Crisis On Infinite Earths – Pt5 – Legends Of Tomorrow Review

For Ollie

We all knew from the outset that the Monitor had foreseen Oliver’s death and in a bargain Oliver had agreed to sacrifice his life to restore the balance and to save Kara and Barry. This bargain set up the most anticipated crossover in years and the finale did not disappoint. It answered a number of questions besides opening up possibilities. Saving the multiverse meant creating a new beginning and this new beginning has seen earths merge, bad guys become good guys and changes to the team’s families. The team may need time to discover what has changed but what hasn’t is the celebration of friends and family and the continued sacrifice that Oliver made.

The team didn’t have long to grieve before having to deal with a giant Beebo and jewellery robbery. Personally I would have just removed its batteries. However it isn’t long before the Anti-Monitor and his Shadow Hunters are back. Oliver’s sacrifice restored the universe but did not kill the Anti-Monitor. The team split up to tackle the Shadow Hunters. We have a team of substance between Mick, Killer Frost and the newly named Sparkles. This earth isn’t going to be lacking in terms of heroes.   This was the team’s challenge to face. To defeat the Anti-Monitor the geek team devise a shrink bomb which cuts the Anti-Monitor down to size and victory is finally achieved. The Paragons working together to protect Oliver’s legacy.

Although the team won the loss of Oliver is felt widely and the world acknowledges the role that Oliver Queen played and the sacrifice that he made. The dedication to Oliver and the feeling of loss is clear throughout the episode. The round table was a really clever touch with the green arrow seat remaining vacant but still with a seat at the table. The table being round to me has significance and almost an Arthuresque  quality – the circle has no beginning and no end which fits with the infinite universes that they saved. There is no head of the table because the circle means that they are all equal. A truly remarkable symbol of equality.

I really hoped that somehow fate could be changed and Ollie would make it through somehow. But Ollie did succeed in saving his family, his friends and the multiverse. I am intrigued with how this single / new merged world of heroes will play out and what other changes to the world they knew? I guess when they go back to their cities we will see whether everything is as it appears. Has Lex really changed his colours? The teams will now have a new variety of dangers and this opens the possibilities for the evil that they could face going forward. Although this episode is moving Arrow towards its ultimate conclusion I really enjoyed the celebration of family, friendship and the duty that the team feels it has to each other and the multiverse. The circular table of paragons is a symbol of bringing together the best that the world has to offer. Seeing Diggle get his daughter back was a nice touch. Will this change mean that JJ will take a different path to the one we have witnessed? Also seeing Brandon in his super suit again didn’t hurt either as the multiple earths came back. As they defeated what seemed like the impossible all that’s left to say is…..Crisis averted.

Crisis On Infinite Earths – Pt4 – Arrow Review

I’m not even sure where to begin with this. Part 4 completely surpassed my expectations and it’s quite difficult to articulate how it left you feeling. It was television on a cinematic scale.

You’d better suit up
Right from the first scene you really feel that Crisis has cranked up a gear in its conclusion. The opening of the episode shows us Mar Novu on Planet Maltus 10,000 years ago, preparing to travel to the dawn of time, assisted by his wife, Xneen, THE MONITOR (!) and it gave us further insight and context to the origin of the whole story. More to the point, it got your heart racing in anticipation for what was to come.

Following on from where we left off before Christmas, the seven paragons have been left in waiting for months at the Vanishing Point and their desperation and despair translates so well on screen. Completing his training with Jim Corrigan, Oliver joins them with a plan which pushes Barry to the forefront after Oliver gives him a power boost. His friends are all confused. Is he Oliver or isn’t he? He doesn’t really give them much clarity when he tells them he is more than Oliver Queen now … he’s Spectre. Oliver’s transformation and Stephen Amell’s portrayal of his new incarnation is just fantastic. We are left in no doubt that Oliver Queen is gone and this person isn’t him. His new sith-like costume (thank you Ryan Choi for that), his stance and most noticeably, his voice have all transformed giving us an almost other worldly version of him.

