You Have to Pick One This Time

Legacies
Season 4, Episode 1 (49)
Air date	October 14, 2021
Viewers	0.32 million
Written by	Mark Ryan Walberg
Directed by	Tony Solomons
Episode Guide
Previous	Fate's A Bitch, Isn't It?
Next	There's No I In Team, or Whatever

“

Okay, here's what I want to do. Offer you that deal. Just for kicks. Landon's here, Hope. [...] Okay, not here here, but out there, in the darkness. He and I share a mind, remember? He's waiting for you to rescue him, like always. [...] I respect the resistance, but come on, Hope, I'm giving you the only thing you ever want. Hell, I'll even make it easier. You follow that path it'll lead you straight back to Landon. In the darkness. Beggars can't be choosers. I promise, the time you spend with him won't just seem real. It will be. But this is a limited-time offer. [...] Just leave MG to me and go. Because once those lights are gone, your chance to find Landon will be, too.

”

— Malivore to Hope

You Have to Pick One This Time is the first episode of the fourth season of Legacies and the forty-ninth episode of the series overall.

Summary

SEASON PREMIERE — After learning that Malivore has taken over Landon's body, Hope and the Super Squad come up with a risky plan to rescue Landon, as well as Cleo, who has been absorbed into Malivore's darkness. Meanwhile, an impromptu date with Finch brings up a subject that Josie is not ready to talk about. Alaric, Lizzie, MG, Kaleb, Jed and Ethan also appear.

Plot

Cleo wakes to familiar surroundings. She's in her grandmother's hut when she walks in, who tells her that some of her sisters will be joining them for dinner. Her excitement is quickly extinguished as she remembers that her sisters, as well as her grandmother, are dead. She wonders if she's in the afterlife, but her grandmother's demeanor suddenly changes. It's a fabricated reality within Malivore's darkness and Malivore is who stands before her. Malivore explains to her that this world can be whatever she wants; endless peace or misery. Her choice, however, comes at a cost of just one favor-a single, inspired solution to his problem.

Malivore is still contained in a cage in the Salvatore gymnasium.Hope approaches him, intending to torture him until he gives her proof that Landon is still alive. Malivore flaunts his own genius and reveals how he used the Necromancer to trick Landon out of the darkness and all his cost was his freedom. Hope shows him an assortment of knives to intimidate him, but he doesn't flinch. Instead, he's confident that despite his current fragile state, it's perfect because he knows Hope won't kill him, rather Landon. Regardless, she's intent on torture and moves to open the cage, but her path is blocked by a barrier spell. Malivore taunts her, as that spell wasn't meant to keep him contained but to keep her out.

Hope storms off to Alaric's office, barging into an emergency squad meeting that she wasn't informed of just like the barrier spell on Malivore's cage. Alaric explains that the meeting was about how they're going to deal with Malivore and how she would fit into that plan. Hope remains in the meeting and MG explains his plan. Since Malivore has Cleo, she is the target of their mission. If they can find Cleo, then she could help inspire a plan to free her. Hope asks about Landon, which Lizzie mocks that it took longer than expected, but asks none-the-less. MG plans to leverage their vampiric abilities and dive into Malivore's mind. Hope admits that it was a good plan and questions why she wasn't told sooner. Kaleb knows she's their best weapon against Malivore, but they can't have her jeopardizing the mission should she deviate from the plant. They'll only have one shot at this. Initially, they believe she should sit this mission out, but Alaric leaves it up to a vote.

In accordance with their plan, Hope drags Lizzie into the gym, upset that she voted against her. Hope is adamant to be a part of their plan and demands Lizzie to siphon the barrier spell. Alaric appears behind the girls and tranquilizes Hope. Malivore learns that they're working on a plan.

Josie heads towards the library to collect some books on the Mystical Anatomy of the Human Mind and bumps into Finch who inquires about the books. Josie simply tells her that it's for a group project but nothing more. Finch brings up the short answer, considering it happens a lot. Josie reinforces that it won't be forever and she'll make it up to her. Finch tells her she can start with their bowling date tonight, though Lizzie barges in, questioning if she's canceled her date. She's unaware of Finch, who's sitting in the chair and makes the situation awkward. Lizzie thanks her on Josie's behalf, but Josie opts to reschedule instead of canceling.

