History Notes: Legends of Tomorrow Episode 203, "Shogun"

Nate Heywood (NICK ZANO) gets to test his mettle against fourteenth century samurais in this third episode of LEGENDS OF TOMORROW's sophomore season. After having been injected with the Nazi super-serum that Ray (BRANDON ROUTH) modified to save his life, Nate finds that he can convert his body to living steel -- but he hasn't quite figured out how to force the change to happen. So training begins, which causes both Ray and Nate to be ejected through the side of the Waverider, landing them in feudal Japan.

Oh yeah, and somehow Vixen (MAISIE RICHARDSON-SELLERS) snuck on board, taking the Legends down as she comes across them because she thinks one of them is the time-traveler mentioned by a dying Hourman.

The rest of the tale is a love story, as Nate meets Masako Yamashiro (MEI MELANCON), who helps him after his crash landing. But she's betrothed to the Shogun, whom Nate the historian recognizes as being infamous for killing his brides. Meanwhile, the Shogun (STEPHEN OYOUNG) has captured Ray, and takes the A.T.O.M. suit from him. When the Legends finally do arrive to rescue Ray, the Shogun is prepared, wearing and using the technology the suit affords. The only way to defeat him now is for Steel to learn how to control his abilities and get close enough to hit the ventilation shaft of the Death Star weak point of the A.T.O.M. suit, which will cause a terminal cascade and destroy it. Yes, the only thing that makes Ray a hero is going to be sacrificed, and Ray isn't all that happy about it.

Fortunately for Ray, Masako's father, Ichiro (SAB SHIMONO), outfits him in his dead son's armor and gives him the sword he forged himself. The battle against the Shogun and his samurai is on, including a suprise appearance (for no reason at all) of Ninjas, because Mick (DOMINIC PURCELL) loves ninjas.

Of course all ends well, and Masako's life is saved. Nate gives her the katana blade used to defeat the Shogun, because he saw how she used it when it was her time to fight. But he must return to the sky, and Vixen is still after Hourman's murderer.

Things to cheer for in this episode include:

1. a secret message from the future Barry Allen that Rip Hunter was supposed to keep from the team, now known only to Martin Stein (VICTOR GARBER) and Jefferson Jackson (FRANZ DRAMEH)
2. the Yamashiro katana, which will eventually make its way into the hands of Tatsu Yamashiro, aka Katana
3. advice from Master Yoda