The paragons are all sent on a mission which takes them to The Anti Montor where they face the biggest fight of their lives. Each paragon had their moment during the episode. Osric Chau really does continue to shine as Ryan Choi, Melissa Benoist is Supergirl at her best (she has been sensational during this crossover) and Jon Cryer simply dazzles once again as Lex uses the end of the universe to plot and scheme. I have to also add that J’onn totally upped his game and gave us an all new, empowered Martian Manhunter in this episode and we have David Harewood at his very best.

No, I’m Barry Allen
There are several stand out moments in this episode but there’s one which will have excited fans beyond belief. We had heard rumours. We had got our hopes up. We didn’t think it was possible … but this episode connected to the DCEU by giving us Ezra Miller. EZRA MILLER!!!! I unfortunately had this moment spoilt on twitter before watching but in no way did it take anyway any inch of the enjoyment. This was so much fun and broke so much tension by making you smile. It was also really important as Ezra’s version of The Flash has no knowledge of the multiverse previous to meeting this Barry and wouldn’t it be great if that fed into The Flashpoint movie we’re waiting for. They argue over being Barry Allen and admire each other’s suits and this scene was perfection. I can’t believe they actually managed to make it happen.

There was an end and there is a beginning
As they all prepare to fight the shadow demons to get to the Anti Monitor, Oliver shows up again and gives a few cryptic clues which come in very handy. His new green robe and wise words give off immense Yoda vibes! The fight scenes were great and it was a great moment to see Oliver using his new powers. He defeats the Anti Monitor but the exhilaration quickly expires as Oliver meets his fate and the episode ends with the moment we’ve all been dreading – his death. Although we knew it was coming it didn’t make this any easier. As he watches the dawn of the new universe he assures Barry and Sara he is at peace and urges them to carry on, that the new world needs them. Dying is the easy part after all apparently. Stephen Amell … I just can’t. I just wish that Emily Bett was a part of this scene, it was the only thing missing. People may moan that we’ve already seen Oliver die in this crossover, but this was much more deserving for the character and plays out more in the way I had hoped for. You can tell me it’s only a tv show but I feel devastated and for that reason I’m going to end the review here and try to put my thoughts together for the final episode.

The Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover really did deliver everything we had hoped for though and I just can’t see how they will ever be able to top this. An event in television we haven’t seen before and aren’t likely to see again.

Crisis On Infinite Earths – Pt3 – The Flash Review

Even in the darkest times, hope cuts through

Erm ….. WOW!

Part 3 of the crossover was INSANE – starting with a cameo from Ashley Scott as Huntress from the 2002 Birds of Prey series. As the red skies take over New Gotham, she’s trying to contact Oracle and then we see their Earth is the latest to be obliterated.

Seeing as it’s The Flash’s episode of the crossover, Cisco, Ralph, Iris and Frost arrive on the Waverider, as well as Diggle who reacts badly to news that Oliver has been dunked in a Lazarus pit. Ralph is well excited to be included in this crossover and gives us his best classic Robin impression. Thanks to Cisco we discover the remaining paragons – The Flash (Love), Martian Manhunter (Honour) and Ryan Choi (Hunanity). This leads the group of heroes to break off again on separate missions.

Super friends

Kate and Kara have made a firm friendship during the week and it’s quite nice to see some female solidarity. We saw that Kate kept the kryptonite she found at Bruce’s mansion and we learn that this wasn’t for any sinister reason. Phew. They have done a great job with Kate Kane during the crossover and I feel like we’re seeing a very different Batwoman to the one portrayed in her own series. I’ve seen people compare the beginnings of their relationship to Batman and Superman and actually, yes! It’s looking like that’s how it will evolve.

Lian Yu need to come home

Constantine, Mia and Diggle continue the mission to bring back Oliver’s soul. Their journey leads them to an old acquaintance of Constantine and gives us another fun cameo from Tom Ellis as Lucifer. This was a brilliant scene where Lucifer repays a favour and gives them a way to rescue Oliver. They are sent to Purgatory (Lian Yu) and after Oliver has an initial bad reaction to them, he ends up refusing to go home as he knows what he has to do. He’s met by The Spectre who seems to transfer energy to him which takes him to the next stage of his mission. I was left a little bit numb when Oliver died in the first episode and still didn’t know what to do with myself until this moment of hope that his journey isn’t finished yet. I’m excited to see what happens with him now.

