I think this is the only episode where I couldn't follow the plot. Turns out all of these realities were created by David as he attempts to find one where both (and the key word is both) him and Amy are happy. If you examine each of the different realities, you'll realize none satisfy that criterion, hence him coming back to the end of episode 5. It seems like he ran through all these realities in the time that he got off the table running to the door. Here's a rundown of each of the realities David created:
1-He doesn't want Amy to take care of him for the rest of her life and him being a zombie unable to experience life fully and realize his full potential.
2- He doesn't want to live in a reality where he's either powerful yet a slave to the shadow king or that he's become the shadow king himself in pursuit of power. In either case, he's far gone to even care about the well being of Amy (by causing the nosebleed).
3- You might ask, how about the happy suburban life scenario, well, I'd argue he couldn't settle for it because it wasn't with Syd.
4- We weren't given a lot of information about the reality where he's homeless but the fact that he ends up getting chopped in half, being separated from Amy, not being able to be with Syd (he only got a gimlpse of her in a car)
5- We were also not given a lot of information about the scenario where David "was taken too soon" but again , it goes without saying that's another failed simulation of reality. Same goes for the trapped/bored in office and methhead scenarios.
Overall, it was superb episode.
18 Reviews
"What could have been"
jgreening-0908710 May 2018
I have to admit I've been pretty disappointed with Season 2 so far. It's been pretty straight-up, superheroish, and coarse. I've felt disconnected from the characters I came to care about in Season 1.
This episode changed all that. It brought us right back to the beautiful non-linear, psychological style of the first season, and did it arguably even better.
"YOU decide what is real and what is not. Your will." Immediately after finding out that his sister's body has been hijacked by the Shadow King for Lenny, we have a glimpse into David's mind as he searches through infinite realities to find something better, for him and his beloved sister. The possibilities range from a homeless man to a suburban dad to the most powerful man on earth. Most, if not all, end in tragedy - if not for David, then for those he cares about most. The Shadow King is always there, lurking in the background, turning David's powers against the world.
In the split second that he visits all these realities and lives all these lives, David seems to come to the conclusion that the course he is on is the best one. Like Syd's maze earlier, he's stepped back, taken a look at his life - and all that might have been - and is poised to come up fighting.
This episode changed all that. It brought us right back to the beautiful non-linear, psychological style of the first season, and did it arguably even better.
"YOU decide what is real and what is not. Your will." Immediately after finding out that his sister's body has been hijacked by the Shadow King for Lenny, we have a glimpse into David's mind as he searches through infinite realities to find something better, for him and his beloved sister. The possibilities range from a homeless man to a suburban dad to the most powerful man on earth. Most, if not all, end in tragedy - if not for David, then for those he cares about most. The Shadow King is always there, lurking in the background, turning David's powers against the world.
In the split second that he visits all these realities and lives all these lives, David seems to come to the conclusion that the course he is on is the best one. Like Syd's maze earlier, he's stepped back, taken a look at his life - and all that might have been - and is poised to come up fighting.
finally getting back to what made season 1 so good
thebig-e-0190415 May 2018
A stand-alone tangent yes. But based on how Chapter 13 ended, it was a lovely look at David's relationship with his sister, and various possible outcomes, based on choices made and not made. So well done, filmed, written and acted. Dan Stevens and Katie Aselton were awesome in this episode, epic-like even.
So why did we have to wait for 5 and 6 for things to get back the the quality of Season 1? Will be interesting to see if they stick with this level of intensity or return to the campy-ness that was Chapters 9-12. The entire season deserves needs to be on par with these last two episodes and sadly the first 4 weren't.
So why did we have to wait for 5 and 6 for things to get back the the quality of Season 1? Will be interesting to see if they stick with this level of intensity or return to the campy-ness that was Chapters 9-12. The entire season deserves needs to be on par with these last two episodes and sadly the first 4 weren't.
The best episode of the show so far
alexarus12 May 2018
Defining experience
Br4ve-trave1or5 June 2018
This may be the best of the series in what felt like a Pault Thomas Anderson directing of Magnolia at times.
The Many World theories is shown in this episode but not simply as a filler as you would believe. Noah Hawley has never shown a filler episode imo. Every episode has advanced the plot forward AND THIS ADVANCES OUR MINDS to catch up with what MAYBE this show just told us.
