DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Review: Justice Society of America (Season 2 Episode 2)

In DC’s Legends of Tomorrow‘s Season 2, Episode 2 “The Justice Society of America” the contrast between the two teams shows how adrift Team Legends is without Rip Hunter’s leadership. It’s time to pick a new leader, so the team can keep moving forward. But who?

The JSA arrests Team Legends because they look like nefarious Nazis. Those darn authentic costumes! Once they explain the time travel thing to the JSA they upgrade to looking just plain crazy.

For some reason, Rex Hunter decides to let them go. His reasoning is a bit suspect, but we only have 45 minutes. Chop chop.

Every time Rex Hunter appears on-screen, however, I cheer. I’m a big Suits fan. I love me some Patrick J. Adams! (Side note: how on earth did they snare him in the first place?)

The juxtaposition between the well oiled machine that is the JSA versus the hot mess that is Team Legends is pretty fun. Yes, the JSA has order, agreement, procedure and legitimate success to bolster their way of doing things, but our team is just a heck of a lot more fun.

The minute Dr. Stein volunteers we know it’s going to be a colossal disaster. Dr. Stein, you really need to listen to Jefferson more. HE LIVES IN YOUR HEAD. It gives him a rather unique perspective.

Dr. Stein is a analytical thinker. He’s brilliant, but quick decision-making is not his strong suit. So, when he smoothly plays Hitler’s favorite singer Max Lorenz it’s kind of shock.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is stretching it with the “passing resemblance” remark. Translation: Victor Garber looks nothing like Max Lorenz.  This is DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, not the history channel, so who cares?

Victor Garber is a Broadway singer. So, I made myself comfortable and happily waited for Mr. Garber to sing me a little tune. He did not disappoint.

The reason Stein needs to be Captain, however, is so he can understand what the job truly requires. Dr. Stein views a problem from all sides and then decides the best solution. He is fair, pragmatic and well-reasoned.

Dr. Stein may not be the best person to lead the team. He is, however, the best person to choose the new team leader.

And the new captain is… (drum roll please) SARA LANCE.  YES! Dr. Stein makes one heck of a speech too:

“Ms. Lance speaks for all of us. I have watched her become the beating heart and steady hand oft this team.. She is the proper person to lead us.”

It’s at this point I cheered and stood up in my living room to give Sara a standing ovation. That’s my baby girl! Mama is proud.

I have loved Sara since her first moments on Arrow. She has come a long way my friends. Seeing DC’s Legends of Tomorrow acknowledge her character in this way made me emotional.

This is the hero Laurel always saw in her, the person Sara never thought she could be. This is what Laurel meant when she told Sara to live in the light and be the White Canary. It is Sara’s light that guides the way for them all.

“The Justice Society of America” adds a nice little twist by revealing that Nate Heywood is the grandson of JSA member Commander Steel. Nate wants to be a solider like his grandfather. However, he’s a hemophiliac and that is a life threatening condition in a job where you bleed regularly.

Sara is already proving her capabilities as Captain by the depth of her concern for Nate. She’s the only one to notice his blood disorder, which does nothing to ease her concern over his absolute lack of training.

Sara: Out here even the strongest and the bravest of us die.
Nate: Like Captain Hunter?

Oh, this is a Leonard Snart reference. First, Captain Hunter isn’t dead. Come on! We know he isn’t. Second, Leonard Snart is Sara’s lobster! Come at me shippers. I’m ready to fight on this one.

Sara also proves she knows her team.

Sara: I know Ray Palmer. He has a plan to get out of that bunker.

She refuses to abandon Ray and Vixen even when Rex believes saving them will compromise the mission. She is determined to save both the mission and her teammates. Of course, Sara is Captain.

Ray Palmer has an incredibly selflessness moment when he hands over the tweaked serum to Nate in order to save his life. Once of Ray’s big hero hang ups is that his “superpowers” come from the suit. He’s not trained like Sara or Oliver Queen. He’s not a meta human like The Flash or Firestorm.

Ray Palmer’s superpower is his mind and yet somehow he always feels like less because of it. Everyone making snide remarks about his suit once a week isn’t exactly a confidence builder either.

Of course Ray isn’t going to let Nate die just so he can keep his superpower serum. However, Ray never gives a thought to what he gave up until Vixen mentions it to him. It’s a wonderfully unselfish moment for Ray and I just really like him for it.

Of course, just when we think the day is saved Eobard Thawne zips in, steals back the amulet and kills Rex Tyler. I knew getting Patrick J. Adams was too good to be true! See you on Suits Mike!

This is the problem with time traveling villains. The second you win, they can just zip through time and call a redo. Very frustrating. Team Legends should stop him.

Stray Thoughts

• MVP for “The Justice Society of America” is Sara Lance!
• I realize Caity Lotz doing the intro should have been the tip off that she was the new captain, but I totally missed it.
• “Yes. She’s an assasin. Never convicted.” Accurate statement is accurate Mick.
• “She looks different.” “You mean hot.” I need Mick to be Palmer’s wingman forever.
• I lost it when Sara slouched to make Dr. Stein look talker. Comedic gold. Well played Caity Lotz.
• “If it’s any consolation Dr. Palmer you’re not really a hero.” There’s been some serious shade tossed Ray Palmer’s way, but Vixen takes the cake. That was the burn of all burns.

What did you think of this episode of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow airs Thursday at 8/7c on The CW.

Follow us on Twitter @TellTV

10 Netflix Originals You Should Binge-Watch Now!