'The Librarians' Recap: 'And the Echoes of Memory'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

I’m always appreciative of when a television show truly takes the time to reward its audience for sticking through a tough storyline. Because when a show does such a thing, it speaks to the fact that the powers that be, genuinely care about the fans that support them, and that they also care about the story, since it means that there was a grand vision in mind all along and the ups and downs we experienced weren’t just gimmicks and wouldn’t you know it…after sitting through a wild and powerful season full of hard moments on The Librarians, the season four finale just so happened to reward the audience for standing with this show in epic and lovely fashion.
 
But, before we arrived at the grand payoff for both the story and the fans, ‘And the Echoes of Memory’ first answered a long standing question about Flynn in that, he never resigned or turned his back on the Library, he was captured by Nicole before she sprung her trap and once that question was answered the show took us on a continued journey through the darkness that was established last week by showing us just what kind of world Nicole envisioned without the Library and well, for lack of a better phrase, the world she had in mind flat out sucked because it was without a doubt, the most boring and bland place imaginable.
 
I mean seriously, this is a place where the only food served is fat and flour, and the only entertainment available is watching people stumble and fall, but there was a rhyme and reason as to why Nicole designed a world this blasé; to keep imagination at bay so the Library can never exist. But thankfully, Eve was around to save the day and it didn’t take long for the story to kick into overdrive as she worked to assemble the Librarians so that their combined memories would bring the Library back to life and end the existence of this awful place and while showing us this bland new world was fascinating in its own right, what made this episode so special and rewarding is what it accomplished by allowing this place to exist.

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​Because in many ways, this story took the Librarians back to the very beginning of their journey. Where they were once again people without purpose or direction and the possibility that they could do something more and be something more ignited something special inside their souls and it was just downright incredible and satisfying to see all of the Librarians, rediscover their love for the Library and watch their heroism shine through in the process and thanks to their efforts and newfound strength, they were able to rescue Flynn and Eve and bring the Library back into existence after all. But while that alone would have made for a satisfying finale, this episode had one last wondrous surprise up its sleeve.
 
After all, Nicole still had to be dealt with in some form or fashion since her rampage cost Jenkins his life and well, Flynn had one hell of an idea on how to set things right and traveled back in time to the pivotal moment when Nicole became immortal…and begged her to let go of her anger and resentment toward the Library in order to save it and wouldn’t you know it? His last-ditch effort to defeat the Library’s greatest foe with kindness worked through and through, and the awful moments that came to pass were wiped away and we were left with the happiest of endings. Wherein Flynn and Eve tethered to the Library, and Jenkins was alive and well. 
 
If anything, this story once again allowed for the best elements of this show to shine since we saw teamwork at its finest, and we saw evil defeated not with brute strength, but through kindness and understanding, and it demonstrates once again how uplifting this show always turns out to be, and I love the subtle message present in this one that speaks to the fact that we can accomplish wonders when we let go of our fears and our doubts. Plus, as an added bonus, Jenkins is back, and I know I’m not the only person who cheered and wept at his return because Jenkins is freakin’ awesome! Either way, as another season of this wonderful show comes to a close, I would like to take a moment and implore TNT to consider giving this series another season. Because in the current climate of gritty storytelling, this show is a shining beacon of joy that deserves the opportunity to tell more uplifting stories and I truly hope that we will all be back here next year to discuss the wonder of another season of The Librarians. Until next time.  

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