Legacies – This Is the Part Where You Run

By starrymag | November 1, 2018

By: Atiya Irvin-Mitchell

 

 

It’s a full moon and we’re treated to a voice over from the familiar, but slightly older and more solemn Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell). The half witch/vampire/werewolf gives a short monologue about the stories we’re told as children about heroes and villains and introduces the unfamiliar to The Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. It’s a safe place for supernatural kids like her and tonight under the full moon it’s getting a new student.

 

We’re in Georgia and we see two teenage boys headed to a church. One might be familiar to The Originals fans as it is Landon Kirby (Aria Shahghasemi) and the other is Rafael (Peyton Alex Smith). They’re arguing. Rafael’s headed to the confession at a church, but Landon’s not so into the idea because Raf’s not Catholic. Rafael says that it doesn’t matter as he recently threw a lawnmower through a window and the confession will get Hector and Maria off his back.

 

Hector (Tony Guerrero) and Maria (Lorraine Rodriquez-Reyes) are revealed to be Landon and Rafael’s foster parents and with a priest in tow they insist that Landon leave because Rafael needs to have a private chat with God. Landon doesn’t like it, but at Rafael’s assurance begrudgingly heads outside to wait.

 

Landon heads to the church’s stairs and still appears worried, so sits down to write in what appears to be a journal. Mid-sentence a car pulls up to the church and we see inside things have gotten hairy in more ways than one. Rafael’s foster parents seem to think he’s possessed thanks to the lawnmower incident and the priest is chanting in Latin and throwing holy water, clearly attempting an exorcism.

 

Back outside Landon is stunned to see Hope get out of car. There’s an older man with her and it is Alaric Saltzman (Matthew Davis), the Salvatore school’s headmaster. Hope magically unlocks the gate and tells Landon to wait outside this won’t be pretty.

 

Alaric and Hope charge into the scene. Completely calm and in sync this doesn’t appear to be the first time the duo’s done something like this. Rafael however who has the trademark glowing yellow eyes and claws is experiencing his very first werewolf transformation. The foster parents and the priest are still chanting away, and Alaric tells Hope to nix the exorcism, which she does with a silencing spell. Rafael’s clearly still in a lot of pain and is screaming for help. Hope and Alaric chain him up and Landon, who didn’t wait outside, has seen Hope’s magic and has been treated to an eye full of his friend transforming from boy to a very large wolf. He’s clearly confused.

 

The next morning Alaric, Hope, Landon, Rafael and Hope are driving back to Mystic Falls. Rafael’s human again and fast asleep. Alaric wants to know how Hope and Landon know each other. Hope explains that Landon used to serve her milkshakes, but he moved away. They sort of went out once. They both smile at the memory. But Landon really, really wants to know how Hope tore a door off its hinges with her mind. Alaric says all will be explained once they get there.

 

When they arrive at the Salvatore school the group is greeted by Josie (Kaylee Bryant) and Lizzie Saltzman (Jenna Boyd), Alaric’s fraternal twin teenage daughters. They’re going to be Rafael’s tour guides and they have a less than warm relationship with Hope. After Lizzie jabs that Hope’s name should be despair, they take a still confused Rafael and Landon goes with Hope and Alaric. Both boys are clearly still confused.

 

The now trio of Hope, Landon, and Alaric walk into what appears to be a common room and kids are energetically running all over. It’s a typical school, except that some of the kids are making things float with their minds. Alaric asks Landon if he was aware of the school when he still lived in Mystic Falls. Landon’s disbelievingly staring at the magical kids in action and replies that he knew Hope went to a fancy boarding school, but he thought it was just a school for troubled rich kids.

 

Alaric replies the locals don’t know the real story because the students and faculty blend in and contribute just enough to the community not to garner unwanted attention. They reach Alaric’s office and he explains they’re a school for the supernatural. He notes that every student has something that makes them special, but the outside world isn’t equipped to handle it.

 

Landon bluntly asks what Hope I and she says she should go to class as she is clearly uncomfortable. Landon apologizes and asks her to stay.  She agrees, and Landon pleads with Alaric and Hope to explain last night’s event. Delicately Hope asks Landon what he thinks it was and he says that either he’s lost it or werewolves are real. Alaric says it’s a long story, but has a more important question: who did Rafael kill recently?

 

We then see the tour Lizzie and Josie are giving to Rafael. Both girls are vying for his attention and explain the dynamics. They’re all about inclusive species blending, but the werewolves can be cliquey. Lizzie and Josie say they want to give Rafael a witchy welcome and give him a glimpse of a spellcasting class. The teacher inside is Mr. Dorian Williams (Demetrius Bridges) who calls on a girl named Penelope Park (Lulu Antariksa) for a demonstration and Lizzie calls her She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Penelope and Josie went out, but it did not end well.