It's been said to us to death during this series. Where as in Mr. Robot the question loomed large until the conclusion of season 3 (still may), this series has told us its approach but from different characters.
This episode could be taken literally for what this show is doing. There are many alternate realities that exist with David as he explains with the French fries and THE ONE WE'RE SEEING WAS THE ONE WHERE HE SAT IN THE CAR WITH HIS SISTER. That was a scene that we never saw just before David was committed to Clockworks. Maybe we're going along on this reality. This was anything but filler it was very though proving and had me wondering. They can never go there again imo... the whole he was sick the whole time POV. It's been interpreted to death by now where as in the first season it would have been a twist. This show is too original and unlike anything to do that. I think this was just a mind stimulating episode to make us think about the "Many world theories" which is my personal favorite referring to time.
This episode was divine in the directing the acting by David and the makeup! This was a movie that was under an hour. Imo the second season is better than the first season in its consistent execution of delivering episodes that outshine each other. The experimental and creative risk is astounding because it pays off to its loyal viewers.
This is a show by now for loyal viewers that refuses to hold your hand and assumes you're on board and on the ride of a lifetime with it. I dont want this to stop and anyone who thinks I'm hyping it up, im sorry its because this series is really groundbreaking and so ahead of it's time. Maybe that's why some people dont like it because it doesnt belong today but years from now!
The Many World theories is shown in this episode but not simply as a filler as you would believe. Noah Hawley has never shown a filler episode imo. Every episode has advanced the plot forward AND THIS ADVANCES OUR MINDS to catch up with what MAYBE this show just told us.
It's been said to us to death during this series. Where as in Mr. Robot the question loomed large until the conclusion of season 3 (still may), this series has told us its approach but from different characters.
This episode could be taken literally for what this show is doing. There are many alternate realities that exist with David as he explains with the French fries and THE ONE WE'RE SEEING WAS THE ONE WHERE HE SAT IN THE CAR WITH HIS SISTER. That was a scene that we never saw just before David was committed to Clockworks. Maybe we're going along on this reality. This was anything but filler it was very though proving and had me wondering. They can never go there again imo... the whole he was sick the whole time POV. It's been interpreted to death by now where as in the first season it would have been a twist. This show is too original and unlike anything to do that. I think this was just a mind stimulating episode to make us think about the "Many world theories" which is my personal favorite referring to time.
This episode was divine in the directing the acting by David and the makeup! This was a movie that was under an hour. Imo the second season is better than the first season in its consistent execution of delivering episodes that outshine each other. The experimental and creative risk is astounding because it pays off to its loyal viewers.
This is a show by now for loyal viewers that refuses to hold your hand and assumes you're on board and on the ride of a lifetime with it. I dont want this to stop and anyone who thinks I'm hyping it up, im sorry its because this series is really groundbreaking and so ahead of it's time. Maybe that's why some people dont like it because it doesnt belong today but years from now!
Loved this one!
Michal-shmuely10 May 2018
I love this show, however I find that this season is sometimes weird for no reason, just to make it more artistic.
This episode reminded me of the pilot. It has a grip in the real world, yet crazy, fun and makes you think. Not to mention we get to see more of Stevens as an actor, which is always great.
I hope the show will return to focus on David, his abilities and the various entities within his head.
My favorite episode so far...
That's How You Make a "Filler" episode
Ex3vd10 May 2018
I Love Legion and never write about, but this episode really deserves.
Nothing new for the story progression happens in this episode, you totally can jump this one if you just want to know what will happen in Legion story, but this is an amazing episode, because who never thought how your life would be totally different than the one your live in another reality, or how many realities can be exist, or one thing that you did and change everything, and this episode do it so good, because i'ts not only this, but is more, because Legion (David Haller) is a Mutant, and that is the best about this series, it's a Weirdest X-men side of the thing.
And I Loved the reference about a great movie from 1971.
And I Loved the reference about a great movie from 1971.