Atoms and flashes of lightning

Iris, Ray and Ralph head off in search of Ryan Choi. I think we know where this is heading with Brandon Routh leaving Legends soon and I for one approve as Osric Chau makes a really good first impression. The rest of team Flash meet Pariah and find their way beyond the wall Nash Wells was trying to access. Vibe has his powers forced upon him by The Monitor but they came in very handy. The Flash from Earth-90 has been trapped for the past year in a forcefield, running on a treadmill used to power up the Anti Monitor’s cannon. It’s always great to see John Wesley-Shipp but this time is a much sadder occasion. Black Lightning makes his first appearance in the Arrowverse after being transported and therefore saved from his Earth’s destruction. We’ve waited a long time to see this and I’d say this won’t be the only time we see Black Lightning in this universe as he and The Flash seem to hit it off really well.

Barry’s fate is revealed to be all a panic over nothing. Earth-90 Flash momentarily steals Barry’s speed and gives his life to save everyone. This was a lovely moment as we were given a flashback to his series and a scene of him with Tina.

Destiny

With everyone back on the waverider, they begin to decide what needs to be done next. Harbinger returns infected by The Anti Monitor and takes the seven paragons to the vanishing point, before the rest of our friends are met by the red skies. Lex makes one last dastardly move as he replaces Routh’s Superman as a paragon. Gasp!

With only the seven of them left (and Oliver) the remainder of Crisis is sure to be shocking. It’s just a shame we have a whole month to wait for it.

See you in 2020 people!

Crisis On Infinite Earths – Pt2 – Batwoman Review

Writers: Don Whitehead & Holly Henderson

Director: Laura Belsey

Starring: Ruby Rose, Melissa Benoist, Camrus Johnson, Grant Gustin, Tyler Hoechlin, Bitsie Tulloch, Caity Lotz, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin, Dominic Purcell, Matt Ryan, Katherine McNamara, Candice Patton, Kevin Conroy, Jon Cryer, Tom Welling, Erica Durance and Wentworth Miller

“Crisis On Infinite Earths” – Part Two: This article contains HUGE SPOILERS after the main review. This is for fans in the U.K who do not have access to this chapter. Also, you MUST see Supergirl Season 5 episode 9 before reading further.

You have been warned

This episode feels a lot more like an episode of DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow than Batwoman… but, this is “Crisis On Infinite Earths” after all. If the list of names in the cast list above doesn’t knock you for six, then nothing will. The good news is that it feels that you can skip this episode if you don’t watch all the other Arrowverse shows. If you are watching the whole crossover, though, please think of fans in the U.K. who won’t see this chapter, or any other episode of Batwoman, as no British network has the rights. Yep, you heard that correctly, fans in my home country will only get episodes 1, then 3-5 of this mega event.

Kate Kane’s future is key in this chapter, so, while this isn’t a Batwoman episode proper, it’s a vital part of her story. Her relationship with Supergirl/Kara Danvers is also expanded upon (after last year’s brilliant “Elseworlds”), so much so that I really want to see more of this pair as the Arrowverse’s World’s Finest Team. Ruby gives her best performance to date this week, as she meets her cousin Bruce, The Batman, for the first time on-screen.

Well… sort of.

Yes, we finally see (a) Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse, and it’s none other than the legendary Kevin Conroy! This is an all-new version of the character and is almost a mix of the Batman Beyond and Kingdom Come iterations. The big spoilers are coming at the very bottom of this review, so all I’m saying here is that this is the darkest Batman we’ve ever seen on-screen… in fact, I’d go as far as to say that he’s second only to the Batman Who Laughs.

I know that many Kevin Conroy fans may well be up in arms at this portrayal, but I think it was brave, shocking and totally unexpected. I loved it because it shows us just how great a hero the “true” Batman really is.

