(Scenes from Legends of Tomorrow Season 4, Episodes 9 and 10)
Four hours passed following Mike the Spike's attack. Captain Lance and Director Sharpe have brought him into the Time Bureau's custody. The former radios Dr. Palmer and Mr. Rory for assistance. Miss Wu is wanted for unlawfully releasing a Kaupe (a Hawaiian wolfman) from imprisonment. They captured Miss Wu after Mr. Rory tranquilized her. The captain suspects that the Kaupe is somewhere in the timeline as she found a time courier on the scene. She assigns Miss Tomaz with locating him. Upon returning to the Waverider, the quartet heads straight to the lab. "Any hits," Captain Lance asks Miss Tomaz.
"I tried to portal from today's courier activity, but so far, no dice." Mr. Rory and Dr. Palmer situate a sedated Miss Wu on a white accent chair. "It would help if I had the actual courier." The computer specialist sticks her hand out.
"Sure, here you go." The captain places the smashed device on the desk.
Miss Tomaz pulls back her hand. "Okay, never mind."
"So, we have a vicious monster on the loose and no idea where it might have disappeared to."
"He's not a vicious monster," Miss Wu consciously disagrees. "People just assume that because of the way he looks." She is clearly taken with the Kaupe. "He's a demigod. He used to be a king." Mr. Rory is about to tranquilize her again, but Dr. Palmer steps in front of him.
"What are you doing?"
"Seeing if this thing works on her mouth." Miss Wu doesn't like that and is silenced.
"How about we just give our guest the dignity of hearing her story first?" Mr. Rory begrudgingly lowers his gun and leaves.
"I'm telling you," Miss Wu insists. "The men in black are behind all of this. They're framing me, so they can keep hurting magical creatures."
"Hurting how," Miss Tomaz inquires.
"I don't know, but Konane was terrified when they came for him. I was just trying to help him."
"Mona," Captain Lance professes, "we saw the security footage, and there were no men in black. Just you."
"Well, they must have altered the footage to hide the truth." It is possible. "I'm like Mulder, and those guys are the shadow government covering their tracks. It's a conspiracy! The truth is out there!" The captain and Miss Tomaz look at each other as if saying Miss Wu is daft.
Dr. Palmer tries to calm her down. "Okay, okay, Fox! Take a breath! We believe you." They turn to Captain Lance. "Right, Sara?"
She narrows her eyes. "Yes," she warily answers. "We do, and we're gonna get to the bottom of this. But first, we need to find the Kaupe before he hurts himself. Can you help us do that?" Miss Wu steadily nods her head.
While Dr. Palmer entertains our "houseguest", the captain and Miss Tomaz proceed to the bridge. The latter suggests, "So, I'll head to the Bureau and do some digging?"
"What? No, I need you on the hunt for that monster."
The computer specialist doesn't understand the directive. "But you said..."
"Exactly what I needed to say. That girl is clearly bonkers, but the Kaupe trusts her and we need her as bait." That's a dirty trick.
Miss Tomaz stops to face her. "What if she's not crazy? What if there's really a cover-up at the Bureau?"
"Then, Ava would know it and she wouldn't allow it."
I interrupt their conversation with a bit of news. "Captain, I have found a lead on our missing Kaupe." I show them an article on a monitor in the corridor. "In Mexico City, 1961, an unidentified drug cartel member was found dead. Apparently, it was the work of a wild animal non-indigenous to the region."
"That must be him," she deduces. Miss Tomaz is resolute about her impressions. "All right, fine. Do some digging through the footage, but keep your head down. We don't wanna raise any red flags."
"Got it." Miss Tomaz makes a left turn, while Captain Lance turns right.
"Gideon, rally the troops. We are going to Mexico." I plot a course to 1961 Mexico City. The captain enlists Mr. Constantine, Ms. Wu, and Mr. Rory to find the Kaupe. Dr. Palmer and Charlie are moderating in the bridge. The first group has found Konane's exact location: a wrestling arena. Guess who the star attraction is?
"Blimey," Charlie exhales, "how'd our hairy friend end up with that lot?" Mr. Constantine is unsurprised as lucha libre emphasizes a wrestler's character and charisma as well as being a moral battle. According to Dr. Palmer, the altered records reveal the arrival of El Lobo (the Kaupe's moniker) six months prior and his resultant fame. Charlie is bummed that she was benched for this mission.