 

Back in Alaric’s office Landon is defensive. He doesn’t understand why Alaric would ask him that. Alaric explains the werewolf gene doesn’t activate unless the carrier takes a life. Rafael’s transformation means he killed someone. Alaric tells Landon the Salvatore school has no tolerance for cold-blooded killers. Landon leaps to defend his friend and says Rafael’s no killer, the life of a foster-kid is just hard. Hope tries to smooth things over and tells Landon they only want to help. She’s gone to the Salvatore school since she was 7-years-old and it’s a safe place for people like her and Rafael. Landon seems reassured by this.

 

He explains that Rafael did kill someone, but it was an accident. Last month Rafael was driving was with his girlfriend during a storm and took a sudden turn too fast, she didn’t make it. Afterwards Rafael started having fits of rage and Landon thought it was the grief, but Alaric explains aggression comes with activating the werewolf gene. He thanks Landon and Hope promises that everything will be okay. She then tells someone outside the door that they’re ready.

 

Enter Milton Greasley (Quincy Fouse), who prefers to be called M.G. for obvious reasons. He’s Alaric’s student aid and a vampire. He looks into Landon’s eyes and tells him to forget everything he’s seen and learned since last night. Landon’s unaffected by M.G.’s attempt at mind control and angrily asks how he’s supposed to forget any of this. Everyone in the room is shocked. As Landon tries to rush out of the office, M.G. uses his super speed and puts him in a death grip forcing him to pass out.

 

Landon wakes up in what appears to be a cell. He’s having flashbacks to being locked in a closet as a child. Hope appears and Landon begs her to let him out. She’s sorry, but he can’t go yet and tries to assure him he’s not a prisoner. Hope explains that he won’t have to be there long and tells him that the compulsion M.G. attempted probably didn’t work because he has an herb called vervain in his system. The sheriff probably slipped it into the coffee at the gas station this morning. Once it passes out of his system they’ll wipe his memories and he’ll be free to go.

 

Outside there’s a lively game happening. The ball is flying through the air with magic. Lizzie is explaining to Rafael that this is the closest they can get to quidditch without people breaking their legs. Josie goes off to sit with M.G., who asks if she’s taking herself out of the running for Rafael. Josie says it’s not a competition and she’s still nursing a broken heart. M.G. wonders if Rafael will go for Lizzie and Josie sadly comments that “they” always do. Lizzie tells Rafael she’s sorry about his girlfriend, but everyone’s glad he’s single. Rafael looks offended and Lizzie tries to backtrack by saying she’s sorry, but guys like him make her nervous. Rafael wonders what that means, and Lizzie makes things worse by saying hot, angry and damaged. Raf storms away.

 

Near the woods Hope and Alaric are sparring, and Hope’s upset about Landon’s current situation. Alaric says it was the only option and asks Hope if she and Landon were together. Hope says she liked Landon, but he’s human and she’s not. Besides, she doesn’t date. Alaric chides her by saying he’s well aware of her quest to shut out the whole world. He reminds her though that there are rules about fraternizing with humans. Hope says he’s could just be her headmaster and her social life doesn’t have to be his concern. Alaric shoots back that if she made friends he wouldn’t have to worry.

 

Josie interrupts to tell Alaric “cleanup on aisle L.” He nods and rushes away. Cut to the kitchen and aisle L is none other than Lizzie who’s going berserk. She’s screaming and crying and to top it off magically throwing around and subsequently breaking every dish and utensil in sight. Alaric rushes in and calls his daughters name. Lizzie’s still in full-on rage mode, but stops her telekinetic tantrum just short of stabbing her dad in the face with a knife. This seems to snap her back to reality and tearfully greets a relieved Alaric.

 

Later on, we see Hope in bed, but she can’t sleep. We then see a close up on Landon who’s equally restless. Hope goes to see him. They discuss what’s keeping them up at night. Landon says it’s claustrophobia and Hope says her body has a lot going on. Landon takes the opening to ask her again what she is. She dodges the question again. Landon brings up their almost date from two years ago and tells Hope it was a good day. In addition to the dance with Hope his bully got what he deserved. Landon says it’s classic him to crush on the girl with baggage and Hope says she’s going to try to sleep again. Landon’s unhappy with the explanation. She leaves, and Landon’s cell door flies off. He finds himself being dragged down the hallway by no one in sight.

 

Landon’s outside and is greeted by Josie and Rafael. He hugs Rafael and Josie explains she used a summoning spell and apologizes if it was a bit rough. There’s a party in the woods and the supernatural kids are showing off their abilities. Rafael wants Landon to join the fun, but Landon thinks maybe he should just leave while he has the chance. Rafael says he’ll go with as it’s them against the world, but Landon’s hesitant.

 

Inside the school Alaric’s with Lizzie. He’s trying to get her to meditate. Alaric gently reminds her of the incident from earlier so she gives in, but only for a minute. Lizzie wants to know if her father thinks she’s damaged. He quickly says no. It’s just that her birth mother’s “crazy” witch ancestor’s left her with a complicated legacy.

 

Lizzie interjects that she’s surprised Alaric has time to meditate with her, given all the time he’s been spending training Hope. Alaric says they could make it a group session if Hope and the girls would just be friends. Lizzie says she’s tried, but Hope doesn’t make any effort. Lizzie says everyone at the school has lost something. Hope walks in and tells Alaric she’s feeling restless. Alaric gives her the greenlight to go to the forest.

