If you have read my other reviews you'll already know that I am a fan of this show. While there were quiet moments in this season finale that threatened to be anti-climactic I'd argue that it was anything but. Not only did it wrap up the first season, but also laid out the conflict for the start at season 2. I hope you watched the credits at the end, because if you didn't you will want to go back and watch them now. It's a surprise ending/beginning that will keep you excited for next year.
Beware, here be spoilers -
In the beginning of this episode we follow the interrogator, Clark, after he is burnt in episode 1 as David is rescued from Division 3. Clark appeared with D3 troops at the end of episode 7 and told the soldiers to kill everyone other than David. Clark in humanised in episode 8. We see his painful recovery and the love of his husband and son. The moment he feels strong enough, he gets himself back in the field to exact his revenge on the Summerland mutants. In typical David style, the threat is immediately eradicated and the soldiers are piled up Jenga style while Clark is captured by the Summerland team. Melanie wants to kill him while David wants to convince him to accept the mutants' right to life.
There are touching scenes in this episode. Especially when David explains he cannot be sure that he's not schizophrenic, however much Syd tries to convince him. Oliver at last seems to connect with Melanie on a romantic level. And we witness the tenderness between Clark, his husband and his son.
Action in this episode revolves around Cary trying to rid David of the parasite. We watch scenes from David's life rewritten as the Shadow King disintegrates from each memory. However, the weakened and rotting Lenny/Shadow King communicates with Syd and convinces her the only way to keep David alive is if the parasite leaves willingly, and that she'll only do that if she has somewhere else to go. Syd lets Cary and Oliver try to rid David of the parasite but when her lover starts bleeding and convulsing she rushes in to save him with a fairy tale style “true love's kiss”. Lenny transfers to Syd's body (it isn't clear whether David and Syd also switch places, but I don't think they do), then from Syd, the Shadow King jumps into Kerry's body and fights her way out of the lab. Ptonomy loses the plot at this point and shoots up the lab with a machine gun. It's incredible anybody survives.
After what should probably have been a more dramatic battle between David and Kerry, the Shadow King jumps to Oliver. Oliver will make the perfect villain. Powerful in his own right, only partially intact after 20 years in the astral plane, crazy and, of course, Melanie's weak spot. As Oliver and Lenny drive away to T Rex's "Children of the Revolution" we can imagine what a fun partnership this will be next season.
So David is free, although he admits he's afraid of who he'll be without the parasite. Syd has saved her man. David has even managed to convince Clark that D3 and Summerland must work together. Kerry forgives Cary for leaving her when she needed him and they are reunited. Everyone is happy. They've won. Then Melanie asks where Oliver is, and we're reminded that they haven't won.
Roll credits. But keep watching, because mid credits we see Syd and David on the balcony as a mechanical sphere scans David. “Is that one of Cary's?” he asks, before being swallowed up inside the flying ball and whisked away.
Like the rest of this season, episode 8 gives us plenty of arty cinematography, especially in the Clark returns to D3 scenes. There's some amazing acting, especially with Lenny, now falling apart yet still strong and defiant. The soundtrack perfectly matches the themes presented. And Oliver walking away singing “If I Ruled the World” is inspired and very funny. It's this balance of action, demonic and psychological horror, and humour that makes Legion a stand out show. No doubt I'll have more thoughts to share on season 1 as a whole, but for now, dear readers. I shall leave to your own conclusions.