Tonight’s episode of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow starts off with a loving flashback to Nathaniel and Amaya spending some quality time, having fun with some baking. The team sets off on a new mission that Sarah refers to as a “slam dunk,” so you know things are going to go six ways from sideways. They end up in 1870 Wisconsin in PT Barnum’s, played by Billy Zane, circus in search of an anachronism, that turns out being a sabertooth tiger. A mix up with Atom’s don’t-call-it-a -shrink-Ray leaves the team with an even bigger problem their hands and since none of the current roster of Legends has any experience with animals, Sara in all of her boss chick, girl squad glory, takes a dip back in time to grab former team member Amaya (aka OG Vixen).

While Nathaniel deals with his abandonment and relationship loss issues, Sarah and Amaya take on the prehistoric beast and prevail. But, since it’s never all good in the Legends hood Nathaniel’s attempt at drinking away his feelings with his boys, leads to half the team getting captured. It was fun and authentic to see Nate try and mask his feelings, while showcasing the fragile male ego and, nice guy syndrome after the dissolution of a romantic relationship. Instead of tackling his feelings he masks them and blames Amaya , he’s so caught in trying to come off unbothered and hyper masculine he ends up getting Amaya and himself taken while mid-rescue mission.

There is some resolution and hope in Nathaniel realizing his ego was to blame and he finally talks it out with Amaya giving some clarity to the situation. While they work out their issues and attempt to gain closure, Sara rallies the remaining crew members, Rory and the Professor, while she goes toe to toe with Time Agent Sharp.

Overall, the episode is a straight up banger filled with superior action, a big baddie reveal, a trust fall, a team reconnection, and a glimpse into human nature. There’s a lot packed into the episode but none of it was useless or fluff. “Freakshow” serves up a solid hour of awesomeness.

Kudos to the Legends writing room. In this episode they tackle the bond of sisterhood in friendships, the fragility of male egos, and showcase strong female characters who not only save the day but, are secure in themselves being undefined by who they’re dating. Legends continues its tackling of complex issues, racial, gender and sexual, while telling an action packed camptastic story. The writers make sure that even the placeholder episodes that pop up during the season have meaning, explore a message and keep it real and I’m all the way here for it.

Overall: 9.1