Legacies Season 3 Episode 14, “This Feels a Little Cult-y,” catches us up to date on some of the characters that we haven’t seen in an episode or two. “This Feels a Little Cult-y” is the third to last episode of the season. It does feel like the calm before the storm. Only on Legacies can a Wendigo and a cult of witches be the calm before the storm.
Regardless, so much of this episode works because it does more of what Legacies is so great at, like finding the humor in horror and challenging stereotypes set up within this universe about supernatural beings.
A New Era for Werewolves
“This Feels a Little Cult-y” shows how underutilized the werewolves are on this show. Hopefully, as this episode suggests, Finch’s presence will cause the show to spend more time on that faction because werewolves are just as riveting (if not more so) than vampires.
Jed is someone who has transformed from a hardened werewolf to a soft, lovable puppy when he found love with his friends and his pack. For the most part, Legacies uses him as comedic relief as of late. Thankfully, this episode lets us see more depth to Jed than we have in a while.
Unfortunately, his interactions with Finch make it obvious how little we know about him, which is unfortunate. Jed has been on this show for a while. He’s even a series regular this season, and it feels like we barely know him. It’s as though Legacies is about to peel back the layers of this character with only two episodes left in the season.
The old Jed would indeed call Finch weak for throwing the pool match in his favor. It’s a good thing that Jed is no longer that person who only sees strength in a person’s ability to fight and win. This personal revelation would have felt more earned had the show let us see Jed go on this journey more. Instead, so much of it is on the sidelines because Jed is only a series regular now. It’s almost as if Legacies wasn’t sure what to do with Jed until now.
But this future with Finch at his side is promising. Legacies examines werewolf culture very briefly in the past, but never as straightforwardly as it does on “This Feels A Little Cult-y.” No one dares step out of line from the rule book until Finch comes along and pokes holes in all of its patriarchal, violent guidelines. It’s a bummer that it’s taken the show this long to realize the potential of its werewolves, but I’m glad that’s happening at all.
The idea of Jed, someone who has always existed within this culture, and Finch, someone who is only beginning to find her way through said culture, coming together to improve the lives of Legacies‘ werewolves makes me very, very happy. Hopefully, we don’t have to wait too long to see anything come from their conversation.
Rippers Can Be Heroes Too
Bringing Dorian back for this episode is an excellent decision because of his past with Rippers. His family was killed by Stefan Salvatore when he was being a Ripper. It’s refreshing that Legacies hasn’t forgotten about that past because it is unforgettable. In addition, it benefits that character who so clearly cares for MG but does have an understandable bias never to trust a vampire, let alone a Ripper.
Ric is on the other side of that coin and offers too much trust in MG while knowing he is a Ripper. That is a part of MG that will never go away; it’s something he has to live with forever, literally. There’s a balance between Ric and Dorian’s perspectives where they take precautions while never stripping MG of his free will. Will the two men ever find a way to agree on that balance or put it into action? That’s a question for another day.
This episode does definitively conclude that MG is not the villain of this story but the hero. He always has been. MG’s passion to be good and do good is admirable. The way this episode attempts to seed doubt in Ric, Dorian, and our minds that MG could be killing people as a Ripper makes the confirmation that it’s a Wendigo instead all the more reaffirming. It’s understandable to be concerned about a Ripper’s actions, but MG is Legacies‘ proof that being a Ripper isn’t the final stake in a villain’s coffin.
The Vampire Diaries followed Stefan through his journey as a Ripper, where he sometimes doubted his ability to do the right thing. Ultimately, Stefan died a hero because being a Ripper was only a part of him, not all of him. But, of course, Stefan did terrible things as a Ripper (and otherwise) that he carried with him and had to atone for in the end.
As for MG, he shouldn’t have to apologize for not compelling Ethan when Ric wanted him to at the beginning of the season. MG honored Ethan’s wishes at that moment and didn’t compel Ethan without his consent. However, MG did compel Ethan without his permission after that day. That’s the thing MG should eventually apologize for because I refuse to believe that the crime-fighting duo is over for good.
Alternatively, Ric could have apologized for putting MG in such a compromising position by having him go against his own moral compass to do something objectively unethical. But, then again, that may be wanting too much from Ric.
Panda Squad
The Super Squad has fierce competition because the Panda Squad is everything I’ve wanted from Legacies for weeks. Finally, the show brings Hope, Lizzie, and Josie together on an equal playing field to take out a bad guy (and welcome a new one). The logistics of the cult’s magic are a little fuzzy, but it doesn’t even matter because these scenes are such a blast to watch.
The three of them dressed as pandas while they’re high out of their minds from whatever Triad drug Andi splashed on them is possibly the funniest thing Legacies has ever done. It’s refreshing to see them take life a little less seriously, even though it comes while they’re in an altered mental state.
Danielle Rose Russell, Kaylee Bryant, and Jenny Boyd bring their A-game as their characters stand in formation, ready to take down whoever stands in their way. It’s truly excellent! These three have always been stronger together, and it’s so amazing to watch them pull that strength out of each other. Also, this seems to be Hosie’s thing. One of them is always pulling the other back from the brink, and I think that’s beautiful. Legacies, if you want to give us Hosie, we’re still waiting.
Overall, their scenes remind them and us that Hope, Josie, and Lizzie are always going to have each other’s backs, even when they least expect it or don’t want it. That’s enough to make me forget about how monsters are coming out of holes in the ground again. The Darth Vader-looking villain will lead to Malivore because it always does and probably always will. It’s easier to momentarily forget my frustrations with the Malivore plot when Legacies lets Hope, Josie, and Lizzie sit around a fire and tell each other how great they are, even when they’re pandas.
Other Spelltacular Moments:
- MG having a Batcave
- Ric reminding that Dorian and Emma are dating
- Hope boxing
- Hope says the title of the episode this week!
- “Go blue yourself.” – Lizzie
- Wade keeping track of bets at the pool match
- It finally being a Wendigo after all these times of it never being a Wendigo
- I love every single time Lizzie calls Hope by her full name.
- Josie saying all she ever wanted for Hope is happiness
- Hope telling Josie that she deserves to be happy
- Hope’s superhero landing with a cape
- “We don’t worry about dicks here.” – Lizzie
What did you think of “This Feels a Little Cult-y?” Let us know in the comments below!
Legacies is new Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.
