Superman on Television

The Flash: Episode Review

Season 6 - Episode 9: "Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part Three"

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.

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