Legacies Review: Into the Woods (Season 4 Episode 17)

Facing the truth is the hardest decision for Hope on Legacies Season 4 Episode 17, “Into the Woods.”

Allowing Landon to re-enter the inner fold of the Super Squad and reacquaint with Hope has me worried and dreading the outcome at the initial introduction. But, by the end, it makes me hopeful we’ve seen the final goodbye.

I have been quite vocal about my opposition to Landon returning to the living in my previous reviews throughout the season, and my viewpoint isn’t any different now. The reconciliation between Hope and Landon is an endearing moment that most of the audience may find charming. I, however, do not.

What intrigues and pleases me most about “Into the Woods” is how it forces Hope to realize that not everything she wants is meant to happen. No matter how hard she may try to keep the two of them together, it will never work because it isn’t in their fate.

Landon – That’s the fate you have to accept, Hope. To be the one who lives. I know that’s harder, but you have to go back.

As Landon so eloquently describes it to Hope, limbo is where people come to learn a lesson, not repeat the same mistakes. Brute force is not always the answer, even when you’re the tribrid.

The reconnection between the two works in “Into the Woods” because Landon is the only one Hope will accept the answer from. Like her father, Niklaus, Hope is stubborn and will go to the ends of the earth for the ones she loves, even against their opposition. Her mission to bring back Landon would never end if it weren’t for him showing her why it’s time.

Landon is being kept around as a plot device for Hope, and it’s time for it to end. As he has stated many times, he is happy and enjoys helping people find peace. Now that it’s established he cannot leave limbo, and his soul belongs to the ferryman, let him live his life in peace.

Danielle Rose Russell and Aria Shahghasemi play off each other beautifully and have kept that chemistry throughout the four seasons, but it’s time to let it go. It’s time for Hope to envision a future without Landon. You know, after she defeats the almighty Ken.

Legacies had no issue trapping Rafael in a prison world and essentially forgetting about him, so it should make no difference with Landon. 

Another juicy instance “Into the Woods” provides is the reconciliation between MG and Lizzie. Forcing the two to focus on Ethan’s phasing issues ensures they’re in close contact and allows for a much-needed intimate moment.

Since Lizzie’s return to the school, there hasn’t been much time to sit and adequately talk through recent events and how they affect everyone.

Naturally, Lizzie senses that MG isn’t acting like his usual self towards her and devises a plan to get to the bottom of it, which involves a long list of every time she’s ever wronged him and forcing him to help run an experiment on the pukwudgie.

Throughout their pukwudgie tracking and testing, Lizzie interrogates MG on his anger towards her, going down the list one by one. In turn, MG does the only thing he’s ever done with Lizzie Saltzman, restrain his feelings to stop from hurting hers, until he’s forced to admit them.

MG – Honestly, it’s the opposite of nothing. It’s everything; that’s what you are to me, and I have been waiting years to tell you, and I could spend even more telling you why, but it seems that there’s always something in the way: Sebastian, Alyssa, Malivore, the merge. When your back was against the wall, when you really needed someone, you went to him. E’s the best guy I know; I don’t blame you or anything. It just, it hurts cause I kinda hoped it would be me. Because it has and always will be you, Lizzie Saltzman. I don’t even remember anything on that list, any of the bad things you’ve said or done because I love you. With all of my heart and all of my soul, and that’s all I got to say.

It’s a special moment that is ultimately ruined, like almost every other intimate interaction between the two. Instead of receiving an answer after pouring his heart out, yet again, Lizzie focuses her attention on the test results for Ethan and changes the subject. Quite frankly, it’s infuriating.

Lizzie and MG have the potential to be the next great love story, but anytime there’s a slight glimpse of it happening, it fades away. The love triangle between Ethan, MG, and Lizzie is getting old because it’s only a plot device used to keep MG and Lizzie from being with one another.

The slow build-up has gone on long enough to the point where it’s not entertaining anymore. Either let them be together or move on from the concept altogether. After four seasons of pining and the “will-they-won’t-they” back and forth, it’s time for a concrete decision on the matter.

Other Thoughts:

• No Jed/Ben scenes? Boo!
• The lack of Finch is downright infuriating, and I will mention it every week if I have to. Stop introducing fascinating characters only to use them to improve others and then write them off. Jed and Finch were teased to become besties, but sadly, it has yet to happen, and it’s all I want.
• Ethan’s death would be predictable, so as much as they want us to believe it’ll be him, I sense a misdirect.

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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