Legends of Tomorrow season 4, episode 11 review: Séance and Sensibility

The team tried to contact Nate’s father in this week’s episode of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, but did the so-called séance live up to expectations? Here’s everything that went down in “Séance and Sensibility”.

Legends of Tomorrow is renowned for its unique ability to bring together the most bizarre blend of things and still expect them to work. All you have to do is look at the line-up of characters: a trained assassin, a former businessman, a historian, a shape-shifter, a totem-bearer and a convicted arsonist. With that in mind, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that during the same episode in which the characters were in mourning, there was also a fabulous Bollywood musical number.

While that in itself says more than words ever could, let’s delve into the events of the episode and figure out if this is a case of séance over substance. Here’s the shenanigans that went down in “Séance and Sensibility”.

Don’t Mistake Losing Control For Love

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that an episode centred on Jane Austen would rely heavily on conversations surrounding true love. An interesting angle to explore, especially when it’s juxtaposed against the horror of Neron’s mind games, but one that only Legends of Tomorrow could pull off. And it does (pull it off) oh-so-well.

Zari’s blossoming feelings for Nate were at heart of the episode, as was Mona’s heartbreak over Konane’s death, so of course, time would work its magic and lead the Legends to a lust-filled wedding. It was there that they ran into not only Jane Austen herself but the Love God responsible for all of this.

The introduction of this mythical creature had everyone getting hot under the collar because, in a bid to show Zari the beauty of letting loose, he unleashed his love-dust on the Waverider, forcing Sara, Ray and Nora, Charlie, Mona and Zari all to have, well, lustful dreams. While this was a clever way of upping the sexual tension between Ray and Nora, its real purpose was to personify Zari’s choice between love and lust (as she had a particularly steamy dream with both the love God and Nate). Similarly, by dreaming of lost love Konane, Mona was presented with a choice between losing control (becoming a Were-Kaupe like him) or having a relationship built on mutual respect instead.

Jane Austen’s speech may have been a tad on-the-nose but this was totally forgivable considering that it was Jane freakin’ Austen – and it was enough to make Mona and, ultimately, Zari see that falling for someone based on lust/losing control is not the way to achieve a happily ever after.

Still though, the momentary lapse was worth it for that incredible musical number.

A Farewell To His Father

The death of Nate’s father, Hank, in last week’s episode came as an unexpected blow to viewers. The pair’s newfound bond was really the emotional core of this season and it ultimately allowed Nate to see a new side to his dad – which is why he struggled to comprehend the fact that he was apparently torturing mythical creatures.

As the Heywood family bid farewell to their beloved Hank, the writers seized the opportunity to give us one more heartfelt moment between the pair – one that none of us (least of all Nate) really expected.

Nate’s emotions of grief and anger wouldn’t allow him to speak positively about his father, but it was only when his mother recalled how much Hank loved his family that he stumbled upon the truth. The eventual discovery that his father wasn’t torturing anyone and was, instead, working with Neron to create a theme park of mythical creatures (based on an old drawing that Nate had done years ago) was quite the blindsight – meaning that everything he had done was in a bid to make his son’s dreams come true.

It was equally the most ludicrous and the most touching thing we’d ever heard. Again, only Legends could get away with such a reveal.

In the end, it forced Nate to bid a tearful heartfelt farewell to Hank. I’m not crying. I’m not…

Neron Is Officially On The Board

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Through time-travel itself and various other timey-wimey shenanigans, we have learned about the history between John Constantine, his lover Desmond and the demon known as Neron. Things then got really interesting when the midseason finale revealed that Neron was still committing unpardonable acts and, to make matters worse, he was wearing Desmond’s face as he did so.

After weeks of teasing us, Legends finally pulled the trigger on the impending confrontation between the demon and Constantine as the latter used a séance to contact Nate’s father and, in doing so, discovered that his archnemesis was responsible for all of this madness. However, after an argument with his own reflection, he soon discovered that Neron was not only still active, but that he had actually taken Desmond’s form.

This saga has been one of Legends‘ most engaging sub-arcs this season and now, with it finally being brought to the forefront, it’s going to be interesting to see how Constantine and, by extension, the Legends deal with the seemingly unstoppable demon.

Legendary Leftovers

• The musical sequence may have just been the greatest scene in Legends of Tomorrow history and, if anything, it just confirms that this show has to do a full-scale musical episode.
• Nate’s farewell to his father was heartbreaking. Please don’t go, Hank!
• “Legends Assemble!” – neat little Avengers reference there, Legends writers.
• The episode made another reference to Astra – the little girl John Constantine accidentally sent to hell in the Constantine TV series. Will we ever see Legends of Tomorrow tackle that storyline?
• Legends continues to baffle, bewilder and bemuse. It’s bold and relentless approach towards crazy is something quite Legendary and long may it continue to amaze us.

Legends of Tomorrow returns to The CW next Monday, Apr. 22, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Are you excited? Let us know in the comments below!