Why Legends of Tomorrow's Halloween Parody Was a Success

Legends Embraces the 80s

By David Griffin

Full spoilers for DC's Legends of Tomorrow episode “Phone Home” continue below.

It looks like Stranger Things isn’t the only show embracing all that '80s goodness, as DC's Legends of Tomorrow continues its third season by delivering the perfect Halloween treat. Remember those pesky Dominators from last season’s crossover? Well, they're back, but in a different way than you might expect.

With the team fearing for Ray’s life, they journey back in time to Ivy Town circa 1988 to see what kind of time aberration could have caused this. To their surprise, it was a baby Dominator! The cute little guy, aptly named Gumball, perfectly parodies Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. The writers did an incredible job embracing the film, while also crafting a memorable episode that shines a new light on Ray Palmer’s backstory.

There are a few scenes in particular that are taken right out of the original movie. For example: when Ray’s mom first walks in on his younger self, Gumball has to hide among the stuffed animals. E.T. does the same thing when he’s trying to hide from Elliot's mom!

The most iconic scene from E.T. takes place when Elliot and his friends are on the run from those no-good government men. To avoid capture, E.T. uses his powers to lift everyone off the ground. The flying bicycles in the sky with the moon in the background is one of the most iconic shots in Hollywood history.

Legends alters this sequence slightly. Instead of Gumball using his powers to levitate the bikes, the Legend's newest hero, Zari, uses the powers of her medallion to get them off the ground. Even the music is reminiscent of John Williams's legendary score, which adds another level to the already brilliant nostalgia.

Let’s not forget about that twist at the end with Jefferson wanting to find a way to break up Firestorm. According to a report from Deadline, we know Victor Garber is planning an exit at some point during the season, but what does that mean for Jefferson going forward? Whatever happens down the road, It won’t be the same without the two of them together.

For an even deeper dive into “Phone Home” and what it all means, be sure to read our full review of tonight’s episode.

David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

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