I conclude my in depth review of the CW three part Elseworlds crossover today, looking deep into this last episode which seems filled with hints of the future as well as some more incredible comic book homages.
To start off, I have to say that this was, by far, my favorite of the crossovers. I liked Invasion. I loved Crisis on Earth X. But Elseworlds seemed like a love letter to comic book fans who watch the show. There is no reason to put in some of the sequences or shots in this story except to make the seasoned comic reader nod their head in happiness. During these shows if something happens that is very comic related, I usually pause to fill in my kids. This time, I hit the pause button so many times they asked me to reassess what I thought was important enough to tell them.
I will also add that Crisis On Infinite Earths is the foundation of this crossover. I have already mentioned the red skies, the Monitor, the upcoming threat the Monitor is trying to prepare for, and the E-90 Flash appearances. But this episode really mines that material. And I was shocked to see how much that original material is ingrained in me. When we got into destinies and anticipated deaths in this episode, I got goose bumps. Supergirl's death in the Crisis still effects me, this wizened comic reader, 30+ years later.
All this to say kudos to Marc Guggenheim and the show producers and the stars for putting together something I thought would never happen. And I get the sense this was just the appetizer.
On to the show.
This is an episode of Supergirl. But the opening credits, that opening monologue, isn't done by Kara. Instead it is done by John Deegan, our villain, who tells us that he has used the Book Of Destiny to completely rewrite the world. He is now Superman.
But you can see that he is into being Superman for all the wrong reasons, for the glory and the hero worship. He talks about how this was his destiny. And this new world is completely different to the prior.
Barry and Oliver, now gun-toting outlaws called the Trigger Twins, have a bit of a philosophical debate with him. It isn't luck or circumstance that makes someone become a hero. They are already heroic. People become heroes in spite of circumstance.
Knowing Deegan wants to be the hero, Oliver forces this 'Superman' to rescue some kids giving them the time to escape.
Can I just point out that this evil Superman's costume is different from the real Superman's. Yes, this one is black and silver. But that is a New 52 collar. I wonder if Guggenheim was poking at that incarnation and reality.
On this Earth, STAR Labs is now Superman Central. We see that Diggle and Killer Frost and Alex Danvers are all in Superman's employ and are all sycophants, cheering him for his works. That isn't Superman. And heroes don't want applause.
It turns out that Kara remains on this Earth and is in the pipeline, her powers dampened. When Deegan looked into the Book of Destiny, he didn't see Kara there at all. She doesn't belong in this universe. But he used her as a template to become his hero.
I love how Kara calls him out on aping her powers and costume but not her gender. Excellent.
But here is where we really see Alex. She is an agent for Deegan much like she is an agent at the DEO. Deegan sees that Kara knows Alex and says should Kara try to escape he'll kill Alex.
Star Labs now Superman fortress. Diggle, Caitlyn,Alex all sycophants.
Now here is the rub. That means the Danvers as a family exist on Earth 1. Somewhere out there is Eliza and Jeremiah and Alex! It is simply that in this universe, no Kryptonian rockets made it to Earth.
But before the can get there, they are teleported onto a platform in space to talk to the Monitor. This is pure Crisis on Infinite Earths, the platform being seen predominantly in Crisis #7 but even earlier.
Here the Monitor talks about only by knowing one's true self can one survive. Oliver says he is willing to die to save everyone.
I almost started ringing a bell every time something seemed to foreshadow Ollie's death. We'll say this is the first ding.
One of the things I love about this episode is how we get to see funny other-worldly versions of characters we know.
Here Cisco is a wise-cracking, very confident, salty-mouthed mobster. Of all the new versions, this Cisco is the best. He curses. He drops references like Pet Shop Boys, Clockwork Orange, and Robert Frost poems. He all around chews the scenery.
Gary from the DCLOT show is a nerdy bartender.
And James Olsen is Cisco's muscle, calling himself Jimmy Olsen, Superman's Worst Pal (a laugh-out-loud riff on the 'Superman's Best Pal' nickname).
After a quick talk, the Trigger Twins convince this Cisco that they have a plan to get rid of the Deegan Superman.
Meanwhile at Pipeline, we see Kara trying to figure out a way to escape, essentially using her superbreath to freeze the glass and make it brittle.
But before she can get to far, she witnesses Alex talking to Caitlyn. She overhears how Alex is looking for a boyfriend but can't find one. (Her last date now goes out with Pam from HR ... hahaha.)
Much like in the Flash episode we had a Barry/Iris moment and how in the Arrow episode we had an Ollie/Felicity moment, in this episode we have a Kara/Alex moment. In all these scenes, the hero is trying to convince someone about what their lives should be.
Kara talks of her Alex, the one who runs the DEO. The one who doesn't hide who she is and wants a wife. The one who knows that she will have it all, not if but when. Her Alex has a big heart, stands up when someone in power is doing something wrong, and gives them Hell.
