Hey, I missed reviewing a lot of eps, so I figured I'd jump back in with the season finale, an interesting adaption of one of the most classic LSH stories ever. The final series of episodes, with the exception of the execrable "Child's Play", have been fairly strong, but "Chain of Command" and now "Sundown" show what the series could and should be. A lot of the childishness of the early episodes is gone and some actual character driven drama has come into play -- well, as much as one can expect from a series aimed at the 6-10 crowd, at any rate.
The 2-parter did a good job of adapting the classic Jim Shooter story to the TV interpretation of the Legion. Rather than introducing the Fatal Five, as the original did (indeed, in the original, the Legion effectively created the FF by getting the previously independent villains together). in this version, the LSH has to bust them out Takron-Galtos. (The fact they needed to do this adds to the implications that this version of the Legion isn't all buddy-buddy with the government, tipping the hat to the current comic incarnation). It also differs in that, to a large extent, this is a story of Bouncing Boy growing into his role as Legion leader -- in the original, he not only wasn't leader, he wasn't in the story at all. (I don't recall Shooter using BB very much, come to think of it...) Those of us who are fans of the overweight comic relief guy making good (and getting the (Triplicate) girl), approve.
The main focus, of course, is the death of Ferro Lad. In the comics, FL was introduced a few issues earlier and wasn't marked for Doom; in the TV show, he was introduced in the episode right before this one, sort of making him an obvious redshirt. (That, and his powers aren't very visual -- a downfall for an animated show!) I'm glad the TV show didn't flinch away from him actually dying, as opposed to simply being consumed by an interdimensional wormhole or something equally lame. I did miss him knocking Superboy out, though.
It was nice to see pretty much every Legionnaire introduced thus far in the action scenes, as well as Legionnaires-to-be like Ultra Boy. The new incarnation of Matter Eater Lad is surprisingly cool in a suitably goofy way. Not sure I like Star Boy as having Light Lass's powers -- does this mean we'll see a Lightning Lass at some point? (Say, who here remembers the mid-80s comic where Light Lass, captured by the LSV, regains her old electrical powers, busts out, and kicks major villain ass? That was awesome. But I digress.)
The introduction of the Controllers, who might well be major villains in a future arc, was cool as well -- as was the brief appearance of "Alexis", who really deserves a comeback in the series.
The ending was somewhat odd, given that the series has been renewed. Will we begin with Clark hopping back into the time-traveling Popemobile? Or will it be Mon-El, as has been occasionally hinted at, who fills the demigod role?
All in all, a good ending to the first season, highlighting the real potential of the show if they stop kiddifying things too much. I'd like to see the second season continue the more mature, less slapstick trend of the past few episodes. The shift in creative staff could be for good or ill; we shall see next year.
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