Legacies Season 3 Episode 16, “Fate’s A Bitch, Isn’t It?” doesn’t live up to the expectations of a classic TVD Universe season finale. This letdown comes as Malivore continues to get in the way of the storylines that could help these characters move forward and away from the mud monster.
The moments that don’t entirely orbit around the villain who just won’t quit are those that stand out in the finale. That’s what Legacies should do more of because it lets these characters breathe outside of everything boiling down to Malivore. There has to be more to these characters‘ lives than Malivore.
Why Is It Always Malivore?
“Fate’s A Bitch, Isn’t It?” actually reverses what could have been an exciting departure from Landon’s usual pattern on Legacies in favor of making him Malivore’s vessel. This journey with Cleo to find Malivore could have been just that — two people wronged by Malivore working together to avenge themselves and make the world better and safer.
Cleo and Landon could have stayed away longer and then come back in time to join Hope in ridding the world of Malivore for good. Those three could have taken down Malivore (with the assistance of the Super Squad) so that Hope wasn’t alone, therefore avoiding Hope fighting alone and becoming the Tribrid. After all of that, the three could grow separately in peace now that fate and destiny aren’t weighing them down. Then, maybe Hope and Landon could have found their way back to each other somewhere down the line.
Instead, Legacies rips the carpet out from under us by denying Landon of the confidence and independence that the show initially presented to use when he came back again. It was so exciting to see Landon decide to distance himself from a relationship that became toxic, which also allowed Hope to go on a journey of her own.
At the end of the episode, the cliffhanger suggests that the Super Squad will have to either kill Landon to kill Malivore or expel Malivore from Landon, which could also kill Landon. That puts Legacies right back where it always ends up — with Landon dying. Plus, Cleo is in the darkness, which is all too familiar to Legacies because now the Super Squad must find a way to save someone else from Malivore’s hell.
There has to be a way for Legacies to break free of this endless cycle. We’ll never get to see these characters do anything genuinely new if Malivore isn’t out of the picture. Each season so far proves that it’s always going to come back to Malivore even if it’s not the best choice. When will it end?
The Smaller Moments that Shine
Because of the overarching Malivore plot, Legaices pushes many of the more fascinating aspects of the episode to its subplots. For example, Josie and Finch’s discussion about transparency and trust is one the show could have benefited from spotlighting a little more. Finch is still so new to the show that it would be nice to hear more of her perspective. Kaylee Bryant and Courtney Bandeko do great with what Legacies gives them. Their chemistry is part of the reason why I want to see more of them on screen.
Unexpectedly, the scenes shared between Ethan and Lizzie are delightful. This pairing does feel a little forced considering Ethan’s disconnect from the Salvatore School now that MG compelled him to forget everything. However, the hesitancy to get on board with this duo fades away when Legacies reminds us that there is still a past between Ethan and the Super Squad without MG and Ethan’s stint as best friends.
Inviting Ethan into the supernatural world again might not end well because history has a way of constantly repeating itself on Legacies. Although, having Ethan around more could be what the show needs to shake a few things up. His relationship with Lizzie would complicate stuff between her and MG. It would also cause MG to deal with the repercussions of compelling someone without their consent by having Ethan around more. On the other side of that coin, it could allow Ethan and MG to heal from that and let him join the superhero life with MG and Kaleb.
All of this is so far from Malivore’s clutches that Legacies needs to explore at least some of it in some way next season. There are characters with lives outside of Malivore’s mud pits that deserve to be explored. Josie and Finch’s relationship is one of the best parts of Season 3. It’s a beautiful development that shouldn’t get sidelined for Malivore. Similarly, Lizzie deserves someone good and kind, and Ethan is all of that. He’s also a nerd, and we all know Lizzie is a nerd no matter how hard she tries to deny it. There are glimmers of hope for a brighter season. Hopefully, Legacies doesn’t fumble the ball.
Friends Who Are Family
Thankfully, Season 3 doesn’t end with Hope choosing to become a tribrid because she has to and not because she wants to become one. Furthermore, Hope is finally open (now more than ever) to accept the help of those in her life. This revelation doesn’t have to come through spending the day with and saving Clarke, though.
Like the Necromancer, some bad guys don’t need to be redeemed. Even Josie makes the point that she’s all about redemption but not for Clarke. It’s unbelievable that Hope would even trust Clarke again after everything that it becomes frustrating for her to have a genuine change of heart because of him.
Legacies sort of makes fun of itself in that regard by having Lizzie point to Hope that she shouldn’t have to spend the day with the bad guy for her to know she has people in her corner. That levity makes Clarke’s otherwise useless presence in this episode a little more bearable.
Ultimately, despite its very massive bumps, “Fate’s A Bitch, Isn’t It?” leaves the Super Squad united and Hope, Lizzie, and Josie connected through a Panda Promise. That’s more than can be said for the start of the season. At least Legacies has that in its favor heading into Season 4. That can be everything when up against the same tired monster because at least we still care about these characters and the relationships they have with each other.
Other Spelltacular Moments:
- Too bad we didn’t get to see more Landon and Cleo’s heists.
- It’s always good to see Damon’s car.
- MG and Kaleb as superhero detectives is everything.
- It’s so silly that Ethan just so happened to be driving by but it works.
- Ethan saying “Hi” to Finch made me happy.
- Finch’s big wolf hug for Josie is so sweet.
- Why was there a magical knife lying on the couch in the Common Room?
- Lizzie saying Sebastian had a drinking problem is a very smart way to relay that information to Ethan.
- Malivore says the episode’s title at the very last second.
What did you think of “Fate’s A Bitch, Isn’t It?” Let us know in the comments below!
Legacies returns with Season 4 on Thursday, October 14 on The CW.