The super-sisters are the straw that stirs the drink for me. So seeing this scene, seeing Kara get through to this Alex, was just perfect.
The new Vibe finally brings Ollie and Alex to Earth 1. Again, Cisco is all too cool for school.
But when Superman learns that Deegan has completely rewritten reality and that Kara is missing, he knows he has to spring into action.
God it is great to have a Lois and Clark on the small screen again.
Suddenly everyone is free and back on Earth 1.
The Superman vs Superman fight we knew would happen occurs. Deegan holds his own. They barrel through buildings like in a Snyder film. The real Superman is called Bizarro by a startled worker. Not bad.
Alex thinks Barry is a threat and initially attacks him. I love how Barry says she is a badass in any reality.
Ollie rushes to hold Diggle and Caitlyn off so Kara and Barry can find the book. But when she gets the book, Kara can't read it.
She rushes into battle and gives the book to Clark. He said earlier that this book uses the reader's will to rewrite reality but usually at a price. While Kara fights Deegan, Clark starts to set things right.
Barry becomes the Flash again. Buildings become normal. Ollie is the Arrow again.
And suddenly Ollie has a Kryptonite arrow! (I know ... roll with it.)
Before he can perforate Deegan, Ollie is talked down by the Flash. Maybe this was the Monitor's test. Maybe he wants to find people who are better, who can overcome darkness.
In the midst of this, Deegan super-speed claps, knocking everyone down and grabs the book.
Here we go again.
Whatever Deegan is doing, it is erratic as we see reality changing and warping in front of our eyes. Explosions and disasters are erupting around him.
Barry and Kara come up with a rather Donner-esque solution. Perhaps if they run around the globe in opposite directions, they can slow time enough that Superman can grab the book from Deegan.
Before they rush off, Superman tells them they both die if they do that. He saw it in the book.
Whoa .... goose bumps. Honestly. Goose bumps. Goose bumps even now as I type this.
After all, Kara and Barry both died in the Crisis.
But even on the show they are heroes. What else can they do? They have to stop Deegan. They rush off.
And then the crux of the story.
Ollie goes and confronts the Monitor again.
He says he is not afraid of or impressed with the Monitor. He wonders if any of the other universes the Monitor has tested confronted him like this.
And then more Ollie-death foreshadowing. Could the Monitor's test not be about strength but about goodness. And if it is goodness, Kara and Barry are the epitome of that, inspiring people and bringing hope. They are the best chance to survive what is coming. They need to survive.
The Monitor says things need to be balanced. If they don't die ... who will?
Ding. Ding. Ding.
Deegan brings Amazo back to fight Superman.
A breech opens and Lois, J'onn, and Brainy arrive to join the fight.
Had to show this. Brainy fighting Amazo? Lois wielding the cosmic hammer from All Star Superman? Too cool.
And Supergirl and the Flash do their race, slowing down the Earth and freezing time even if it looks like they are about to explode with energy doing so.
Just when it seems they might die, Arrow reappears, now with a blue-tipped arrow, most likely given to him by the Monitor. He shoots it into the Book Of Destiny, burning it out. Deegan becomes skeletal in the backlash (just like Doctor Destiny should look).
The threat is over.
Nothing left but the wrap up.
Kara is all smiles about how these adventures are becoming an annual thing.
Both Cisco and Brainy call her their favorite Kryptonian.
Melissa Benoist can do no wrong. Her little salute and her 'peace out' as she heads home is so charming.
Back on Earth 1, we learn that Lois is pregnant.
Lois and Clark are going to move to Argo for a while, not only during the pregnancy but beyond. The world is safe with Supergirl.
And then, to make it official, Superman proposes.
I don't know if Superman would abandon Earth. But, often for Supergirl's stories to make better sense, he can't be around. So I get it.
And Lois in a purple sweater? Lois in a flowy blue dress in the Fortress? Perfect.
Let's get a TV movie of these two! Please CW?
And then the big ending.
Barry and Arrow share a drink. Ollie realizes he has to appreciate what he has while he has it. DING DING DING.
And at Arkham, the Psycho Pirate, Medusa Mask in hand, talks about worlds living and dying.
We learn that next year, we'll actually get Crisis on Infinite Earths!
WHHHAAATTTTT!!!!
Okay, it makes sense.
This will unify the CW shows so that Supergirl isn't on a different world. We already know that a Danvers family exists on Earth 1.
Arrow will be the sacrifice. I already see Supergirl holding his body in a pose off of Crisis #7.
The Arrow show will change. Steven Amell will leave. A new Arrow ... maybe Connor Hawke? ... will take over.
Unbelievable.
Incredible.
Delicious.
I was floored by this whole thing. And I remain floored.
What a perfect early Christmas gift!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment