2021 Arrowverse Roundup - Week 21


This week featured the end of a journey, a shocking revelation and a crisis averted (just like two weeks ago).

Below is a breakdown of all of the Arrowverse stuff that aired this week. It is part review, part speculation, part analysis, and part rambling. It is organized in the order they aired throughout the week, so feel free to scroll down to whatever ones you watch. If you want to get caught up, you can use my Arrowverse Viewing Order guide to help you navigate!

Legends of Tomorrow - Episode 6.05 - The Satanist's Apprentice


Legends of Tomorrow constantly changes and evolves. I never knew we would see an episode wholly dedicated to Astra, but here we are. It was actually quite fitting to see her make her way in the world. It was a pretty self contained episode due to Covid, but it worked. And of course in true Legends fashion, the episode goes absolutely bonkers in Act 5.
 
They have checked a lot of boxes through the years, but doing a Disney Princess animated type thing was empty - until now. The animated version was a clever way to be able to film something with Covid protocols. They could record voices separately, and it made perfect sense in the context of things.
 
The episode also did what it does best, and gave fantastic character development. I like Astra more now than I ever did before, and certainly sympathize with her now.
 
Caity Lotz directed this, and it was great. The Sara stuff is a bit long in the tooth though, hopefully that gets resolved soon. But I like the story being told this season, bumps and all.
 
***

Batwoman - Episode 2.15 - Armed and Dangerous


Batwoman deals with serious issues more than any other CW show (except maybe Black Lightning) and this was no exception. Luke Fox had been shot and was in critical condition. His limbo involved Bruce and his father and wondering if he wanted to go back.

Meanwhile, the corruption continued. I didn't think that the episode would result in the Crows being disband, but it did. This is a huge episode in the grand scheme of things. Everyone had something to do, and this is the stepping stone to propel the rest of the season.

Even Alice had things to do and figure out. But her recruiting her father was a great move. Now he has something to do - find Kate - after not having the Crows.
 
The magic herb that healed Ryan is also used on Luke. It is being overused and is an easy write-around for problems. Hopefully it goes away soon. But the gunshot has another reason for Luke too, it will propel him to become Batwing, which is amazing. I can't believe we live in a world where Batwing is going to be in live action on TV.
 
This was an amazing episode, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
 

***

The Flash - Episode 7.12 - Good-Bye Vibrations


Saying goodbye to a popular series regular is never easy. But they usually deserve a big emotional to-do. Carlos Valdes's Cisco did not receive that. I was not a fan of this episode at all. There were a lot of silly moments that could have been used to really pay tribute to the character. But they squandered their opportunity. It was sad.

Chester was always set up to be Cisco's replacement. It was obvious since the moment he was introduced. But it took a while. The sweet moments that *did* happen were between Chester and Cisco. They didn't even get one as good between OG Team Flash.

I was really expecting more. Wells got more, even though he came back. Cisco will probably come back some time next season too, they certainly left the door open for it. But this episode was nothing but a huge missed opportunity. It was sad.

Cisco was one of my favorite characters, it'll be sad to see him go. He hasn't done a full season in a while, but this will be his biggest absence ever now, obviously. I just wish his send off had more of an impact.
 
***

Superman & Lois - Episode 1.09 - Loyal Subjekts

This show continues to impress. All of the story lines are coalescing nicely. The show also continues to surprise. Just when you think the reveals are out of the way, they do another one. In fact, they did the same trick twice. The man we thought was an alt-world Luthor, was actually Steel. Now, the man we thought was Morgan Edge (recast from Supergirl) is actually a Kryptonian.

Which Kryptonian hasn't been revealed yet, but I think it is a safe bet that this is Zod. Since Lex Luthor is being used so well over on Supergirl, Zod is the next best option for a Superman villain. I watch every CW Arrowverse show, so I thought I knew what to expect. I don't. This show continues to defy expectations in delightful ways.

Whoever Edge is, has weaponized citizens of Smallville and had them attack Lois. Jordan and General Lane were quite impressive in those scenes, and even the scenes they shared were great. While Jordan was dealing with Kryptonite poisoning, Jonathan still had something to do in the episode which is nice. The show does a good job of giving everyone something to do. They spread the story out really well, even though it mostly takes place in a small town.

This is the secret weapon of the Arrowverse so far, and I hope that continues.

***
The best episode of the week was a tie between Superman & Lois and Batwoman. I love that both shows can be different from each other and still be great.

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