DC’s Legends of Tomorrow review, Episode 603: “The Ex-Factor”

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow channels American Idol and The X-Factor as Zari goes back to the future for a singing competition…and it was perfect!

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow never fails to keep us entertained with its zany antics, and this week continues that glorious trend. The focus is completely on Zari Tarazi (Tala Ashe) who takes it upon herself to save humankind.

There’s an epic battle, but not the bloody, army-vs-army kind. Rather, Zari slays in a singing/dancing competition called “Da Throne,” competing against a futuristic alien robot. Apart from the ridiculous hilarity of it all, this episode dives further into the psyche of Zari Tarazi and who she truly is.

Zari has always been seen as a bratty, entitled woman who basks in the glory of her fame as an influencer from the future. But after joining the Legends and striking up a romance with Constantine (Matt Ryan), there have been drastic changes within her. It was fun to see her have to revert back to the person she once was in her “present” timeline and grapple with the person she’s become. Leave it to DC’s Legends of Tomorrow to get emotional during a futuristic singing competition!

Legends of Tomorrow returns to 2045

Upon returning to 2045, Zari is immediately sucked back into her social media influencer life. It’s hard to ignore the screaming fans, the annoying publicist, and all the questions about where she’s been all this time.

The struggle to fight the urge to relapse and to hang onto the new life she’s built is apparent from the get-go. Even Constantine is amused by all the glitz and glamour of Zari’s life, at first. But as the episode goes on, he realizes that fame hasn’t been kind to Zari. Instead, it’s destroyed her self-worth. She sees herself through the eyes of her fans, and dealing with the pressure is very hard.

Tala Ashe is terrific at the singing and dancing in this episode; I wouldn’t mind seeing more of it from her in the future. However difficult it was to learn the choreography and coordinate with the backup dancers, she did an amazing job; I saw why Zari winning the “Da Throne” competition in the end. Planet Earth is saved!

Legends of Tomorrow solidifies Zari and Constantine’s relationship

This episode isn’t just about the singing and dancing. It focuses a lot on Zari and Constantine’s relationship, which has gone from a secret fling to a true love affair. They had to go to 2045 to realize there is way more to this relationship than just hooking up, largely because Constantine stepped up to the plate.

Zari is less sure of their relationship and even tells her mother that she and John aren’t endgame. Overhearing this part of the conversation, Constantine’s heart is slightly broken but he takes that pain as an opportunity to tell Zari how he really feels. He does this right before Zari goes on stage, which isn’t great timing, but it helps her snag victory as she sings her heart out. Seeing her struggle inspires Constantine to get out there and support his woman, and results in the cutest duet in history.

With their feelings finally out there, Zari and Constantine officially announce themselves as boyfriend and girlfriend to the world. Aw, aren’t they just the cutest?!

Elsewhere in Legends of Tomorrow

While Zari and Constantine save the world, Ava (Jes Macallan) is busy dealing with Mick (Dominic Purcell). With Sara (Caity Lotz) still missing, Mick comes to the realization that he is the only other original Legend left.

We never anticipate seeing Mick get emotional, but it’s clear that he’s missing Sara a lot. And in his own twisted way, he decides it’s time to find out where she is. It’s different to see Mick take on that responsibility, but it also makes the most sense. They started out together, and with everyone else gone from the group and new additions coming in every season, Mick feels the need to protect his fellow day-one Legend.

He gets a lead on where Sara could potentially be, but it’s still a long shot. Alongside Gary (Adam Tsekhman), she’s suffering from the wounds she took from alien Amelia Earhart, and it’s only a matter of time that she will succumb to them, whatever that means.

We also get our first glimpse of this season’s big bad, Bishop (Raffi Barsoumian), who apparently has an army of Ava clones. He has some sinister plans brewing behind the scenes, and it’ll be fun to see what he intends to do in the coming episodes. Oh, and if the Legends will be able to track Sara down in time before Bishop gets the best of her.

Between Zari returning to the present, winning a reality competition, and figuring out her relationship status with Constantine, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow gave us everything we could have wanted from a Zari-centric episode. Ashe’s performance is one worth writing home about, and it was fun to see her get the spotlight for once.

Ashe’s talents speak for themselves, and I think after this week’s episode, she’s proven herself more than capable of leading the Legends just as much as the next guy, or girl.

See you guys next week!

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