Episode 4 of Legacies Season 3 originally was supposed to be Season 2 finale, but in hindsight 2x16 served as a better season's finale.
Overall this episode is a pure mess. The only thing, that makes the episode worth watching after all is The Necromancer's character. As always Ben Geurens does an awesome job playing him and his character is also the only reason, that made me enjoy at least some scenes.
However the writing doesn't do his character justice at all, mainly because for some unknown reasons the writers decided to put the focus on Landon and Malivore, when it should have been on Hope and The Necromancer. After all their interaction was one of the highlights of Season 1, so I was always hoping to see their relationship getting explored more. Unfortunately that didn't happen here. Instead we get a storyline, that contradicts both seasons of Legacies. For some unknown reasons the writers thought it was a good idea to make Landon fuse with Malivore and portray him as the "hero" of the episode, making him fight The Necromancer, while Hope is put in the background. It doesn't only contradict the storyline- for 2 seasons everyone stated Malivore getting Landon would be the worst thing to happen (ironically for the viewer it was after all, because their fusion was just cringy)- it also makes no sense for the main characters to team up with the ultimate evil to stop The Necromancer. To make things worse The Necromancer isn't allowed to use any of his powers or to put any of his plan into motion, what would have been more exciting. This of course also has to do with the decision of the writers to make a musical episode, basically a filler, instead of focusing on The Necromancer's plan. Consequently it just feels rushed putting everything in one episode.
While I'm very happy, that The Necromancer wasn't killed off- he's just a way too awesome character for that- the way it was resolved (putting him into a prison world with zero effort) just feels lazy. The writers really couldn't come up with something better.
Also annoying is the hypocrisy of the show- Alyssa's character, that is as responsible for the murders happening in that episode as The Necromancer gets a happy ending, while he's the only character, that has to face any consequences.
Alyssa is a good example for a rushed & a redemption story arc going wrong.
What ultimately ruined the episode was Landon's character. On the first look he's supposed to be the cute, supportive, nice boyfriend, when he actually isn't any of that. Instead his character is a good example for toxic masculinity and fragile male ego. All he is doing, is being intimidated by Hope's powers and her saving the day. His desperate desire to be special leads to the most illogical plot twist (fusing with Malivore) without even thinking of the consequences.I don't know, why the writers are so obsessed with the most boring character on the show. Instead of giving their main character, Hope and their charismatic villain, The Necromancer their moment to shine, they put uncharismatic Landon and a mud golem in the spotlight. A decision I will never understand and something I also never wanted to see. Not to mention the sick first time of Hope and Landon we are forced to witness at the end of the episode. Traumatizing Hope by turning Landon to literal mud. It's just sick and disgusting. I don't know, why the writers are so obsessed with mud.
My only hope after this episode is, that we will see The Necromancer again soon. He deserves better and Legacies definitely needs his character.
