My Top Ten Episodes of "Legion"

I talked myself out of writing a Top Ten list back when "Legion" ended, because there are less than thirty episodes. However, the more I look back on the show, the more I feel that was a mistake. So here's my belated list of favorite episodes from the wildest piece of superhero media we've seen yet.

Chapter 1 - The premiere is a wonderful introduction into the fractured mind of David Haller. We get the first glimpses of his past, but most of the episode is spent on David's relationship with Syd at the Clockworks psychiatric hospital. I love the reveal that David and Syd are actually both mutants in the "X-men" universe, and what their powers are. And that Bollywood style dance sequence is just the right amount of beautifully bizarre.

Chapter 5 - I love the illusory moments of happiness where David and Syd get to interact normally in the little haven that he creates for them. Alas, it comes at a price, including David singing a creepy rendition of "Rainbow Connection," with creepy banjo accompaniment, naturally. We also see more bits and pieces about David's past and abilities being revealed as the villains close in, finally culminating in a fun cliffhanger at the end of the hour.

Chapter 7 - A lot of reveals happen in this episode, notably the chalkboard animations that show us some of David's family history with the Shadow King. There's also the black and white noir sequence, the slow motion Ravel's "Bolero" sequence, more fun in the ice cube on the astral plane, and the Eye finally gets himself squished. Hiro Murai, better known for "Atlanta" and his work with Childish Gambino, directed this episode.

Chapter 9 - The second season opener introduces a whole new slew of weird concepts, from a virus causing paralysis and chattering teeth, to the bizarre Amiral Fukyama and his Vermilion, to a future version of Syd delivering warnings to David. There's also a dance battle, because why wouldn't there be? However, my favorite of this year's new bits is the Narrator, voiced by Jon Hamm, who hosts disturbing educational interludes.

Chapter 12 - We finally get some backstory about Sydney, as David is forced to experience her memories over and older again, including some pretty disturbing episodes. It's also a nice reevaluation of their relationship so far, especially in light of where this season ultimately takes both of them. David may be deeply screwed up, but so is Syd, and in a completely different way. Some of the content is a little disturbing, but it's necessary stuff.

Chapter 13 - One of the things I love about this show is that it's able to pull off some really good twists. My favorite, and one of the most traumatizing in the series, is when it explains how Lenny managed to get a hold of a physical body. This depends entirely on the viewers having forgotten about a major character from the first season, which isn't too difficult because David has totally forgotten about that person too by this point.

Chapter 15 - This is the most action-oriented episode of the show in a while, with David hunting down the ghastly "delusions" that have been set loose on Division 3 by Farouk. It also has some of the biggest pieces of foreshadowing as to how the season is going to play out, with David's power increasing and his attitude toward Syd and other characters. It's David at his most heroic, and ironically also David at his most arrogant and troubling.

Chapter 19 - The second season finale sees the great confrontation between David and the Amahl Farouk finally happen, which is also an amazing musical sequence with animated flourishes. However, it's what happens after the clash that really pays off what everything else in this season has been building up to. David being an unreliable narrator who has been manipulating things in his favor is just the tip of the astral iceberg.

Chapter 20 - The third season opens with a new status quo - David and his hippie-like cultists hiding out, being pursued by Syd and Division 3. Into the mix comes a new character, Switch, who is as metaphysically offbeat as anyone else in the show, but a much snazzier dresser. And then there's the time travel, previously an interesting little conundrum hanging over David's head, and now set to be a much bigger part of this season.

Chapter 23 - The Daniel Kwan directed mixed media phantasmagoria displays the effects of David and Switch meddling with the timeline. Various characters experience time looping, time disappearing, speeding up, or standing still. The freaky time demons are amazing to see in action, and there's a superb fake-out involving "The Shield." This is my pick for the best episode of the series, a great example of the show's creators pushing boundaries.
---