Miss Tomaz now knows that the security video was doctored. However, she must access Mr. Heywood's phone to obtain the undiluted footage. Coincidentally, he will be at the benefit gala for hemophilia tonight. Although she is attending as Dr. Heywood's plus-one, she relays that it isn't a date. Of course, it isn't. I brief Captain Lance on her investigation, and she goes to see her in her quarters. "Hey, Gideon said you..." She notices the hacker dressed to the nines. "Wow, you got a date?"
"No, it's not a date." Miss Tomaz is wearing a black evening dress, a silver necklace, a pair of cushion earrings, and lipstick. Her hair is held in a curly updo. "I am dressed like this because the footage you saw at the Bureau earlier was definitely altered. By Hank."
The captain is bowled over by the news. "Okay, before I do the math on this, are you sure?"
"Yeah, Mona was telling the truth. There is a cover-up at the Bureau."
"What are the chances that Ava's wrapped up in this?"
"Honestly, I don't know yet. But if she's not a part of it, then she's probably in a lot of danger." After Miss Tomaz departs, Captain Lance interrogates Miss Wu in the lab about the incident with the "men in black". Konane is enclosed in the brig at the time. "He was so scared. I had to do something to stop them."
"Where were they taking him?"
"Somewhere terrible. That's why he can't go back to the Bureau. The men in black are gonna hurt him or worse."
"Well, he can't stay in Mexico."
"So, take him back home. Back to ancient Hawaii, to his old kingdom." The Kaupe growls in approval. "You saw him in the arena. He's meant to be a king."
"Mona, it's not that simple."
"Why," she naively asks.
"Captain," I cut in, "you're being hailed by Director Sharpe."
She points upward to Miss Wu. "That is why." She turns to leave, saying, "Gideon, I'll take it on the bridge."
"I'm afraid she's overridden my security protocols." A holographic Director Sharpe appears. Judging by her slender dark gown and makeup, she's also on her way to the benefit. Her crossed arms indicate her displeasure.
Captain Lance rotates and flashes a fake grin. "Ava! Wow, look at you." She strides over to her. "You look great."
"Yeah, thanks." The director is not swaying. "But listen, Sara, the situation with the Kaupe has gotten much worse. He now has an accomplice, Mona Wu. She may not look it, but she is extremely dangerous. She completely wiped Gary's mind." It's when she glances over her shoulder that she notices the civilian fugitive failing to slip out. Miss Wu sheepishly waves at her. Director Sharpe barks at the captain, "Wait, you've had Mona in custody this whole time and you didn't..."
"It's a long story, but I need to explain it to you in person. This line might not be secure."
"The line isn't secure? Sara, what are you—" The director heeds the magical fugitive in the brig. "You have the Kaupe too?!"
Captain Lance becomes more agitated. "Look, I can't explain it now."
"I'm sending an extraction team right now."
Provoked by this imperation, she obliges, "Gideon, mask our location."
"Sara, you need to bring the fugitives in now!"
"I'm sorry," she mutters.
"Don't you dare hang up on—" The captain does dare, much to Miss Wu's shock. Aware of the fact that she's putting her relationship with Director Sharpe on the line, she sternly warns, "Mona, you'd better not be wrong about this." She changes into a bright evening gown, matching lipstick, and dangled earrings. Her hair is in a clean bun. Captain Lance enters the bridge to address the team. "I need to go to that benefit, so I can talk to Ava face-to-face."
Dr. Palmer leaps from the parlour and lands right in front of her. He has collected signatures for his petition to be Interim Captain. Hers is the last one needed. I would sign, but I have no fingers. She notes that Mr. Rory's is partially redacted. I saw what he wrote; profanity was inscribed. She gives him full rights, instructing, "The team needs to keep a low profile. Radio silence, and absolutely no time travel."
"Captain Palmer's got it covered."
