Why Legends of Tomorrow is the Best DC TV Show Right Now

The CW has put together an impressive primetime block of DC Comics superhero TV shows. Supergirl (Mondays), The Flash (Tuesdays), Arrow (Wednesdays) and Legends of Tomorrow (Thursdays) keep DC fans immersed in each respective show, its heroes and mythos, while creating opportunity for things like the big “Invasion” crossover event that’s coming up.

However, while The CW DC TV shows are strong collectively, it doesn’t mean they’re equals on an individual level. There is a clear favorite in the lineup (The Flash), a problematic show (Supergirl) and one that is constantly sitting on the bubble (Arrow). However, when it comes to the ambitious (and expensive) Legends of Tomorrow, there has been a struggle just to keep the series going. With recent news that Legends of Tomorrow is soon moving to Tuesdays following The Flash, some fans are worried that the show could be on its last chance to find more solid ratings.

While there is no solid evidence that Legends is actually nearing cancellation, there is a discussion to be had about where it ranks in the DC TV lineup. No doubt some will disagree, but Here’s Why Legends of Tomorrow is the Best DC TV Show (at the moment).

It’s the Most Fun

Legends is the most fun show in The CW’s DC TV lineup, hands down. With its time-traveling premise and more episodic format in season 2 (as opposed to season 1’s serialized story about Vandal Savage), Legends offers fun period-piece superhero adventures boosted by the variety offered by a constantly evolving setting.

But the keyword here is “fun,” and of the CW’s DC TV series, Legends is definitely having the most fun right now. The Flash and Arrow tend to prioritize brooding drama over humor, and Supergirl is still just trying to find its legs. Legends tends to be much more light and funny, with a much more understated dramatic side.

For those who just want an hour of enjoyable escapism from their superhero TV show, Legends is your best bet.

It Has a Great Ensemble

Each CW DC TV show has its unique “team.” There’s #TeamSupergirl, #TeamFlash and #TeamArrow, and each of these is comprised of a combination of heroes with superpowers, and civilians whose heroism is expressed through intellect, engineering, or just plain old bravery. At the same time, however, the team formula for most of the DC superhero shows leaves some definite weak links in the format; there’s always one or two “team” characters that seem to drag down episodes, or rub fans the wrong way.

Legends of Tomorrow, on the other hand, has fashioned what is arguably the strongest team ensemble out of all of the shows. With Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Cold all gone in season 2 (so far), we’re left with the streamlined squad of White Canary, The Atom, Firestorm, and Heatwave. Having been through a season together and meeting in other shows (Arrow and The Flash), the chemistry between the principle cast and grasp of their respective characters is both confident and energetic. Even newcomers like Nick Zano’s Citizen Steel have been welcome additions to the show, adding even more great chemistry into the mix.

It Has the Best Characters

The DC TV shows all have pretty solid character lineups, but Legends has some of the most well-rounded, and dynamic characters of the bunch:

• Sara Lance/White Canary (Caity Lotz) has grown from Oliver Queen’s booty call in Arrow to a badass female warrior / LGBT rock star. She’s so badass, in fact, that she’s inspired her own line of memes. For those who don’t get why she’s now team captain – you haven’t been watching closely.
• Ray Palmer/The Atom (Brandon Routh) has settled into a nice balance of zany energy and geek appeal. Ray’s more subdued role in season 2 has been a welcome support to bolster the team dynamic, and his storyline (discovering his worth outside the Atom suit) could payoff big time by the end.
• Martin Stein (Victor Garber) / Jefferson Jackson (Franz Drameh) / Firestorm form a great character ensemble in their own right. The odd couple has found their chemistry and their relationship can go from funny banter to serious drama without losing a step. Individually, Stein and Jackson both provide great comedic relief and perspective (either intellectual or blessedly straightforward), and their combined Firestorm is one of the cooler characters to see onscreen.
• Mick Rory/Heatwave (Dominic Purcell) is, hands down, the best character on Legends– possibly one of the best characters in the entire Flarrowverse. What started as a thinly drawn criminal brute has grown into a slightly more complicated criminal brute, who provides layman wit and skepticism as balance to all the superhero fantasy. It’s plenty telling that even when Flash‘s Invasion episode brought characters from all four DC TV shows together, Mick still managed to standout. Leaving Mick to grow beyond Cold’s shadow was a prudent move.
• Maisie Richardson-Sellers/Vixen and Nick Zano/Steel are new kids on the block. Vixen has been sort of the weak link in the season (a spiritual successor to Hawkgirl that no one asked for), but Steel has been a much more fun and dynamic replacement for the dour Rip Hunter.

It’s the Most Epic

The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl get by with deeper character arcs over a season, reveals of iconic DC characters and villains, and mysteries (followed by reveals) that keep the viewer hooked. Legends hasn’t really pulled on any of those strings, as the increased character roster places limits on character exploration; the villains in the show have mainly been consistent antagonists (Vandal Savage), recycled foes from other shows (Reverse-Flash, Damien Darhk), or one-offs; and the mysteries/reveals aren’t as heavy of a driving force as in other shows.

And yet, without directly emulating the formula of the other shows, Legends has nonetheless found its way to being an epic adventure in most episodes. The scope of the battles and the visual effects work tend to be greater, and having a team of superpowered heroes on its roster allows the show to continuously provide the sort of team-up action that has made films like The Avengers or events like the current DC TV “Invasion” Heroes vs. Aliens crossover, so exciting.

MORE DC TV: Invasion Opening Sequence / Arrow Episode 100 Preview / The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow Crossover Trailer / First Look At The Dominators / Invasion! Crossover Promo Photos / Potential The Flash Spoiler Spotted On Set / Will Joe West Die During The Invasion! Crossover?

Supergirl airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT; The Flash on Tuesdays at the same time; Arrow on Wednesdays and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow on Thursdays. All four series air on The CW. The “Invasion!” crossover will air the week of November 28.