Legion Review: Chapter 21 (Season 3 Episode 2)
Time becomes unattainable for David on Legion Season 3 Episode 2, “Chapter 21,” as his plan proves more difficult.
The shape of the season becomes more realized, through Farouk potentially teaching Syd how to fool David, Cary forced to make an amplifier for time travel, and David spiraling further out of control. But like with every episode of Legion, it’s in the details where the most fun and fascinating pieces come out.
The episode brings some strong moments for Bill Irwin, with Cary now under David’s web. The slapstick-style humor in the clock room is almost Buster Keaton or Chaplin-esque, exaggerated movements and quick tricks making for such a fun scene.
What follows is certainly up for interpretation, but here’s my read on it: Cary mimicking Kerry in the mirror, their struggle for control, and David intercepting their dance, is David breaking their chain and assuming dominance over Cary. Cary’s more docile and accepting to help now, his mind belonging to David much like the way he changed Syd’s memories last season.
It becomes the second time David has manipulated and used someone close to him now; while his assault of Syd is not read by him as such, this one is more blatant and obvious with the kidnapping and manipulating. It’s the first real malicious and villainous move David’s made on purpose, taking him down a much darker path.
David’s talk with Syd sets the stage for how broken their relationship is now. What’s interesting is how even after Legion Season 2 Episode 4, “Chapter 12,” where David relives points in Syd’s life to fully understand her, he’s still back at square one and unable to decipher her. He’s so used to controlling things around him at this point, so the built-up rage in him taking a physical form is a major concern.
The blue liquid David creates turning red as he loses control could potentially be the way he ends the world. The rage it induces in its drug partakers is a dangerous side effect, though it’s only seen through flashes, and so for now is only speculation.
Another potential world-ending scenario comes from David wanting to go back to stop Farouk from infiltrating his mind; it’s a risky plan, and could lead to snapping time on itself with its ramifications. Switch is constantly listening to the rules of time travel, and completely changing an event decades in the past is likely the first big “don’t do this” in the rule book.
Switch being unable to bring David with her, though, at least keeps it at bay for now. But with Cary building the solution, it won’t last forever.
Lenny becoming a strange arbiter and buffer zone for David is an intriguing choice. She appears to feel threatened by Switch, her explanation of the chain of command more threat than passing of information. She’s showing signs of not quite being on board with David’s plan, or, at least, wishing she has a larger part in it.
She does get to scoop up Cary, and carry around a pretty cool hammer cane (which, I’m sure, will come into play later). But it does appear there’s cracks in her relationship with David, now that he’s more intent on his mission than focusing on their blossoming cult (and the drug pig makes a return, Cary’s expression at the sight one of the best moments of the episode).
Legion Season 3 Episode 2, “Chapter 21,” comes as the great settling of the dust, an episode where the lay of the land and what’s to come is more distinguishable. There’s likely to be some surprises along the way, what with time travel and all, but it’s setting up for a large-scale endgame of David and Syd trying to find their own peace.
With how this show goes, though, there will surely be some side effects to finding that peace.
What did you think of this episode of Legion? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Legion airs Mondays at 10/9c on FX.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.