# Beebo the God of War

"Beebo the God of War" is the ninth episode and mid-season finale of the third season of the American science-fiction television series Legends of Tomorrow. It is also the forty-second episode overall. The episode was released on The CW on December 5, 2017. The series revolves around an eponymous team of superheroes and their time-traveling adventures.
Following the death of Legends member Martin Stein in the previous episode, the Legends mourn the loss of Stein. In the episode, a younger version of Stein and a stuffed doll are sent to Vinland in the year 1000 CE, captured by Vikings, and rescued by the Legends.
"Beebo the God of War" was written by Grainne Godfree and James Eagan, and was directed by Kevin Mock. The episode was the third-most-viewed of the season and was positively reviewed by critics. Franz Drameh stars as Jefferson Jackson, in his final regular appearance as the character.

## Plot

After the death of Martin Stein in the previous episode, the episode opens with a younger version of Stein buying a popular children's toy named Beebo for his daughter. The store reveals they are out of dolls but Stein finds the last one and is chased by a crowd of upset people before disappearing.
The Legends are alerted to a change in the timeline that is causing Vikings to conquer America. They also learn the younger version of Stein has been transported to a Viking colony in Vinland in the year 1000 CE, where he is found by Leif Erikson. The Legends conclude Stein and the Beebo doll caused the change in the timeline. The Vikings begin to revere Beebo as a god.
The Legends bring Stein onto the Waverider, their time machine, and he notices his future self is missing. Jax attempts to inform Stein of his upcoming death but Nate stops him. Sara calls Time Bureau director Ava Sharpe, she asks Ava to assist with the change in the timeline, and Ava complies.
The Legends party with the Vikings. Mick Rory tries to steal mead from an altar to Beebo, leading the Vikings to attempt to burn him alive, but Leo Snart rescues him. The Vikings then find Nate and Zari in the process of stealing Beebo. The Vikings attack, and in the fight Beebo is thrown into the air when Mick melts it using his Heat Gun. The Vikings proclaim Beebo a false god and prepare to leave Vinland. Damien and Nora Darhk arrive, and claim Damien is Odin. The Legends then flee to the Waverider. Ava is contacted by the Time Bureau and they order her to return. The Legends attack and defeat Damien, but in the process Sara is briefly sent into an alternative dimension where she hears the voice of Mallus, the season's primary antagonist.
Jax attempts to save Stein's life by providing him with a note containing the details of his death. Stein destroys the note to help Jax accept his death, prompting Jax to leave the Legends. Sara then boards the Waverider and finds John Constantine, who asks for the assistance of the Legends.

## Production

"Beebo the God of War" was written by Grainne Godfree and James Eagan, and directed by Kevin Mock. The first draft of the script was completed on October 3, 2017, allowing pre-production to begin the same day. Pre-production then on October 12 the final draft of the script was issued the same day. Film began on October 13 and ran through October 25.
In an promotional video for the episode showrunner Phil Klemmer described the premise of the episode as the Vikings pursuing worship of Beebo, who they believe to be a pagan god, over Christianity, causing them to continue "charging across the new world" instead of returning to Scandinavia. Klemmer explained the title as being a reference to the Norse setting.
The character of Beebo takes inspiration from Tickle Me Elmo. During a panel at a fan convention in Vancouver, Canada, the show's cast said Beebo represents an attempt by the writers to introduce further chaos into the series' plot. They stated they were worried audiences could perceive Beebo's inclusion as "jumping the shark". Speaking with ComicBook.com, Benjamin Diskin explained that initial idea for the character was "nothing but a smile and a catchphrase." Diskin was surprised about the success of the character. Beebo was well received by audiences and was featured in a spin-off Christmas special titled Beebo Saves Christmas.

