LEGENDS S2 Finale: Episode 210 "The Legend of Alexei Volkov" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Prague, Martin makes a deal with the Russians to rescue Kate. Meanwhile, President Arsanov's plan for Kate is moving forward in Chechnya. Gabi struggles to decide what to do about her husband. In 2004, Dmitry asks one last favor of Terrence. And in a flashback to 1972, the last pieces of the puzzle to understanding Martin Odum's true identity are revealed.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-10/the-legend-of-alexei-volkov.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

WHAT a finale!!! All the currently known pieces are put together, we finally see the whole picture as presented this series, Martin Odum's origins. For this finale, I'm going to do the summary by people instead of by timeframe.

Gabi Miskova: she is disgusted by behaviour of bribe-taking hubby District Attorney Krystof Blazek, has him arrested. Yet it is revealed that she committed adultery with Ballard when she visited the US, told him she had married the wrong man.

Curtis Ballard: now missing a leg, he is relegated to unsatisfactory desk work within the FBI, despite having passed field tests. He was happy that Gabi visited him, finally rejected his Mormon religious hangups and fully enjoyed her company as both of them had wanted from their first meeting.

Terrence Graves: Alexei's MI6 mentor and spy handler. British double agent for the Russian KGB, all because he didn't want to be outed as gay. As already seen, ends up with dementia and put in a nursing home by his family. However, dementia was already onset in 2004. His memory lapses were the main cause of Martin's fail to leave MI6 and his subsequent disastrous assignment in Iraq as John Cameron. He finally confessed all the truth to his wife, but she dismissed it as a figment of his mental degeneration.

Dmitry Petrovich: with Ilyana for 3 years after 2001 events but was tired of playing the part, wanted to tell the truth, get out of spying. Terrence disagreed. Dmitry ended up pushing her away, telling her he never wanted to see her again, that everything he told her was a lie. Yet he tried once more to break free, got money for Terrence to hide for him so he, Ilyana, and Katya could escape.

Ilyana Zakayeva Crawford: reached London safely. After Dmitry left, the Russians threatened her and Kate, to make sure. This is why she was so frightened intially to talk to Martin. At the end, Martin wanted to be with her and Kate, but couldn't because of the Russian deal. And her marriage.

Kate (Katya Zakayeva) Crawford: Kate tried everything she could think of to stop the marriage, including saying she wasn't a virgin. To no avail. Arsanov returned to Chechnya and the marriage was performed, but with consummation looming, she couldn't wait for rescue any longer, took matters literally into her own hands by stabbing Arsanov in the neck with a table knife. Then Martin burst in to help her. They successfully escaped to the waiting helicopter, and she got away safely, went home.

Martin Odum: with the complete file from the Russians in front of him, Martin relearned his past real life as Alexei Volkov, recruited from his family as a young lad by Hugh Sedley, also a British double agent for the KGB. He had this bright idea that the perfect double agent could be created from childhood. Alex Reed was his star pupil, growing up British right through to University, yet expected to be loyal to the KGB once hired by the government and things were explained. That is where Terrence Graves came into the picture as his mentor. Then the Russians tell him he is still a KGB agent over anything else, but they will help him rescue Kate if he kills Arsanov. Martin makes double sure of Kate's safety by telling MI6 & CIA to have a helicopter rescue for her. CIA Nina offers, but no help for himself. When he gets to Chechnya, and into the palace, he finds that Kate has already stabbed Arsanov. He got Kate out cleanly & away, but the Russians insist he remain with them. They put him in prison, but since he wasn't the one that killed Arsanov, say he can go free if he works for them. He will not. And that's where we last see Alexei, whom we've known as Martin Odum.

WOW! So, we are led to believe that Alex/Martin was a Russian KGB agent from the very beginning. While it's true they did do such things, I'm not buying this for a single minute, since Howard Gordon had laid out 7 potential series for LEGENDS. And since we're abruptly introduced to Martin's Irish legend "Kieran," it's clear they intended on doing a Series 3. Yes, I'm still hoping!

I did read the book LEGENDS by Robert Littell, still highly recommend it as a great spy thriller, as the story is entirely different from the TV show.

Until next time!! Thank you so much for reading these reviews!!

Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 209 "The Legend of Gabi Miskova" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Prague, Martin and Nina search for Tamir's associate Beslan in hopes of getting answers about the impending threat on the summit, as well as Kate's location. Meanwhile, two Chechen assassins put their deadly plan into action. Malika, Tamir's wife, gives Beslan orders that she thinks will save both of their lives. In 2001 Prague, Ballard confronts a life-altering injury, and Dmitry struggles to complete his mission without breaking his promise to help Ilyana and her daughter.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-9/the-legend-of-gabi-miskova.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

Things get even hairier!!
In 2001, Dmitry has just shot Ballard and took off in his car after Ilyana & Katya, who had gone with Arsanov in Dmitry's smuggler truck. He shot the driver then told Arsanov the story, which was mostly true. It was his makeshift plan to rescue Ilyana & Katya from Arsanov, as well as capture him, and it worked. Dmitry drove off with Arsanov hidden in the boot, and told Terrence what had happened. He wanted Ilyana & Katya safe before disappearing.

However, the Russians, alerted by Terrence, were waiting along the road to take Arsanov from Dmitry. Because of rescue of Curtis, Ilyana instead waited for regular police, told them her story, asked to be taken home with Katya. Tamir found out and confronts Ilyana, who tells him Doku is dead. Dmitry is horrified to learn that they went home instead of to safety. He goes there, tells Tamir mostly truth again, says he has to leave Prague because he shot Ballard. He secretly gives Ilyana another meeting point.

Elsewhere, the Russians have Arsanov, who now offer him a forced deal. Power for ending conflict. Oh, and Ballard lives, albeit without a leg. Gabi goes to talk to Ilyana but finds her & Katya gone. They get picked up by MI6, to safety. Gabi & Curtis witness the American 9/11 terrorist attack, he is ordered to abandon his Dmitry chase & return to Washington. Gabi tells him she likes him, but he thought she meant marriage.

In the present, Gabi was following leads in Prague to discover who Tamir had brought in for his apparent terrorist attack plans. They identified a few people, but the person that MI6 & CIA really wanted to shake down for info was the nephew, Beslan. They tracked him, because he didn't know his uncle was dead. Gabi was still angry with Blazek for his dealings with Tamir.

In Chechnya, Kate was desperately trying to figure out how to escape the upcoming wedding plans as well as the house. Tamir's wife Malika was smug, and suggested that she knew about Tamir's plans for Arsanov. Arsanov is in Prague for the world leader anti-terror summit (ironically), obviously he is Tamir's target, which is still unknown to the Czech security taskforce. After being chased, Beslan (a bright lad) guesses that his uncle Tamir is dead & phones Malika in Chechnya, asks what to do next. She says to change the plan, stop the assassination. How? He decides to go to the police himself. Martin finds out, his primary concern is Kate.

Gabi warns Arsanov's security, then she & MI6 Simon lean on Beslan to provide details. They get them but too late, the bomb goes off in the hotel, but Arsanov has already left. Gabi thinks it's just a diversion, asks Arsanov security where their contact point is. She goes there hoping to thwart the assassination. There's a shootout, and they do. Beslan is still being questioned, and Martin bursts in, wanting info on Kate. He roughs Beslan up, and he tells Martin where she is, as well as the plan for her. Kate is panicking that this horrible marriage to Arsanov is now going to happen. She threatens Malika, who threatens her back. Martin is beside himself trying to figure out how to rescue Kate. The CIA doesn't want to officially help. But CIA Nina is sympathetic, leaves him with some important info that he can use to get to Chechnya. He tells Ilyana that he'll find & rescue Kate, still feels something for Ilyana which is why he persists in helping. But Ilyana Crawford has a life, she has to go back. So there's only one thing that Martin can think of to do, armed with the new information- go to the Russians for help.

And... things are becoming clearer!! Will Martin reach Kate on time? We have all the known pieces now, next (and last) episode will bring it all full circle. Please watch for that summary next week! And again...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

LEGENDS Episode 208 "The Legend of Doku Zakayev" Summary & Brief Review

Official synopsis: In present day Prague, Martin goes back to work for Tamir, just like he did in 2001, but Tamir has other plans for him. Gabi confronts Blazek about his secret dealings. Kate is a prisoner in the President's compound in Chechnya. In 2001 Prague, Dmitry must convince Tamir to pick up where Doku left off and earn General Arsanov's trust. Ballard and Gabi suspect Dmitry and Ilyana have conspired to commit murder.
http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/legends/season-2/episode-8/the-legend-of-doku-zakayev.html

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

After last week's betrayal reveal, things are explained a bit more.

