Legacies Review: Was This the Monster You Saw? (Season 4 Episode 13)

Legacies Season 4 Episode 13, “Is This the Monster You Saw,” garners the stamp of approval as one of the best episodes of the season.

Hope’s surprise visit to the Salvatore School throws everyone for a loop, especially Alaric. After having just come out of a coma at the hands of Hope Mikaeson, he surely expected a few days to recover. But, Hope has other plans, and that includes using the students of the boarding school.

For Hope to be able to fight the Gods and have a winning chance, she needs a team, aka the Salvatore School students. And while they may be on the fence about helping Hope, that means nothing to her; She’ll get what she wants one way or another.

Following its standard narrative of a new monster every week, and thanks to Hope destroying Ben’s bracelet, an evil clown makes its appearance.

Season 4 of Legacies has been an upgrade when it comes to the scare factor in the monster department, and it’s terrific. Maybe it’s the inherent fear of clowns that I have, or it’s just that terrifying, but this week’s monsters had me yelling at my screen.

Thanks to the vile clown’s doing, the Super Squad (now officially all under one roof again) deal with their gravest sins. Forcing the characters to face their past sins allows room for significant personal growth, which is always needed. The relationship-building in all areas of “Is This The Monster You Saw” is marvelous.

Cleo has been struggling with the inconsistencies in her powers since Aurora’s mental invasion. As a muse, it’s natural for her to feel lost when she can no longer tap into that energy of inspiration, and it does take its toll. But Cleo doesn’t allow that to stop her because she knows that she’s more than her powers.

Cleo comes out as the star player and the one to thank at the end of the day. Her quick thinking and ability to hatch a plan at a moment’s notice allow her to take the clown down and come out on top. Cleo is remarkable, intelligent, and an overall badass, and she doesn’t need her powers for that. It’s a heart-warming moment to see her remember who she is and her self-worth.

Who stole the show, for me anyway, is Ben and Jed. The budding romance between the two has been engrained in my brain for weeks on end, and for a good reason. The chemistry that the two share is unremarkable, despite only knowing each other for a short time.

Viewers are transported back in time where a Young Jed can be seen enjoying time with his friend, Trey. However, Jed’s father quickly ruins it, and the memory turns dark instantaneously. Jed’s father is the classic toxic male who relies on strength and sees emotions as a sign of weakness.

Jed and Trey are forced into a circle and given a bat, and only one is supposed to make it out alive. Jed’s father sees it as a test of his strength rather than cruelty. Trey, noticeably smaller than Jed, puts up no fight, accepting his unfortunate fate. But Jed does something unexpected and attacks his father instead, killing him and triggering his curse.

Jed’s most haunted memory is not one of his father but one of losing a potential love. He couldn’t recognize the crush on Trey at the time, but it’s forever been in the back of his mind without him realizing it until now. That night he triggered his werewolf curse and never returned, with no idea what happened to Trey.

In the aftermath of the clown’s drug-induced trip from hell, Ben allows himself to be vulnerable and come to terms with his feelings, leading to one of the best first kisses the series has possibly seen. Ben isn’t aggressive in the slightest, even telling Jed to take it slow if he isn’t ready and it’s too much to handle.

The cautiousness, hesitation, and overwhelming breath of relief when the two finally embrace; my heart! Everything about the two and this relationship brings me joy.
Ben and Jed might be moving a tad quick, but when the chemistry is there, it shouldn’t matter.

Jed’s coming-out storyline is being handled with the utmost care, and one kiss does not destroy that. I cannot wait to see where the rest of the season takes them.

Other Thoughts:

• Lizzie and Aurora’s adventures are quite entertaining as well, with Lizzie providing many hilarious interactions. But more importantly, the two connect on a level that Lizzie has not yet seen. They’re both flawed and complement each other’s issues perfectly.
• Hope’s humanity following her around like her subconscious is bound to provide exponential comedy relief in the next few episodes.
• It’s enraging that Finch has had virtually no screentime with Josie’s departure. Finch alone is an intriguing character, and I don’t particularly appreciate how she’s being dismissed because her significant other left the show. More than one gay couple can exist at a time!! Go on, give us the Finch and Jed friendship we crave, don’t be scared.

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

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Legacies airs Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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