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 15 of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, “Destiny” where we discuss Leonard Snart the hero, Mick Rory’s redemption, and the missed opportunity with Captain Canary — seriously, why was it ripped away as it was?!
What were your overall thoughts on “Destiny?”
ALYSSA
This was one of the best episodes of Legends of Tomorrow in quite some time. For me, this was an example of what the show has the potential to deliver: stunning action coupled with emotion and character dynamics that is a recipe for success. Obviously a central part of the success of this episode was allowing the exploration of character, as we saw with Snart and Sara, and with Rory, who finally acknowledged that he gives a damn about these people he now calls family. But of course it was Snart’s final moments – for now, at least given he’ll be seen throughout this DC universe – that made this episode what it was. Whether it was his kiss with Sara or his sacrifice for Rory and the team, there is no denying that this episode was all about his grand exit – as a series regular.
LIZZIE
Despite the general lack of common sense displayed by our heroes, this was one of the better episodes of Legends of Tomorrow. I liked that it gave the Time Masters, in particular, their own motivations for backing up Savage, and that it tried, even if it was a little too late, to explore some of the deep questions of choice vs. destiny. I didn’t like Snart’s end, but I have to admit that at least it felt earned. I liked him enough to mourn him, which is not something I’d be saying about most of these characters. Also, I thought this did a decent job of setting up the finale.
LYRA
With the finale around the corner you’d think that this series would have found some grounding. Unfortunately that hasn’t happened. All that Rip has done has led to nothing. One of his team members is dead, his family murdered, and the only advantage they had (and what made them a time travel show) is now gone. Days later I’m still wondering what was the point of this besides that ALL is inevitable.
One of the themes in this episode centered around having your destiny predetermined instead of having the ability to chart your own course. What were your thoughts on that?
ALYSSA
For the first time in a while this was a “time travel” storyline that was intriguing to me. The fact that it raised the question of: Are the decisions I make really my own? – was something that I found quite intriguing. This isn’t the first time we’d explored this fate vs. choice storyline on this show – it’s a regular theme with Kendra and Carter – but this was the first time when it really called free will into question. The existence of this Occulus served as a means for the Time Masters to control anything outside their realm. Basically what they want to happen will happen. They completely took away free will from anyone that’s ever existed in time. I love how our Legends were essentially fighting to control their own destiny in an episode aptly titled “Destiny,” and it was ultimately a certain villain-turned-hero’s sacrifice that made free will something attainable again.
LIZZIE
I LOVE that Legends went there; I just think they needed to do it way sooner than the next to last episode. This needed to be the question on everyone’s mind, a source of philosophical discussion on the long journeys through time. This, for me, had to be the MAIN theme of the series, and instead it was just a side notion on one of the last episodes of the season. It’s a disappointment.
That being said, I’m glad they at least brought it up. I would have been, if possible, even more disappointed if they never had.
LYRA
This right here is one of the most frustrating concepts in time travel shows. It rips away your ability to make your own choices and sets everything you do on a predetermined path. Destiny, in the way that LOT presented it, killed hope in our team and made the tragedies in their lives unavoidable. Ex: Rips family dying.
With the destruction of the Oculus they’ve given destiny the middle finger! They chart their own path!
Legends bid farewell to Leonard Snart on a series-regular basis when he sacrificed himself to destroy the Oculus and save his friends. While Snart went into this never expecting to be a hero, he was a hero in the end. What are your thoughts on Snart’s journey in this series and this episode?
ALYSSA
I’ve never been as emotional with Legends of Tomorrow as I was with this episode. Snart had become my second favorite character – after Sara – and his journey throughout this season was a big reason why. When the show introduced a couple of villains to the team I didn’t expect for them to be redeemed in the believable way in which they were. But Snart was someone who you could tell wasn’t satisfied with how his life had turned out. But this experience allowed him to choose his own fate and perhaps right some of those wrongs along the way. Back in the pilot episode, Snart clarified that he wasn’t a hero, nor did he intend to become one. But throughout these 15 episodes that’s exactly what he has become. Not every hero’s journey is seamless. There’s a lot of struggle – from darkness to that light. But it’s ultimately opening yourself up to others – like Snart did with the team and Sara particularly – that changed his outlook. People change people. Simple as that.
Snart has been far from perfect, but his genuine protectiveness over this team that became his family was clear as day. He found something worth fighting for; someones worth fighting for. Snart made the ultimate sacrifice in this episode. It would’ve been easy for him to let his friend Rory take the fall, but he didn’t want his journey cut short. Snart had already completed his journey. He felt at peace, in a way, as he’d become someone that he could be proud of, that those on the team were proud of. Snart never intended to become a hero, but that’s exactly what he became. Snart went out the way he lived: fighting authority. Only this time he managed to become a hero in the process.
LIZZIE
Leonard Snart was, without a doubt, one of the best, if not the best character on Legends of Tomorrow. I’m going to take Sara out of the running because we saw most of her journey on Arrow, whereas most of Snart’s journey came on the WaveRider. He was still a villain when he last faced off against Barry, albeit a nuanced one, and it was experiences with this team, his experiences traveling through time, that changed him from a man who would sacrifice everyone for a chance to save his own skin to someone willing to give his life for his friends.
