# Legion (show on FX) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 9, 2017, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378 "2017-02-09T05:59:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/101 "2017-03-13T13:02:44Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > There is a lot of buzz around _Legion_, Dan Stevens is hot now, and FX could use a critical darling to brag on. It’ll probably get a second season. > > I do wonder how long they signed Stevens for, though. I agree; between him and the showrunner Noah Hawley, they’ve marketed it as a prestige project. But with Beauty and the Beast coming out, Dan Steven can get kicked up a while new level. I am enjoying it even though it remains open ended and ambiguous. I haven’t felt like the showrunner is lost or anything ;). ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/102 "2017-03-13T14:05:29Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I agree; between him and the showrunner Noah Hawley, they’ve marketed it as a prestige project. But with Beauty and the Beast coming out, Dan Steven can get kicked up a while new level. > > I am enjoying it even though it remains open ended and ambiguous. I haven’t felt like the showrunner is lost or anything ;). \*Dan Stevens can get kicked up to a whole new level of celebrity… Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/103 "2017-03-13T14:43:47Z")
Regarding Lenny, Syd-David did at least stick someone in a wall. She remembers it, and the Division 3 guy mentions it. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/104 "2017-03-13T15:45:55Z")
One scene that sticks with me, and I ca’t recall which episode it was (although I know it was after David made it to Summerland) was a memory flash of David eating Twizzlers. Lenny was always chewing on Twizzlers, so it made me wonder if there was a David/Lenny confabulation going on. It was a fairly early episode. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/105 "2017-03-13T16:20:51Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Regarding Lenny, Syd-David did at least stick someone in a wall. She remembers it, and the Division 3 guy mentions it. That’s actually why I think “Lenny” has compromised Syd’s memories from when Syd was in David’s body, too. (And while Division 3 guy mentions it, I don’t recall him confirming it was “Lenny”, or just random other person stuck in a wall.) At one point in that kind of hectic flashback Syd relates about what happened while she was in David’s body, there’s a glimpse of the Devil With the Yellow Eyes, so apparently it/she stayed as a parasite in David’s body when David’s mind went elsewhere. What really needs to happen is for us to find out what Lenny is up to - she mentioned to David while on the astral plane that she had to get out of there 'cause she had things to do or places to go or something. And she’s been hammering him hard to spring his sister from Division 3. So she’s/it’s up to _something_. We just don’t have enough information yet to know _what_. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/106 "2017-03-15T11:21:02Z")
> [@The\_Pork-Chop\_Express](#): > > I just think the show’s too smart for a lot of its audience. Episode 5 really made Legion a must-watch for me, but a lot of people I know gave up after ep 2 or 3, people who would’ve loved Kerry’s kicking ass even more if they’d just had the discipline to wait. > > It’ll be tragic if this is canceled. I almost bowed out after the second episode, too; now I’m incredibly glad I persevered. This really is excellent. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/107 "2017-03-15T14:57:11Z")
Legion doesn’t seem to be doing poorly on FX: > **[FX TV Show Ratings (updated 4/13/2023)](https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/fx-tv-show-ratings/)** > > FX has been churning out a lot of original scripted series. Some have been hits while many others have not. Which will be cancelled and which will be It’s 18-49 demo numbers are above the renewed Taboo, Fargo, Baskets and Atlanta. So I’d imagine it would have a good chance. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/108 "2017-03-15T19:52:59Z")
Rest easy, it’s been [renewed](http://www.avclub.com/article/forget-about-putting-your-mind-back-together-becau-252123). ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/109 "2017-03-16T00:35:37Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Rest easy, it’s been [renewed](http://www.avclub.com/article/forget-about-putting-your-mind-back-together-becau-252123). Gee, I guess my watching it days later On Demand didn’t kill it after all.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/110 "2017-03-16T04:51:27Z")
This episode devolved into some hardcore self-indulgent naval gazing. I’ll keep watching, but my interest level took a hit. > [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](#): > > Gee, I guess my watching it days later On Demand didn’t kill it after all.:rolleyes: To reiterate, if you don’t watch a show you like within a week of it airing, and it gets cancelled for low ratings, you are part of the reason for the cancellation. It can’t get any simpler than that. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/111 "2017-03-16T05:02:53Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > This episode devolved into some hardcore self-indulgent naval gazing. I’ll keep watching, but my interest level took a hit. > > To reiterate, if you don’t watch a show you like within a week of it airing, and it gets cancelled for low ratings, you are part of the reason for the cancellation. It can’t get any simpler than that. Geez Ellis Dee you’r a **GENIUS!** I’ll watch every show on network TV, that I don’t like, 2,3 weeks after it’s aired on On Demand and they’ll all get canceled! And you’re right, you can’t be simpler than that. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/112 "2017-03-16T05:15:06Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > This episode devolved into some hardcore self-indulgent naval gazing. I’ll keep watching, but my interest level took a hit. > > To reiterate, if you don’t watch a show you like within a week of it airing, and it gets cancelled for low ratings, you are part of the reason for the cancellation. It can’t get any simpler than that. > [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](#): > > Geez Ellis Dee you’r a **GENIUS!** > I’ll watch every show on network TV, that I don’t like, 2,3 weeks after it’s aired on On Demand and they’ll all get canceled! > > And you’re right, you can’t be simpler than that. You have both already been told to dial it back and one of you was even given a warning for the sniping getting too heated. Therefore I’m giving you both warnings for ignoring mod instruction and more warnings will be given out if you do not take any further beefs, sniping, bickering, or hijacking this topic about this stuff to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/113 "2017-03-16T05:46:46Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Rest easy, it’s been [renewed](http://www.avclub.com/article/forget-about-putting-your-mind-back-together-becau-252123). That’s great news! Thank the gods it wasn’t a network show, ABC or NBC would have killed it in a heartbeat. I’m still nursing a grudge against ABC for cancelling _Happy Town_ and ensuring that I will never know what that old German film The Blue Door was about, how one of the characters who died could show up in it and just who (or what) the Haplins were. But I digress. Once again, great news! ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/114 "2017-03-16T13:15:17Z")
