DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Review: Here I Go Again (Season 3 Episode 11)

Zari gets stuck in a time-loop during Legends of Tomorrow  Season 3 Episode 11, “Here I Go Again,” and the show delivers one of its best episodes to date.

Characters being stuck in time-loops and/or Groundhog Day type scenarios are familiar plot staples for sci-fi/fantasy shows, so Legends of Tomorrow certainly isn’t breaking any new ground with this storyline. If a show is going to take on a well-known premise it’s important everything is executed at the highest level – or else things can quickly become predictable and boring.

Luckily, the writers are clearly up to the task and wisely focus the plot on exploring Zari’s character and her relationships with the rest of the individual team members. Just that alone could have made for a good story, but the show steps it up a level and uses Zari’s dilemma as a catalyst for character growth among the other Legends, to nudge the Mallus plot forward, and to set up a possible solution to save Zari’s brother.

This all makes for a genuinely great episode and that’s all down to the character-focused writing and a solid performance from Tala Ashe as Zari. Not only does she need to be wildly funny and ridiculous at various moments, but she also has the bulk of the emotional weight on her shoulders and she pulls it off really well.

Zari often uses her wit and sarcasm to put on a too-cool-to-care-about-it front, which, given her troubled background, is perfectly understandable. After joining the Waverider the writers have been steadily mixing her into the crew and the missions, allowing her to develop relationships with the other Legends and giving viewers time to grow invested in her.

This means when we finally do get to see her open up in this episode the timing of this development feels right for the character, which makes for a very effective emotional punch.

Thanks to Zari, and Gideon’s genius time-loop simulation, every other team member also experiences at least one important moment or realization. And this is really where Legends of Tomorrow particularly shines as an ensemble show. Even when most of the focus is on one or two characters, it never feels as if the others are being left out.

Although a minor component, the little meta comments regarding time-loop plot devices throughout the episode add a fun touch. Zari confirming to Nate she completed her montage and the lady-shaped personification of Gideon admitting she only stuck Gary in the trash compactor because she thought it would be funny are both nice winks to viewers.

If there is one, very small, nitpick it’s that the ending feels a little drawn out and slow. There are about 10 minutes of show left after Zari wakes up from her Gideon simulated time-loop and, well, it drags a bit.

Other Thoughts:

The disco costumes are appropriately ridiculous, but also look extremely cheap.

Bonus points for Sara and Amaya’s bright blue eyeshadow and super bonus points for Amaya’s disco era hair, which is fabulous.

I need a GIF of Zari catching Ray after he trips over his platforms.

Nate getting stuck in Mick’s bear trap made me wish we could have relived that bit over and over a few times. At least I have my replay button!

They should definitely publish Mick’s novel as a fan extra and I hope he takes Zari’s writing advice, it sounds pretty solid.

The set-up for Zari to eventually “hack history” is pretty intriguing and leaves me wondering if it also may end up helping Amaya and Kuasa save their family.

The tiny man-bun on Wally West’s head is dire. Let’s hope he loses that before he joins the Waverider.

What did you think of this episode of Legends of Tomorrow? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Legends of Tomorrow airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.

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