In the gym with preparations complete, Alaric, Kaleb, Lizzie, and Josie confront Malivore, though he's already aware of their plan to perform a head dive. Josie siphons the barrier spell over the cage and Malivore warns them that they'll be charging right into a mental trap. Josie is cautious, suggesting this isn't a good idea. Since he's aware of what they're doing, they'll be entering his conscious mind and not his subconscious. Alaric decides to proceed and he and Kaleb enter the cage. Lizzie and Josie will stand watch should anything unexpected happen. Kaleb and Alaric proceed into Malivore's mind. Now distracted and the coast is clear, Hope uncloaks her and MG, as they'll begin their secret mission and head dive into Malivore's subconscious. Josie and Lizzie remain watchful over the four of them.

Hope and MG are inside the darkness, but not attacked by any monsters. MG's plan has worked. Despite winning the vote to come, Hope's still upset that the only reason she's here is so MG can keep an eye on her. MG isn't wrong, though, as he reminds her how she has a habit of prioritizing Landon at all costs. Hope apologizes, yet again, and they continue to search for Cleo, until their path is illuminated by a bright light.

Lizzie and Josie are on standby and watch over the pairs should their plan backfire. Lizzie sits on the gym floor, siphoning magic from the school and suggests Josie do the same. She's had it with her sister's treatment and rebuffs her, telling her to stop telling her how she should feel. She tells Lizzie that she can be really dismissive about her relationships but she quips back that she and Finch aren't serious. At that moment, Finch's awkward appearance catches them off guard. Finch has decided to bring the date to her and they could do a compatibility quiz so all three of them could get better familiar with one another.

Once inside of Malivore's conscious mind, and having access to Alaric and Kaleb's minds, he has constructed a reality from their shared memories, particularly the night the two met-October 3. It's the night of the homecoming game at Kaleb's old school; East Point High.

Elsewhere, Cleo previously accepted Malivore's offer and the peaceful reality remains intact. Two of her sisters join her in the hut and they prepare dinner. They're excited about how their baby sister has grown into a beautiful young woman and has inspired people all across the world. Cleo admits there's no other place she'd rather be than with her family and the three of them hug. The door opens and she's surprised to find MG and Hope. With her sisters caught off guard, she tells them that she's invited her friends for dinner. Hope, however, begins to ask about Landon and deviates from MG's plan to be inspired to rescue Cleo. They begin to argue and the fabricated reality falls apart and they're returned to darkness.

Malivore reveals that the two memories don't exactly match up and that Kaleb actually fed on and killed numerous students. Kaleb's mind, however, repressed the traumatic experience. In his domain, he amplifies Kaleb's blood lust. Alaric demands for Kaleb to abort their mission, but he can't release the head dive as Malivore keeps it in place. Taking control he slightly rewrites the memory to his favor such as heightening Kaleb's bloodlust and taking away Alaric's vervain. His consciousness is alerted and parts with the pair, but reminds them that if they die within his consciousness, it will severely damage their mind in the real world.

As they sit and ask and answer various questions, she dismisses their relationship again, asking if Finch has ever had a relationship that ended up breaking her heart. Despite Josie's pleas, Finch answers the question, citing that people grow and change and you just hope it's in the same direction. Finch takes over asking questions, and wonders where they see themselves on their 25th birthday. The mood turns sour and awkward, but Lizzie notices that Malivore has awakened from the head dive, seeing MG and Hope on their secret mission.

Cleo is upset and attempts to walk away from Hope and MG. MG is also upset, as Hope has gone against his plan, again. Hope has had enough with make-believe realites, citing that she's done it over and over again trying to hold on to Landon. The illusion never lasts, but friends do. Cleo didn't believe anyone would come for her. However, Hope and MG have, though they need her muse powers to lead the way to bring her, and Landon, home. Despite their attempts, Malivore arrives after his consciousness was alerted to the disruption. He quickly sends Hope and MG into another fabricated reality, and returns Cleo back to hers.

