Review: ‘The Flash’ Season 5 Episode 9 – “Elseworlds” Part One

Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Writers: Eric Wallace & Sam Chalsen
Starring: Grant Gustin, Stephen Amell, Melissa Benoist, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Hartley Sawyer, Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, LaMonica Garrett, Jeremy Davies and Ruby Rose
Review by Steve J. Ray
At last, the day has arrived. We’ve finally seen the first chapter of the eagerly anticipated Elseworlds crossover event… and what an episode it was! The hype machine has been on overdrive for this story, which means that expectations were high and it had a lot to live up to. Sometimes reality doesn’t live up to the dream, and many of us have been let down before. So… did this episode deliver?
You bet your Infinite Earths it did!

Identity Crisis

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll know that these super fun crossovers have become an annual event across the CW “Arrowverse” shows. The incredible thing is that they just seem to be getting better, and better! I hate giving things away in my reviews, but so much has already appeared online to set the scene. I thought that having Barry as Green Arrow and Oliver as The Flash would come later into the story, but that’s how the whole event starts!
The writing and acting that revolves around this situation is clever, intriguing and hilarious. Never has it been more clear how different our two heroes are, to their very cores. Seeing them adjust to their new roles/personas gives us a fascinating look into their psyches. The way these two men deal with adversity, danger and this bonkers situation could not be more different.

Crisis On Infinite Earths

Last week we saw Barry deal with nightmares from his past, but in this episode we may be getting a terrifying glimpse into his future. One of the things I love about The Flash is the catalogue of comic-book references it draws from. From the very beginning we’ve had teases of red skies, and references to the “Crisis On Infinite Earths.” With the appearance of the Monitor and Doctor John Deegan I cannot help but feel a sense of dread and impending doom thinking about poor Barry Allen’s imminent prophesied disappearance.
Nora’s ties with Eobard Thawne, comments about Dawn West-Allen and events from this episode have me biting my nails nervously. I both cannot wait to see how it all develops, while dreading the possibilities all at the same time.
It’s no longer a spoiler, but isn’t it a gorgeous touch that John Wesley Shipp’s Flash in this story is from Earth 90? As in 1990. What a beautiful tribute.

Elseworlds

After last year’s incredible “Crisis On Earth X” crossover event, I knew that this day would come. What I didn’t anticipate was the level of fun, Easter-eggs and the treasure trove of characters that would be involved! As soon as I heard the name Ivo this week, I knew we’d be in for a treat; trust me folks, this is one that will Amaze… O, yes it will!
Add on top of all this seeing Superman fighting alongside Flash and Green Arrow, the debut of an all-new (and completely wonderful) Lois Lane and the introduction (at last) of a member of the Bat-Family, and I honestly feel like a kid again. Comics fans have never had it so good!

World’s Finest

This episode delivered more than I could ever have hoped for. Shirts ripped open, inter-dimensional travel, heroes starting off at odds, then teaming up. Super speed, grapple guns, martial arts, explosions… and even a giant robot! The number of times I squealed with delight watching this episode was just ridiculous!
To top it all off we see that city, that skyline and a cape, billowing in the darkness… Somebody Save Me from all this excitement! We’re clearly not in Kansas anymore.
I want chapter two RIGHT NOW!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thought Bubble 2024 convention & festival dates announced

Image
Article by Steve J. Ray Thought Bubble  is, without a doubt, the UK’s best entirely comic-based convention and art festival. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the show for the last three years, and have been anxious to see what’s in store this year. Well, the wait is over, as the team behind the event has announced the Thought Bubble 2024 convention & festival dates. THOUGHT BUBBLE ANNOUNCES 2024 COMIC CONVENTION & FESTIVAL DATES ACCLAIMED COMIC ART CONVENTION AND FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE ACROSS YORKSHIRE THIS NOVEMBER THOUGHT BUBBLE FESTIVAL LEEDS & ACROSS YORKSHIRE 11 -17 NOVEMBER 2024 THOUGHT BUBBLE COMIC CONVENTION HARROGATE CONVENTION CENTRE 16 & 17 NOVEMBER 2024   https://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com “Thought Bubble is the place to be. This is the show where everyone feels and is treated like family” –  Dark Knight News “Thought Bubble is the most important comic convention around” –  Popverse Returning to the Harrogate Convention Centre,...
Read more

Mystic Muses: A D&D Podcast

Image
Article by Philip Clark An all queer cast. An all femme ensemble. A non-binary Dungeon Master. Throw in some quality story-telling and role playing too, this sounds like a whole lot of fun! If any of the previously mentioned things has piqued your interests, then I implore you to check out Mystic Muses. You can find this wonderfully crafted podcast where you can find all your other favourites including Spotify. There are currently four episodes out. Episode 0 is the prologue and character introductions, and I have to say it is very well put together! The intro to each episode is cleverly crafted, with the players and DM each sounding off a sentence to bring us into the game space. Speaking of bringing us into the game space, Adam, the talented DM sets the scene for the story very nicely. A descriptive, yet concise introduction to the environment gives both the players and audience a vibe of what we're in for. Then come the delicious character introductions that give vivid descripti...
Read more

Fantastic Universes Interview: Madison, Matthew and Macsen Lintz From 'The Walking Dead'

Image
Interview panel led by Steve J. Ray, with a gathering of Comic/TV Media Journalists. I've spoken to some amazing people over the last couple of years; writers, artists, costume designers, and actors from some of my favorite TV shows. It's no secret that I'm a huge comic-book fan, and one of the TV series that's based on and inspired by a comics title - but has gone on to be so much more - is The Walking Dead . At a recent Comic-Con in London, I had the great opportunity of leading a panel where some fellow journalists and I spoke with Madison, Matthew and Macsen Lintz, three siblings who played Sophia and both iterations of Henry on the show. The eldest, Madison Lintz (born 1999) played Sophia Peletier - Carol's daughter - in the first two seasons. She's also well known for playing Maddie Bosch in the Amazon series Bosch . She started acting at the age of six, filming commercials and voice-overs. Matthew (born 2001) took over the role of Henry from ...
Read more