The Flash 5x9 : Elseworlds (1) review

Be warned there will be *SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it

Part 1 of this year's crossover between The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl begins and my what an episode to begin with. It starts by introducing us to Doctor John Deegan a psychiatrist working in Gotham City. As he presents one of his classes he seems intent on making people super like Superman or Supergirl. This leads to most of the people in attendance to walk out leaving John Deegan with nothing to present anymore. Outside by his car he seems extremely frustrated by is interrupted by The Monitor who gives him a book that can help shape reality itself. He tells him to think big and it is here where the crossover really begins as we see Oliver wake up in Barry and Iris's bed. Oliver is awakened to see Iris in the kitchen who can now make perfect pancakes (unlike earlier in the season) and the two talk. As the scene goes on Oliver gets more and more agitated and uneasy as he knows something is up but Iris can't see it. As Iris gets a warning of a break in at a lab she throws The Flash ring to Oliver and he flys into action albeit a bit slow to start as Cisco guides him threw it all without knowing he's talking to Oliver Queen and not Barry Allen. Just seeing Oliver in The Flash suit and doing all The Flash things is hilarious and that is what this episode is honestly it is absolutely hilarious at times. Oliver manages to stop the break in even if he did it a bit overkill according to Cisco but Oliver unknowingly while throwing lightning around actually turned on a sentient robot which is later called Amazo who can copy every meta's powers that he encounters and use them for himself. More on that whole situation. 

In Star City we see Barry Allen who is now Oliver Queen training with Diggle. Barry who is now complete with Oliver like scars all over his body gets the upper hand on Diggle before they two are alerted of some trouble within the city. So Barry dons the Green Arrow suit and him and Diggle get the better of the situation before Oliver rushes in and takes them both away from the scene. Diggle throws up (as always) and Barry and Oliver discuss the ongoing situation before admitting that they need to go to Star Labs to find a solution. At Star Labs and nobody believes what they are telling them. Cisco, Caitlin. Ralph, Sherloque not even Iris believes what's being said by Barry and Oliver which leads to them being put in the pipeline prison. They obviously escape but it's in a hilarious way as Oliver forces Barry to dislocate his thumb so he can bypass the security panel and Oliver fazes them both out of the cell. They both eventually come up with a plan to go see Kara on Earth-38 and see if she can notice them. Iris helps them along as when talking to Barry she feels that connection between them. But before we get to Earth-38 and see our hero's there the Smallville theme plays over the scenery which I honestly did not expect at all. It blew me away for a few seconds. What a brilliant nod to the show that started it all. We're also introduced to the Kent Farm from Smallville where Kara, Clark and Lois Lane..yes Lois Lane finally appears in the Arrowverse. Lois and Clark's relationship here is incredibly good throughout as Kara has gone to the Kent Farm to get away from National City for a bit after what happened in her show's mid-season finale. This is when Barry and Oliver show up and they meet Superman himself. Oliver hilariously puffs out his chest in an attempt to seem strong and Barry geeks out a bit as Clark introduces himself and Lois. Kara on the other hand is happy to see her friends and does indeed notice them right away leaving the two relieved. We're then treated to an amazing season 1 throwback to when Oliver shot Barry with arrows in the back. Barry does the exact same thing here which this scene was just made for. Oliver begins to lose his patience with the situation leading to him and Barry arguing a lot which is always interesting. Lois Lane hilariously is on the side of Barry as she thinks that Oliver is a bit of jerk. 

Back on Earth-1 and Amazo the same sentient robot that I mentioned earlier copies Caitlin's Killer Frost powers and begins terrorizing the city in the absence of Oliver and Barry. Cisco who had earlier vibed The Monitor travels to Earth-38 to assemble a team to beat Amazo. So Barry, Oliver, Kara and Clark come along for the fight. The fight itself is actually rather short but it is entirely satisfying. You got Oliver doing ground work as The Flash. Superman and Supergirl doing the beat downs and Barry dealing the ending blow to Amazo complete with the ''You have failed this city'' line made famous by Oliver back in the early days of Arrow. Amazo had copied all the hero's powers but Cisco came up with a virus that Oliver ended up shooting right into the robot's face. Like I said this fight was short but so so good. Back at Star Labs Cisco tells Oliver, Kara and Barry that he vibed someone earlier that could possibly explain what's going on. Oliver tells him to do it again and The Monitor actually notices Cisco and tells him that he is very impressed. Also in the vibe is John Deegan looking over the book given to him by The Monitor. Oliver quickly sketches what he saw and decides it's time to go to Gotham City as in the background is Wayne Tower high above the Gotham skyline. But that isn't how the episode ends oh no. It ends as we see Batwoman looking over Gotham.. like Batman would. I can't wait to see her in action in part 2.

As you can probably tell I LOVED this episode. It was a great start to the crossover, featured so many easter eggs to past events, past characters and a future location in Gotham. If the rest of the crossover is this good I can say right now that it may very well be the best one yet. Amazing, I now wait for part 2.

★★★★★