Title: Legends of Tomorrow: “Helen Hunt” Review
Release Date: October 14th, 2017
Network: The CW
Genre: Superhero, Drama, Action
Legends of Tomorrow has managed to find the perfect mix of comedy, character growth, and plot development in its third season. All the while its CW counterparts fail to execute on even one of these premises without having the other drag the showdown. Alongside a clever name, “Helen Hunt” is another instance of the absurd time traveling show coming out on top in each department, amongst a filler filled week in its Arrowverse counterparts.
The episode’s premise sees the fabled Helen of Troy, known for starting wars over her beauty, land in Hollywood during the rise of the film industry in the 1930s. As the Greek daughter of Zeus arrives in Tinseltown – liking it much better than being locked in a tower in Troy – she draws the attention of every man she comes across in Hollywood as well, starting another war for her in the modern ages.
The anachronism draws the Legends in, as they are hoping to just have a simple mission for once, but not before a Freaky Friday esque accident occurs to Professor Stein and Jax. On paper, the body swap is absolutely ridiculous. But not only does it go well with the odd antics that usual befall the Legends, it allows for both actors to shine.
Thanks to having his body inhabited by Stein, Franz Drameh is able to have fun speaking his native British tongue. On top of this, he is able to have fun with the situation by adding in idioms and phrases known to the Professor, phrases that hilarious out of place when coming out of the body and personality associated with Jax.
It’s really hard to top Victor Garber performance as Jax in Martin Stein’s body though. Not only do we get to hear Jefferson complain about always having to pee and his bones hurting, “Helen Hunt” also bears witness to the first ever sighting of Firestein.
Since Firestorm was introduced in the show, the main host has always been the younger actor, while Garber’s character would provide advice and tech support. For whatever reason though, this episode saw Stein’s body be the main vessel, and I for one couldn’t have been happier to see it at least once before his soon to be departure from the show.
Like most other Legends of Tomorrow episodes, “Helen Hunt” shows evokes a unique nostalgia withitss settings and the characters that are among them. Real-life Hollywood big shots from the age are featured, from famed filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille to renounced actress Hedy Lamarr.
If there was any gripe to be had with the way the plotline turned out it would have to be that all of the guys were made to look like blubbering fools. Sure the fact that Helen’s “superpower” was to mesmerize men, but it just led to a few instances of “Boys are dumb and only think about how attractive a woman is moments. That being said, the bits of feminism that leaked out in the show wasn’t as bad as they could have been, as Zari, Sarah, and Amaya all backed up their talk with action as well.
Like I prefaced earlier in the season though, most fight scenes in Legends of Tomorrow are a bit weak in the choreography department. Sure you can only do so much with magic powers like the Darhk’s possess and flame streams from Firestorm. My issue comes when fights like the one between Amaya and Kuasa occur, featuring far too many quick cuts and goofy movements as a result of their totems.
The end to the episode, and how Zari handled Helen’s situation was done magnificently. Alongside solving the issue without creating a further anachronism and managing to make her happy, The Legend’s hacker introduced a location I for one never thought would appear in the Arrowverse. Themyscira.
While not explicitly mentioned as her home, even the softest of DC fans know of the Isle of Amazon warriors Wonder Woman calls home, thanks to the success of the recent movies. So alongside Superman, Supergirl, Martian Man Hunter, Green Arrow, The Flash, and Batman, the Arrowverse has now acknowledged at least the possible existence of Wonder Women, all while including it in a scene which moves the plot forward and develops a new character in Zari.
Verdict: “Helen Hunt” features a perfect mix of fun and plot and character development, all executed in typical Legends of Tomorrow fashion. A Freaky Friday body swap and a nostalgic trip to 1930s Hollywood are wrapped up in a surprising fashion as well, when Zari brings Helen to a fabled land that many thought would never appear in The CW’s Arrowverse.
What did you think of the most recent episode of Legends of Tomorrow? What scene or scenes did you like the most? What are your predictions for the rest season three as things begin to unravel? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. Also be sure to check back next week for the third episode of the season, “Helen Hunt,” immediately after it airs on The CW next Tuesday 9 PM ET.
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