Source: CW Network // Legends of Tomorrow
The Legends set out for the ultimate heist: taking back the other two pieces of the Spear of Destiny from the Legion of Doom. Rip’s knowledge of the Legion’s whereabouts lead the team to the Vanishing Point. They manage to outsmart (and out quick) Eobard Thawne and grab the pieces of the Spear.
Back on the Waverider, Rip explains the Spear corrupts absolutely. There is a link between its ability to undermine humanity’s best intentions. A running theme in this episode is the parallel to a fictional world spun out of J.R.R. Tolkien’s mind: ’ The Lord of the Rings.’ The Spear of Destiny even shows a “secret only flame can tell,” the cryptic statement ‘Born of Blood, Undone by Blood.’
Source: CW Network // Legends of Tomorrow
Relying in Nate’s historical expertise, the Legends come to the conclusion that the Spear can only be destroyed by the blood of Christ. As opposed to altering the course of history by traveling to the Resurrection, Nate explains an obscure paper written by an unpublished J.R.R Tolkien is the key to obtaining Jesus’s blood. Tolkien espoused in his paper that Knight of the Round Table, Sir Gawain didn’t have the Holy Grail…he had the blood of Christ when he travelled back from the Crusades. Dying in battle in the north of France, Nate theorized Gawain’s remains were buried somewhere near the Somme. Where Tolkien was a 2nd lieutenant in World War I at the bloody Battle of the Somme.
In 1916 France, the horror of the war has damaged Sir Gawain’s final resting place but there he lies. And guess who saunters in to upset the mission?Captain Cold, Leonard Snart himself. Figuring he was having hallucinations, Mick is flabbergasted when Rip, Ray, Nate and Tolkien see Snart as well. Having been snatched from the timeline by the Legion of Doom, Snart is the crooked con we were first introduced to on “The Flash.” He’s been recruited to the Legion before his prior life of joining the Legends. Basically he’s evil once more.
Back on the ship, Sara, Jax and Stein confront Mick with why he gave up the plan to destroy the Spear. He contends that Snart was (and is) his friend but is also offended when they state they’re frightened he will always be a criminal. It’s harsh reality and shows the split between Mick and the Legends is larger than ever.
With Tolkien’s assistance, the team discovers the artifact is smack in the middle of the bloodiest battle of the war. With neither German nor British commanders willing to cease-fire, Amaya, Sara, Mick and Nate charge through bullets, grenades and bayonets to get to the artifact’s location. A rousing speech from Rip (taken from Aragorn in ’ The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ natch) has both armies lay down their arms long enough for the Legends to find the chalice of blood…and Snart and Damian Dahrk to find them.
With a double-cross and a quick getaway, Mick defected to the Legion and just like that, they have the Spear and the Blood of Christ was splattered on the battlefield. Having Malcolm Merlin read from the Calabrium, reality is bent to THEIR will.
Stay tuned for next week’s recap of Legends of Tomorrow.
