Legacies is seriously one of the best shows on TV at the moment, and this episode is proof of it. Legacies Season 2 Episode 4 “Since When Do You Speak Japanese?” is one of the best episodes of the season, and it has only just begun! This episode dives deeper into the minds and hearts of all of our favorite characters, and the show doesn’t lose its moments of levity.
Legacies continues to tell truly compelling and honest stories about teenagers and the people in their lives. The supernatural elements are a major bonus. If the rest of the season is anything like “Since When Do You Speak Japanese?” then we are eager to see what comes next!
Kurutta the Samurai Warrior
The Monster of the Week format may not be every Legacies fan’s most favorite thing, but it works so well. “Since When Do You Speak Japanese?” exemplifies this point perfectly. Not only is a Samurai a super cool character, but Kurutta’s personal journey is such a clever way into understanding Lizzie Saltzman.
Lizzie is someone who has felt lost in the world and in her own mind for much of the series. She finally thinks she’s on the right track with her mental health, and the rug is ripped out from under her. Then, her vulnerabilities and the parts of her she sees as broken are the ones that end up saving her and saving the day.
Lizzie is the only one who is strong enough to fight the Oni when it possesses her, and it is because her mind is so strong. Because Lizzie has battled her own demons, she is able to fight and conquer the Oni.
While it is heartbreaking to hear Lizzie say, “There’s no fixing me, Jo. I’m just shattered. My pieces are too small to put back together,” it is heartening to see the exact opposite manifest itself. Lizzie may have parts of her that need some special care and mending, but those parts of her don’t make her weak and broken. Those parts of her make her stronger.
It is also in the moment of desperation when Lizzie isn’t sure she’s going to survive, that other truths are revealed about the Saltzman twins. Lizzie admits that she doesn’t think she’ll win the Merge. This is so hard to watch, because it is so clearly not true. It is easy to see Josie’s strengths and abilities and count Lizzie out. Just because we haven’t seen Lizzie practice magic on screen as often as Josie does not mean that Lizzie is any less capable. Lizzie fights off a demon inside of her body, which so few can do. Lizzie shouldn’t count herself out of surviving the Merge just yet. She should more confidence in herself, because she is a powerful woman and witch.
Josie proves how far she’ll dive into black magic to protect the ones she loves. Josie siphoned all of the black magic out of her sister and the Samurai’s sword and sent it back to Malivore. That’s badass. It is also TERRIFYING. Josie is doing much more than flirting with black magic as the season progresses, and now that she has a way to heal its effects, she may take things even further. If this does happen, here’s to hoping Josie doesn’t lose herself in it.
The Saltzman sisters are two of the bravest, smartest, and strongest characters on this show, and their interaction with the Samurai and the Oni are evidence.
It is also Lizzie’s run in with black magic and the Oni that lead her to remember Hope in the final moments of the episode. This is sure to be interesting, especially because Hope and Lizzie sort of mended their friendship towards the end of last season. It is also great because Lizzie and Hope have a lot more in common than they’d probably like to admit.
Hope and Lizzie are trying to find their place in the world, like many of the characters on Legacies. They both feel like they are broken. One way this manifests in Hope is that she sees herself as the “mythical tribrid freakshow,” because she is different from everyone else in the Salvatore School and beyond. Hope thinks she finally found her purpose when she sacrificed herself to Malivore, but now she is not so sure.
On the other hand, Lizzie can’t believe anyone could love her because she believes her mind is broken. Lizzie doesn’t think she is worthy of love, and it is arguable that Hope feels the same way. Both Hope and Lizzie are struggling to realize that their feelings and their existences are valid. Together, they may be able to grasp that.
If Legacies lost the Monster of the Week format, the show would lose these smart and innovative ways into the characters’ minds and lives. Whether it be a Necromancer, a Jinni, or an Oni, it’s clear the monsters of Legacies make the show better.
See You Soon, Kai
This episode has the best TVD Easter egg yet! It was difficult not to gasp when MG turned on the camera to a video of Kai Parker talking to Bonnie Bennett. TVD fans will remember this video as the way Kai told Bonnie he tied her best friend Elena Gilbert’s life to hers.
To MG, this video doesn’t mean anything of importance… YET.
On the same day that it was revealed that Chris Wood would reprise his role as Kai Parker on Legacies, fans were gifted with this glorious Easter egg. That all seems to be more than a coincidence.
Kai is coming, and though we don’t know how, it is fun to speculate. Kai Parker has been a part of Legacies since before its conception. Without him, Josie and Lizzie are bound to have lived a much different life. Their birth mother, Jo, would likely still be alive, which would cause a domino effect with most of the major moments of their adolescence.
Kai is sure to shake up much more upon his return to Mystic Falls, if that is in the cards. For all we know, Josie and Lizzie could visit Kai in his prison world. Seeing how Josie and Lizzie handled the Oni in this episode makes us all the more confident that they could stand against their sociopathic uncle.
We can assume that as episode 12 (the first episode Wood is set to appear in) nears, Legacies will become more and more explicit with its Kai mentions. We look forward to theorizing the circumstances of Kai’s return as his cameo is likely teased in the upcoming episodes.
Other Spelltacular Moments:
- Did anyone else notice Ric’s wolf mug?
- “Seize the lay.” – Lizzie Saltzman
- Lizzie yelling, “Why are you carrying a sword?” at Landon while her mouth is full of ice cream is one of the best moments from the entire episode.
- It is hard to watch Rafael go through his readjustments and suffer from panic attacks, but it is nice to know Legacies isn’t going to shy away from how tough it is for him to return to his human form.
- Jenny Boyd is incredible in this episode. She is such a standout.
- Landon says that he isn’t ready to have sex, and Josie doesn’t push him on it. Consent is sexy, people.
Legacies is new Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.
