"So this is kind of becoming an annual thing, huh?"

CW's Elseworlds crossover
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Well, I've been trying to follow up but since so much had been piling up on top of me, it's as good of time as any to do it now. I've been slowly cutting through the back catalog of 2018 movies but since CW shows will be coming back next week after the winter break, I should give the recent crossover a thorough review:

"What have you done, Barry ...?"

the Flash

s05e09

Doctor John Deegan is the mastermind behind this event because of his vision for human to be super, and now Oliver Queen is Barry Allen. It's a newfound treat to see Stephen Amell reacting to the new development of being the one with the speed this time, from being with Iris West, dealing with the superspeed and interacting with the Star Labs crew. The above quote is fitting (and a winking nod to longtime fans) since the original has been known to alter the timeline. The original Barry Allen suffers better since he's been taking it in strides and enjoying the moment (especially since he adores the vigilante so much) but he understandably snap back when he knows he won't be with Iris anymore. That moment when they teach each other each other's tricks is beautiful and a genuine treat but when that Smallville theme song starts (what a beautiful throwback!) as we go from Earth-1 to Earth-38, the new Lois Lane played charmingly by Elizabeth Tulloch has a perfect debut (and a possible backdoor for a Superman series) and her portrayal really struck a chord in me. The clashing ideology of Scarlet Speedster and Green Arrow is inevitable and how they view each other is the emotional highlight of this episode. The darkness of the latter and the lightness of the former will be the throughline while Supergirl will get her due in the next part. AMAZO is the big bad that is accidentally brought to life and force the Super cousins to team up with the others to bring him down.  It's really neat to see them fighting side by side, especially in this special circumstances. This adds a little wrinkle to Barry's personal journey that will have a bit of a ramification ...

-

"It's more of a Quantum Leap."

Arrow

s07e09

It is Gotham, baby! Before that, that small cameo by Slade Wilson's son is nice and having Batman as an urban legend is a nice way to keep him in the dark while we are introduced to Kate Kane, the last protector of the city when the Dark Knight departs three years ago. Alfred as the password is a nice though, while Vesper might come into view (and that last R&D guy in the building) when the eventual Batwoman series debut. The pilot is officially ordered now! That suit reveal is majestic! Having Kara Danvers actually relate to Bruce Wayne that tries to keep his private life a secret to the world ties in really well with her current predicament and the conversation with Kane helps to endear the other cousin to us. The big set piece is in Arkham Asylum, allowing us to see a number of Batman Easter Eggs from the rich villain tapestry even to the daughter of Mr. Freeze. When the second generation of the bat vigilante is finally in action, it is too short but just enough to keep us wishing for more. That hand-to-hand combat between the Flash and Eowbard Thawne and Arrow and Malcolm Merlin is something new and inventive that I haven't seen before, courtesy of Scarecrow's hallucinogen. Coming out of it, Oliver is just a little bit brighter and trying to save his relationship with Felicity. Then Barry Allen comes from Earth-9 to clear the air of this whole crossover (before teasing us of John being a Green Lantern, John Stewart! Will they be introduced in the next crossover? That would be a dream come true!): Mar-Novu aka the Monitor testing the inhabitants of worlds from across the universe to prepare them for the Crisis. Then it starts all over again, now in a whole new elseworld (kudos for using the Arrow bad guys as the police force this time around), a whole new ... Superman?!

--

"Are you puffing out your chest?"   "... Yes."

"World's Finest."

"I am the master of this world!"

Supergirl

s04e09

The main antagonist finally is at the forefront but in a different body, playing hero as the super man in black to match his ego and fulfill his so-called destiny. He is not stable and capable enough to hold the power but having the Book of Destiny not being able to tell the future of both Supers might come back in the future. Having Barry feeling sick of knowingly causing harm is perfect! A small Legend cameo by Gary is good enough for me since they are not included in this year's crossover. That 'pep talk' by the Monitor helps to clear the air a bit for the Trigger Twins as they appeal to the better (or worse) nature of Mister Ramon to counter the Negative Superman. Kara also needs to appeal to the former identity of her adopted sister, Alex, and it seems that John doesn't care to write her backstory anew or off, to Zor El's benefit. Revealing how her Alex, her wording, is in a better position in life romantically and in stature, is enough to convert the current Alex to the other side. This is one of the bright aspects of the show and it is a perfect representation of the familial relationship between the sisters. Oh, this new Killer Frost is a nice side role, showcasing her sassy attitude and Tyler Hoechlin specifically is able to showcase his acting chop, reveling in the opportunity to play both the original and the Bizarro counterpart. That mini fight between them is one of the highlights of this Elseworlds Event but that hold on the Flash's neck is not the only callback to the previous theatrical features, going as far as retreading xyz's Superman plotline. The real confrontation is not of strength but rather the mind, between Oliver's and the Monitor's, having the mere human standing up against the 'god' to save the lives of those who inspire hope and appeal to his need to prepare for the Crisis ... but at what cost? Will we find out in the soon or do we have to wait until the next crossover? Does Oliver Queen offer his life instead?! Well, the climax is upon us, as we see Brainiac and the Martian Manhunter joining in the fight with Lois Lane holding the zyx Hammer against a revived AMAZO, Deegan and the Book. While we might not be seeing Superman and Lois Lane for awhile at least, their expanded roles here should be the perfect selling pitch for that Superman spinoff. Their chemistry is off the charts! They are so endearing ...

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"I dive where you dive, babe."

"Flashtime." "You do have a name for everything."

"Don't worry, Doctor. Everything is as it should be.The stage is set. Worlds will live. World will die. And the universe will never be the same."

-x-

Well, that's all folks! Thank you for your time and please do come back for my future posts! :-)