Legacies Review: I Wouldn’t Be Standing Here If It Weren’t For You (Season 4 Episode 16)

Landon gets surprise visitors on Legacies Season 4 Episode 16, “I Wouldn’t Be Standing Here If It Weren’t for You.”

Landon has been absent from the main cast for most of season four, but “I Wouldn’t Be Standing Here If It Weren’t for You” gives him one of his biggest moments.

The life in purgatory that Landon experiences is not one that he despises or is begging to break free from because he’s doing what he does best – helping people. Since season one, Landon has been a consistently positive light in his friends’ lives. Even in his darkest moments, he makes the time and puts forth the effort to help those around him.

I have been quite vocal about my despise for the purgatory storyline that Legacies has squeezed dry, and I don’t take my objections towards it back, but it isn’t atrocious or boring for once. Maybe it’s because the whole thing feels like a final goodbye for Landon.

Bringing Seylah back is quite the surprise, but it’s tactful and allows Landon the opportunity to gain closure with his mother, whether he believes he needs it or not. With Seylah having not been seen since season one, a long, deep conversation is what both of them need.

Seylah is last seen on Legacies Season 1 Episode 8, “Maybe I Should Start From The End,” where she sacrifices herself for Landon’s safety by jumping into Malivore. With Malivore’s death, she finds herself in purgatory, searching for peace like all the rest. And like the others, Landon helps her achieve that mission. 

The touching reunion between mother and son is an unexpected treat in a world where pain is the norm.

The whole debacle feels like a send-off for Landon when Hope makes her appearance in purgatory. Even without a season five renewal, it’s improbable that Legacies would kill off their lead. Especially right after bringing back the real Hope we all know and love.

God or not, it will take a lot more to kill Hope Mikaelson, and Ken better watch his back for when she returns.

With that observation, the signs point more and more towards a final farewell for Landon, and it’s time. He’s been in purgatory, on the sidelines, long enough that he doesn’t factor into any of the equations in play.

It’s not surprising that the series would keep Landon around for one last Hope/Landon interaction, but I hope it doesn’t extend past Season 4 Episode 17, “Into the Woods.” As much as I enjoy Aria Shahghasemi, it’s time Landon says his final goodbyes and finds peace for himself.

I love most that in its darkest season yet, Legacies has found brand new footing with its increase in exceptional storytelling and deep dive into the factors that made The Vampire Diaries and The Originals a smash hit.

Witnessing Lizzie and Hope bicker over what occurred between them is something that is needed. While Hope may have been without her humanity, it doesn’t change her actions, and the air needs clearing.

Forcing the conversation to happen allows for all grievances to be out in the open, leading to healing on both ends. Lizzie needs the reality check that Hope provides, and in turn, Lizzie helps Hope overcome her dark side and regain her sanity.

Their interactions in the cellar lead to one of the many heart-warming moments throughout the season.

Legacies is telling stories that are relatable, raw, and in dire need of being on television. The series isn’t new to this feat. Still, the storylines revolving around trauma, self-inflicted pain, mental health, the hardships of self-realization, betrayal, and the importance of family in season four are some of the bests to come to fruition.

Hope and Lizzie’s dynamic will never change, and that’s a good thing. The murder and such aside, Hope and Lizzie accurately portray the struggles one goes through with their loved ones. The love they share for one another is real and one of the most vital connections that will never break, even throughout their darkest moments.

However, where Legacies tends to drop the ball is with Cleo and her character progression. It feels like one step forward and two steps back overall, as Cleo is never given a moment to settle. Unless she’s wallowing and attempting to figure out answers, that is.

The evolution of Cleo’s powers is mesmerizing, intriguing, and deserves the time to develop. She has knowledge of her newfound abilities for a mere two episodes – one if we’re being hypercritical – before more questions arise.

Just when Cleo feels like she’s got a handle on her new gift and is genuinely helping the squad, Legacies throws a curveball. Cleo’s interventions with the future have grave consequences that she isn’t aware of and pushes her from Oracle status to something entirely different.

With The CW beginning their cancellation spree, fear is setting in that season four could be the end. These last four episodes of the season could very well be our last chance at saying goodbye to the characters we’ve come to love, and I hope they’re given justice.

Other Thoughts:

• No matter how much I enjoy “I Wouldn’t Be Standing Here If It Weren’t For You,” it doesn’t make up for the complete dismissal of Finch. We get it; she’s taking care of the pack and helping keep the students safe, but at least give us a glimpse of it and her.
• The way Legacies essentially writes Finch off the moment Josie leaves and immediately replaces her with Ben is abysmal. Don’t get me wrong – I love Ben and Jed and am very much looking forward to what happens between the two in these last few episodes. But, there’s room for more than one gay couple at a time.
• We were teased with a potential growing friendship between Finch and Jed, and it needs to be rectified if Legacies is renewed for a season five.
• Throughout the series, Danielle Rose Russell and Jenny Boyd have been fantastic in their roles, but the two are absolutely exceptional and badass in season four.

What did you think of this episode of Legacies? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Legacies airs Thursdays at 9/8 on The CW.

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