In the woods, MG is dying from a werewolf bite-it's his and Hope shared memory of when Landon first activated his phoenix powers. As Hope is about to heal him, Malivore steps out of the darkness offering a deal to Hope

Kaleb struggles to fight his hunger and tells him that he needs to feed. Alaric tries to talk Kaleb through his heightened bloodlust. He wonders why Alaric never told him what he did, but he only explains that Kaleb didn't need to know. All that matters is that he can beat this. Kaleb lasts as long as he can but succumbs to the bloodlust and attempts to attack Alaric; however, a figure puts himself in between them. Kaleb feeds on Landon, who quickly recovers without injury. Both he and Alaric are happy to see him.

Lizzie attempts to pull them out of the head dive, but Malivore isn't letting them leave. Finch learns that Malivore is the group project that Josie spoke about and offers to help any way she can. Lizzie turns her down, citing this is strictly witch territory. Josie has located a spell in a grimoire to sever any mental connection. The problem, however, is that it's a chain spell, meaning they need to siphon from a person and not the school. Finch offers to let them siphon from her, as much as they need, despite the risks.

Malivore offers her a deal-a direct path to Landon as long as she leaves MG with him. Despite his attempts at manipulation, Hope resists and stays and heals MG, just as she actually did when Landon died.

As Lizzie prepares the spell, Josie wonders if Finch is sure she wants to do this. Finch explains that she's dating a Gemini, and being siphoned was bound to happen sooner or later. Finch has been researching her coven and that's why she was in the library. Josie tells her she could have talked to her, but Finch retorts that she's always off running on another secret mission. She found out some information, but the book she was reading from had some pages ripped out. Before they can continue the conversation, Lizzie has finished preparing the spell. They begin siphoning from Finch and cast the spell.

With Malivore still distracted, Alaric, Landon, and Kaleb leave the school and sit on the bleachers on the football field; catching Landon up on missing events. Kaleb attempts to continue to tell him more, but Landon shuts him down, reminding him that he can't know since Malivore would know. Landon believes that as long as he's the only viable vessel, this only ends in two ways. He either dies, or Hope becomes a tribrid. Landon wants them to avoid the latter. Alaric reminds him that if they kill his body, then that would be closing the last door in or out of Malivore. He would be trapped. Landon knows this, but asks Alaric to do it. Their conversation is cut short when a bright white light engulfs them.

Malivore continues to try and persuade Hope into taking the deal, which is time sensitive. However, Hope decides to stay with MG and heals him. Malivore brushes off her decision, citing that the next round of torture will be must worse. Before Malivore can continue his plans, she and MG are engulfed in a bright white light.

Lizzie and Josie successfully free Alaric, Kaleb, MG and Hope from Malivore's mind. Back in the gym, MG explains they found Cleo, but didn't get the desired answers. Hope wonders if Alaric and Kaleb find anything out about Landon, but they come up short, too.

Later that night, Hope sits in her room, alone, eating ice cream until MG approaches her. She's decided to reminisce about simpler times, but MG claims that she was still the one saving the day. Despite not winning the war, he believes they've won an important battle. Malivore attempted to drive a wedge between them, but he believes he's only brought them closer, specifically between the two of them. As long as they're together, they can beat him.

Kaleb and Alaric share a drink. Kaleb's still reeling from the uncovered memories, believing that he was better than that. Alaric reminds Kaleb just how far he's come, and today he fought that urge; that is growth. Kaleb attributes that the only reason he was able to get the chance to grow was because of Alaric bringing him to the Salvatore School in the first place. He comes to the conclusion that he doesn't think he would be the person he is if he had known what he had done. Sometimes the truth can do more harm than good, at least until you're ready to hear it. Together, they believe Hope isn't ready yet for what they learned today and Kaleb backs whatever decision Alaric has to come.

