As I did with Fox's "Gotham" (and ultimately will do for CBS' "Supergirl"), I'm establishing a spot to make comments on upcoming episodes of CW's televised DC hits, "Arrow" and "The Flash".
"Flash" strikes first, having left us with a whopper of a time-traveling dangler last season. I anticipate even more startling surprises to come and of course, we'll be introduced to Teddy Sears' Jay Garrick (my dad's version of the fastest man alive). I'd love it, too, if the producers would somehow cross John Wesley Shipp's Flash with Grant Gustin's, but maybe such a vast, parallel-universe leap would be too high a reach right now.
Also, with good ol' Green Arrow back, we're guaranteed more "Flash"/"Arrow" crossovers. (Last season's intersections were excellent, ranking in historic magnitude with the Batman/Green Hornet installments that thrilled me as a youth.) Also, somewhere down the line, we can expect the "Brave and the Bold" concept to expand further with lead-ins to "Legends of Tomorrow", which will feature Brandon "Superman" Routh's Atom.
Incidentally, it's admirable how "Arrow" has progressed over the seasons to mirror its DC source, winning over a number of fans who were, perhaps, a tinge jaded by its early phases. Stephen Amell deserves lots of credit in this respect, having honorably projected Oliver Queen's required, no-nonsense focus.
Anyway, I'll be posting comments as I see fit; feel free to do the same. (I find it disheartening when my "bizarre chats" end up one-sided, and it's never much fun talking to oneself when televised history is being made.)
"Man Who Saved Central City" was one fine way to start the new "Flash" season, with Henry Allen's surprise release; Atom Smasher, Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Firestorm and of course, that topper of a moment with Jay Garrick's dramatic entrance. The series is off to an even better start than its first, and developments from hereon should be beyond invigorating.
ReplyDeleteThe season premiere of "Arrow", entitled "Green Arrow", was effective, resolving the domestic life concerns (or at least trying to, that is). Lots of quality combat action, and I must say, I've always been quite the fan of Neal McDonough. Whether he's playing good or bad, he always in top form.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see such enthusiasm with the return of these two shows!! I really hope John Wesley Shipp doesn't leave "The Flash"...thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope that he returns. John Wesley Shipp is part of Flash lore--the original, live-action Flash, no less, and a continuation of his presence is (in my estimation) required. I'd still like to see his version of the Flash enter the scene on this series. Why not? Time travel and parallel universes are also part of Flash lore, and this new series has so far made wonderful use of such.
DeleteCaught the first full Jay Garrick episode, "Flash of Two Worlds", and I'm pleased with the way the story developed. For certain, Garrick is a welcome addition to the series. Of course, I'm rather biased in my fondness for those mythological firsts.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be cool if a Jay Garrick Flash series were made? Gosh, even a mini-series might be nice offshoot.
PS: Not too keen on Garrick's Flash not having his powers in Allen's universe. (Did't like the Sand Demon getting the best of him in that one scene, for example.) Such needs to be remedied, but I'm optimistic it will be.
DeleteAlso, the parallel-universe concept, as depicted in "Flash of Two Worlds", does, indeed, open up the possibilities of other Flashes crossing over--and that means a John Wesley Shipp Flash (or so I continue to hope).
Green Arrow was sure in top form in "The Candidate".
ReplyDeleteI was also pleased to see fetching Jeri Ryan in there. Oh, and Neal McDonough was in superb form in this episode, but then isn't he always?
Thought the mayoral angle smacked of "Gotham'"s ongoing backdrop concept, but it felt comfortable enough, maybe because of such.
Boy, oh, boy, though, was Speedy's angst riding high. Not sure if I was keen on that or not, but while it lasted, it sure did grip me.
The latest "Flash" episode, "Family of Rogues", was a good one--a good Captain Cold one, that is. Nice to see Michael Ironside in there also, but I wish he had been featured more. Like Clancy Brown, Ironside is one of those actors one should utilize to the fullest when the opportunity is there.
ReplyDeleteLooks like as of "Arrow'"s "Beyond Redemption", Oliver is now officially in the mayoral race. I don't know...just can't get enthused about it. To me, this could take away from the Green Arrow's crime-fighting pursuits. I'd much prefer the character working on the outside to help than being confined to the restricted forefront.
