2021-2022 Arrowverse Roundup - Week 11

This week featured a brand new story, a new villain in Smallville, a Gotham staple, and more time travel shenanigans from the Legends

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!

Naomi - Episode 1.01 - Don't Believe Everything You Think

The newest entry into the Arrowverse focuses on a Superman fangirl, and the mystery surrounding her. The Pilot did exactly what it was supposed to do. It set the stakes, and the pace. It introduced us to the characters, and gave us a reason to come back.

I think the show would have benefited from having a 2 hour premiere, or showing two episode back to back. The pacing was slow - but that was needed in order to learn the characters. So giving us more would have made it feel more complete.

What we did get was charming though. The mystery surrounding her is enough to bring people back, and the feel and tone of things definitely fit into the overall CW and Arrowverse aesthetic. It would be great if the show could crossover with Superman and Lois, which once it establishes itself, I think is inevitable.

***

Superman and Lois - Episode 2.01 - What Lies Beneath

The crown jewel of the Arrowverse has returned, and hit the ground running. John's daughter Natalie is a new layer of the show that will make the emotional journey even deeper. The dynamic between all the characters will change, and grow, and that will be great.

Superman choosing the world over the US will cause some controversy, but it shouldn't, the way things are right now. But the government using their own "super soldiers" is going to cause issues.

I didn't think Superman as a family drama would work, but the first season proved me wrong. It looks like this season is doubling down, and will continue to do so, and that is where the soul of the show comes from.

 ***

Legends of Tomorrow - Episode 7.08 - Paranoid Android 

We have seen different versions of the Legends over the years, and this week was another edition of that. We got to see the Robot Legends controlled by evil Gideon. It is always fun to see them in different roles from their usual.

 

They are taking different storytelling approaches this season, and it is paying off. Legends has always been a bold show that took chances, and this time is no exception.

 

It will be fun to see where they go and what they do. It continues to subvert expectations, yet offers the same fun that fans expect from the series.

 ***

Batwoman - Episode 3.08 - Trust Destiny

Batwoman did 2 remarkable things this week. First, it introduced the original Poison Ivy to the series. That is pretty significant, as the show has generally not been allowed to use OG Batman villains. Instead they tend to reinvent some of the villains for their own purpose. Case and point: Ryan's brother.

Batwoman is introducing their own Joker. This one is personal to the group, and different from the original, but at its essence, this character will serve the purpose.

I do hope that Mary Hamilton's story goes forward soon - she was one of the best characters in the show, and now it feels like they don't know what to do with her. Hopefully with the OG Poison Ivy returning, they can advance her story again.

 ***

The best episode of the week was Superman and Lois. I look forward to what the show will do with the rest of its time.