Review: Legends of Tomorrow – Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot, Part 1
The Arrowverse expanded in early 2016 with Legends of Tomorrow, an ambitious spin-off that brought together a team of heroes and antiheroes from Arrow and The Flash. The first episode, Pilot, Part 1, sets the stage for a time-traveling adventure filled with action, humor, and character dynamics that promise a unique addition to the DC television universe.
Plot Summary
The episode begins in the year 2166, where the immortal warlord Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) has conquered the world, bringing death and destruction to millions. Among his victims is the family of Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill), a rogue Time Master who decides to defy his organization’s rules to change the future. Rip travels to 2016 and assembles a team of heroes and villains with the promise that they will become "legends."
This team includes:
- Ray Palmer / The Atom (Brandon Routh) – The billionaire scientist with a shrinking suit.
- Sara Lance / White Canary (Caity Lotz) – A deadly assassin and former member of the League of Assassins.
- Martin Stein & Jefferson "Jax" Jackson / Firestorm (Victor Garber & Franz Drameh) – A duo who merge to become a nuclear-powered hero.
- Leonard Snart / Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller) – A calculating and witty criminal mastermind.
- Mick Rory / Heat Wave (Dominic Purcell) – Snart’s hot-headed, fire-loving partner-in-crime.
- Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl (Ciara Renée) & Carter Hall / Hawkman (Falk Hentschel) – Ancient warriors reincarnated across time, linked to Vandal Savage.
Rip takes them aboard his timeship, the Waverider, piloted by the AI Gideon, and brings them to 1975 to track down a historian, Dr. Aldus Boardman, who has knowledge about Savage. However, their first mission quickly spirals into chaos, as they find themselves pursued by the Time Masters' enforcer, Chronos, while also struggling with internal conflicts.
Review & Analysis
1. The Strength of the Cast and Character Dynamics
One of the episode’s biggest strengths is its ensemble cast. Each character brings a distinct personality to the group, and their interactions—especially between the morally gray criminals and the more heroic figures—add humor and tension.
- Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell steal the show with their performances as Captain Cold and Heat Wave. Miller’s smooth, calculating delivery contrasts perfectly with Purcell’s brute-force approach, making them a standout duo.
- Arthur Darvill as Rip Hunter provides a compelling, if slightly exposition-heavy, introduction to time travel and the mission. His performance carries echoes of his Doctor Who roots (as Rory Williams), adding credibility to his role as a time-traveling rogue.
- Caity Lotz’s Sara Lance remains a fan favorite, blending lethal combat skills with a rebellious charm. Her chemistry with the other characters, particularly Snart and Palmer, adds depth to her role.
However, some characters feel underdeveloped, particularly Hawkgirl and Hawkman. Their storyline with Savage, while crucial to the overarching plot, feels rushed and lacks emotional weight in this episode.
2. Time Travel and World-Building
The show immediately differentiates itself from Arrow and The Flash with its focus on time travel. The opening sequence in 2166 sets up high stakes, while the introduction of the Waverider and Gideon expands the Arrowverse's sci-fi elements.
However, the episode suffers from heavy exposition. Rip’s explanation about time travel, the Time Masters, and Savage is necessary but slows down the pacing. The writers attempt to balance this with humor—such as Snart and Rory’s disbelief at being labeled “legends”—but some parts still feel like an information dump.
3. Action & Visual Effects
For a CW show, Legends of Tomorrow delivers impressive action sequences. The fight scenes—especially Sara’s combat skills and Firestorm’s powers—are well-choreographed. However, some CGI, particularly with the Waverider and Savage’s flashback scenes, looks slightly budget-constrained.
The action highlight of the episode is the bar fight in 1975, where the team brawls with local thugs, showcasing their abilities and personalities in a chaotic, entertaining sequence.
4. Humor & Tone
Unlike Arrow’s darker atmosphere or The Flash’s more grounded storytelling, Legends of Tomorrow embraces a lighthearted, almost campy tone. This works in its favor, particularly in scenes where Snart and Rory mock the idea of being heroes.
However, this comedic tone sometimes clashes with the show’s more serious moments—such as Rip’s tragic backstory—making it hard to fully invest in the drama.
Final Verdict
Pilot, Part 1 is a fun but slightly uneven start to Legends of Tomorrow. The episode does an excellent job assembling a diverse team of heroes and villains, setting up the show’s time-travel premise, and delivering strong action. However, it struggles with exposition-heavy dialogue, underdeveloped characters (particularly the Hawks), and occasional tonal inconsistencies.
That said, the dynamic performances—especially from Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, and Caity Lotz—make it an entertaining watch. If the show can balance its humor, action, and storytelling in future episodes, Legends of Tomorrow has the potential to be an exciting addition to the Arrowverse.
Rating: 7.5/10
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