# Chapter 7 (Legion)

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chapter_7_(Legion)
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Chapter_7_(Legion).md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_7_(Legion)
> Source revision: 1350168990
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

"**Chapter 7**" is the seventh episode of the [first season](/source/Legion_season_1) of the American [surrealist](/source/Surrealist_cinema) [superhero](/source/Superhero_fiction) [thriller](/source/Thriller_(genre)) television series *[Legion](/source/Legion_(TV_series))*, based on the [Marvel Comics](/source/Marvel_Comics) [character of the same name](/source/Legion_(Marvel_Comics)). The episode was written by co-producer Jennifer Yale and directed by [Dennie Gordon](/source/Dennie_Gordon). It originally aired on [FX](/source/FX_(TV_channel)) on March 22, 2017.

The series follows David Haller, a "[mutant](/source/Mutant_(Marvel_Comics))" diagnosed with [schizophrenia](/source/Schizophrenia) at a young age, as he tries to control his psychic powers and combat the sinister forces trying to control him. In the episode, the team uncovers the truth behind the Devil with Yellow Eyes, while David struggles in breaking free from his mind.

According to [Nielsen Media Research](/source/Nielsen_Media_Research), the episode was seen by an estimated 0.716 million household viewers and gained a 0.4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the writing, character development, revelations, directing and performances.

## Plot

The Devil with Yellow Eyes, in the form of Lenny, questions Amy about her childhood, as well as [David](/source/Legion_(Marvel_Comics)). The Devil with Yellow Eyes wants to know more about David's father, but also notes that Cary has left the hospital.

Oliver guides Cary to the [astral plane](/source/Astral_plane), taking him to the ice cube. Oliver explains that the parasite that torments David is a [mutant](/source/Mutant_(Marvel_Comics)) named Amahl Farouk, also known as the [Shadow King](/source/Shadow_King). Farouk locked David inside his mind, intending to fully possess his body. Cary then recalls that his body in real life holds a device that could prevent Farouk from taking over David's body, but needs the whole team back into their respective bodies. Using Oliver's diving suit, Cary wakes up Syd from her coma in Clockworks and takes her to the astral plane to explain his plan. Syd is instructed to go back and save the team, also receiving special glasses to help differentiate reality and fantasy.

Melanie manages to reach the real world, where their bodies are stuck in time. She meets with Cary and Oliver, who does not recognize her. Trapped inside his mind in the form of a casket, David is helped by an iteration of his mind, who helps him understand his history with Farouk. David's biological father was a powerful mutant who defeated Farouk in the astral plane, making him lose his body. To protect David, his father put him in foster care, but Farouk eventually found him. Farouk intends to possess his body to get revenge at his father and eventually, conquer the world. With this knowledge, he breaks out of the corner and starts wandering throughout his mind.

Syd returns to Clockworks with the special glasses, which prevents her from seeing the hallucinations. She eventually finds Kerry, but both are attacked by Walter. Farouk in Lenny's form approaches them and mutilates Walter, who also dies in the real world. Seeing that Oliver is protecting David and Syd in the real world with a shield, Farouk leaves Clockworks to knock Oliver out and returns to Clockworks to finish killing Syd and Kerry. Oliver phases out while Walter's bullet approaches David and Syd, prompting Cary to put the device on David's head.

David breaks free from his mind in the hallucination, before the whole team returns to their respective bodies in his childhood home. David manages to catch the bullets in time with his hands, while Walter's body is mutilated like his death in Clockworks. They return to Summerland, with Cary explaining that the device will lock Farouk away inside David's mind. Melanie also discovers that Oliver has finally left the astral plane, although he still seems to not remember her. Amy also apologizes to David for not telling him about his real father. As the team intends to remove Farouk from David's mind, Division 3 agents storm Summerland and corner them, led by the interrogator. He orders his agents to kill everyone but David. Inside David's mind, Farouk is seen trapped inside a casket, the way David had been, screaming and pounding; the casket suddenly cracks.

