TV Underdogs: What will ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ season 2 bring Brandon Routh’s Ray Palmer?
When “Legends of Tomorrow” was first introduced as a series, our immediate response to it was excitement, especially given that Ray Palmer was a part of it. Since that time, we’ve seen the character (played with charisma and spirit by Brandon Routh) have an opportunity to hone his skills with the Atom Suit and fall in love … though the romance with Kendra Saunders didn’t last.
In season 2, meanwhile, the character’s had a bit of an identity crisis. He and Nate Heywood are struggling to find their roles, and for a time, he lost the Atom Suit and had to figure out how to be a hero without it. Given that this article, a chapter in our TV Underdogs series, is about recognizing those who are either under-the-radar or unexpected, it makes sense that we saw Ray have to find a way to survive without the suit that gives him such of a sense of his identity.
Ray is in some ways the ultimate underdog in a show that is so much about fighting bad guys given that unlike the majority of the other characters in the DC – CW universe, his entire power is based on technology. He’s not trained to be an assassin or an archer, and he doesn’t naturally have powers. He’s got to find his own ways, and his greatest power is his mind and his ingenuity. Wouldn’t it be great to see that utilized more?
That brings us to the first of our two suggestions for the Ray Palmer character moving forward in season 2: A chance to get his own adversary that is geared more towards him than anyone else. The closest thing we’ve had to a true comic-book rival of his was the Bug-Eyed Bandit over on “The Flash,” and she turned out to be more of a Felicity opponent. Whether they come from the comics or not, we want to see the Legends travel to an era where they are fully reliant on what Ray can do in order to keep them alive. We also want this to be a villain that tests him and threatens to crush his spirit of optimism. You know when a character as gung-ho as Ray starts to crack that there is a serious problem.
Also, couldn’t we learn a little bit more about his own family and backstory? We got some glimpses on his relationship history on “Arrow,” but it could be fun to see the team travel somewhere in which he sees an earlier incarnation of someone who shaped him as a person, and not just as a scientific mind. We know that we’re seemingly going to get a little bit of this in an upcoming episode when the show introduces us to their version of “Star Wars” creator George Lucas.
Finally, and this is something that could wait until season 3, we want to see Ray get a love interest that truly challenges him, but is also meant for him. With Felicity, you knew it probably wasn’t going to work out. The same could be said for Kendra given that she had Carter Hall. This is a guy who has it within him to love again and offers so much; yet, he just can’t find the right person to join him on his journey to find love. (Apologies for the past sentence sounding too much like “The Bachelor.”) Come season 3, we do think that the timing could be right to really give him this chance.
What would you like to see moving forward with Ray Palmer on “Legends of Tomorrow”? Share in the comments.