Realism is difficult to pull off in a series set far outside of the realm of reality. For superhero shows, this is all too much a problem, specifically with the CW series, Legends Of Tomorrow, a series that is far out of the realm of reality and doesn't even make it onto the top ten DC live-action shows.
From time travel to greek mythologies to even magic itself, the Legends always seem to be facing off against some kind of otherworldly and far out there threat, with the storylines usually being over-the-top beyond reasoning. Yet, despite the outlandish storylines(and a few crazy Christmas episodes that are just a few of many in the Arrowverse), there are a few that do manage to be grounded in reality.
Realistic: Separating Firestorm
Probably one of the more intriguing heroes from the DC universe is that of Firestorm. Introduced in The Flash, Professor Martin Stein, and Jefferson Jackson combine to be a nuclear-based hero. Yet, the time-traveling series asks the question: What if they wanted to separate?
Throughout season three, there's a mission for Jacks and Stien to find a way to separate Firestorm, all so that Stien can spend more time with his family. The storyline is small yet heartfelt as it asks a grounded question in an extremely out there series.
Unrealistic: Truth About Ava
Legends Of Tomorrow had a habit of utilizing a mix of classic DC characters like Jonah Hex and creating new heroes, such as Ava. A recruit for Rip Hunter's time bureau, Ava eventually develops a relationship with Sarah Lance. However, the storyline went further than that.
For one reason or another, the producers felt the need to make Ava one of hundreds of clones. It took away from what was just a simple character and instead blew them out of proportion just because they were in Legends Of Tomorrow.
Realistic: Time Bureau
Look, even though the Legends save the world time after time, it doesn't really mean that they're the best heroes for the job. Essentially, their misfits, C-listers, villains, and some are heroes without any special powers, meant to be the timeline's last line of defense for whatever reason.
Yet, after screwing up the timeline to save reality, Rip Hunter, the team's former leader, forms the Time Bureau as a better Legends. If anything, the Time Beauru for the world of Legends makes more sense than the actual Legends and could've worked as it's own series.
Unrealistic: Justice Society Of America
Now, the idea of the Justice Society on its own is awesome, quite like some behind the scenes facts about the Legends Of Tomorrow. Serving as a precursor to the Justice League, the Justice Society Of America was made up of older and lesser-known heroes and had the potential to be amazing.
While there was plenty of character development and awesome moments, splitting the Society apart and placing them in different parts of time and having them safeguard a magical spear took away a bit. Instead of being grounded in reality, the JSA ended up being less than real.
Realistic: Fixing Time
When the Legends were first brought together, they were intended to be a force to fight off Vandal Savage from destroying time. As the series progressed, the Legends became a sort of police force, correcting the timeline from other malicious forces.
In the world of superheroes, this actually makes a great deal of sense. Sure, it's not the most realistic thing out there but in comparison to the Legends becoming a giant blue bear and piledriving a demon, it's one of the more believable storylines in the series.
Unrealistic: Fighting Fairytales
Now, there comes a time in any series where they sort of hit rock bottom. Where their ideas don't really go anywhere. Legends were in a way, already at rock bottom idea wise when it started but somehow went further down with them taking on fairytale creatures.
Yes, the Legends went from protecting time to combatting mythological and fairytale oriented creatures like a demonic unicorn and malevolent fairy godmother. They had some good ideas for sure but went incredibly overboard in the idea department. And for Legends, that's saying something.
Realistic: Zari’s Story
Anytime a new character is put into a series, there's always the off chance that they may not be accepted or miss the mark. That was the worry when Zari Tomaz, a totem bearer from a dystopian future and one of the Legend's more powerful characters, was going to miss the mark with her rebellious attitude.
Luckily, throughout the third season and beyond, Legends built upon Zari's character, specifically with the fantastic time look episode "Here I Go Again" and crafted her into a thought-out and intriguing character that's grown in a natural and realistic manner.
Unrealistic: Charlie’s Story
In contrast to Zari, Charlie's storyline doesn't necessarily develop or unfold quite as well. Charlie starts the series out as a shapeshifter who took the form of Amaya/Vixen. As the series moved on into season five, Charlie was revealed to be Clotho, one of three sisters in charge of the loom of fate.
Truth is, Charlie isn't that bad of a character but the direction and storyline the series dealt her took away from her character and made her, like a good portion of the series, a joke.
Realistic: Legion Of Doom
There's always a time when villains always have some kind of insane plan or goal that means the end of the world or reality as everyone knows it. So every now and then, when a villain or group of villains goals are somewhat reasonable, it's refreshing.
The Arrowverse version of the Legion Of Doom goal is to just create a reality where they win. No big world-ending plot, just change reality to where the likes of Damien Darhk, Reverse-Flash(who still has some questions that need to be answered), and Dark Archer win rather than lose, making for a fantastic storyline.
Unrealistic: Mallus
As it's probably obvious, Legends tends to go extremely out there with their storylines, and Mallus, who's not even that interesting of an Arroweverse villain when compared to Alice and the totems take the cake. A demon wanting to steal mystical totems in order to rule the world sounds as unrealistic as it can get, yet, it becomes worse.
The season, although having some grounded moments, continually pushes how unrealistic the series can be, with the demonic villain to the search for the totems, in comparison with previous seasons feels meh by comparison.