ReplyDeleteI think John Constantine's entrance was a nice touch for "Arrow". Alas, the "Constantine" series eluded me due to scheduling problems. I've regretted that, but then it didn't last long thanks to NBC. (NBC is never a good fit for superhero shows these days, or anything that dares to be bold and imaginative.) Nonetheless, "Haunted" was an impressive episode. Maybe it'll inspire CW to pick up "Constantine" where damn NBC dropped the ax.
ReplyDeleteLoved "Enter Zoom": one of "Flash'"s best (and most intense) to date. As with the season premiere, we have another flashback set-up. I wouldn't have thought I'd fancy such a story tactic, but it works well in this context. Wouldn't mind if it became a series stable.
ReplyDelete"Lost Souls" was a stand-out on "Arrow". Ray Palmer/the Atom was included (a big plus), and the episode overflowed with tension and action. Great confrontation between Green Arrow and Darhk, as well.
ReplyDelete"Gorilla Warfare" was great. So nice to see Grodd back. I also thought John Wesley Shipp made a sterling re-entry. What a fine performance. Tom Cavanagh was also in top form.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see Barry bounce back physically so soon. I feared the producers may have extended his injury as an ongoing plot device. I'd much rather see the Flash in full swing. I'm sure many fans feel the same way.
The lead-in "Legends" episodes of "Flash"/"Arrow" rivaled expectations. Love the realization of Hawkman/Hawkgirl. (The costumes and effects are phenomenal.) Based on what's been presented, "Legends of Tomorrow" can't miss. Anxiously awaiting the premiere.
ReplyDelete"Flash'"s "Running to a Stand Still" was an interesting Christmas episode. Nice to see Trickster back. I was intrigued to hear, per Garrick, that his Earth has no Trickster. Well, surely the Shipp/Allen Earth has one, and that clever angle is certainly there if the producers want to implement it.
ReplyDelete"Dark Waters" was a exciting holiday episode of "Arrow"...though not really much of a festive treat. It was foreboding, mostly; still an apt mid-season finale. Darhk was in top villainous form again. In many respects, his insidious presence made the episode.
ReplyDeleteBTW: Didn't mean to downplay the ending of "Dark Waters". Just didn't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet; besides, I don't know what to make of it. Will wait until the season restarts to see what's what.
DeleteMan, this whole thing with "Arrow'"s mystery of the grave is really capturing folk's attention. It'll be a big hook, I'm sure, until season's end. Not sure who'll be revealed as the buried, but the speculation will really fire up more than a few conversations...and ratings.
ReplyDeleteSo, I noticed in the mid-season premiere that Felicity was not wearing her ring in the limo scene at the end of the episode. She also looked very distraught...like something was between her and Oliver...something happened. What are your thoughts on this?
ReplyDeleteI must confess, I hadn't even noticed the lack of a ring, though such sentimental things generally do evade me. It does appear that folks are chatting about this matter, though. Maybe there is something to it, as well as there being some sort of rift between Ollie and Felicity. Maybe, too, it all ties to the person who's perished.
DeleteI'm really diggin' Wells' complexity. It was especially compelling in "Fast Lane", and what a promising declaration at episode's end! An Earth-2 visitation is just fine by me!
ReplyDelete"Arrow'"s "Unchained" certainly had some nifty surprises. I like to think of it episode primarily as "The Return of Roy", if nothing else. Reunions can be so effective when done right.
ReplyDelete"Welcome to Earth-2" may be my favorite episode of "The Flash" to date. Dig those cameos (Supergirl in particular) as well as the assorted references to the deeper, more expansive, interlocking mythologies. (Truly, can the John Wesley Shipp Flash be that far beyond official entrance?)
ReplyDeleteWasn't keen on the husband/wife-brother/sister overlap, even with such situated in a parallel source.
Garrick really has to get his act together, too. I'm not in the least bit pleased by how such a classic character can be depicted as so fumbling and hesitant. This must be remedied--and the damn sooner, the damn better.
Oh, and didn't mean to bypass the obvious, but wasn't that scene with Allen chatting with his mom over the phone really special? In a subtle way, it showed how one incident can impact so many others, on either side of the dimensional fence.
DeleteThe "Earth-2" sequel was superb, even better than the initial entry. Probably the best Garrick episode to date, but so many of the characters shined: Wells, Killer Frost, Cisco...Zoom. Combined with last week's episode, this particular installment would hold up to any theatrical release in its scope of character and special effects. Really, the combination is nothing short of a masterpiece.
