Legends of Tomorrow Star Victor Garber On the Show's Evolution, Musical Possibilities, And More

12/08/2016 04:00 pm EST

Last week's three-night, four-show Invasion! crossover was a wild ride for a lot of characters in The CW's DC Universe, but arguably nobody more than Martin Stein, the character played by veteran character actor Victor Garber.

Stein, who had previously encountered a younger version of himself in the 1980s, came back from his adventures through time and made his way home to discover that he and his wife had given birth to a daughter...many years ago. One that he didn't remember because, prior to his interference with his younger self, Stein and Clarissa had never found time to have a child.

"There's a lot more that happens for Stein, where everything is challenged," Garber told ComicBook.com during a recent interview. "That's the reason I can do this, is because it offers me a chance as an actor to explore so many new things."

That said, a dire message from a future version of The Flash and a chronal anomal in the form of a new daughter won't totally derail the comical spirit of Stein's interactions with Jefferson Jackson, the other half of Firestorm (played by Franz Drameh). Garber told ComicBook.com that he loves the kind of humor he's been able to play with -- a kind of dry wit born from the fact that Stein takes himself so seriously while living on board the Waverider where nobody else does.

"I love that aspect of the character and I think they're writing to my strengths," Garber admitted. "That's what I've always done; I'm looking for the reality, but the humor in any situation as a character and I think that's essential for me as a character and for the audience, too, to relate to me. I sometimes throw in things that I think make it even more funny or lighter."

It doesn't hurt that the show, in general, seems to have moved that way this season. In the first season of Legends, there was some criticism that while everyone on board the Waverider had great comic timing and chemistry, the series itself seemed to take itself so seriously that a lot of the humor got downplayed or stifled. That came at a time when the show's time-travel elements were also somewhat limited, and this year critics and fans have generally expressed a feeling that the show has come into its potential.

"You start somewhere, and then you hope that you can just expand and become more comprehensive and more interesting," said Garber. "This season, I think the scripts do that and I think that we as actors are more comfortable in the roles. That's the hope of any show, really, and I think that we're fulfilling that."

And about the forthcoming musical crossover between The Flash and Supergirl -- one which showrunner Greg Berlanti implied he would be crazy not to try and use Garber's musical chops in?

"I think something will manifest in the coming year," Garber said, while noting that they don't necessarily need him since the bench on Supergirl and The Flash is already so deep with musical talent.

Up Next: Victor Garber Doesn't Want to Go Back to the Titanic/ Legends of Tomorrow: The Legion of Doom Make Themselves Known / Legends Of Tomorrow: "Camelot/3000" Photo Shows A Bloody Battle Scene / Why Legends of Tomorrow is DC's Best Show

DC's Legends of Tomorrow airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. The show's midseason finale airs tonight.

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