Here we have two men who we’ve known were closer than close – although the reason was unclear, until this episode – that found themselves in this situation that should bring out the best in them. That’s the thing with this mission. Regardless of whether you’re a hero or a villain on this timeship after you meet Savage and see what he is capable of this whole thing becomes very personal. At least that’s what I believe. While we’ve seen Snart’s character evolve with this newfound role, we’ve seen that Rory is very much more against changing his colors. That is what has caused a strain between the pair.
One of the things that I really loved was that we finally got to learn how and why Snart and Rory have been so close. On The Flash it was as if they were just brought together at that time and became close. But it turns out their history goes back to their time in juvenile detention when they were 14-years old when Rory saved Snart’s life and has been the doing the same ever since. For all intents and purposes, they have been each other’s family. Until this mission. Being on a team and fighting this fight has changed Snart. While he’s still his thieving, manipulative self at times, he’s someone who fights for what’s right and who has grown to care about these people that he’s fighting alongside. But Rory doesn’t seem to understand that, which is what caused this rift.
LIZZIE
I think Snart has changed, yes, but I think Snart’s change has been coming for a while. Ever since he was on The Flash, I could see him on the way to redemption. Of course, he had to deny it, because …well, because being evil is easier. Less worries, less responsabilities. Mick Rory is now in that position. I didn’t think, when this show started, that they were going to try to redeem Rory. Now, I’m not so sure. We’ve seen a few glimpses of Rory as man of honor, namely saving Ray, and the story Snart told Sara. What seems clear, though, is that Rory’s path is not as simple as Snart. If he’s going to make the right choice, he needs much more …ahem …encouragement.
LYRA
Their relationship is in major trouble. The only way that it has a chance to survive is if Rory accepts that his friend has changed and that’s OK. It doesn’t mean that everything they did in the past has been wiped clean. They’re still friends. Rory has an opportunity to be more than his meager beginnings of pain and anger. He might not be the smartest, according to Rip, but he’s a survivor. The team needs that if their to destroy Vandal Savage. ‘Legend’ status is waiting for him if he believes in himself and his capability to be more.
The final scene dealt us quite the blow as Snart seemingly killed his friend Rory with his cold gun. Do you believe he’s really dead?
ALYSSA
I found myself shocked to my core twice in this episode. The first time was when Snart chose the team over Snart, and the second was when Snart pulled the cold gun on Rory and killed him, as Rory warned that only one of them would get out alive. You could see the anguish on Snart’s face before he pulled the trigger, but you know that he believed Rory. Only one of them was getting out of this alive. So Snart did what he had to do for the betterment of the world seeing as he is someone who intends on defeating Savage. Now, I don’t know if I believe that Rory is really dead – Snart could’ve hit the tree behind him, for all we know, but that final scene was simply chilling. While it’s very possible that Rory is dead, I’m sensing a pattern of sorts. With Hawkman down for the count and now Rory (supposedly) this could open the door to introduce new heroes/villains onto the show as was hinted at previously, although I assumed that was for other seasons. But if Rory’s death is permanent I just hope that the only way off of this show isn’t death. Because I can’t handle losing these people.
LIZZIE
No way. This is not the end of Mick Rory. I suspect Snart is going to make it seem like he killed him, and leave him stranded somewhere in time. Which, I also suspect, will come back to bite them in the ass, big time. Which, good. Someone other than Rip should make a mistake for once.
Point is, Mick Rory is now free to do whatever he wants. Establish a criminal empire. Join Vandal Savage. Anything. Whatever he does, though, at some point, he’s going to come in contact with these people once again. That’s just the way it is in television. All hints have to pay off.
LYRA
Nah. There’s got to be more. Snart has grown into a different person in the short time he’s been on this journey. He’s not afraid of acknowledging that fact. But he isn’t going to throw away a relationship that he built over years. That rough and tough scoundrel we met on The Flash is still lurking underneath. The only difference now is that he wants to go for bigger for other reasons besides greed and power. It’s going to be hard but I don’t see him as the kind of person that gives up. It won’t be the last time we see Rory.
One of the relationships that took a front seat was that between Sara and Snart. What are your thoughts on the pair opening up to each other and are you aboard the Captain Canary ship?
ALYSSA
I am all aboard the Captain Canary ship, and I’m not moving. While a show isn’t all about romance, having those relationships – especially on a show with things like time travel – bring a sense of groundness to this world that doesn’t exist. And Captain Canary is the ship I’ve been waiting for. The ship that is organic in its inception. The ship where the chemistry between the actors is on par. The ship where both halves make each other better people. This is everything I wanted on this show. While I originally thought it was going to be Sara and Ray – especially with the producers hinting before the show premiered that we might see a Sara and Ray romance – I couldn’t be happier that Captain Canary snuck up on me. From the pilot these two have had a connection that you can’t really explain. You just knew it.
While seeing things like Snart giving Sara his jacket to keep warm and Sara snuggling up into Snart’s shoulder, the thing that hit me emotionally was when the two opened up to each other about things in their past. For the first time Sara talked about what it was like when she died. How it wasn’t what you’d expect. How all she felt was alone and wanting her family. You could see the impact that had on Snart. Then you had Snart opening up to Sara about his relationship with Rory. About how Snart owes his life to Rory after he protected him in juvenile detention when these other kids nearly killed him. It really told you all you needed to know about Snart and how he honors respect and love. These are two characters that don’t really express their feelings too much, so it was really nice to see them do so with each other.
