Legacies 4×03, “We All Knew This Day Was Coming,” is an excellent episode of television that reminds everyone why we fell in love with this show in the first place. This episode is Legacies at its best, and that is possible because of how the last few episodes organically tie the characters’ arcs back to the overarching storyline.
Thanks to MaliLandon, the stakes have never been higher and more personal than they are now. The involvement of innocent Mystic Falls High students is a smart way to show Malivore’s reach and provide even more urgency for Hope’s inevitable transformation into the Tribrid. It’s even smarter to put an unthinkable twist (Hope killing Blake) within the first Act of the episode because it raises the bar for everything that follows.
That specific scene spotlights the episode’s incredible cinematography and direction. The use of slow-motion in “We All Knew This Day Was Coming” is deliberate and effective, as is sound’s presence or lack thereof. In addition, the score is reminiscent of The Vampire Diaries. There are even more direct callbacks to it and The Originals throughout the episode, not including the perfect guest appearances from Peyton Alex Smith as Rafael and Riley Voelkel as Freya.
Rafael’s return happens early enough in the episode to know that the emotional hits will only keep coming. It’s a joy to see Smith as the fan-favorite werewolf because Legacies did not give him enough to do during his time on the show. Still, Smith’s chemistry with Danielle Rose Russell hasn’t dimmed in the slightest, making their scenes equally as strong as the rest of the episode.
However, Rafael’s presence in consideration of Landon’s mortality makes Kaleb’s consideration of Cleo’s pale in comparison.
Hope and Raf’s history lends itself to the honesty and genuineness of their conversation. Alternatively, Kaleb fights a battle where the consensus is already decided: saving Cleo is not the greater good. Legacies puts him in a difficult spot where he must do what’s right to protect someone he cares about, but the basis of those emotions isn’t as defined as it could be.
Legacies can remedy that problem when Omono Okojie appears as a series regular rather than a guest star. Unfortunately, it’s pointless to compare the dynamic between Hope and Landon to Kaleb and Cleo until then. It’s setting the latter up for failure because they haven’t had a real chance to create history yet. Although, Kaleb’s decision to sell his soul to the proverbial devil for what he believes to be the greater good is intriguing.
It weaves an even stronger web for Malivore to string along with the Super Squad, pushing them to impossible lengths to save each other. Not to mention, Hope’s life still hangs in the balance regardless of her eventually waking up from death. If Hope doesn’t drink blood within a reasonable time frame after waking, she will die permanently.
The possibility of that is low, but it proves that life-or-death stories don’t end after her choice to transform into the Tribrid.
The transition into being a vampire is a huge change that Hope still faces, which is why it’s good Aunt Rebekah will visit her niece soon enough. For now, though, it’s immensely moving to have Freya return during such a traumatic time for Hope. Ric assuring Hope that she is a part of his family is one thing. However, having Freya be the one to create the safest environment for Hope and remind her that being a Mikaelson is not a curse is outstanding.
Furthermore, Legacies seamlessly brings Hope’s family into that room even though they aren’t physically present. First, Freya weaves Rebekah and Elijah into the conversation in a way that firmly reinforces the characterization we’ve always seen from them. Then, Voelkel and Russell bring the house down when the conversation turns to Hayley Marshall and Klaus Mikaelson.
It would be so easy to transcribe the dialogue because it is terrific, but you deserve an excuse to rewatch this episode.
For that reason, there is one line that deserves transcription: “So I think that you’re already better than all of us.” The Mikaelson name usually inspires fear. Ric even demonstrates as much with that deep cut early in the episode. That’s why it’s so impactful to hear Freya reframe that narrative in a way where Hope is the hero, inspiring change from what that family has always known.
There are a million words to write about Klaus Mikaelson and how he is one of the greatest TV villains with a complex yet defined arc that spanned two shows. Freya speaks to as much in this scene.
Still, there will always be people who only see Klaus Mikaelson as the villain in every story. That will never be the case for Hope because she knows the truth about her father, mother, and the rest of her family. She carries them with her in that pendant and the phrase that is a lifeline — “Always and forever.” Moreover, just as Freya says, Hope is already making decisions that Klaus spent centuries evolving to make similar ones. Hope Mikaelson is the new life full of promise; she is the future.
As are Josie and Lizzie, who make great strides in “We All Knew This Day Was Coming.” It’s already moving enough to watch the twins stand alongside Hope and give her what she needs. But, it’s even more powerful to watch them, as individuals, stand up for themselves and what they need. For Lizzie, it comes about as naturally as possible, considering the episode’s subject matter. Her proposition that not letting the Merge be a dirty secret is as valid as her musing about becoming a vampire to stop it.
The last few episodes show Josie being more open about the Merge, so it’s nice to see the favor returned for Lizzie. Plus, with the references to TVD and The Originals, it’s rather exciting to think one of the Saltzman twins could eventually become a Heretic. The mythology is infinite, and that would open the floodgates for more stories.
Not to mention, it’s delightful to know Ric isn’t incapable of evolving; he’s just stubborn. The bar is low for him right now, but he rises to the occasion when he opens himself to the pain of losing his daughters but gives them the knowledge they deserve despite it.
As for Josie, her conversation with Finch is one of the most rewarding scenes. The payoff for a moment like this is well-beyond earned, knowing how Josie starts this series. It’s taken a lot of time for Josie to realize she deserves nothing less than the best. Kaylee Bryant‘s performance during this scene is simply outstanding. It’s like a valve has been released, and there’s no turning back for Josie. And to that, I say, “Good for her!”
It’s moments like this that make you momentarily forget this show is about supernatural teenagers. Like Bryant does in this scene, this cast and crew bring their A-game regardless of the context. They treat this material with the kind of care that has kept the TVD Universe passion alive with fans all these years.
Episodes like “We All Knew This Day Was Coming” are the perfect example of why that love will endure well into the future.
Other Spelltacular Moments:
- The petals from the flowers with Hope, Lizzie, and Josie are like the feathers from the pillow with Bonnie and Elena.
- The last meal is just like the one from The Originals series finale.
- Now I will cry every time I hear Dermot Kennedy’s “Days Like This.”
- Hope’s drawing of her, Caroline, Ric, Josie, and Lizzie is the cutest thing ever.
- Hope fighting with a sword never gets old.
- Of course, Hope says the episode’s title.
- Where can Dorian apply for Headmaster?
What did you think of “We All Knew This Day Was Coming?” Let us know in the comments below!
Legacies airs Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.