## Production

### Development

In February 2017, it was reported that the seventh episode of the season would be titled "Chapter 7", and was to be directed by [Dennie Gordon](/source/Dennie_Gordon) and written by co-producer Jennifer Yale. This was Yale's first writing credit, and Gordon's first directing credit.[1]

### Filming

[Dan Stevens](/source/Dan_Stevens) played two characters in the episode: [David Haller](/source/Legion_(Marvel_Comics)) and David's mind in the form of his body. For the latter, Stevens used his natural British accent. While working on how to differentiate both halves, Stevens suggested to series creator [Noah Hawley](/source/Noah_Hawley) on using his natural accent, which he accepted, with Hawley saying "I guess deep down all of our rational selves are probably British". Stevens first shot the latter's scenes, before filming David's scenes, a process he deemed "challenging".[2]

The episode introduced the existence of [Charles Xavier](/source/Professor_X), David Haller's biological father, by showing his wheelchair.[3] The crew had access to any wheelchair used in the [*X-Men* film series](/source/X-Men_(film_series)), settling on the wheelchair used by [James McAvoy](/source/James_McAvoy) in *[X-Men: Apocalypse](/source/X-Men:_Apocalypse)*.[2]

## Reception

### Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Chapter 7" was seen by an estimated 0.716 million household viewers and gained a 0.4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to [Nielsen Media Research](/source/Nielsen_Media_Research). This means that 0.4 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode.[4] This was a slight decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.732 million viewers with a 0.3 in the 18-49 demographics.[5]

With DVR factored in, the episode was watched by 2.04 million viewers with a 1.0 in the 18-49 demographics.[6]

### Critical reviews

"Chapter 7" received critical acclaim. The [review aggregator](/source/Review_aggregator) website [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes) reported a 89% approval rating with an average rating of 8.2/10 for the episode, based on 18 reviews. The site's consensus states: "With the revelation of the series villain, 'Chapter 7' ties up a number of loose ends in preparation for the series finale - albeit in somewhat predictable fashion."[7]

Scott Collura of *[IGN](/source/IGN)* gave the episode an "amazing" 9.3 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "*Legion* continues to knock it out of the telepathic park as it heads to its big season finale next week, answering questions, dropping fan service in a unique and memorable way, and, with its 'Bolero' escapade, providing one of the coolest sequences to air on TV yet in 2017."[8]

Alex McLevy of *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)* gave the episode an "A-" grade and wrote, "Despite all that happens in 'Chapter 7' - the thrilling heroics, the tense and unsettling confrontations with Lenny, the deadly cliff-hanger ending - the most significant struggle, as always, is the one inside David's consciousness."[9]

[Alan Sepinwall](/source/Alan_Sepinwall) of *[Uproxx](/source/Uproxx)* wrote, "'Chapter 7' has to devote a lot of time to exposition... Fortunately, it's happening *Legion*-style... that it never feels like the story is grinding to a halt so that the characters can explain things to each other, and to us."[10] Kevin P. Sullivan of *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* wrote, "Nothing about *Legion* so far would suggest that the end of the first season would be anything less than super satisfying, but watching the penultimate chapter of the arc was an utter delight."[11]

Alex Abad-Santos of *[Vox](/source/Vox_(website))* wrote, "It's difficult to say whether 'Chapter 7', the latest episode of FX and Marvel's addictive TV collaboration *Legion*, is singlehandedly the best episode of superhero television this year because it's great or because it's satisfying."[12] Oliver Sava of *[Vulture](/source/New_York_(magazine))* gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "'Chapter Seven' finally reveals the true identity of the series' villain, and as it dives deeper into X-Men comic-book mythology, it shifts into a storytelling mode that is more familiar to fans of that franchise."[13]

Sean T. Collins of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* wrote, "In the astral plane, plenty of people can hear you scream, as it turns out. But they can also see you trade on the ideas and images of others at the expense of creating your own."[14] Nick Harley of *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)* wrote, "This episode covered a ton of ground, answered key questions, and provided everyone with meaningful action, barring a mostly absent Ptonomy. It's not an easy feat to explain and tidy up everything in an hour, especially a show as convoluted as this, but 'Chapter Seven' does so while maintaining *Legion'*s unorthodox style and tone. I can't wait to see how this mind-bending season ends."[15] Katherine Siegel of *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))* gave the episode a 7 rating out of 10 and wrote, "This episode works best, exposition included, when focusing on David."[16]