Hawley Explains Marvel Multiverse
gary_stuber10 May 2018
While this story doesn't really add to this season's narrative. For those fans of both the x-verse and mcu it really does a lot, in light of the present theatrical release of Avengers: Infinity War and the sequel coming a year from now. Without a lot of technical jargon, Hawley manages to adequately explain the entire Marvel multiverse with french fries. You will thoroughly enjoy this episode. It is a classic Hawley distraction, a tangent worth taking, similar to those meanderings he does at least once a season in Fargo. BYOK (Bring your own Ketchup).
A Strong Filler Episode
emmareviews27 May 2018
I absolutely loved season one of Legion, and as much as I wanted season two to be just as good, or even better, I can't say it is. I admit I enjoyed season one more than this season, but it doesn't mean I think season two is bad. This episode, however, I really liked. It's definitely one of my favourite episodes of this season thus far. I would call it a "filler" episode--but I don't mind great filler episodes! Also, I have to point out Dan Stevens' outstanding acting. His range is truly impressive.
Watching this is like an LSD Trip!
skip-9875622 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This show is in a category of its own..Its Soo weird,so far out there,so artsy and deep but it plays like a freakin LSD trip...things seem disjointed and ur like who the hell thought this made sense when they were producing it? maybe noone yet here it is in all its trippy glory.Its so weird that i cant stop watching at times, especially when the guys Godlike powers manifest, its mindbending kind of like "Chronicle on acid with steroids thrown in..most of the time im watching and wondering what the hell am i looking at? This is interesting stuff and very different TV! the music scores are superbly done and choreographed to the weirdness you are witnessing.very cool stuff!
The best episode so far
freizelbt14 July 2019
Another disatisfying digression
jwwalrath-227-8548710 May 2018
This one, like the Syd-heavy, episode was another stand-alone episode that takes away from the main plot. And like the Syd-one it feels like its trying too hard to be clever and artsy. Don't get me wrong, the other realities were interesting and Haller did a great job acting-wise, but I didn't feel any of what occurred was of enough substance to justify the episode. As for this episode being about David dealing with the events of the last episode, I just felt this was a frivolous way to deal with it.
Frustrating filler episode
lupo738 July 2019
A thousand monkeys on a thousand keyboards...
rsvp32110 May 2018
This episode is an example of the garbage churned out before they (the monkeys and apparently this show's writers) eventually, *accidently and by chance*, type out a masterpiece.
Too clever for its own good, what a mess.
Keep pounding the keyboard - even a broken clock is right twice a day!
Too clever for its own good, what a mess.
Keep pounding the keyboard - even a broken clock is right twice a day!
Not life changing, but still great
saullodanielle18 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode and the one before was about how these mutants deal with grief as well as the crap going on in their lives and the choices they're destined to make because of it. They may seem like a tangent but I think it really builds who these people are and what we know they'll become. I found it weird and fascinating and complex. Legion is such a diverse and different story to tell. It's all very cerebral, but that's what makes it captivating and real. Our what ifs are obviously very different but the complexity is the same. The siblings nailed it. Great acting! The story and directing and cinematography was dynamic. Best episode? No. But loved it all the same.
Oscar worthy. Share it as an intro or prequel.
gdrzkucsh4 March 2024
The whole series is brilliant, in both the senses of genius and awesome; examining the natures of sanity, the mind in general, and reality. This episode features David's lives in many alternate realities. Having never seen an episode before, someone could enjoy Chapter 14, quickly get that the series is about someone with freaky psychic super-powers, and appreciate the overall tone of the show. There are flashback bits at the end that could be seen as spoilers, but not more so than many movie trailers, especially out of context. If you show people who've never watched "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" the musical episode "Once More with Feeling," introduce them to "Legion" with "Chapter 14." It's the "Everything Everywhere All at Once" of series television.
Anime in my Legion?!
supernovaws27 May 2018
This is just a filler. Episode with plot not moving. Like in anime. - they overuse this trick.
Also "what if" is usually a sign that authors have nothing to say. It's seen many times in many other series. To name few: Eurika, Farscape, etc - too much to mention.
Too bad. Legion has potence for much more interesting fillers. And this is just a lame work.
Also "what if" is usually a sign that authors have nothing to say. It's seen many times in many other series. To name few: Eurika, Farscape, etc - too much to mention.
Too bad. Legion has potence for much more interesting fillers. And this is just a lame work.
unwatchable
tinozuvela7 December 2021
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