If you would like to read my review of the last episode of The Flash, click here.
Synopsis: When Barry and Oliver Queen wake up one morning and realize they have swapped bodies, the two set off to find out what disturbed the timeline to cause such a shift. (TVGuide)
Writers: Eric Wallace and Sam Chalsen
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 43mins
Airs: Tuesdays at 8pm on Space (Canada)/The CW (United States)
Finally, the DCTV universe crossover we have been waiting months for! After months of anticipation and teasing the Elseworlds storyline, we finally have made it. And, it was well worth the wait! The Flash kickstarted the three-night crossover event, and it was everything fans could have wanted from it.
What really stands about this crossover already is that it is not about the “ooh” and “aah” moments. It’s about Barry and Oliver, their friendship, and the internal struggles each have with their individual superhero personas. It’s actually quite genius, and it really lives up to all the hype.
The episode begins with Dr. John Deegan (who we’ve seen in the promos) lecturing to a group of psychiatrists. His peers aren’t in agreement with his idea of “perfecting” their patients. He comes face to face with the Monitor who likes Deegan’s ideas and hands over the Book of Destiny to do as he pleases with reality.
His first decision? To muck around with Barry and Oliver’s reality and make them each other. They both wake up to find that they are each other (Barry is the Green Arrow, Oliver is The Flash). The both of them have each other’s abilities and everyone around them truly believes they are who they are. Side note: Iris embracing and trying to kiss Oliver is so weird!
The best part about the episode is how truly hilarious it is. They’re both so perplexed by what has happened and immediately are thrown into each other’s lives. Oliver has to prevent a break-in while Barry trains with Diggle and then is off to a fight. Everything about them trying to make sense of what they can and can’t do is the most entertaining to watch.
Oliver fails miserably and immediately heads off to Star City to find Barry. Naturally, Team Flash would be the one to fix everything, but instead of helping, they imprison Barry and Oliver. They’re suspicious of what they’re claiming has happened, and until they figure out what to do, they lock them up.
While in the cell, Barry and Oliver realize that perhaps only their Earth is affected and that they should go visit Kara to see if she recognizes them. After jamming up the toilet and finding a way out, they run into Iris who lets them go after Barry appeals to her heart. One of the most genius things about this crossover is that it knows why they’re so cheesy at times, and they fully embrace it. The banter between Oliver and Barry is the perfect example of it, and we are so here for it.
Barry and Oliver head to Smallville where they finally meet the Superman! Aaaand, Lois Lane! It’s all so very exciting as the Smallville nostalgia starts to seep in while the O.G. theme song begins to play. Thankfully, Kara knows exactly who they are! There’s a hilarious moment during Barry and Oliver’s first conversation with Superman as Oliver sticks out his chest to appear bigger. Seriously, could this crossover be any better?
Both Barry and Oliver get into heated arguments initially because this is all so new and it doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. Oliver is super serious, while Barry is trying to have fun with it all. But they finally come to an understanding of what needs to be done, and that they have to really become one another until things are in their right place.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Team Flash finally comes to their senses and realizes that Barry and Oliver were telling the truth. It helps that Cisco vibes the Monitor and realizes something is definitely amiss (the weird skies didn’t give it away, guys?). Cisco heads to Smallville to get Barry and Oliver because AMAZO, a power-stealing robot is running amok in Central City. Cue amazing fight scenes!
Together, Superman, Supergirl, The Flash, and the Green Arrow attempt to take down AMAZO, but end up having their powers copied by the robot instead. Cisco and Caitlin realize they need to inject a virus within the robot to take it down, and voila! Success!
Cisco shares his vibe with Barry and Oliver, and apparently, the Monitor knows they are watching him. Say what?! They have no idea what they are up against, but Oliver did take note to something in the background during the vibe. Wayne Tower. YES, that’s right–GOTHAM CITY!
Finally! Finally! Finally!
The crossover continues tonight with an episode of Arrow but The Flash is done with episodes for the year. See ya next year, folks!
Score: 8.5/10
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