"Interim captain," she corrects as she exits the bridge. Dr. Palmer's first act is reeducating the rules of time travel to a disinclined Charlie and Mr. Constantine through playing his version of "Cards Against Humanity". He calls it "Cards to Save the Timeline". Charlie doesn't believe that "Vandal Savage" is a real name. Mr. Constantine considers Damian Darhk's moniker to be "a touch on the nose". The captain's orders don't mention anything relating to me. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm detecting a disturbance in the timeline." My report diverts the soothsayer and the shapeshifter. I display the group pictures of disgruntled Mexicans demanding El Lobo on the monitor. "In the wake of El Lobo's sudden disappearance from the lucha libre scene, rumors spread of government censorship. County-wide protests erupted and dozens were killed in the ensuing riots." Dr. Palmer abides by Captain Lance's rules and entices the others to play his game. However, Mr. Constantine and Charlie have another idea. It takes a bit of prodding for the interim captain to reconsider. They grab Miss Wu and Konane from the lab and depart for 1961 Mexico City.
An irked Captain Lance returns to the ship. Her conversation with Director Sharpe didn't fare so well. On the other hand, that's not the sole reason for her fury. "Damn it, Ray," she berates via her comms. "What happened to keeping to a low profile?"
"It's a long story, but this fight must happen in order to protect history. So, trust us, okay?" I reemphasize the interference to her to explain his reasoning better.
She groans, rubbing her forehead. "Gideon, patch me through the Bureau." Yes, Captain. The ruffled director accepts the call. "Ava, I know you're mad, but can we please just talk about this like adults before doing something rash?"
Director Sharpe, however, is not having any of it. "I will put a stop to that fight, Sara. Now is not the time for one of your fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants plans. Hand over the fugitive before someone gets hurt."
"I know this sounds crazy, but there is no way around it. Letting the Kaupe wrestle is important to Mexico's history."
"No, allowing an escaped fugitive to fight is endangering all of history." Whose history? "Extraction team, move out." She addresses the captain, "As head of the Time Bureau, I'm requesting you to tell your team to stand aside." The line is still on when Mr. Constantine informs her about the extraction team's arrival.
"Give 'em hell," she tells him determinedly. "That's an order." I've accessed his comms and maximized the volume. The fight between El Lobo and El Cura turns into an all-out brawl. It's them plus the Legends and the public versus the Bureau agents. The battle ends in favor of both El Lobo and El Cura. With that, the timeline is restored.
"Well, looks like you've saved history again," Director Sharpe frigidly expresses. "Congratulations, Sara."
"Ava, just let me explain..."
"No need. It's all very clear to me."
"Ava, please don't hang up..." The director terminates the call. "...on me." Captain Lance retrieves a copy of the latter's snickerdoodle recipe. I watch as she makes a batch as an olive branch and portals to the Time Bureau. When she comes back on verge of tears, it's obvious what has transpired.
Despite her fresh heartache, Captain Lance is determined to resume business as normal. With that said, I have provided the exposition on today's mission. Richard Nixon, the 37th U.S. President known for his dishonesty, is now telling the truth. I play the footage of him at a press conference in 1973 Orlando, Florida. He just admits being a crook and an "adequate lover" despite his wife consistently reassuring him otherwise. The captain is disgusted by the last part. "Well, that is more about Tricky Dicky than I ever needed to know."
"And it's more than the public needed to know," I declare. "In the days following the news conference, Nixon found himself unable to tell a lie, resulting in global chaos." As stated by Charlie, his truthful rambling has botched ongoing peace talks and trade agreements. Dr. Palmer highlights that Robert Redford's career flopped without the release of "All the President's Men". That is unacceptable to Mr. Rory as it means no indie films, Sundance, and "artful nudity". Charlie surmises Nixon's forthrightness derives from a "magical assist".
She and the astrophysicist raise another issue. Yesterday's endeavors have gotten the Legends in a bind with the Time Bureau altogether. Simultaneously, Miss Wu is still a sought-after fugitive. They can only keep her hidden on the Waverider for a brief period. The imperturbable captain takes the situation into account. "Right, well, it has been eventful, but things are gonna blow up with the Bureau. We'll find a safe place for Mona. I feel like we should be doing what we do best. Am I right?"
"Right," Mr. Rory proclaims. "Save Redford and independent films." He readily dashes out of the bridge. His enthusiasm is quite a sight to witness.
