| "Knocked Down, Knocked Up" | |
|---|---|
| Legends of Tomorrow episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 7 Episode 13 |
| Directed by | Kevin Mock |
| Written by | |
| Production code | T13.23213[1] |
| Original air date | March 2, 2022 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Knocked Down, Knocked Up" is the series finale of the American science fiction television series Legends of Tomorrow, revolving around the eponymous team of superheroes and their time traveling adventures. It is the thirteenth episode of the seventh season, and the series' 110th episode overall. The series is set in the Arrowverse, sharing continuity with the other television series of the universe. The episode was written by Phil Klemmer and Keto Shimizu, and directed by Kevin Mock. It premiered on March 2, 2022, on The CW.
Gary Green, having been sent flying out of the Waverider, ultimately lands in 30,000 B.C., but manages to return to the manor. The Legends learn that Gwyn Davies died at the fixed point in 1916 Mametz Wood, France. Gary deduces that Sara Lance is pregnant (due to her alien biology) and her regenerative abilities transfer to the baby. The Legends travel to before Gwyn's death, but are intercepted by Gideon who tells them to leave. Astra Logue and Spooner Cruz convince her to turn against AI Gideon, who uploads herself into a clone body. Gideon disables the Waverider's cloaking, causing her clone to become an anomaly. She self-destructs in the Temporal Zone, but Astra shields her group and rebuilds the Waverider.
The others meet with Mike, the Fixer. Gwyn states that anyone attempting to change the battle would be erased in a time paradox making Mike feel useless. He destroys Gwyn's machine and steals the Waverider to talk to his superiors. Nate Heywood rescues Alun, but is permanently depowered by mustard gas. Afterward, Sara reveals her pregnancy to Ava Sharpe, while Nate retires to the Wind Totem to settle down with Zari Tomaz who has also retired from the team. Mike returns with the Waverider, but he and the Legends are arrested by his superiors.
The episode was co-written by Phil Klemmer and Keto Shimizu.[2] In an interview with SyFy Wire, Klemmer said that they had the intent to include Booster Gold in the series ever since its inception. If the series was renewed then the character would have reappeared: Klemmer said, "It's just interesting to imagine what his dynamic is going to be with the team".[3] While the episode was not intended to be the series finale,[4] it ended up being so as the series was not renewed.[5]
The episodes saw appearances from main cast members Caity Lotz, Tala Ashe, Jes Macallan, Olivia Swann, Adam Tsekhman, Shayan Sobhian, Lisseth Chavez, Amy Louise Pemberton, Nick Zano and Matt Ryan playing Sara Lance, Zari Tarazi, Ava Sharpe, Astra Logue, Gary Green, Behrad Tarazi, Spooner Cruz, both human and AI Gideon, Nate Heywood, and Gwyn Davies respectively.[6]
On February 22, it was announced that Donald Faison would be guest starring in an undisclosed role.[7] Later when the episode was released it was announced that this role would be as Booster Gold.[8] Tom Forbes guest stars as Alun Thomas. Had the series been renewed for another season than this would have been Zano's final appearance as a series regular.[9]
Filming on the episode began on December 3, 2021[1] and concluded on December 16.[10] In an interview, the director Kevin Mock said that a few of Faison's scenes were not in the original script but added due to the fact that they enjoyed working together.[11]
"Knocked Down, Knocked Up" was first aired in the United States on The CW on March 2, 2022. It was watched by 0.44 million viewers with a 0.08 share among adults aged 18 to 49.[12]
On July 19, 2022, the episode was released as a part of the Legends of Tomorrow season seven disc in for both DVD and Blu-Ray.[13] The episode is not available as an individual disc, but it is available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video[14] and Vudu.[15]
The episode received generally positive review from critics. Jarrod Jones of The A.V. Club gave the episode an A−.[6] Writing for CBR, Zeid Abughazaleh said, "As one door closes, hundreds more open up as the Legends of Tomorrow wave off another season".[16] In a Collider article, Usama Maasood claimed that, "If anything, the finale retcons the original idea that The Legends will be unknown heroes in the future, making their ending even more suitable".[17]
