The CW’s Arrowverse started on October 10, 2012, when Arrow first premiered. To this day, I assure you no one knew that it would lead to such an expansive universe. One that would someday recreate the iconic DC Comics event Crisis on Infinite Earths. However, the showrunners brought fans’ dreams to life with Part 1 of this epic crossover. As a result, Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 2 deals with the ramifications Part 1 brought to the fold.
This is by far an overused “meme” saying at this point, but Crisis on Infinite Earths is clearly the most ambitious television event in history. The crossover takes place over five nights spanning five different CW television shows. To tie the Arrowverse together after years of hints is truly an amazing accomplishment for this interconnected universe. Part 1 of Crisis has already aired, and you can check out our recap HERE. For now, let’s dive into Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 2.
SPOILERS BELOW FOR CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS PART 2!
Crisis On Infinite Earths Part 2 deals with the ramifications of Oliver Queen’s death in Part 1. The development of the need for paragons, and trying to find them took up most of the arena in this hour for our heroes. Kara (Melissa Benoist) and Kate (Ruby Rose) went off to find the Paragon of Courage on a journey to Earth-99 to meet its Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy). Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch), Earth-38 Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) and Iris West-Allen (Candice Patton) went to find the Paragon of Truth on Earths 167 (Smallville), 75 and 96 (Kingdom Come).
While the rest of the team was off trying to find Paragons, Mia (Katherine McNamara), Sara (Caity Lotz), Barry (Grant Gustin) and Constantine (Matt Ryan) went off to Earth-18 to resurrect Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell). Along the way, they run into Jonah Hex (Johnathon Schaech). Home base in this episode is courtesy of Harbringer (Audrey Marie Anderson) after she pulled in the Earth-74 Wave Rider with a voiceover cameo from Wentworth Miller, and Mick (Dominic Purcell) after Sara stated “she promised her crew no more crossovers”. And of course, we have Pariah (Tom Cavanagh), Lex Luthor (Jon Cryer) and the Monitor (LaMonica Garrett).
Let’s talk about the phenomenal cameos present in Crisis On Infinite Earths Part 2. We have Welling, Durance, Conroy, Miller, and if you consider Brandon Routh reprising his role as Superman. They all did phenomenally well, and I’m grateful the showrunners kept Miller’s return a secret. The other cameos were the most present in the promotional material, and probably the most hyped parts of Crisis.
Smallville had the least effect over the episode, but it allowed a sense of closure to Smallville fans near and far. Welling and Durance reprised my favorite Clark Kent and Lois Lane couple by far. While I wished we could have seen Welling suit up as Superman, the writers manipulated everything perfectly. You could call it unneeded, but many people wanted to see Smallville‘s in today’s world. There’s a lot of Smallville fans, and considering its legacy for the Arrowverse, its inclusion brought a lot to the screen. Smallville happily ever after!
Conroy brought an amazing Bruce Wayne to life, and really brought Kate some much needed development. Allowing her to see things in a different light, and making her into the Paragon of Courage. Kate will end up taking the lessons Earth-99 Bruce taught to her back to Earth-1 in her fight with Alice/Beth. She went in an unassuming vigilante, just trying to bring back her sister, and came out a hero, ready to fight for something more. Conroy’s Bruce Wayne was dark, but necessary for Kate to change into something better. I do hope Conroy returns as Earth-1 Bruce Wayne to represent a… lighter Batman.
Routh’s return as Superman was legendary. He’s caring as Clark Kent, stern, but understanding as Superman. I personally have not seen Superman Returns, but I am more interested to go look into it now. Routh played Atom and Superman both very differently, making them distinct, but representing both characters well.
Overall, the episode played out well. We had some key developments, and I do wish Mia, Sara, and Barry hadn’t gone off trying to use a Lazarus Pit on Oliver. It feels on the edge of cheating the system, and is really the only problem I have in Crisis On Infinite Earths Part 2. I will definitely revisit Crisis on Infinite Earths after all of the parts have been released to get the full feel for it. I would be remiss to go without saying something on Cryer’s return as Lex Luthor. Phenomenal, as he showed in last season’s Supergirl. He and Michael Rosenbaum are now tied for first on my list of portrayals. So far Crisis on Infinite Earths has been so good, and I can’t wait to see what happens next! –Katie Gilstrap
Rating: 8.5/10
Crisis on Infinite Earths Parts 1-3 are available now on The CW’s website.
The crossover stars Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist, Ruby Rose, Tyler Hoechlin, and Brandon Routh.