"That's the spirit." She follows him, though she's bemused about his reply. Charlie and Dr. Palmer remain dubious over the circumstances. Miss Tomaz is temporarily undercover at the Time Bureau. Captain Lance isn't the only one dealing with heartbreak. Miss Wu is reeling from the loss of her Kaupe paramour. Locked in the bathroom, she lifts her sweater and examines her bandaged stomach. Strangely enough, I have heard her growl weakly. Mr. Rory checks up on her; he tells her to "give it time" as well as not pushing the red button in the bathroom. Captain Lance, dressed as a doctor, walks by. "Oh, uh, Captain," Miss Wu calls, "I wanted to talk to you."
"Good." She crosses her arms at the runaway. "I need to talk to you too. So, as far as the Bureau's concerned, you're a fugitive. I need you to stay on the ship and not draw any attention."
"It's not just that. Um, when we were in Mexico—"
"No, when we were in Mexico, a man got murdered by Konane because you said we could trust him."
"No, Konane didn't..." She hesitates, murmuring, "He didn't mean to." Mr. Rory can't understand why she fibbed.
The captain doesn't have time for it. "Look, Mona, whatever it is, it's in the past. Now, it's onto the next problem. That's how this works." She then speaks to the ex-con. "Mick, Nixon's supposed to give his 'I'm not a crook' speech tomorrow. We need him back to his lying self by then. You and John stay on the ship, look after Mona, and make sure she doesn't get into any trouble." She also mutters, "Make sure she doesn't touch that red button." Captain Lance partially blames Miss Wu for the dissolution of her relationship with Director Sharpe. This is why she's being hostile to her. However, I'm aware that Miss Wu is a mere factor, not the cause.
I cloak the ship before landing in 1973 near the Walter Reed Medical Center. Dr. Palmer and Captain Lance disembark along with Charlie. Mr. Rory, Miss Wu, and Mr. Constantine are monitoring from the bridge. The captain notifies them that they have Nixon and they're on their way. The soothsayer affirms, "Well, let's figure out what loosed his tongue and get the hell out of there, shall we?" A portal unexpectedly opens in the corridor; Dr. Heywood and Miss Tomaz rush in. "Listen, you guys can't be here," she beckons. "The Bureau's onto you."
"Ah, good," Mr. Rory maintains. "Time for a pig roast."
"No one's roasting anyone, and it's not just the Bureau," Dr. Heywood inserts. "It's my dad and he's got backup. Go."
"No, not again," Miss Wu moans.
"Guys, we're working on stopping Hank for good," the hacker informs. "In the meantime, you need to find the team and stay ahead of him."
"On it," Mr. Constantine yields. He, Mr. Rory, and Miss Wu exit through a different portal. Seconds later, Mr. Heywood and his backup team arrive. Dr. Heywood and Miss Tomaz lie, saying the Legends escaped. One Bureau agent has spotted them at the hospital. He conveys over the phone, "We have eyes on the Legends, and they have the President!"
"They've gone too far again," Mr. Heywood exclaims. "Siri... uh, Alexa..." He means me. "Gideon! Fire up the engine." No, thank you. I shut down the ship... after Miss Tomaz tinkers the wires. That'll require me to be inactive at this juncture. I prefer that to working with him. She restarts the engines about an hour later. I fly the Waverider over Route 301, where Mr. Heywood's team has created a blockage. She communicates, "Someone need a lift?" I uncloak the ship in viewing. After the Legends are picked up, they return to Orlando to get a miffed Charlie, who was left behind during the chase. I learn that Miss Wu is now half-Kaupe after Konane scratched her. Moreover, she privately reveals that the slain Bureau agent killed Konane in Mexico. In turn, she, not him, slew the man out of grief. Captain Lance maintains that Miss Wu is staying on board as a Legend.
Miss Tomaz catches Dr. Heywood in the corridor. She informs him that Agent Green has managed to retrieve classified documents from Mr. Heywood's phone. The latter's been embezzling funds for a black site operation in Baltimore. He's also testing the magical fugitives in the Bureau's custody. While the true reason is uncertain, she likens the applied tactics to those used by ARGUS in 2042 to turn metahumans into "super soldiers". She shows Dr. Heywood Agent Green's findings on the tablet. His face grows more dismal the longer he reads them. He returns the tablet to her, convinced he knows his father's "true intentions". Recalling the elder Heywood saying his plan is for him, the younger Heywood wants nothing to do with it or him. Miss Tomaz takes his hand to comfort him. He assures her he'll be fine before he portals back to the Bureau. She thoughtfully stares after him.