ReplyDelete"Code of Silence"--nice, solid "Arrow" entry. The fight sequences were great, but then aren't they always? In fact, when it comes to such, I often think "Arrow" does it best.
ReplyDeleteStill not keen on the whole election scene. It's okay, but it just doesn't grab me the way I guess it should.
Darhk's wife is a real son of a gun, isn't she? Gee whiz...
PS: I must be bold and say I think Donna Smoak (Charlotte Ross) is quite the looker. Goodness gracious, what a fetching mom!!!
Delete"King Shark" sure was fulfilling and because I like monster-on-the-loose tales, one of my favorite "Flash" episodes to date. I didn't expect that, since the "Earth-2" installments really blew me away. The ending was the real stunner, though. A true-blue surprise. Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I find King Shark's design most impressive, and I'm not always keen on computerized renderings. This one, however, projects a sense of depth and texture.
"Arrow'"s "Taken" was gripping. Darhk was in tip-top devilish form, which is always an episode's plus. Liked the sentimental addition of the Flash action-figure. What can I say? It's little things like that which tug at my heartstrings.
ReplyDelete"Flash'"s "Trajectory" certainly had the thematic feel of "Supergirl'"s "Superman III" inspired "Falling". The parallel stands a set-up of sorts (if only in an inadvertent way) for the big Flash/Supergirl crossover, which of course, is right around the bend!
ReplyDelete"Arrow'"s "Broken Hearts" at least tackled the deal with the wedding ring. Personally, it hadn't struck me as any sort of big deal when Felicity wasn't sporting it in the car, but a number of folks sure saw significance in it and obviously for good reason. Well, now we know...
ReplyDelete"World's Finest" sure was a great crossover for Flash and Supergirl. Loved it to no end. (See my March '16 entry on such.) I do hope a sequel of some sort surfaces soon. Anxious also to see Flash's prequel this week. Ought to be most interesting.
ReplyDelete"Flash Back" was certainly a much more somber episode than "World's Finest". Actually, I found the story to be one of the most interesting in the series' time-travel/speed-development bridges. To me, this sort of storytelling defines "Flash", sets it apart from the other superhero shows. More of the same can only be a good thing; and something tells me we won't be cheated as the adventure progresses.
ReplyDelete"Eleven-Fifty-Nine"--one of the best Darhk episodes to date. The character (or perhaps more precisely, Mr. McDonough) really lends something special--and damn sinster-to the proceedings. The more Darhk, the better.
ReplyDeleteAnd friggin' whoa, what a shocker of an ending!!! Truly didn't see that coming...
"Versus Zoom" was one helluva episode: one of the best of either "Flash" season. It was fun to see the various ploys and obstacles revealed; the episode was also a good showcase for the Garrick dynamic, which was much needed. Above all, this chapter granted further momentum to this season's final phase. Anxious to see how it develops from here.
ReplyDelete"Back to Normal", the Griffin Grey episode, was pretty good and certainly a good Wells episode.
ReplyDeleteI just don't like seeing the Flash without his speed. Can't wrap my head (or patience) around that. I'm figuring it will be remedied fast, though, or at least by season's end.
On "Arrow'"s end, I thought "Genesis" was damn good (one of the best of the series); on "Flash'"s end, I found "Rupture" to be top-notch for the most part, but I don't fancy the cry-baby element for the sake of the show's hero. That was a misstep.
ReplyDelete"Flash'"s "Runaway Dinosaur" had a nice, Bradbury feel to it. I also like the fact that Shipp's presence was felt in it. I didn't like the cry-baby element to it, though. Really can't figure why there's a push to include such in the show.
ReplyDeletePS: The Kevin Smith directorial link also makes "Runaway Dino" historic. Evidently, Smith wants to do an "Arrow" (maybe write one); seems inevitable he'll get his wish.
Delete"Arrow'"s "Monument Point" was sure a tense one...a monumental one, in truth. On the lighter side, it sure supplied a fair sum of Donna Smoak, and for that, I'm most grateful.
ReplyDelete"Race of his Life" was a dandy finale for "Flash", and as a Shipp fan, I was most pleased by the surprise. I still want Shipp in there as the alternate Barry/Allen Flash; maybe that's on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wonder how the ramifications of the episode's ending will effect the series from this point.
"Arrow'"s finale, "Schism" was pretty energetic and tense. I'm still not keen on all this Mayor Queen stuff, though. I just think it gets in the way of what Green Arrow needs to do. Hope that's not the case for next season.
ReplyDelete