LIZZIE
I’m on board, I am. Mostly because it doesn’t seem forced. They’re just there, sitting close to each other (they really do sit absurdly close), confiding in each other. It’s like they understand each other, which makes sense. They’ve both got issues, darkness. When I first started watching this show, I thought they were going to treat Sara like Season 1 Oliver. I thought she needed someone to light her way. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe what Sara needs is an equal – someone who understands the darkness, but who can pull himself out of it from time to time, and help her do the same. And that’s Snart.
LYRA
*victory screech* Love this development and want more of it asap. What I love about this friendship is they fall into an easy comradery whenever they’re around each other. Even when they’re just sitting about and playing cards there’s a measure of comfort where they can be themselves. Great relationships can be born from that feeling alone. To top it off they don’t bullshit each other. There are no times for lies or excuses. They are real with each other and make sure the other knows it. This is quickly turning into my OTP and I have no plans of stopping.
Taking a look at the opposite end of the spectrum, what were your thoughts on the Ray and Kendra romance? Did you find it to be forced?
ALYSSA
While Captain Canary has that organic, chemistry-filled slowburn feel to it, this Ray and Kendra romance is severely lacking in those departments. My big problem with the pairing is that I just don’t believe it. And the reason why I don’t believe it is because up until the previous episode – which I thought Ray was playing around with Jax’s jealously – neither Ray nor Kendra has shown any interest in the other. And then suddenly one episode later Kendra can’t lose Ray? What about Carter? Wasn’t Kendra just nearly in love with Carter a few episodes ago? At least show a little casual flirting or longing glances instead of just one day deciding, ‘Well, suddenly I am attracted to you because the show wants me to be.’ But there was no build-up at all to this relationship and the kiss that borrowed the “Olicity a light appears behind you to show true love” thing. Had the show taken this romance a different route – and at a slower pace – perhaps I could grow to like it. But right now it does feel forced, which makes me sad because I love both Ray and Kendra as individuals just not as a couple.
LIZZIE
OMG, yes. What in the world is this? I’m not buying it, not for one second. And 100% of my troubles are with Kendra. I understand Ray liking the pretty girl. I even understand Kendra, liking Ray’s, well, Rayness. But she went from fighting Carter, to remembering and mourning him, to being surly, to being into Ray? Come on, that’s too fast. You have to give me more. And with more, I mean more TIME. Hints. Something. I don’t buy the Kendra side of the romance, and that makes me not buy the relationship. She needs time to mourn Carter now that she remembers him. She needs time to find out who SHE really is. So either she’s leading poor Ray on, or she’s just not thinking straight. And neither of those options scream OTP.
LYRA
Is ‘ehhhh’ an acceptable answer? I wasn’t impressed by it nor do I mind it. Both of them are lonely and weathered by life on that ship. If they find companionship with each other then so be it. It’s not going to last because the show just started. Anything can happen! Also Kendra is a hawk goddess plagued by the memory of losing her love over and over. Why shouldn’t she give Ray a chance? He’s easy, safe. Same thing goes with Ray. After his wife’s death he was devastated. He tried to make something work with Felicity but she was already in love with someone else. It wasn’t meant to be. So, why shouldn’t he give Kendra a chance too? Maybe they can learn something from each other, grow as people, friends, and heroes. I’m all for that.
We got a look into Rip Hunter’s past and specifically how he fell in love with his wife, Miranda. Does Rip’s drive to defeat Vandal Savage make more sense now?
ALYSSA
I feel like from the beginning I’ve understood Rip’s reason behind wanting to stop Vandal Savage. But somehow seeing this flashback and watching him fall in love with his wife kind of drove the point home, if you know what I mean. Couple that with the way Rip was behaving in this episode when the mission was threatened due to this pirate attack, and more than ever the basis of love on this show and in this world is more prevalent than ever. Also I feel as if for the first time I actually feel connected to Rip’s story now. We’ve gotten to see into his past and how he worked with his wife, the sacrifice she made, and the determination that Rip has to be with her and love her. Seeing really is believing…and feeling.
LIZZIE
It’s always made sense to me. The thing that gets to me about Rip is his lack of thinking, in general. It’s an old flaw, as the flashbacks prove. Miranda gave up everything for him, because he was …what? So good at being a Time Master that he couldn’t give it up? Well, by all means, Rip, pay her back by going into every little situation without using your brain.
As so much as the romance aspect didn’t work for me, the glimpse of his kid at the beginning of the episode did. THAT’S something to fight for. That I get. That I want to see more.
LYRA
It does make more sense. Question is, do I care enough about it? The answer is no. I wasn’t sold on their love and how this drove Rip to go against everything he believed in. I need more from Rip besides his family. I need to take a look at his character and what drives Rip in general. What kind of man is he? Right now I still don’t know.
What are your thoughts on “Marooned?” Sound off in the comments to keep the discussion going!
Join us for another Legends of Tomorrow roundtable next Wednesday!
Legends of Tomorrow airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
