Category Archives: The Flash

CW DCU Discussion

Supergirl, “City of Lost Children:” This week features alien refugees, problematic portals, and another direction for James Olsen.

The episode also teases the possible existence of Batman in Supergirl’s universe (indirectly referenced at least once before), which keeps very much with DC history. In their early comics, Batman and Superman crossed over, but rarely interacted with other superheroes, who, in turn, often interacted with each other. The CW’s two superhero TV-verses seem to function in much the same way.

The Flash, “Cause and Effect”: Barry is beside himself over recent developments, but the Team has a plan, the dangers of which initially get played for laughs. Indeed, at one point, the episode seems to acknowledge the desirability of having a lighter, non-mopey Barry. Alas, that won’t happen just yet.

The episode reveals that Killer Frost has her own motives, though it does not reveal what they might be, and includes dazzling if artificial visual effects.

The conclusion gives us a weapon that could take down Savitar—but there’s a glitch not even Doc Brown could solve.

Arrow, “Honor Thy Fathers:” This familiarly-titled episode brings Ollie back to the mayor’s office, criminals back to Star City, and a mystery corpse to the mix.

CW DCU Discussion

Supergirl, “Alex:” This episode focuses on Kara’s adopted sister and her partner, and the examines the effects of the mere existence of a metahuman.

The Flash, “I Know Who You Are:” this episode brings a new member into Team Flash and spends a lot of time on unconvincing personal drama. Thanks in part to his trip to the future, Barry deduces the identity of Savitar, and confronts him in the episode’s final moments.

Of course, we know now that the future can be changed.

Arrow, “Underneath:” Oliver and Felicity bunker down; Diggle and Lyla need couples counselling.

CW DCU Discussion: The Heroes Return from Hiatus

Supergirl, “Ace Reporter:” Every nanosecond brings danger as Lena Luthor’s ex comes to town with a medical procedure that may not be what it seems. Meanwhile, tension develops among the show’s second-string crimefighters.

The Flash, “The Once and Future Flash”: Barry travels to the future, to learn that Emma never returned from being Killer Frost, Savitar was defeated without the Flash learning his identity, and Mirror Master and Top continue to wreak havoc in Central City. Future Flash, taking a page out of the Arrow handbook, has become a mopey recluse in a bad wig. Can Barry get the old gang together and save the future? Can he save the doomed Iris? And will someone hand him a plot device in the last few minutes of the episode that he literally could have received at any other time in the episode?

Bonus: Killer Frost learns Savitar’s secret identity– but we don’t!

Arrow, “Dangerous Liaisons:” The Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont use seduction to…. Wait, wrong Dangerous Liaisons. Everyone joins the chase after Adrian. Team Arrow may have to make an illicit deal with Helix, and hope there’s no double-cross, in order to stop the killer.

CW DCU Discussion: “Doomworld,” “Distant Sun,” “Abra Kadabra,” and “Disbanded”

Legends of Tomorrow, “Doomworld:” more time-travelling shenanigans from the Legends. I suspect the success of the show depends on how much the audience wants to turn off brains and simply enjoy Silver Age-style superheroics.

Supergirl, “Distant Sun:” Supergirl has problems with her bf’s parents, in an ep with bounty hunters, CW romance, and palace intrigue. Mon-El’s mom apparently wants a part on Game of Thrones.

The Flash, “Abra Kadabra:” The show tries to reach out and grab ya with a new villain who may be able to help our heroes with Savitar. Caitlyn storms.

Arrow, “Disbanded:” Ollie, having gone over an edge, decides to break up the team and work with some allies from his past. This season’s big bad, Adrian Chase, has little time to gloat as his identity is exposed.

The Flash Review: “Duet”

I was not filled with glee by the announcement of a Flash Musical Episode. I’m just not the market for this sort of thing, even if it occasionally works. Increasingly, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m still the market for this show. Lots of people loved this singing and dancing crossover with Supergirl. For me, it recalled one of those old albums of a superstar’s previously unreleased material: a few bright moments, some familiar but enjoyable content, and a lot of stuff that should’ve remained in the studio.

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CW DCU Discussion: The Flash, “Into the Speed Force,” Legends of Tomorrow, “Moonshot,” and Arrow, “Checkmate”

The Flash, “Into the Speed Force:” The Flash heads into the Speed Force to save Wally, as he and the rest of the team confront seemingly arbitrary rules of reality designed to force drama, and H.R. continues to be annoying.

Legends of Tomorrow, “Moonshot:” Houston, we have a problem.

Arrow, “Checkmate”: Ollie learns more about Prometheus and, rock-star-like, he trashes the Arrowcave. The ep also features a shoot-out at a hockey arena, but of the deadly variety.

CW DCU Discussion: Supergirl, Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow

“Evil me, Evil Stein, Evil Mick… I guess that would just be Regular Mick, but still….”

I think Marvel has scooped the news with those early shots of Lockjaw from the forthcoming MCU Inhumans show, but DC features some watchable episodes this week:

Supergirl, “Exodus:” this Alex-focused episode features spy thriller tropes, more Danvers Family intrigue, and a pro-immigration message.

I’m also left wondering if CatCo will be eased out of the series entirely.

The Flash, “The Wrath of Savitar:” This week puts the season’s Big Bad back in its sites. Of course, Wally conceals helpful information from his associates (these guys are worse than the Hoover-era FBI), but Wally later pays a steep price. Will he be lost forever? Then again, will Savitar be the same after having his appendage sliced off?

Legends of Tomorrow, “Land of the Lost:” We’re 70 million years in the past, but the story rips us into a Heroes fight their Evil Doppelgängers ep. There’s something charmingly old school about the way the show puts some of our heroes in the Cretaceous and some in a character’s mind, but has to eschew 90% of the possibilities those premises suggest because the show has a limited budget. Vixen does get a brief T-Rex taming scene, though.

Arrow takes the week off.