Legion

Legion is a critically acclaimed, mesmerizing, and tragically underrated television series created by renowned writer and director, Noah Hawley, which aired on the FX Network from 2017 to 2019. The comic book-based series is co-produced by Marvel Television and FX Productions and offers a unique, thought-provoking, and often disorientating expansion to the Marvel universe. Its showrunner, Noah Hawley, who is known for his literary-style storytelling in Fargo, brings the same kind of top-level writing and filmmaking to Legion.

The series revolves around the character David Haller, played brilliantly by Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey fame. This character, known in Marvel comics as Legion, is believed to be mentally ill and has been in and out of institutions for a significant part of his life. The audience is introduced to Haller at a psychiatric hospital where he is diagnosed with schizophrenia due to the seemingly hallucinatory experiences and the voices he hears in his head. However, after an encounter with a fellow patient, he begins to question if his afflictions might actually be manifestations of a superhuman power.

What makes Legion stand out from standard superhero fare is its refreshing take on the genre. It is not your conventional good vs evil superhero narrative. The show rather places the exploration of mental illness at the forefront. It cleverly utilizes the device of telepathy to bring an engaging and empathetic portrayal of mental illness and its disorienting effects on perception and reality. Supporting characters are also dealing with severe trauma, reflecting the series' continued focus on mental health issues.

The show is marked by stunning, psychedelic visuals, and innovative narrative structures. Hawley’s storytelling style is deliberately non-linear, and he presents a storyline that’s complex, sprawling, and often confusing, keeping the audience guessing until the final moment. The series also incorporates dream sequences and alternate realities, deviating from traditional storytelling, and capturing the constant state of uncertainty that Haller himself experiences. Legion is a visual feast, evoking an omnipresent surreal atmosphere, infused with vibrant colors, distorted realities, and psychedelic aesthetics.

Besides the dazzling visual spectacle, the show has a compelling cast. Along with Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller stars as Syd Barrett, a character with whom David forms a deep bond. Her character is gritty, real, and provides a great balance to David's tumultuous psyche. Jean Smart plays Melanie Bird, a therapist who becomes aptly vital to David’s journey. The show also has the likes of Aubrey Plaza, Jeremie Harris, Amber Midthunder, and Bill Irwin, who all put up notable performances.

The sound design in the show is equally impactful. It uses background scores and diegetic sounds to help illustrate David’s mental state. The viewer is often thrown into a maelly audioscape that depicts the bizarreness of David’s mental condition and his reality. The series also uses 60s and 70s pop songs to great effect, further enhancing its stylish, retro aesthetics.

One of the notable aspects of Legion is its brave departure from the conventional portrayal of mutant narratives and the Marvel universe. Gone are the supervillains aiming for world domination and quintessential heroes set to save the day. Instead, Legion delivers a plot focused on the deconstruction of its main character, accentuated by themes of identity, self-perception, and coming to grips with one's own potential.

Without giving too much away, we explore the gravity and responsibility that comes with innate powers, and we witness a volatile, powerful, sometimes peaceful, sometimes chaos-inducing protagonist who cannot trust his own mind. Haller's journey of self-discovery forms the spine of the narrative, excellently weaving together the series' exploration of identity, mental health, and the existential angst of being different.

In summary, Legion is an audacious psychological thriller and a psychedelic trip exploring the mind of a complex character from the Marvel world. Its narrative may challenge you, its aesthetics might bewilder you, and its exploration of mental health might move you. Very much a ‘love it or hate it’ kind of show, Legion is perfect for Marvel fans looking for something a bit edgier and experimental. It's a mesmerizing exposition of audio-visual craftsmanship with a deep, affecting narrative at its heart. It takes viewers on a journey where they will question what's real, what's not, and along the way, confront their own perceptions about sanity, reality, and the human experience.