## References

1. ["(#107) "Chapter 7""](http://thefutoncritic.com/listings/20170221fx03/). *The Futon Critic*. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

1. Collura, Scott (March 23, 2017). ["Legion: Dan Stevens and Amber Midthunder on Pulling Off the Ambitious Scenes in "Chapter 7""](https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/23/legion-dan-stevens-and-amber-midthunder-on-pulling-off-the-ambitious-scenes-in-chapter-7). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

1. Lovett, Jamie (March 22, 2017). ["Professor X's Wheelchair Appears On Legion"](https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/legion-professor-x-wheelchair/). *[ComicBook.com](/source/ComicBook.com)*. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

1. Welch, Alex (March 23, 2017). ["Wednesday cable ratings: 'Legion' ticks back up, 'Greenleaf' falls"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170325050326/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/wednesday-cable-ratings-march-22-2017/). *[TV by the Numbers](/source/TV_by_the_Numbers)*. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/wednesday-cable-ratings-march-22-2017/) on March 25, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Welch, Alex (March 17, 2017). ["Wednesday cable ratings: 'Black Ink Crew' wins the night, 'Legion' slips a little"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170319195114/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/wednesday-cable-ratings-march-15-2017/). *[TV by the Numbers](/source/TV_by_the_Numbers)*. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/wednesday-cable-ratings-march-15-2017/) on March 19, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Porter, Rick (April 6, 2017). ["'Major Crimes' makes major gains in cable Live +7 ratings for March 20–26"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170412152817/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/dvr-ratings/cable-live-7-ratings-for-march-20-26-2017/). *TV by the Numbers*. Archived from [the original](http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/dvr-ratings/cable-live-7-ratings-for-march-20-26-2017/) on April 12, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. ["Legion: Season 1, Episode 7"](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/legion/s01/e07). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Collura, Scott (March 22, 2017). ["Legion: "Chapter 7" Review"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/23/legion-chapter-7-review). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

1. McLevy, Alex (March 22, 2017). ["The *Legion* team confronts David's nemesis in a singular showdown"](https://www.avclub.com/the-legion-team-confronts-david-s-nemesis-in-a-singular-1798191050). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

1. Sepinwall, Alan (March 22, 2017). ["'Legion' Explains It All With A Thrilling, Audacious 'Chapter 7'"](https://uproxx.com/sepinwall/legion-chapter-7-recap-review/). *[Uproxx](/source/Uproxx)*. Retrieved January 6, 2022.

1. Sullivan, Kevin (March 22, 2017). ["Legion recap: 'Chapter 7'"](https://ew.com/recap/legion-season-1-episode-7/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Abad-Santos, Alex (March 22, 2017). ["Legion episode 7, "Chapter 7": the most satisfying episode yet makes a challenging season worth it"](https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/3/22/14986540/legion-episode-7-recap). *[Vox](/source/Vox_(website))*. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Sava, Oliver (March 22, 2017). ["*Legion* Recap: Bow to the King"](https://www.vulture.com/2017/03/legion-recap-season-1-episode-7.html). *[Vulture](/source/New_York_(magazine))*. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Collins, Sean (March 22, 2017). ["'Legion' Season 1, Episode 7 Recap: Breakthrough"](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/22/arts/television/legion-chapter-7-recap.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Harley, Nick (March 23, 2017). ["Legion Episode 7 Review: Chapter Seven"](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/legion-episode-7-review-chapter-seven/). *[Den of Geek](/source/Den_of_Geek)*. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

1. Siegel, Katherine (March 22, 2017). ["*Legion* Review: "Chapter 7" Soars When Our Hero's at Its Center"](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/legion/legion-review-chapter-7/). *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))*. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

## External links

- [Chapter 7](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6162948/) at IMDb

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chapter 7 (Legion)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_7_(Legion)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_7_(Legion)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.