CW's DC Crusaders Return, But Oh! How The Mighty Have Fallen (An Editorial Lament)

Betrayed! That’s how I feel by last season’s CW superhero shows. How, you might ask? Well, here's the rundown...

First off, “The Flash” was more soap opera than classic DC. It's bordered on such during past paths, but Season 3 took it to a whole new, humdinger level. Sure, the season had some admirable moments, particularly whenever Gorilla Grodd made the scene, but otherwise its momentum was smothered by Barry Allen (Grant Gustin)’s salacious obsession with his adopted sibling. Damn it, why can't he just love Iris as a sister? The two may not be blood related, but all the same, the psychological and environmental ramifications of their coupling causes me discomfort, and from what I've read and heard, I ain't the only one ridin' that righteous train. 

We can only hope that Season 4's character redesign ("reborn/recharged", as CW proclaims) will get us closer to, not farther away from, Allen's better qualities; if not, perhaps the producers would be wise to abandon this current incarnation and transport us back to John Wesley Shipp's '90s universe, or at least some modernized extension of it. That particular CBS version never once strayed from the straight and narrow, and that's precisely what this current show desperately needs--the damn straight and narrow.

While "Flash" slipped significantly from its once noble standing, “Legends of Tomorrow” actually improved on its second run; of course, Season 1 left much to be desired as it wrestled to find its time-travel footing, sometimes seeming more like a "Doctor Who" wannabe than its own thing. 

What improvement Season 2 gained stems from Dominic Purcell’s dry-humored portrayal of Mick Rory/Heat Wave, but even with Purcell's blunt wit, the show has faltered via historical inaccuracies and a general hollowness. Yeah, it was nice to see that episode devoted to young George Lucas, but it never truly felt sincere: Lucas felt more like a fleeting novelty than a man destined to reinvent Alex Raymond's "Flash Gordon". Without the required credibility, there's no sincerity, and without sincerity, the magic dies. (In the same vein, I could go on for days bemoaning the Reagan/Gorbachev installment, but it's suffice to say, it didn't come close to being all that it could have been: another terrible, missed opportunity...)

To worsen the situation, Ray Palmer, the Atom, has been reduced to a bumbling, along-for-the-ride second-stringer. If he was ever given the chance to shine, the writers were quick to bolt him right back to ineptitude. I mean, gee whiz, wasn’t Palmer supposed to be the primary force behind this show? As I recall, a solo Atom series was even considered at one point. So, what happened? This is a real slap in the face to ex-Superman actor, Brandon Routh, who early on shined in the Palmer role. The Atom must be in the forefront—the competent forefront, that is, with all his amazing abilities amply displayed—if "Legends" is ever to succeed. Somehow, though, I doubt Palmer will reclaim his prestigious spot, but oh, how I wish to be proven wrong...

“Arrow”, in contrast to the latter shows, was at least more consistent in its dark, somber tone. However, there were way too many times when Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell)'s heroics were marred by the same ponderous padding that's cursed “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Instead of experiencing "Arrow" anchored with verbosity and perplexing passages that put Queen at an embarrassing disadvantage, I'd rather that its episodes be cut in half. I know that won't happen, but it still would be preferable to seeing the regal Green Arrow spawn yawns.  

On the other hand, superfluous chit-chat isn't so bad when compared to the monumental way "Supergirl" has derailed. So pleased were we when the series leaped from CBS to CW. The move made sense. Most of us were confident that, in addition to giving Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) more chances to mingle with the other heroes, CW was less likely to make Kara Danvers engage in (and support) skewed politics. Boy, oh boy, were we ever wrong!

Indeed, of all of CW's DC shows, “Supergirl” has become the most ideologically slanted, often favoring elements of corruption before acts of justice. I don’t care if the plots are relegated to some parallel plane. Within "Supergirl'"s sector, good is generally bad, and bad is generally good: distasteful for this character and her regal heritage. 

To add fuel to the fire, the show's guest stars, whether recurring or one-shots, have been shamefully misused, including Dean Cain, Helen Slater, Teri Hatcher, Kevin Sorbo and Lynda Carter. The latter’s misrepresentation stings the most: a conniving Madame President, whose obvious, insincere stance is taken at face value. Okay, Carter isn't playing Wonder Woman here; I realize that, but if she’s supposed to be a baddie, then why isn't that fact acknowledged and/or discussed? That most politicians are corrupt and self-serving might be a given, but that doesn't mean their deceit should ever be accepted with a mere shrug. 

The most heart-wrenching betrayal, however, comes from Superman. Remember how Tyler Hoechlin impressed fans when he flew into Season 2, to the point where the actor and his Man of Steel portrayal seemed destined to give Henry Cavill’s a competitive run for the money? Unfortunately, by Season 2’s close, Kal-El had been diminished into a cruel, mind-controlled parody, incapable of saving the world, let alone supporting his cousin in the cataclysmic circumstances presented. BLASPHEMOUS!!!

Well, at least in “Supergirl’”s case, there may yet be a glimmer of hope, at least some wee promise for the show to return to its roots, if one can believe what one reads. With that said, I still can't shake how the much ballyhooed, second “Flash/Supergirl” (mid-season) crossover was to be a spectacle for the ages, and instead we got an hour-long, musical jaunt that added nothing to either show or for that matter, any of the overlapping plots. Okay, it might be nice to see the cast members show off their talents beyond the DC universe, as in perhaps a non-connecting, variety-show, special-of-the-week, but why squash the established superheroics and story thread? It's like we were being told that these folks are too good for the material they regularly engage in, and we, the fans, needed a cultural awakening, as it were, to reprimand us for our insipid allegiance. That's just plain mean, not to mention sadistically self-indulgent on the participants' part. 

And it's precisely this sort of crazy, CW decision-making that hurts the network's prestige. It doesn't reflect well on DC or WB, either, when such blatant, tradition-stomping is ignored.

If this haphazard, pompous progression continues, DC/WB’s big-screen, Justice League adventures will surely soar without interference, comparison or complaint among fans. As it stands, CW's recent programming has been more a curse than a blessing to those who've tuned in; I wonder how many viewers will remain on board. I can only hope that the tarnish left by the shows' sappy and misdirected experimentation will wash away. It's a pity we can't just jettison the damage to some faraway, unseen, alternate reality: one that we and our heroes would be honored to scorn and better yet, forget.