The essential episodes of DC's Legends of Tomorrow

Watch these 10 in order and you've got DC's Legends of Tomorrow — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · January 21, 2016 · 44m

   Pilot (1)7.2

   Time Master Rip Hunter puts together his diverse team to fight immortal villain Vandal Savage who is on the verge of destroying humanity in 2166.

2. 02

   S01E16 · Season 1 peak · May 19, 2016 · 42m

   Legendary7.8

   After the numerous sacrifices the team has made since the beginning of this ride, Rip decides that it’s time they each decide their own destiny and returns them to Central City a few months after they first left. Returned to their normal lives, each team member must individually decide if they are willing to sacrifice everything in order to save the world. Meanwhile, Sara visits with her father who delivers some heartbreaking news about her sister.

3. 03

   S02E09 · Top rated · January 24, 2017 · 42m

   Raiders of the Lost Art7.9

   When Damien Darhk and Malcolm Merlyn try to capture Rip Hunter in 1967, they create an Aberration big enough to draw the attention of the Legends. However, when the team arrives they discover that Rip has no memories of his past due to “time drift” and is just a graduate film student. After trying to convince Rip of who he was, they discover that he possesses an incredibly powerful artifact known as the Spear of Destiny, which the Legion of Doom is after. Ray and Nate realize that the Aberration has also affected them personally making it difficult to help the team. Meanwhile, Rory asks Stein for help and makes him promise to keep it a secret from the team.

4. 04

   S02E17 · Season 2 peak · April 4, 2017 · 41m

   Aruba8.0

   When a massive timequake rocks the ship while the legends are preparing for their next destination, they must break a cardinal rule of time travel.

5. 05

   S03E04 · Season 3 peak · October 31, 2017 · 42m

   Phone Home7.8

   The Legends learn that Ray Palmer will die because they broke time, causing them to race back to 1988 to try and save his life. When they arrive, they are surprised to learn that young Ray Palmer has befriended a time-displaced baby Dominator putting him in harm's way with the government and the Dominator's mother. New to the ship and missions, Zari must find her place and learn to trust the team. Meanwhile, Stein begins working on a secret project on the ship which makes Rory and Jax suspicious.

6. 06

   S04E08 · Season 4 peak · December 10, 2018 · 42m

   Legends of To-Meow-Meow8.4

   After Constantine breaks the cardinal Legend rule—you can’t change the past—he, along with Charlie and Zari try to deal with the ramifications without telling the rest of the Legends. Even though Zari encourages them to just fix the problem, Constantine and Charlie are determined to find another way, but only continue to make things worse.

7. 07

   S05E01 · Season 5 peak · January 14, 2020 · 42m

   Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five (V)7.3

   “Worlds lived, worlds died. Nothing will ever be the same.” The crossover starts on Supergirl S05E09 Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One (I), Batwoman S01E09 Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two (II), The Flash S06E09 Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three (III) and Arrow S08E08 Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four (IV)

8. 08

   S06E07 · Season 6 peak · June 20, 2021 · 42m

   Back to the Finale: Part II7.5

   With Ava a wreck, the Legends make a last-ditch effort to keep Sara from being abducted in the first place, even knowing that it will alter the timeline. Sara grapples with a discovery about herself and is shocked when Rory finds her on the mystery planet. Meanwhile, Spooner envisions what her life would be like if she hadn't joined the Legends.

9. 09

   S07E05 · Season 7 peak · November 10, 2021 · 42m

   It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Scientist7.4

   After Sara, Ava, Behrad and Gary arrive in New York City, they track down Dr. Gwyn Davies, who isn't the scientist they expected. Astra, Spooner, and Gideon are still trying to stop the Legends from using the time machine, but they run into some more setbacks along the way. Meanwhile, in the pocket dimension Nate and Zari work together on the Hoover situation as well how to make their future together work.

10. 10

    S07E13 · Series finale · March 2, 2022 · 42m

    Knocked Down, Knocked Up6.8

    The Legends are all disappointed and hurt by Gideon's actions, but Gideon is horrified when AI Gideon tells her about Gary. Itching to get back to doing what they love best, they realize that Gwyn has broken the treaty and must find him. Meanwhile, Sara keeps an important secret from Ava because she doesn't know how she will react.