It occurs to me that Iād really like to see how the odd relationship dynamic between Rip Hunter and Mick Rory will develop in season 2 of Legends of Tomorrow.
Theyāve always had a very interesting dynamic. Ā From the start, there was a certain level of tension. Ā If we take Rip at his word at episode 7, he never wanted to recruit Mick at all. Ā And for all that that was an ugly scene, and he really shouldnāt have SAID that, I donāt really blame him for that. Ā If we look at how Mick Rory acted prior to his Legends of Tomorrow development: yāknow, being a violent, murderous criminal who set people on fire who only Leonard Snart could really rein in...Iām not sure I would have wanted to recruit him either.
(Heck, when he wanted to stick around Star City in the previous episode, it wasnāt to be a hero. Ā The dude wanted to commit mayhem, vandalism, theft and murder in a lawless environment.)
But their dynamic grew in really interesting ways. Ā Even before the episode 7 confrontation, Mick was the one present for Druceās ambush for Rip in Russia (and the one who called it out as a trap). Ā He was present for the messy confrontation with Eve Baxter (whose rejection, as a representative of the Time Masters, clearly helped trigger that tirade). Ā He was the one who ended up the most obvious victim of the Time Mastersā manipulation and scheming, besides Rip himself.
And there is an interesting, rather subtle (for this show anyway) change in their dynamic when they get Mick back. Ā A bit more guilt (on Ripās part), a bit less antagonism (on both parts.) Ā
I remember seeing a few comments criticizing Mick referring to Rip as a friend in the finale, because Rip had never apologized, but Mick is a guy who recognizes action more than words. Ā So Iād imagine he was thinking of how Rip was the one pushing to save him (the conversation was right outside his cell after all), and how Rip tried to convince Mick that he should only be mad at Rip and not Snart for having been abandoned. Ā He may have been thinking also about how he was accepted back on the team immediately, without any questions as to his loyalty or plans, and how theyād worked together (hilariously) to steal a baby. Ā (Poor Martin, his dad is kind of an idiot.)
If you think about it, there are a lot of interesting parallels between Mickās stint as Chronos, and Ripās life in general. Ā Both were taken by the Time Masters, indoctrinated, brainwashed, given brand new names, and re-purposed to suit the Time Mastersā needs. Ā
And Destiny was such an interesting episode for them, if you think about it. Ā Both of them end up back in Time Master captivity, and both are subject to attempts to bring them back to heel, back into Time Master control. Ā Not too long after that, you have Mick stopping Rip from falling into the Vortex, and attempting to sacrifice himself for Ray. Ā Thereās a really interesting look that passes between Mick and Rip when he does that, before Rip shrinks Ray and leaves. Ā And I think that might have meant a lot to Mick.
Because a big issue for Mickās arc had to do with choice. Ā He didnāt really want to come on the mission at all, but came because Snart liked the idea. Ā He wanted to stay in Star City, but Snart forced him back on board. Ā The Time Masters forced him to become their tool twice, but both times he broke free of their control. Ā If you think about it, Mickās attempt at sacrifice was the first real choice that he was able to make. Ā And Rip respected it.
(To be fair, itās not like Rip could have done anything else. Ā Mickās like twice his size, Ray was out cold, and the place was about to go up. Ā At best, Rip could have taken his place and thereād be two other unconscious people set to die too. Ā This might have been less ārespectā and more āpragmatic necessityā. Ā But whoās counting.)
And in Legendary, Mickās calling Rip a friend, and acting annoyed that he almost killed himself via the sun.
Now, in a weird way, theyāre in similar situations. Ā Theyāre dealing with the loss of long-time partners (even though Snartās likely to come back), theyāve got a new mission. Ā Theyāve still got pretty drastically opposed styles and values, though. Ā And it looks like theyāll both be wearing military uniforms in 1942. Ā Iām interested in seeing where they go from here.
