Elsworlds Recap

The annual CW DC Superhero crossover event is here and it's glorious as it covers The Flash season 5 episode 9, Arrow season 7 episode 9, and Supergirl season 4 episode 9. The crossover opens on Earth -90 where the 90s Flash with John Wesley Shipp barely escapes the destruction of his own world at the hands of The Monitor, an all powerful being that is looking and testing for heroes on alternate Earths. Cut to The Monitor on Earth -1, where Arrow and The Flash take place, where he gives a psychotic man a book to change reality. Oliver wakes up in this new reality with his memories still intact and learns that he has super speed, is married to Iris, and is now Barry Allen.

While previous crossovers have been more serious this one seems to have struck a balance between the dire situation and having a good old fashioned comic book time. Oliver and Barry switching lives is the reason for everyone to come together, but it also allows them to have some great meta-comedy relief such as Oliver walking into a hallway and all of team Flash following him asking "Do you want to talk about this?" or Barry trying to be as dark as Oliver while in costume. It even answers some questions that long time fans have been asking, like where are the bathrooms in Star Labs' prison? Well, now we know.

Because nobody believes Barry and Oliver they decide to head to Earth -38. Kara and Clark are on the Kent farm, a CW reference in itself, trying to fix the place up when Oliver and Barry warp in front of Lois Lane. They learn that Kara still has her memories of them and they get to meet her cousin, Superman, for the first time in the most perfect way; Barry geeking out and Oliver puffing out his chest. Oliver and Barry stay for a while and practice each other's gifts, and Barry gets sweet revenge from their first crossover. Once they had their fall-out-then-pep-talk talk Kara comes out and everyone is ready to head back to Earth -1, especially when Cisco comes to them saying that the city is under attack from A.M.A.Z.O.

Now, Superman, Supergirl, The Flash, and Green Arrow fight A.M.A.Z.O. in a crazy battle. Their powers are replicated and the battle goes back and forth, but really you're just in awe that they're able to do pull this off successfully on TV! Once A.M.A.Z.O. is down Superman heads back to his own Earth, and Kara stays. The team discovers that via Cisco's vibe they're looking for a man named Deegan whom lives in Gotham City. Before, we've only had references to this historic city, but now we're actually going to Gotham and its crazy. Barry and Oliver argue whether the Batman of Gotham is real or not; Barry thinks he is while Oliver denies it (another meta-joke since Arrow avoided that character's name for years yet stole his villains) in a cute and whimsical scene.

In Gotham they run into trouble, get put in jail, and then bailed out by none other than Kate Kane, A.K.A. Batwoman, cousin to Bruce Wayne. She bonds with Kara and how their cousin's influences have affected them before the team heads to Arkham Asylum to apprehend Deegan. Now, if this episode wasn't crazy before it is now as not only are the inmates let loose and an all out brawl ensues, but one inmate is revealed to be Psycho Pirate and Supergirl and Barry as the Green Arrow are introduced to the badass Batwoman as she easily takes down the bad guys. While chasing Deegan, and many many references later, Barry and Oliver are infected by Scarecrow's fear gas and have to fight one another. Barry see's Malcolm, and Oliver witnesses Thawn, as the two learn more about one another's difficulties they've had over the years. Batwoman comes to save them and sends them on their merry way, but before the team can leave Gotham the Flash from Earth -90 appears before them and tells them what's happened, and reveals that John Diggle is the Green Lantern of Earth -90.

If that wasn't crazy enough for a three night crossover event Deegan changes reality once again, but this time leaves Barry and Oliver powerless and fugitives from the law while he made himself Superman, donning the black and silver costume. Supergirl is imprisoned, evil Cisco warps Barry and Oliver back to Earth -38 where they get the real Superman, and then an all out battle ensues as it's Superman vs Superman, each one vying for the reality book and changing this and that. A.M.A.Z.O. comes back to fight them, but Martian Manhunter and Braniac 5 come to their rescue saving the civilians and dealing with A.M.A.Z.O. Kara and Barry are going with a plan that'll kill them and Oliver makes a deal with The Monitor where he's able to stop Deegan and save the Earth. The crossover ends with Psycho Pirate alluding to a Crisis, before the announcement at the end of the episode that Crisis on Infinite Earths is coming next year!!

If this crossover sounds bonkers, then you still have no idea. Each episode is ripe with references that DC fans, from the show and comics, will geek out over and scream at their screens for. While it's shorter than last year's crossover Crisis on Earth-X it certainly filled the small screen with all new scenarios and action. We had a Superman vs Superman fight, two A.M.A.Z.O. fights,  Gotham and Batman confirmed while introducing Batwoman, setting up for future seasons like a boss, and many more. There are simply too many things going on for one viewing in this insane crossover.

Not only was this fun, and one of the most comic book storylines done on TV, but it gave the characters a special arc. Especially when it came to Barry and Oliver, Elsworlds allowed them to get to know each other better and come to understand a new found respect for what the other had gone through to get to where they are now. It sounds like Kara and Batwoman will be teaming up in the future and Clark and Lois announced that they're having a baby. In between all the action this crossover gave us are some really well done heartfelt character pieces that balanced the world ending scenario fairly well.

Two actors I was very impressed by this time around was Tyler Hoechlin as Superman and Ruby Rose as Batwoman. Tyler's presence is always welcomed when he appears on Supergirl, but his take on the big blue boy scout is so good, and his chemistry with everyone else will melt hearts. Not only that, but he had to play an evil version of himself and the two different takes on this character was really well done. It's very believable that he is Deegan as Superman, and that he doesn't have all that experience and hope inside himself. The other character that should be acknowledged here is Batwoman, played by Ruby Rose. For her entrance into this universe she killed it. Her presence is so intense, and while in costume I was surprised how well her action scenes played out, and how her action is different from every other character. It's safe to say her future in this expanding universe will be welcoming and greatly appreciated.

Overall, I'd say last year's crossover was the better made, however, Elsworlds is freaking awesome and means so much to fans who've stuck around this long. This by far surpasses anything you'd think they could get away with on TV. You can tell how much time and effort was put into this crossover and it presents itself in a fantastic event that promises so much more in the future. Once again the CW has blown away my expectations and I cannot wait until they take me down the big daddy of events next fall with Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Key Points:

• The Monitor(s) exist
• Superman is here!
• A.M.A.Z.O. enters play
• Psycho Pirate and many others
• Batwoman's entrance is stellar
• Barry and Oliver have new found respect
• Batman exists
• Crazy fight scenes
• Crisis on Infinite Earths is coming Fall 2019

What was your favorite part of this crossover? Are you excited for Crisis on Infinite Earths?