Legends of Tomorrow 6×08 “Stressed Western” is a much-needed return to basics for the Legends. A straight-forward mission that is just the team doing its thing. Now, of course, the mission includes an alien worm that eats people who are in fits of rage. Not to mention the sheriff controlling the worm and the town forcing it to become a Disney Channel version of the Wild West.
All that is fairly normal stuff for the Legends to handle. The most important part of “Stressed Western” involves the team dealing with some problems between teammates. Nothing too stressful, but things that any fan of Legends of Tomorrow can relate to. Well some things are relatable unless you also have a fiancée that has become a alien-human hybrid clone. Who is also indestructible. Now, let’s dive into each pairings quarrels and why not start with the first couple of the Waverider?
SARA AND AVA
What do you call a spat that isn’t really a spat? Because that’s what AvaLance goes through in “Stressed Western.” There’s never any doubt or fear that the revelation of Sara’s new status is going to do damage to their relationship. But even the strongest couple have tiffs and this is what they go through in “Stressed Western.”
Ava knows the trouble and pain that can come from knowing that you are a clone. It felt like Ava was trying to make sure Sara doesn’t have to go through that pain. AvaLance works because these are two souls that bonded no matter what life has put them through before. Sara is going to be able to handle this new reality of life because she’s not alone anymore. She has her soulmate right by her side. And nothing is going to keep them apart again.
ZARI AND BEHRAD
If you have had a sibling, there’s been a time where they have tried to get involved in your love life. This happens in “Stressed Western” when Zari tries to get involved in Behrad’s love life. Legends of Tomorrow is one big family and every family has that brother and sister who always love to wise-crack the other. Both are in the right and the wrong in this family argument. Zari is right to care about Behrad and his life but it feels like she needs to leave him be sometimes. Behrad is happy with his life, Z!
Behrad is right to be how he is about his life. No one should be controlling any aspect of it but him. But also he sometimes is too hard on Zari for caring about what happens to him. This time around Zari was right to question if you should get with the barmaid named Irma Rose. After all, she did betray the Legends and try to kill them all after Sara defeats the Sheriff in a shootout.
So, much like every brother and sister, they may argue but you never question the love they have for one another. Sure it may include the occasional sly remark but what family doesn’t give each other shit?
JOHN AND GARY
Let’s be honest for a second. Constantine was kind of a jerk to Gary in “Stressed Western.” Yes, Gary wasn’t telling him the truth at first about the Fountain of Imperium but I’m sure Gary would have a good reason not to tell him about it. (It feels weird defending Gary here. Not used to this feeling.) This fountain feels like bad news and the revelation that Alistair Crowley might know where it’s at only adds to the uneasiness of it all.
It’s starting to feel like John is the addict that is slowly needing that magic fix more and more. Trying to learn it again via the magic books isn’t working so he’s going to try the next thing he can think of. So John is off to search for the fountain, meaning that he’s not going to be with the Legends for a while as he’s on the search. Hope you find what you are looking for John Constantine, but also be careful what you wish for.
ASTRA AND SPOONER
Now we get to the unlikely bond between the two newest members of the Legends. Spooner saves the day once again by using her powers to stop the worm from eating Nate. This odd-couple pairing was a highlight of “Stressed Western,” but felt very short-changed. It was basically Astra trying to get gold and then they find the worm and Bass Reeves.
(The biggest disappointment of “Stressed Western” was the complete waste of Bass Reeves. There was so many ways this could have gone, but instead it was just a token cameo, basically. Would have loved more hints at Bass looking exactly like Diggle but with a fake mustache instead of just a quick “Dig?” mention by Sara.)
Legends of Tomorrow always strikes gold with their different team-ups each episode and this one continued that tradition.
LEGENDARY THOUGHTS
- How bad is John at studying magic? Astra’s reading the same books and she’s doing way more magic as of now.
- The team really needs to stop talking out-loud during missions. They might as well just tell the bad guy the plan to their face when they do this.
- “Fist City, the Gladdiest Place on Earth”
- “Stressed Western” includes the greatest of all western tropes – The Singing Narrator.
- LOVED Nate’s rant about how much he misses Zari and how tired he is of being the chill dude who always has to hold stuff together to keep the peace. Long over-due.
- After Nate’s moment, Behrad hands him the totems so he can have contact with original Zari. This makes me so happy. We all love Zari 2.0, but I’m ready to see Classic Zari again.
Legends of Tomorrow airs on the CW on Sunday Nights at 8 pm eastern.
