Legends Of Tomorrow Tidbits – “Progeny”

“Progeny” — the tenth episode of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow has the team arriving in 2147 where their mission is to eradicate a future tyrant, Per Degaton. The only caveat is that Per is still a child. It becomes a battle of morals as the team decides what they should do without sacrificing their humanity.

Quick Recap of Legends of Tomorrow – “Progeny”

The Legends arrive in 2147 to stop a future tyrant, Per Degaton, who is key to Vandal Savage’s success in bringing on the apocalypse. Rip proposes killing Per before he rises to power. The catch: Per is still a child. Most of the team is against this mission until Rip changes it to a kidnapping, which will result in taking Per out of the timeline of events.

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In this time period, the world has joined into what is known as the Kasnia Conglomerate — a corporation-driven utopia. After infiltrating a shareholders meeting, Rip discovers that Vandal is actually Per’s tutor. Ray notices that the future is also policed by robots utilizing his ATOM tech. When a scientist, Rachel, gives the team a facility tour, Ray discovers that she is his future descendant.

The team successfully kidnap Per and keep him sedated on board the Waverider. Gideon does an analysis of the future and states that nothing has changed. Jax suggests to Rip that he should speak with Per and reason with him. Rip takes the advice to heart and takes Per out of sedation.

At the outskirts of the city, Rip threatens Per with death. However, Per’s training from Vandal has made him callous. Rip then recollects the memory of his family to Per and implores him to listen to his father, Tor, and not Vandal.

At the Waverider, Vandal, Tor, and Kasnian forces mount an attack. The Legends exit and defend the ship. The ATOM robots prove to be too advanced, so Ray and Kendra go to the command center in an attempt to stop them. At the command center, Ray discovers that Rachel is actually from his brother’s bloodline. However, Ray and Kendra still appeal to Rachel’s humanity, requesting that she put a stop to the ATOM robots.

As the robots fall from the sky, Vandal makes a final stand by taking Sara hostage. Rip then appears with Per as a hostage. With both sides threatening each other, Tor forces Vandal to release Sara in exchange for Per’s safe release.

In the final scenes, Per is seen killing his own father at the suggestion of Vandal. Mick tells the team that due to his failure in capturing the Legends, the Time Masters have sent even deadlier individuals — Hunters — to eradicate them all.

Next: Catch up on Legends of Tomorrow with a recap of 'Progeny'

Character Highlights

The character highlight for this week actually goes to none of the Legends. Leonard still has some fun dialogue. But due to him not being a primary focus of the episode, Leonard has a minimal amount of screen time. The honor, therefore, goes to Per Degaton. The influence of Vandal Savage on this young mind can already be seen. His interactions with Rip look like scenes from Damien Omen.

Easter Eggs and References

• Per Degaton is one of the earliest super-villains in DC Comics. He’s from an opposing organization known as the Time Stealers and has fought against both Booster Gold and Rip Hunter. In “Progeny” the Legends also frequently refer to Per Degaton as “Baby Hitler.” In the comics, Per Degaton was a Nazi.
• Kasnia is the name of a nation frequently used in DC as an in-universe representation of Eastern European nations. The Kasnian flag is also reminiscent of Booster Gold’s costume.  Furthermore, the Kasnian Conglomerate is an homage to Booster Gold’s superhero team known as the Conglomerate.
• During one of Kendra’s flashbacks to a past life, Carter makes a note that he wants to take the family on a drive to Coast City. Coast City is the home of Green Lantern.

Questions

• Rip has stated that 2147 is a last stand of sorts for the Legends. Since they failed at this mission, what else can they do? Historically, Rip hasn’t been very honest to the team and usually springs information on them at the last minute. Could he have another ultimate plan in killing Vandal Savage?
• At the end of the episode, Mick warns the team about the Hunters. Though it’s a move that’s more in line with self-preservation, this does seem like a first step in his redemption. Will Mick actually rejoin the team before the season ends?

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow airs on The CW on Thursdays at 8:00PM EST.