We saw him get there, and that’s why we loved him. That’s why we’ll miss him. That’s why we’ll eagerly await his return, even if it’s just on a recurring basis. He was the best of them all and I just hope that the show can give other characters the kind of depth that they gave Leonard Snart. If not, this show will get boring real soon.
LYRA
First off, I’d like to say that Mick should’ve kicked the bucket. He was at the end of his journey, not Leonard. Captain Cold started as a self serving villain who was after a score for him and his best buddy. Along the way he learned that he was capable of more than he ever thought possible and that people loved him. He also bonded with Sara Lance, a woman who he recognized as a kindred soul who understood waring thoughts waiting to burst from inside. Snart found solace with her. It’s a shame that we won’t get to see what else he could’ve learned about himself with this group of people around him.
While it was tragic, heartbreaking, and beautiful, we saw Sara and Snart kiss in his final moments. This episode as a whole was another great development for the two of them. What are your thoughts on Captain Canary?
ALYSSA
This is what it feels like when you get everything you’ve ever wanted only to have it snatched away moments later. Sara and Snart’s relationship from the start has been unexpected yet meaningful. They were both people trying to discover their true selves and try to forge their own path after the experiences in their lives that shaped them. They found friendship in each other. Then somewhere along the way, as it happens, they began to start to feel something else. The fact that Snart thought about and envisioned a future with Sara really speaks volumes about how much he’s grown to care about her in these five short months together. These two are far more than just a ship. These are two people that found a part of themselves in each other. They each helped each other become better people by encouraging each other. Oh that kiss. Dear lord. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time. And a reminder of what could’ve been – and what could still be given Snart’s jumping around between all DC shows.
LIZZIE
Oh, what could have been. Are we doomed to wonder forever? I really liked this ship. It was one of those that grew out of actor’s chemistry and not a preordained notion, and it always felt fresh. It felt real. And now, it’s over and done with, or at least, that’s what it seems like. We know Snart is returning on a recurring basis, but will we see the same version of Snart, the one that could, potentially, love Sara? I don’t think so. It seems like he was, perhaps, just another person Sara Lance was destined to lose.
LYRA
It felt like a gentle caress of the cheek before the person pulls their hand back and SMACKS THE HIGHLIGHTS OUT OF YOUR HAIR! I’m disappointed that this set up was presented and snatched away. The positive that came out of this is that they both learned they could be more than lonely BAMF’s with a tendency to kill and destroy. *looks away in pain over Snart. still hurt*
For so long Mick Rory seemed to be fighting to officially join this team, but in this episode we saw that he’s come to really care about them; he admitted as much. What are your thoughts on how Rory has gotten to this point?
ALYSSA
Like with Snart, Rory is someone who had no intention of being redeemed when he joined this crusade, but that’s exactly what happened. Rory has always been the one more hesitant about this whole thing I believe because he feared what might actually happened if he opened himself up to that. But from the start we’ve seen shades of Rory’s potential and his caring about the team. While he might’ve hit a bit of a snag, the fact that he was able to overcome the Time Masters by thinking about the team was something hugely telling. They were his light. They gave him something worth fighting for. Rory’s journey might be far from over, but he’s making incredible progress.
LIZZIE
Other than Snart and Sara I think Rory has been the character I’ve liked the most this season. He’s gone through high highs and low lows, but he’s done so while being himself. He wasn’t a good guy, or at least, he never pretended to be, and the person he is now is just a combination of the bad guy he thought he was and the good guy he always wanted to be. There was no personality transplant, just someone who finally found a way to let out the good things instead of the bad.
That’s what happens when you care.
LYRA
I feel cheated. You can’t just rid yourself of everything that makes a character by using the “time travel” excuse. Great and innumerable things happened to him to change him into the man he is today. I wish we could’ve seen the how and not just the after. I don’t know Rory because all they’ve shown me is snippets of the man as he journey’s through time by the command of others.
Elsewhere in this episode Savage managed to snatch Kendra and Carter, where he then went to kill Rip’s family as he promised. But now he appears to be stuck and unable to travel through time with the Oculus destroyed. How do you think this storyline will be solved?
ALYSSA
Can I just say it was nice to have Savage and the Hawks separated from the rest of the group. I’m sorry, but this whole storyline has continued to rub me the wrong way the entire season. The only hope I have left is that this will make it easier for our team to track Savage down and end him once and for all.
LIZZIE
Wait, he did? I didn’t even notice! Joke aside, I don’t even care. The three of them can die and I’d come out of this finale thinking everything was perfect. But, if that’s too much to ask, can we at least get rid of Savage for good? I can’t take another season of this crap, I really, really can’t.
Let the team find them. Let Kendra finally put an end to Savage. Let Rip save his family. Let’s find a new mission that makes sense. Oh, and let’s use logic next season, please. That’s not too much to ask for, right?
LYRA
Honestly, Savage isn’t even bothered by the Oculus being destroyed. He’s going to hit up the AI on his waverider for information, find a safe place/time, and hold off until he comes up with a plan to destroy all to save the world. (Twisted logic these people have.) Meanwhile Kendra and Carter will become his playthings that he can manipulate until he “accidentally” doesn’t tie them down properly. That’s when he dies because Kendra and Carter “accidentally” found the weapon to his destruction under the console. Cuz he wouldn’t destroy that right? Savage would have it nearby for…reasons.
What are your thoughts on “Destiny?” 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.