Superman (Supermen?) Vs Lex Luthor

This episode also sees the return of Jon Cryer’s Lex Luthor. Many scoffed when Cryer was cast, but he silenced all his critics and has rapidly become one of the greatest Luthors of them all. Of course, what is Lex Luthor without Superman? This episode features not one, not two, but three Men of Steel! It’s no secret that I’m a huge Batman fan, but I absolutely adore the amount of Superman love in this episode.

Tyler Hoechlin and Brandon Roth are both incredible, and seeing Tom Welling return as Clark Kent made my heart jump for joy. Seeing my personal two favorite Lois Lanes – played by Bitsie Tulloch and Erica Durance – was the icing on the Kryptonian cake.

Conclusion

This wasn’t high art, or deep, dark psychology… no. Batwoman episode 9, “Crisis On Infinite Earths” part two was pure, adrenaline pumping, action-packed comic-book craziness, and I loved every second. From the buff, mean and moody Luke Fox to the hilarious antics with Mick Rory and baby Jon Kent, and the super sarcastic alternate Waverider Gideon, this story had me grinning like a loon, from start to finish.

The episode also contained some of the best CGI and flying action ever seen on TV. Brandon Routh in particular looked great in the Super suit, and his battle with Tyler Hoechlin’s Man of Steel was phenomenal. Add in Lazarus Pits, John Constantine, magic and cosmic carnage and this was some fine entertainment indeed.

SPOILER ALERT – Online episode breakdown:

Harbinger recruits Earth-74’s Mick Rory and his Waverider. In the wake of Oliver Queen’s death, the Monitor consults the Book of Destiny and learns of seven Paragons. Two have already been found, Sara Lance and Kara Danvers, but to find two more, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Iris West-Allen must locate a Superman, while Kate and Kara locate a Batman.

Complicating matters, Lex Luthor steals the Book and traverses the multiverse to kill Supermen; though he changes tack after encountering Earth-167’s Clark Kent. When he finds Earth-96’s Superman at the same time as Clark’s team, he forces the Kryptonians to fight until Lois stops him.

Meanwhile, Kate and Kara locate Earth-99’s Bruce Wayne. Kate tries to convince him to join them, but Kara learns he’s a killer; leading to a confrontation wherein Bruce is accidentally killed.

Elsewhere, Sara, Barry Allen, Mia Smoak, and John Constantine take Oliver’s body to a Lazarus Pit on Earth-18 to resurrect him; but the soul-restoration doesn’t work.

Back on the Waverider, Ray Palmer builds a “Paragon detector”, which identifies Kate as one of the Paragons. Meanwhile, Unbeknownst to everyone, Harbinger is approached by the Anti-Monitor.

This episode continues the “Crisis On Infinite Earths” crossover event that began in Supergirl season 5 episode 9, continues on to The Flash season 6 episode 9 and Arrow season 8 episode 8, and which will conclude in a DC’s Legends of Tomorrow‘s special.

Crisis On Infinite Earths – Pt1 – Supergirl Review

HOLY CRIMSON SKIES OF DEATH! – DICK GRAYSON, EARTH 66

Crisis On Infinite Earths is here and the Arrowverse will never be the same. The Supergirl chapter of this epic event was nothing short of thrilling, action packed, and deeply emotional. This exciting hour of television featured surprising cameos, incredible action scenes featuring multiple heroes, and the heartbreaking death of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow. Let’s breakdown this incredible first chapter!

The voice of The Monitor (guest star LaMonica Garrett) explains the birth of the Multiverse. The explanation turns dark as he begins to tell of the anti-matter wave taking out universes. We get brief cameos from various other Earths including: Robert Wuhl as Alexander Knox (from Batman 1989) (Earth-89), Alan Ritchson and Curran Walters as Hawk and Jason Todd/Robin (from Titans) in San Francisco on Earth-9, Russell Tovey as The Ray on Earth-X, and last but not least Burt Ward (from Earth-66) as Dick Grayson. Each of the Earths are obliterated by the anti-matter wave.