In the present, Kate is still in big trouble, imprisoned at the Chechen President Arsanov's house, with Tamir's wife watching her. In Prague, Martin is all but pleading with CIA Nina and MI6 Simon to help him find & rescue Kate, but they are reluctant. So that's why Martin revived his Dmitry cover, in order to gain back favour with Tamir, find answers himself. He is unaware that Tamir's nephew Beslan told him that Dmitry killed his brother Doku. Both were mistaken because it was Ilyana who murdered Doku- Dmitry just covered it up. So when Tamir calls "Dmitry" for a job, Martin is unprepared when Tamir attempts to kill him, forcing Martins hand- he ends up killing Tamir in self defense before finding out where Kate was. Kate is still trying to find a way to get a call out.

In 2001, Curtis & Gabi find out about Doku, assume it was Dmitry, have to deal with Blazek as well because of the photos. They question Ilyana, who says nothing, but also get from Tamir that it was Dmitry who killed Doku. Dmitry tries to explain to Terrence what happened without mentioning Ilyana's involvement. They try to figure out what next to do to get General Arsanov, MI6 & the Russians' main target. Dmitry's main concern has become getting Ilyana & Katya to safety. Ilyana finally tells Dmitry that the police think he killed Doku. Arsanov is still interested in Ilyana, wants to take her & Katya with him to Chechnya in Dmitry's smuggler truck. The Russians want Arsanov captured, through Terrence, via Dmitry. But Dmitry thwarts both plans in favour of his own when he finds out about Ilyana & Katya, with the unwitting help of Curtis Ballard, who tracked the truck and gets shot when Dmitry escapes from him.

In 1994, Ilyana and Doku meet for the first time, in the course of the Chechen war. It is also shown that Arsanov was in charge then, too. He tells Ilyana that her father is dead, and also finds out that she favours Doku.

In the present, Gabi confronts Blazek about his dealings with Tamir, follows up in case of a terror plot connection. But she finds nothing, it's the wrong place to look. Both MI6 & CIA Nina don't consider Beslan to be critical to plans, but Martin knows better, tells them to hurry up & find him, that's where the real danger lies plus he's the one who moved Kate. Ilyana blames herself but Martin thinks he's to blame for Doku's death. Ilyana tells him the truth. Gabi follows up on Blazek's bribe story.
Then Arsanov tells Kate that he wants to marry her, because it's what Doku would want.

Things are so tense!! What?? Now Arsanov, denied Ilyana, wants to marry her daughter? Will Martin make it to Kate on time to prevent this?

LAST SURVEY!! Not sure why TNT wants to know, since for now, the show is cancelled? But! I'm glad they are asking, maybe another crumb of hope of seeing LEGENDS elsewhere if not TNT? I wrote them a bloody book about LEGENDS for the questions that allowed it! LINK:  http://spr.ly/6188BVvaK

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)

#‎DONTCANCELLEGENDS Twitter Campaign For Saving LEGENDS TV Show Starring Sean Bean!!

There is currently a campaign on Twitter for saving ‪‎LEGENDS‬ - hashtag ‪#‎DONTCANCELLEGENDS‬ - it already has my participation.

I have already written email letters to Turner/TNT, but it seems to me that TNT is done with it.

However, LEGENDS is produced by worldwide company FOX 21 & is shown in many TV markets.

This is a time where other media outlets are looking for quality established shows, so I think LEGENDS is a great candidate for pickup.




This is assuming that ‪‎Sean Bean‬ remains interested in continuing, because I'm not interested in the show without him.

As the sign says, help as you can, let's do what has to be done to let the show know we want it to continue into a Series 3, if not at TNT, then somewhere!

There was already some hope of it being shopped when the official LEGENDS social media accounts posted the image below along with the caption "Martin will be born again" so I AM HOPING!!

Martin will be born again

Stay tuned, I'll be writing a column for each of the remaining episodes 208-210!
Written by Donna DeBoer (@DRLDeBoer on Twitter)