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HBO Max’s hit ballroom competition series Legendary, one of the first shows to launch the streaming service last year, returns for its second season. Host DJ Dashaun Wesley (who could be spotted on the season premiere of Pose earlier in the week) and the original judging panel — Law Roach, Jameela Jamil, Megan Thee Stallion and Leiomy Maldonado — have all returned, but this season the studio ballroom is based in Los Angeles. No reason given, perhaps it had to do with COVID restrictions at their original base on the East Coast, and as with the first season finale there is no audience definitely because of COVID. And that’s one of the things that hampers the season’s kick-off which is spread over two episodes. Ballroom performances really feed off the energy of an audience, and the piped in pre-recorded claps and cheers didn’t seem to be doing it for the new Houses competing.
But let me get to the good of the season. If you followed my recaps for Season 1, you’ll know that I complained week after week about two things: (1) the frenetic camerawork and editing that showed us less of the performances and too much of the judges reacting, and (2) the stupid scoring system … of which there really was no scoring system. A House either got a 10 or ‘the chop’. Real ballroom competitions use an actual scoring system so why they chose that method was pretty senseless. I’m very happy to report that both issues have been addressed appropriately (I’d love to think someone in production read my recaps and decided to make changes based on that, but I know that’s highly unlikely). The camerawork during the performances is much more fluid, more reminiscent of Dancing With the Stars, really allowing us to see the performances with one or two cutaways to a judge. And the judges now score on a scale of 1 to 10. Thank you! I can take their comments a bit more seriously now that they aren’t restrained by a simple yea or nay vote. Of course that can lead to more confusion among the viewers when they seem to be seeing, or not seeing, performances other than what we’ve just seen.
Case in point, on the first episode the Mother of the House of Balenciaga tripped over her dress and fell during the performance. Yes, her Children did their best to play it off, but the judges clearly saw it because we hear Leiomy say it doesn’t matter. Wait what? No, girl, you do not get a 10 for falling down no matter how well you try to play it off. That left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth because of the first five Houses in the first episode, it seemed that the judges had already decided Balenciaga was their favorite. The other four Houses to compete in Part 1 were Nina Oricci, Luxe, Chanel and Miyake-Mugler. Houses competing in Part 2 were Comme des Garçons, Milan, Icon, Tisci and Prodigy.
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The two-part Season 2 opener suffered a bit in the same way the first season opener did in that the Houses didn’t have anything specific to do except introduce themselves and their style to the judges through the five aspects of Vogue: Catwalk, Hands, Duck Walk, Floor Performance and Spins & Dips. The bottom two Houses in each episode had to compete one last time with their best Voguer to remain in the competition. It pains me to say that almost all of the performances were a bit lackluster, and even the judges were feeling it (well, except for Balenciaga). And frankly, I didn’t see a lot of true voguing either, especially the Duck Walk. I’m sure its a difficult move but if it’s part of the requirements, you should be scored appropriately if it’s not incorporated. Fair is fair, but the judges really seemed to be grading on a scale for the premiere episodes. There wasn’t a whole lot there that sparked my excitement.
I did appreciate the behind-the-scenes moments with the Houses, getting to know the members a little better. It was pretty incredible that in both episodes, one House member suffered the loss of a family member right before production was to begin. One lost a mother, and one lost a brother. But they persevered and the judges gave both of the performers high marks for being able to carry on in the face of tragedy to honor their loved ones. I tip my hat to them. I’m sure their family members would not have wanted them to pass up this opportunity. In another blow, the House of Icon lost a member right off the bat after suffering a hand injury, so we have one team already that’s handicapped with just four members. It happened last season as well, but they managed to get pretty far in the competition.
Part 1 of The Grand March Ball saw the Houses of Luxe and Chanel in the bottom two. After the two voguers did what they had to do, it was up to the judges to decided who went home, and since there are four judges if there is a tie they must agree on who leaves the competition. If they don’t, Dashaun will make the cut. And of course in Part 1, there was a tie but the judges came to a consensus and sent Chanel packing. This is a House that’s been around for decades but they just didn’t seem to really have their hearts in it. Part 2 found Icon and Prodigy in the bottom. It was a 3-1 vote in favor of Icon simply because there was more vogue content (although I still didn’t see duck walk). No one was named Superior House in the premiere, but in the third episode all eight remaining Houses will compete together in The Tinseltown Ball, which we will be recapping separately.
So, it’s great that Legendary is back and I’m sure the coming episodes with actual themes and categories, costumes and choreography will make for a very exciting season.
New episodes of Legendary stream Thursdays on HBO Max.
What did you think of the season premiere? Tell us in the comments section below!
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