_Legion_ has stumbled onto the secret that, for all Marvel’s different tone/genre movies, no one ever thought to explore the terror/horror genre with superheroes. Which, in hindsight, turns out to be a good fit, really. Most of the episodes have followed different styles of horror (e.g., last episode’s kind of slasher-film vibe in the quiet house). This episode was more psychological horror, with a frisson of stalker film in Kerry vs. Walter. I think this changing-it-up with different tension and pacing is one of the reasons this show has been so good, so hope they keep it up. _Another_ reason is that the season is only 8 episodes, so they have no padding in the storyline - everyone in this episode had their situation advanced, instead of wallowing in psychodrama for an entire episode as would’ve happened for a longer season. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/115 "2017-03-16T13:46:06Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > This episode devolved into some hardcore self-indulgent naval gazing. … I never before found navels so interesting! So I had presumed that David had sent them there to “be lost together” from the white room as Syd was being attacked but it seems that maybe everyone was sent there from when the shots were fired and that once there all but Lenny “got lost” into their modified (but based on their realities) identities? And of course time distorted such that days or weeks are occurring in time of the bullet traveling … which itself may be, likely is, placed elsewhere in the astral plane. What does Dr. Bird need to do? Why did Lenny reveal herself to David? They are in astral plane and previously Lenny was desperate to get out of that place; why now not? **Lightray** _Jessica Jones_ hit the terror/psychologic horror/stalker motif pretty hard. But yeah, they did it very well with all the characters having meaningful depth added. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/116 "2017-03-16T14:14:47Z")
I think that Syd provoked David to take he and her to the “White Room” (last episode), but Lenny took the opportunity to take over the whole show. That was signaled last episode by having Lenny show up - as the Devil With the Yellow Eyes - to terrorize Syd in the White Room. Lenny explained it all to David this episode - she/it had brought _all_ of David’s friends into the Clockworks mental scenario in an attempt to control David by manipulating them. But she/it found it too complicated/tedious, and in the end realized she didn’t need David’s mind, just his body - so she was done with David and his friends. I think that Lenny taking over David’s body _is_ Lenny’s way out of being trapped in the astral plane/in David’s mind. Oliver seems to want Melanie to stop David & Syd from being hit with the bullets that are coming at them in the real world in real time. How Oliver got Melanie out of the Clockworks astral scenario into the real world, I dunno. And, I think I’d place _Jessica Jones_ as more “action thriller”, than _Legion_’s broader “horror”, but admittedly that’s just me overdefining things. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/117 "2017-03-16T15:49:04Z")
Yes I can see that. Thanks for the explanation. After all Oliver said that David bought the monster along into the astral plane and that once he was out of the ice cube he was at risk. Lenny’s is the more powerful mind and is able to dominate (but not completely control) that unreality. Not sure the bullets that \*are \*coming at them in the real world in real time, I think once they crossed a certain threshold outside the house they entered the astral plane (right after Melanie Bird warned us all of the possibility); David moved Syd and himself _within_ the astral plane - to the white room and to Clockworks to try to get lost together, but wherever he moves within the astral plane Lenny now is too. There is no escaping Lenny within the astral plane … except _maybe_ in Oliver’s ice cube). Oliver is helping guide the others within the astral plane and can get away with it as long as Lenny doesn’t know he’s doing it. How does stopping the bullets from hitting Syd and/or David shift the power balance to David? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/118 "2017-03-16T16:21:02Z")
Well, when I’m making plans in general “Don’t Get Shot” usually seems like a good step to add. 😉 Could be that if David “dies”, Lenny has an easier time taking over. Or maybe Syd is the one who is going to get hit. (since The Eye (disguised) seemed to be shooting at David.) … This show could really use a good recap site. But, I’m not sure that you could do a recap without baking in some perhaps-inaccurate assumptions about what just happened. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/119 "2017-03-16T16:43:03Z")
I continue to enjoy this. I feel like I am watching an updated version of **The Prisoner** , and Lenny changes every episode, kind of like No.2 did, presenting a new level of challenge as our hero tried to focus in on his real self/identity. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378/120 "2017-03-17T13:17:52Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > This show could really use a good recap site. I have them recorded but I am a couple episodes behind. And I am thoroughly confused and disoriented. While I enjoy the visual and creative style of the show, I really don’t like not being able to tell what is real and what is imagination. IMO, sometimes (like season 2 of Mr. Robot), a show can get too clever by half. (And I like Wikionary’s definition: “Shrewd but flawed by overthinking or excessive complexity, with a resulting tendency to be unreliable or unsuccessful.”) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legion-show-on-fx/779378.md?page=7)