In Review: DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: 3×16: “I, Ava”

Synopsis: SEEING DOUBLE —  When Ava (guest star Jes Macallan) disappears, Sara (Caity Lotz) and Ray (Brandon Routh) set out to find her after some prodding from Time Bureau agent Gary (guest star Adam Tsekhman) and a disturbing truth about Ava.  Amaya (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) tasks Zari (Tala Ashe) with helping train Rory (Dominic Purcell) in controlling his own Totem power.  Meanwhile, Nate (Nick Zano) and Wally (Keiynan Lonsdale) set out on a mission that goes awry when they pair with an unlikely person to try and get a Totem.

Review:“I, Ava” didn’t just offer viewers forward momentum in Ava’s storyline. It gave us much needed drive in Amaya’s storyline as well. Tracy Ifeachor had been largely wasted as Kuasa. There was a “lather, rinse, repeat” quality to her dynamic with her grandmother that reached its culmination with her death. Hopefully, Amaya can now achieve what closure is possible under the circumstances and come to grips with the fact that Nate is actually Grandpa by the end of the finale.

The episode also afforded us another view of Damien Darhk’s awesomely twisted psyche. He doesn’t give a damn about saving the world. He just doesn’t want to lose his baby girl. Neal McDonough played Darhk’s obliviousness to the layers of his problem beautifully. This can only end one way. I’m really going to miss Darhk when he goes back in time to prevent Nora from being possessed by Mallus in the first place. He’ll die and inadvertently save the world he wanted to destroy in the process. The bats**t crazy collision of ambition, frustration, irony, and love will be glorious to behold.

As for the central plot strand of the episode, the revelation about Ava felt like rushed set up for the final two episodes. The characters cycled through various reactions way to quickly. Hopefully, developments in the finale will be worth it. I just hope Ava isn’t killed. Viewers have to swallow way too many death-of-beloved chestnuts these days.

Director

Dean Choe

Writers

Ray Utarnachitt, Daphne Miles