 

Back at the party Josie and Rafael are talking around a bonfire. Rafael thanks Josie for jailbreaking Landon and Josie says it’s no problem. Rafael talks a little about his girlfriend Cassie. They were going to go to college together and she was the best person he knew. Josie apologizes for what happened and the pair commiserate over broken hearts. She says she knows her sister put her foot in her mouth, but she promises Rafael that Lizzie’s the best person she knows.

 

We see Landon walking through the woods intent on leaving and he realizes he’s being chased. We see that it’s a wolf after him. The wolf in question jumps through the air tackling him and shifts into her human form quickly covering herself up. Landon’s lucky as the werewolf in question is his old friend Hope but she’s not thrilled with him. She scolds him for wandering through the woods the night of a full moon because she could’ve killed him.

 

Hope and Landon hang out in the memorial library. Landon asks about a few ancient artifacts and Hope tells him to look but not touch. He doesn’t get the story behind a knife in the display case, but he starts to learn a bit more about Hope.

 

Meanwhile, M.G. is hanging out with Penelope alone. He comments he’s starving. Penelope says she could help offering up her neck. M.G. says it’s against the rules and it would upset Josie. Penelope says rules are meant to be broken and the two start making out. Unfortunately, Josie walks in and sees. She storms away obviously hurt.

 

Back at the library Hope explains that her father was an original vampire with a bad reputation, her mother was a werewolf and her grandmother was a witch. She inherited abilities from all three of them making her a tri-bred. She also explains her parents are dead. People have a tendency to die on Hope, so she doesn’t get close to them anymore. Landon’s noticed her standoffishness and teasingly calls her a unicorn. Hope smiles and decides to show Landon something. She takes his face in her hands and projects a memory into his mind – the boy who bullied him two years ago. She shows him that she got payback on his behalf by using her magic to blow up his car. Landon’s in awe that Hope did that for him and Hope responds the bully had it coming. But, it’s time for Landon to get back to his cell.

 

Josie goes back to her and Lizzie’s room and seeks solace in her sister. They lie in bed and Josie tells Lizzie that M.G. kissed Penelope. Lizzie says it was a bad friend move and M.G. should’ve known better. Josie to go find a new crush she has, in Rafael.

 

Hope and Landon are back in the dungeon and she shows him more of her magic. She casts an illusion that makes the ceiling look like the night’s sky hoping it’ll help him sleep. Landon tells Hope she’s a good person and comments he won’t remember this tomorrow. He considers this and decides that while Hope’s not running away to pull her into a kiss.

 

The next morning Landon’s back in Alaric’s office and it’s time for another shot at compulsion, but Landon wants to stay. He says he has no home to go back to and doesn’t belong anywhere. Alaric’s sympathetic, but he says Landon can’t stay. Supernatural creatures for their various reasons can be extremely dangerous to humans so it just wouldn’t be safe. M.G. comes back in and successfully compels him, sending him on his way.

 

Rafael and Landon say goodbye and Hope looks on smiling. Back at the library a display case has been smashed. A knife, with unknown supernatural origins, has been stolen. Alaric thinks it was Landon.

 

When discussing it with Hope she doesn’t want to believe it was him. How could things go so wrong the one time she opens up? Alaric says it’s the only explanation. He tells her M.G. compelled Landon to go home, but he didn’t. That means the compulsion failed, which also means Landon may not be so human after-all. There’s an assembly an Alaric addresses the student body. They need to find Landon Kirby as soon as possible or he could expose the school to the world.

 

After the assembly M.G.’s chasing after Josie. She doesn’t want to talk to him. He apologizes for kissing Penelope and says it was a momentary lapse in judgement. Josie’s still upset and doesn’t get why everyone finds Penelope so special. M.G. says she’s just available, but pleads with Josie not to hate him and pulls her into a hug. She seems to accept his apology, but glares at Penelope nearby. M.G. leaves and Josie lingers. She uses a spell to set Penelope on fire and Hope sees.

 

Hope goes to her room later and asks for Josie’s help. She knows how to find Landon, but it requires some dark magic. Josie says dark magic’s banned at the Salvatore school and Hope points out that Josie just set her ex on fire. Josie wonders if she’s being blackmailed, but Hope insists it’s not like that as she just thinks Josie might understand her desire for revenge.

 

They cast a spell and locate Landon on a bus. Hope and Alaric go after him. They find the bus but not Landon. Sheriff Matt Donovan (Zach Roerig) says he called a favor to have the report say what happened was a chemical spill. Alaric asks what really happened and Matt says he and Hope will have to work that out. They get to the bus and it’s not a pretty site. All the passengers are dead, appearing to have been burned alive. There’s no Landon in sight.

 

We hear Hope giving a voiceover. She reflects again on heroes and villains. Hope says Landon wasn’t the hero of her story, but as she sees the carnage she thinks he’s responsible for she decides when she hunts him down she’ll be the villain of his.