Employing an unreliable narrator is a popular technique in TV and film, especially lately — think Rami Malek’s Elliot in Mr. Robot or Emily Blunt’s Rachel in The Girl on the Train. Showrunner Noah Hawley puts his stamp on this device in his psychedelic, psychiatric romp through the X-Men universe, Legion (10 p.m. Wednesdays, FX).
Legion is the mutant alter ego of David Haller (Dan Stevens, Downton Abbey), who audiences meet here as a 30-something struggling with schizophrenia. Taking place prior to his X-Men days — before David even fully understands his abilities or their origins — Legion’s narrative unfolds through a kaleidoscopic point of view. What is real life, as opposed to a memory or hallucination or illness, and what is a super-power are all very much unclear to David… and to the audience, resulting in a puzzling collage that feels at once retro and futuristic.
Not an X-Men buff or even into comics? No problem. Legion is truly a one-of-a-kind adaptation that’s basically Marvel-adjacent, also drawing inspiration from other media. Hawley himself expressed little interest in nailing down specifics from the comics, which thus far has worked to the show’s benefit. Those who know the character’s backstory will understand why he is so significant to the X-Men universe, but don’t expect that revelation early on in the series.
Stevens gives a solid performance as David in his many states of mind, and the supporting cast sours with each passing episode. David’s love interest Syd (Rachel Keller) is enchanting but tough with a Freaky Friday-style superpower. Fans of the Fargo TV show (Hawley’s other FX drama) might be happy to see Keller in a more central role here. Another Fargo alum, Jean Smart, serves as mutant matriarch Dr. Bird at Summerland, a magical place for misfits where David begins to understand and hone his abilities. Most surprising in the cast is Aubrey Plaza, best known as the lovably sardonic April in Parks and Recreation. Here, as a seemingly gender-fluid Lenny, Plaza continues to get laughs, but from a darker, more twisted place.
From embarking on the complicated conversation of mental illness to the idea of inclusion and how society treats “others,” Legion comes at an appropriate time.
And speaking of time, when does this take place? Like much else here, it’s uncertain. David’s point of view is a mix of memories, hallucinations and unexplained events, resulting in a visual hodge-podge of 1960s mod, ’70s polyester, dated and contemporary tech, futuristic utilitarianism and an otherworldly terrain. It’s almost as if someone in 1967 was asked to envision what 2017 will look like.
While I’m still figuring out the basics of this warped and wacky narrative, I’m enjoying getting lost in Hawley’s world.
Picks of the Week
Black-ish (9:30 p.m. Wednesday, ABC) – Once bored with jury duty, Dre finds renewed interest upon discovering the defendant is a young black man.
Film Independent Spirit Awards (5 p.m. Saturday, IFC) – Nick Kroll and John Mulaney — whose Kroll Show sketch “Oh, Hello” went to Broadway last year — host the show devoted to independent movies and their makers. Think of it as the hipster Oscars.
89th Academy Awards (8:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC) – Jimmy Kimmel hosts movie’s biggest night for the first time (he warmed up last September as host of the Emmys). It’s the most racially diverse group of nominees after the #OscarsSoWhite controversy; nevertheless, the decidedly very white La La Land leads with 14 noms.
When We Rise (9 p.m. Monday, ABC) – This miniseries (which continues Wednesday-Friday) marches through the contemporary history of LGBTQ rights.
Taboo (Season Finale, 10 p.m. Tuesday, FX) – In the final chapter of Tom Hardy’s beautiful dark twisted fantasy (move over, Kanye), Delaney works to escape the clutches of an infuriated Prince Regent.
CONTACT JAC KERN: @jackern
This article appears in Feb 22 – Mar 1, 2017.