And so, Zari does just that. She spends a good chunk of time doing anything she wants. She binges on whipped cream, messes with some weapons and the costumes of other Legends, throws snowballs at Rory, even uses the time to learn to expertly play a violin and read Rory’s full novel.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a time loop without showing off her reaching near omnipotence. Zari hangs in the background while Rory and Ray have an argument, holding up large cards with each of their dialogue written on them, dropping one card to reveal the next just before the words are spoken. But, her enjoyment can only last so long.

Beat – Can’t Take It Anymore

There tends to reach a point where the monotony of an unchanging world really gets to the character. It’s the opposite beat from the fun montage, and where this trope tends to get its darkest.

Zari returns to Nate at the beginning of another loop, looking more beaten down and worn out than ever. She says she can’t do it anymore; she’s losing her mind. He asks if she did the fun montage yet, she tells him she did, and thanks him for the idea, going on to call him a good friend. Like many other characters before her, Zari sees suicide as a possible way out. As she sees it, it’s the only thing she hasn’t tried.

At her bleakest moment, Zari holds a gun held to her own head, and Sara tries to stop her. Zari pulls the trigger, but it doesn’t work. She’s nearly in tears as she explains the situation to Sara, convinced her words won’t be believed. “I’m totally alone in it, because for some reason, I’m the only one that’s even aware that it’s happening. And I try so hard, but… I can never save any of you.” Sara sees the sincerity in what Zari is saying, and everything changes. Sara calls the others all to a meeting, and for the first time in any loop, Zari has the help of all the Legends. Now that the whole team is together, they quickly they discover a place that Zari has never checked: the trash compactor.

Beat – Upping the Stakes

The final chance at a loop doesn’t always occur, but it is something that can happen to ramp up the tension. Without this, it really comes down the character dealing with the mental or emotional weight of the situation but trapped in a kind of purgatory that will never get better or worse until it is figured out. Creating the idea of a final loop ups the stakes for everyone involved, especially when the reset is triggered by death.