Superman Homepage writer Michael Bailey has submitted his review of the 9th episode of Season 6 of “The Flash” in which Pariah (Tom Cavanagh) enlists Black Lightning (guest star Cress Williams) to help stop the Anti-Monitor (guest star LaMonica Garrett) after Flash-90 (guest star John Wesley Shipp) shares what he learned from his battle in ‘Elseworlds.’ With the help of Black Lightning, Barry (Grant Gustin), Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Killer Frost (Danielle Panabaker) come up with a plan that could save them all. Meanwhile, Iris (Candice Patton) has a heart-to-heart with Ryan Choi (guest star Osric Chau), while Oliver (guest star Stephen Amell) and Diggle (guest star David Ramsey) return to an old familiar stomping ground.
Originally Aired: December 10, 2019
WRITTEN BY: Lauren Certo and Sterling Gates
DIRECTED BY: David McWhirter
REGULAR CAST:
Grant Gustin (Barry Allen/Flash)
Candice Patton (Iris West-Allen)
Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow/Killer Frost)
Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramone/Vibe)
Hartley Sawyer (Ralph Dibny/Elongated Man)
Tom Kavanagh (Nash Wells/Pariah)
GUEST STARS:
Melissa Benoist (Kara/Supergirl)
Ruby Rose (Kate Kane/Batwoman)
LaMonica Garrett (Monitor)
Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen/Green Arrow)
John Wesley Shipp (Barry Allen/Flash)
Cress Willliams (Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning)
Tyler Hoechlin (Clark Kent/Superman)
Elizabeth Tulloch (Lois Lane)
Brandon Routh (Ray Palmer/Atom)
Brandon Routh (Clark Kent/Superman)
Caity Lotz (Sarah Lance/White Canary)
Katherine McNamara (Mia Smoak/Green Arrow)
David Ramsey (John Diggle)
Jon Cryer (Lex Luthor)
Audrey Marie Anderson (Lyla Michaels/Harbinger)
Matt Ryan (John Constantine)
Dominic Purcell (Rory)
Tom Ellis (Lucifer Morningstar)
Rating – 5 (out of 5): I usually don’t try to guess ahead with the shows that I watch. Usually I like to see how things unfold and appreciate when the surprises unfold naturally. Sometimes the twist or development is so obvious that I can’t help but think about or even figure out what is coming next. Sometimes I’m right. Sometimes I’m wrong.
As we got closer to Crisis airing, I started thinking about how they would leave things at the end of the first part. I considered the characters involved and the original comics and came to the conclusion that Grant Gustin Barry would seemingly die at the end of the episode, that Lyla would betray and kill the Monitor, and that the Monitor’s death would allow the remaining Earths to enter a limbo universe. As it turns out, I was partially right regarding some of that and dead wrong on other parts.
Barry Allen did die, just not at the end of the episode and it wasn’t Grant Gustin. The whole set up with the anti-matter cannon was right out of the eighth issue of Crisis, as was the death of Barry Allen, except this Barry was the one from Earth-90. John Wesley Shipp’s entrance thrilled me in the last crossover but ended up being really disappointed with how quick he left, but they more than made up for it in this scene. I love the Flash series that ran from 1990 t0 1991, so not only was I thrilled at seeing him again but hearing that he married Tina and giving him such a heroic and heart felt send off literally almost made me cry. It was the best type of fake-out and frees Grant for the rest of the crossover.
The finale of this chapter played out almost exactly as I guessed it would. Lyla did betray the Monitor, but unlike the comics, where she was herself but merely controlled, here Lyla has been possessed by the Anti-Monitor. Killing The Monitor and wiping out the final Earth was a dramatic cliffhanger and while there was no limbo as there was in the comics, I did like them going to Vanishing Point. Lex switching places with Routh’s Superman was, in hindsight, telegraphed, but it worked for me anyway. I’m not upset that both Supermen have seemingly been taken off the table because last episode was so Superman heavy. Lex being part of the group feel like a Geoff Johns comic.
Other highlights of the episode include the introduction of Ryan Choi, which was a fun and heartfelt scene. Lucifer’s cameo was really neat. Helen Wayne’s cameo was sad, but it was nice to see her. Superman’s speech to Iris is everything I want in a Superman. Routh also continues to look amazing in the suit. Cisco getting his powers back was another of those moments that was telegraphed, but it still worked for the scene. Black Lightning’s a welcome addition, even though I don’t follow his series.
This was an immensely satisfying third installment. While the pacing was always a bit rushed, they place the final scenes from this chapter just right. I keep saying I like this better than Endgame and have taken some flack over it. As a DC fan, first and foremost I will usually side with their efforts over that of Marvel’s. Unlike the Supergirl episode, the drama felt natural and not as sound stagey. The cast is giving their all and I am really looking forward to the conclusion.
January can’t get here fast enough.
Check out the “Supergirl – Episode Reviews” Contents page.
It was a step up from Part 2. Although after seeing the fate of Barry-90; I’m not crying, you are!!
Flashing back to footage of Tina McGee from the series sealed the feels on that one.
Agree. That was a real surprise. I almost refuse to believe that original Flash series is 30 years old. I watched it every week!
I loved that show when it was on as a kid. Definitely a sad moment with the flashback
Agreed. I mean that was pretty cool for sure.
For some reason, I had an inkling months ago that “a Flash” would perish and knew it wouldn’t be Grant Gustin. I just didn’t know which one but they chose the perfect heroic sendoff for John Wesley Shipp. Poor guy keeps getting various characters to play on Flash only to be killed. Right now there’s still Jay Garrick.
Hopefully they will keep Jay around. I like that character.
Although it was done well, I did not want to see that “way” of ending his Flash. But it was still great to see him as the Flash!!
Agreed
I haven’t been a fan of the Kingdom Come look and symbol at all. I just didn’t like the outfit and hated that symbol but Lois asked B.Routh Kingdom Come Superman why did you add black to it? He replied,”Even in the darkest times, hope cuts through. Hope is the light that leads us out of darkness.” Of course I’ve heard him say that in the trailer for the crossover but I didn’t know he was explaining his symbol. That is beautiful and also encouraging in general. The last 4 years have been really tough for my husband I. Not… Read more »
I think that was an interesting way to explain the different look of the symbol. Like the symbol simultaneously acknowledges the tragedy that he’s been through while also representing the hope that he still has.
Again I feel like it’s not literally the Superman of Kingdom Come story so much as a combining that with classic Earth 2 Superman which I’m ok with in this context. The symbol still fits this version of him.
I’m sorry that you have had some rough times Iluvsuperman88. I hope that things will get better for you soon. I’m glad to hear that you have found some comfort in watching Routh’s return to the role, and may it continue to help you through difficult times.
Superman has many nicknames. The Man of Steel, The Last Son of Krypton, The Man of Tomorrow. Now he has a new nickname. The Paragon of Truth.
Although I prefer to think of him as the Paragon of Hope.
I agree with you on that! I think Supes is more associated with Hope as well.
Definitely Randarch. Definitely. 🙂