### Casting

The episode stars Franz Drameh as Jefferson Jackson / Fire Storm, alongside main cast members Caity Lotz, Tala Ashe, Nick Zano, Brandon Routh, Amy Louise Pemberton (voice), Dominic Purcell, and Maisie Richardson-Sellers who appear as Sara Lance / White Canary, Zari Tomaz, Nate Heywood / Steel, Ray Palmer / The Atom, Gideon, Mick Rory / Heatwave, and Amaya Jiwe / Vixen, respectively.
"Beebo the God of War" is the first episode of Legends of Tomorrow not to feature Victor Garber as a series regular due to the death of his character, Martin Stein, in the previous episode, although a younger version of Stein played by Graeme McComb appears. McComb previously portrayed this version of the character in "Pilot, Part 2" (2016) and "Compromised" (2016). This episode is the final appearance of Drameh as a series regular. While Garber's departure was a personal decision, Drameh's was a creative choice by the writers.
The guest cast includes Jes Macallan as Ava Sharpe, Matt Ryan as John Constantine, Courtney Ford as Nora Darhk, Neal McDonough as Damien Darhk, Wentworth Miller as Leo Snart, John Noble as the voice of Mallus, Thor Knai as Leif Erikson, Katia Winter as Freydís Eiríksdóttir, and Diskin as the voice of Beebo. Ryan reprises his role from the canceled NBC television series Constantine, which was retroactively added to the Arrowverse after he guest-starred in the Arrow season four episode "Haunted". Ryan later joined the main cast in the fourth season of Legends of Tomorrow. Both Winter and Drameh would return in the season three finale "The Good, the Bad and the Cuddly".

## Release

"Beebo the God of War" was first aired in the United States on The CW on December 5, 2017. The episode's original broadcast attracted 1.61 million viewers, and it received a 0.6/2 share among adults ages 18–49. This was 1.2 million fewer viewers than the previous episode, but up 100 thousand from the following one. "Beebo the God of War" placed fifth in its time slot, behind The Mick, Black-ish, SEAL Team, and Will & Grace. The episode was the third-highest viewed of the season. After factoring in seven-day DVR viewership, the episode received an additional one million viewers, totaling 2.61 million viewers.
On September 25, 2018, the episode was released on both DVD and Blu-ray as a part of the Legends of Tomorrow season-three box set.

## Reception
### Critical response

"Beebo the God of War" was met with positive critical reviews, who praised the episode's humor and the sad ending. The A.V. Club's Oliver Sava rated the episode an "A−"; praised its use of Damien Darhk, stating while he had grown bored of the character, Damien's appearance was well executed. He also stated the episode successfully blends comedic and serious moments, particularly the grief over Stein's death, and that it helps the "family dynamic" of the Legends. In a review for Den of Geek, Jim Dandeneau rated the episode 4.5 out of 5, and said while he found the episode hilarious, he was emotionally impacted by the departure of Jax in the final moments. Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Shirley Li praised the episode for providing closure for Jax and Stein, describing it as a good example of the reason the time-travel genre works and saying it "accomplished something special". Jesse Schedeen of IGN rated the episode 9.8 of 10 and described it as a great follow up to the tragic ending of the previous episode. Scheedeen said the episode is both very silly and incredibly heartfelt, and that the only problem he had with the episode is the minimal role of Mallus.
In a 2020 ranking of the series' best episodes for Gizmodo, Beth Elderkin placed "Beebo the God of War" sixth. Elderkin said the episode tells a "great story" and marks a turning point for Legends of Tomorrow.

### Beebo

Fans and critics have praised Beebo. During the series, the character returned multiple times in different forms, such as a giant toy in "The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly", and a magical manifestation in "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five" (2021). He also appears as a doll in two episodes of Legends of Tomorrow's parent shows: the Arrow episode "Level Two" and The Flash episode "The Elongated Knight Rises". Beebo features on the cover of both the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the box set "Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Series".
Beebo returns in the spin-off Christmas special Beebo Saves Christmas (2021), which was positively received by critics. The special aired on The CW on December 21, 2021; it was narrated by Victor Garber and features Diskin in the title role.

## Analysis

"Beebo the God of War" includes tones of grief and sadness, which it pairs with a light-hearted and "goofy" vibe. IGN's Jesse Schedeen noted the similarities in tone between the episode and previous season three episode "Return of the Mack". The Legends mourn Martin Stein in various ways. Sara refuses to allow the Legends to be involved in the attack against Damien Darhk, fearing they might be harmed. Leo Snart hosts a therapy session for the Legends, though his efforts are unappreciated. Jax attempts to save Stein's life by providing him a letter detailing his death. Stein opts to destroy the note and instead helps Jax accept his loss. Entertainment Weekly's Shirley Li noted how the nature of the death is unique for the series because it occurred at the hands of an unnamed character who is almost immediately killed. Without a named killer, there is nobody to blame or feel anger towards, unlike the deaths of Damien Dahrk and Reverse Flash.
Some critics have considered "Beebo the God of War" a turning point for the series. Writing for Gizmodo, Beth Elderkin called the episode "... the episode where we learned just how weird Legends was willing to go in pursuit of a great story". Collider's Gregory Mysogland said the episode was "crucial" in transitioning Legends of Tomorrow from the serious and grounded tone of the first season to the more comedic and whimsical one that is prevalent in later seasons.