Legacies 4×11, “Follow the Sound of My Voice,” brings its plots together, all while leaning into the fact that it’s a teen drama. Its cohesive storytelling propels the overarching story forward, and it does so in a way that doesn’t sacrifice characters or their dynamics.
The wisest thing this episode does to avoid that fate is omitting the limbo storyline. It’s still the most disjointed from the rest, and “Follow the Sound of My Voice” does better without it. Jumping to that bar would take away from the great storytelling this episode offers, including all of its surprising dynamics.
Like, Cleo and Finch are an unlikely duo, but they are absolutely delightful together. Their attempts to avoid the truth weed’s powers are often funny and heartfelt. Plus, now that Josie left the Salvatore School, Finch needs scenes with other characters. Finch even points out as much when she realizes that Josie was the one who filled her in on things.
So, it’s heartening for her and Jed to come together by the end of the episode. It’s even better because it’s constructive in a few different ways. It lets Legacies‘ two most notable werewolves develop their dynamic on-screen. It allows Finch to get to know Jed better (like Cleo), so she’s no longer adjacent to the action.
Most importantly, their blossoming friendship makes Finch the perfect person for Jed to talk to as he accepts his sexuality. Of course, some may believe it’s too early for Jed to come to such a realization considering he only started to get to know Ben an episode ago on Legacies 4×10, “The Story of My Life.” But the pacing makes complete sense.
Just because Jed admits he has feelings for Ben doesn’t mean that there’s a love declaration right around the corner. On the contrary, Jed coming to terms with his sexuality implies that he can understand what that means to him personally before another person — or god — gets involved.
That self-discovery is unlikely to be something that completely clarifies overnight. This time means Legacies can explore Jed more as an individual regarding his sexuality and beyond it. Maybe the show will finally deliver on Jed’s origin story the same way it has for most of its other characters.
Ben Levin delivers an incredible performance in this episode that could extend to such a narrative if Legacies sees fit. He embraces all of Jed’s (sometimes competing) emotions with such care. When Finch finds him, Jed’s anxiety is palpable, and his fear is just the same when he finds Ben. It’s exciting to think this is the beginning of a new era for Jed.
The same seems true for MG and Ethan as they turn over a new leaf in their friendship. It’s a fun surprise to see Ethan’s sister Maya and hear her mention Finch. Still, it’s more intriguing that MG starts his pitch to Kaleb about Ethan and his family with, “We can’t out Ethan to his family.” That specific phrasing suggests it contains a double meaning — continuing my wish to see MG and Ethan evolve into more than friends.
Even if that day doesn’t come, their conversation on Ethan’s mom’s porch is precisely what makes Legacies so great. It’s two teenagers, who happen to be supernatural creatures, just talking about life and learning from mistakes. Sometimes Legacies gets so caught up in its plot that it loses sight of how effective conversations like this can be. They ground the narrative and develop the dynamics.
“Follow the Sound of My Voice” does a great job with this kind of storytelling at essentially every turn — Cleo and Finch, Jed and Finch, MG and Ethan, Lizzie and Hope. Sure, Lizzie and Hope are at a carnival and eventually hunt misogynistic vampires, but the cleverly written dialogue lets that setting be a front for a much deeper, richer story. It’s about the emotional connection between Hope and Lizzie and the destruction of the patriarchy.
Lizzie’s connection to Luna is authentic and emotional. Jenny Boyd does an excellent job conveying that in their final scene together. Lizzie gets to pass on the words she said to Josie in an attempt to heal Luna — but also herself a little bit. Lizzie’s vampire powers (and her control of them) are vital to this story, but it becomes so much more than that. Her request that Hope keeps their sire-bond connection is proof that Lizzie is still healing.
There’s no shame in that, and Hope doesn’t vocally express such. Instead, Hope keeps the mood light, as if she didn’t just go against her no-humanity instincts to save Lizzie. Hope may still be in her villain era, but that won’t last forever. It can’t. After all, Klaus Mikaelson is proof that villains aren’t all the fun — anti-heroes can be pretty cool, too.
With Aurora as the Salvatore School’s Headmistress, Hope (and Lizzie) will have to return to Mystic Falls. It’s the perfect excuse to get everyone back together, and it could be the exact circumstances Hope needs to turn her humanity back on.
This season hasn’t delved too much into the intricacies of sire bonds and sire lines yet, but it could if Rebekah Mikaelson comes back. She still has Hope’s family necklace, and she’s Aurora’s sire. So Rebekah’s return could crescendo Hope’s seasonal arc into a devastating and fulfilling conclusion.
She’ll have to have some tough conversations with people who matter to her — instead of avoiding them. She’ll have to take accountability for her actions — instead of running from them. All of that could lead Hope to a new chapter, which would be a perfect way to end the season. Of course, Legacies has a little more ways to go before then, but it’s always fun to theorize.
Other Spelltacular Moments:
- Jed saying he misses Josie too is really touching.
- I can’t believe that vampire tried to vamp-splain to Hope Mikaelson.
- Why do all of the Headmasters (and Headmistresses) end up being villains?
- “Need I remind you, my mom’s a vampire.”
- Lizzie, how does your mom not know you’re a Heretic yet?
- Lizzie walking through the carnival entirely unphased is hilarious.
What did you think of Legacies 4×11, “Follow the Sound of My Voice?” Let us know in the comments below!
Legacies airs Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.