Meanwhile, the heroes of Earth-38 gather to discuss the world wide earthquakes. J’onn (David Harewood) arrives and warns them of the coming Crisis. Realizing their world as well as Argo is in danger, they ban together to save as many people as possible.

On Argo City, Clark (guest star Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois (guest star Elizabeth Tulloch) gush over their baby son Jonathan. Kara (Melissa Benoist) appears via hologram to warn them of the planet’s imminent destruction. The red skies appear and the planet begins to quake. The people of Argo run in terror as Alura Zor-El (guest star Erica Durance) tries to calm them, She helps Clark and Lois send the baby off world in their only pod. In a beautiful homage to the Superman films, the pod blasts away before Argo is destroyed.

Meanwhile on Earth 1, Harbinger (guest star Audrey Marie Anderson) gathers various heroes including Oliver Queen (guest star Stephen Amell), Mia Smoak (guest star Kat McNamara), Barry Allen/Flash (guest star Grant Gustin), Kate Kane/Batwoman (guest star Ruby Rose), Sara Lance (guest star Caity Lotz), and Ray Palmer/Atom (guest star Brandon Routh).Clark and Lois are revealed to be alive, with Harbinger saving them at the last minute. She brings them all to Earth-38 to inform them of the pressing threat. They quickly formulate a plan to save the people of this Earth and locate the baby Kryptonian whose pod went off course in the aftermath of Argo’s destruction. Brainy (Jesse Wrath) and Sara accompany Lois on a mission to retrieve the baby while the rest of them defend the people as they evacuate the planet. Team Supergirl including Nia (Nicole Maines) and Kelly Olsen (Azie Tesfai) help guide people into rescue ships. They also require Lena Luthor’s (Katie McGrath) help in creating a Transmatter Portal that will help get more people off world. Though she still harbors resentment for Alex and Kara, she still aids them in this life or death endeavor.

Meanwhile, Clark and Kara mourn the loss of Alura and Argo. Superman questions whether he deserved a life without the cape. Kara encourages him that they both deserve happiness. She also reminds him that Krypton is a spirit not place. Oliver and Mia share another heartfelt moment in which he gifts her with her own Green Arrow suit and officially passes on the mantle. Following this, Oliver meets up with Barry. Barry tells him that he is fated to die in this Crisis. Oliver is furious and confronts the Monitor, who tells him that their deal does not apply to this Crisis.

Brainy locates baby Jonathan in Star City on Earth-16, but in the year 2046. If that rings a bell, that’s because it is the same Star City 2046 that was visited by the Legends in the first season of DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow. Once there the trio encounters and older Oliver Queen and finds the baby safe and sound. Sara and this alternate universe Ollie share a beautiful reunion that reflects the reality of Earth-1.

Back on Earth-38, Oliver, Mia, Barry, Ray, Batwoman, Supergirl, and Superman engage with the Anti-Monitor’s army: an overwhelming amount of Shadow Demons. A Quantum Tower arises which holds off the coming anti-matter wave, but not for long. The heroes are successful in getting three billion people to safety, but The Monitor appears saying the battle is lost. He teleports the heroes to Earth-1, but Oliver refuses to leave until everyone is safe. He fights to his last breath and makes a noble sacrifice. The Monitor brings him back to Earth-1 where he dies surrounded by his friends and family. Nash Wells appears, now Pariah, as he unknowingly unleashed the Anti-Monitor from his cage. He now is serving his penance as he fated to watch the villain’s actions unfold. He announces that things have changed and they are all doomed.

Thus concludes part one! I am absolutely blown away by this first chapter. I was not expecting the death of Oliver to happen so soon. However, it was a beautifully heartbreaking moment. It still hasn’t fully registered for me though. The rest of the episode was simply magical in every way. I really enjoyed the cameos at the beginning and the epic shots of the heroes working together I also appreciated that it also still felt like and episode of Supergirl at points. I also liked that each main character from Supergirl (minus Eve, Andrea Rojas, and Dey) appeared and had a part to play.

Overall, this lived up to hype so far. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

Stay tuned to Earth-9 for more Crisis recaps & reviews!