Josie finds Finch curled up in the library, still woozy from the siphoning. Josie brings her apology soup, but Finch doesn't want an apology. All she wants to know is why, because she feels like everytime she learns something, Josie pushes her away. Josie explains she'd like to change it, but it's hard. Finch asks her if she would rather have a relationship that's fun, easy and stays the same, or one that's honest, hard, and grows. She wants both, but Finch forces her to choose. Josie chooses the latter, but doesn't want to scare her off since there are certain obstacles with being a Gemini witch. They're the kind that make people you love leave. Finch doesn't scare easily and Josie accepts her resolve. Josie explains that the pages that were missing in that book are about something called the Merge.

Hope checks in on Lizzie after their plan fails. She's having another existential crisis, but Hope offers to sit with her. Lizzie apologizes for always shooting down her and about her and Landon's relationship. She admits it's because they have something she's never really had, but wants—Love. Hope questions whether or not she should have this conversation with MG, but he hasn't come around. Hope also points out that there's also Ethan, but Lizzie doesn't think she's ready for that. Hope reminds her that it just happens, and doesn't think anyone is ever ready for that kind of love. Lizzie asks if she'll continue to sit with her until she falls asleep, and she accepts.

Elsewhere, Cleo's grandmother tends to her. Cleo pushes aside the illusion and calls out to Malivore. Her grandmother disappears and Malivore sits before her, wondering if any inspiration has struck. She claims that it has, but not for him. Instead it was for her friends. He proclaims to make her suffer, though she tells him to do his worst. All she needs to do is endure it until her friends rescue her.

As the night wanes on, Hope awakens to a burst of inspiration, waking Lizzie in the process.

Cast

Starring Danielle Rose Russell as Hope Mikaelson Aria Shahghasemi as Landon Kirby/Malivore Kaylee Bryant as Josie Saltzman Jenny Boyd as Lizzie Saltzman Quincy Fouse as MG Chris Lee as Kaleb Ben Levin as Jed Tien (credit only) Leo Howard as Ethan (credit only) Matt Davis as Alaric Saltzman

Guest Starring Omono Okojie as Cleo Sowande Sope Aluko as Ayomi/Malivore (subconscious manifestation) Courtney Bandeko as Finch Tarrayo Tairat Baoku as Cleo's Sister/Malivore (subconscious manifestation) Adetinpo Thomas as Cleo's Sister/Malivore (subconscious manifestation)

Trivia

• Antagonists: Malivore.
• The set for East Point High School, Kaleb's previous school, was the same set used in Black Lightning.
• Finch and Josie have only known each other for three weeks; they met in To Whom It May Concern.

Body Count

• Numerous East Point High School Students (flashback) - Blood loss; killed by Kaleb

Continuity

• The Necromancer was mentioned. He was last seen in I Was Made To Love You.
• Jed was mentioned. He was last seen in A New Hope.
• Ethan was mentioned. He was last seen in Fate's A Bitch, Isn't It?.
• Ayomi was seen as an subconscious illusion of Malivore. She was last seen in One Day You Will Understand.
• Emma was mentioned. She was last seen in A New Hope.

Locations

• Malivore
  • Cleo's Prison
    • Cleo's Grandmother's Hut
  • The Darkness
  • Alaric and Kaleb's Prison
    • East Point High School
    • Locker Room
    • Football Field
  • MG and Hope's Prison
    • Woods
• Mystic Falls, Virginia
  • Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted
    • Alaric's Office
    • Library
    • Hope's Dorm Room
    • Lizzie's Room
    • Gymnasium

Behind the Scenes

• This episode's title was a line used by Finch.
• This episode marks the 150th appearance of Alaric in TVD Universe.
  • The only three characters with more appearances are Stefan (172), Damon (171) and Caroline (156).
  • Furthermore, as of this episode, with 101 episodes, Hope entered the top 10 characters by appearances surpassing Jeremy (100 episodes).
• On HBO this episode is listed as the 17th episode of the third season.
• This is the only episode of the season to have a Previously segment making it the last episode of the show to have it.

Multimedia

Soundtrack

"DIM" – SYML

Videos

Legacies - Season 4 Episode 1 - Cleo Wakes Up To Her Grandmother Scene - The CW

Legacies - Season 4 Episode 1 - Hope Threatens Landon Scene - The CW

Pictures

• Promotional
• Screencaps
• Behind the Scenes