I thought last season’s crossover event between The Flash and Arrowwas a big deal but this year, they managed to take it to the next level. This two-day crossover event titled Heroes Join Forces, serves to not only put a stamp on how good these two shows are together or independent from one another but it also serves as a launching point for Legends of Tomorrow, DC Comics fifth live action series set to debut on the CW in January. Warning, spoilers ahead…
Part one started on The Flash with the aptly named, Legends of Yesterday, where we’re introduced to Vandal Savage (Casper Crump). Savage is a man of mystery and magic with a very long history. In a lot of ways he reminded me of a sinister version of Marvel’s Doctor Strange. His arrival in Central City brings with it a threat to Cisco’s girlfriend Kendra. Barry suggest to Cisco that they go to Star City and visit Oliver and Team Arrow because as he puts it, mystical villains is their thing and meta-humans is Team Flash’s thing.
Everything seems to be going well keeping Kendra safe until both Savage and a man name Carter who swoops in to help protect Kendra. Carter explains that he and Kendra share a past that goes back centuries and that Savage can only survive by their deaths. This is the introduction of Hawkman and Hawkgirl. Savage proves to be an incredible threat to all who stand in his way. The episode ends with both teams deciding to head back to Central City with some additional reinforcements to try and level the playing field against Savage.
The story concludes the following night on Arrow with Legends of Today (see a pattern?) and as good as part one was, the pay off in part two was a thing of beauty. For one thing, Barry experienced time travel yet again. And much like the first time, death was at the forefront. Team Arrow and Team Flash were too ill equipped to face Savage. Barry learns a thing or two and he along with Oliver, Carter and Kendra, who has rediscovered her wings and true self, have a plan in place to bring down Savage once and for all. The showdown was like watching a comic book come to life with several superheroes taking on one super-villain.
Barry and Oliver were able to use Savage’s magic against him and destroy him, at least for now. I say for now because the final scene shows Malcolm Merlin picking up the ashes of the remains of Savage and bottling it up. One could only imagine what Malcolm has in store for all involved.
Some side stories not to be overlooked that will surely resurface in future episodes to come for both series revolves around Harrison Wells devising a plan to increase Barry’s speed to stop Zoom and hopefully save his daughter in the process. And on Arrow, Oliver discovers that he is a father. But in order to have any kind of relationship with his son, he must keep his existence a secret. What this will do with Oliver’s relationship with Felicity, is unknown.
I hope to see more crossover events like this in the future. They’re both fun and imaginative. According to the promos for Legends of Tomorrow, the series will air on Thursday nights. Who wouldn’t want to see a story arc that begins on Tuesday on The Flash, continued on Wednesday on Arrow and conclude on Thursday with Legends? And dare I suggest that since Supergirl is set in the same universe and airs on Monday night, why not a weeklong affair? Hey, it could happen.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
