Tag: batwoman

Is Network TV Dead?

It’s that time of year, where you find out which of your favorite shows have been axed. This isn’t strictly a network tv thing, but I do feel like it’s less common (or at least more spread out) with streaming services. Don’t get me wrong, I will never forgive Netflix for axing Cowboy Bebop after only one season, but CW has really freed up my tv-watching schedule for next season, It had already canceled Batwoman (which was not a huge surprise) and Legends of Tomorrow (which was much more of a shock), but last night they announced, among other thing, Naomi and the Charmed reboot have both been canceled as well. Add to that Supergirl and Arrow both having left their lineup (although at least they got proper series finales), and that leaves Flash and Superman & Lois are the only things left I still watch of theirs. I *did* see a Supernatural prequel and Gotham Knights series both got picked up for next season, so I might give those a try with my newly found free time, but I’m also kinda hesitant to get too attached to new things, Naomi only got one season before being canceled, so what’s to say these will do any better. 

This leads me to the question, “Is network tv dead?”

I’m not sure I have an answer just yet. This is definitely the biggest clearing of the board I’ve seen a network do that I can recall. And other than the CW superhero stuff, the only thing I watch on “traditional” television is the newly resurrected Law & Order, and Walking Dead with its many spin-offs.. (Side bar: L&O has done a very good job figuring out what to be, with the changing attitude of the police in today’s society.) Most of my tv viewing comes from the many streaming services out there, including all the Marvel stuff on Disney Plus and Star Trek things on Paramount+. I’ve only seen Picard so far, but I’m planning on binging Discovery next. 

What about you? Are you watching anything good on cable? Or does your time strictly go towards streaming services? Let me know in the comments so we can chat.

Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part 2

It should go without saying, but there continue to be spoilers for the CW crossover event in this and all my Crisis posts. Read at your own risk!

Part 2 of Crisis jumps between finding the versions of Superman and Batman who are supposed to be Paragons to aid in the Crisis, while Flash, Mia, Sara, and Constantine try to bring Ollie back and Lex tries to kill every Superman in the multiverse. That’s a lot to pack into an hour of television! We also got a couple more fun guest appearances peppered in.

We start the adventure introducing the idea of the Paragons. My favorite line in the episode happens here, when Kate Kane asks everyone, “Who wants to meet Batman?” I promptly shouted at my tv, “I do! I do!”

A lot of this episode held the theme “things aren’t what they seem”. For one, the Batman reveal was not what I expected in a lot of ways. Broken in body and spirit, this version of Bruce has become the opposite of what Batman stood for when he started his journey. I’m also kinda disappointed that he was just a means of helping Kate on her journey to being a Paragon, as it would’ve been cool to see them fight together at least once. Even still, it was nice getting to see Kevin Conroy play Batman in a live action thing, after years of voicing the character in cartoons and video games.

The other thing that didn’t go as I expected was Lex Luthor’s role in everything. I was very surprised to see the Monitor bring him back for the Crisis, but assumed we needed him for his superior intellect. There was always a part of me, however, that wondered why Lena couldn’t fill that role. Now we see that Lex’s job was to be his usual, evil self. In his mission to kill every Superman in existence, he inadvertently helps our Superman and Louis find the version of Superman they need to be the Paragon of Truth. It also gave us a cool Superman vs Superman fight. (Side note: I love that they actual make jokes about how this version of Superman looks just like Ray Palmer, since they are played by the same actor.)

Some other fun surprises in this episode were the guest appearances. We knew Tom Welling would be appearing at some point, but I was surprised to see that he was living a quiet life on a farm with his Louis and had given up his powers to have a family with her. Again, disappointed we didn’t use his and Kevin Conroy’s guest appearances for more than the one episode, but it’s still cool to see them at all.

The other guest appearance which I don’t think we saw coming was Jonah Hex. It only lasted a few moments, but it was a fun surprise. Always good to see him and Sara on screen together, even for a short time.

We end the episode with Harbinger getting transported to Anti-Monitor’s location. It looks like he has plans for her, similar to the comics. We’ll have to wait till the next chapter to see that part of the story unfold.

With everything that has happened so far, I’m wondering if Ollie’s storyline changing means Flash doesn’t have to die after all. The Monitor has said multiple times that things are not unfolding as predicted. I feel like sacrifices have to be made, but maybe we’ve been totally mislead as to who that will be. Guess we’ll just have to keep watching to find out…

Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part 1

In case it’s not very obvious from the title, this article will contain many spoilers for last night’s episode of Supergirl. Read at your own risk.

Part 1 of the CW’s crossover for this season aired last night, and boy did they start off with a bang. There is no slowly introducing the problem and gathering the group. We’ve been doing that all season during Flash & Arrow. From minute one the Monitor gives us the background we need to set-up the rest of the story, and then it’s game on. I love that they didn’t waste any time in throwing our heroes into the fire. The rushed pacing gives us a sense of the danger they are in.

I had a lot of theories going in as to the role of certain characters and what would happen to some of our stars, but after part 1 I already have to rework all my preconceived notions. First off, I figure this version of Harrison Wells we’ve been seeing in Flash recently was working for or somehow connected to the Anti-Monitor. I guess I was partially right, but it never occurred to me he would be playing the part of Pariah. That reveal had my jaw drop. I’m excited to see what they do with his character.

The other thing I was surprised about is that they seem to have killed Oliver Queen at the end of the first episode. I figured if he was dying in a series other than his own it would be on Flash. The two shows have always been tied more closely together than the others, plus it makes for a great cliffhanger just before the break. Ollie dies, everyone looks shocked, cut to credits and we wait a month to see his team’s reactions. Who knows, maybe future Ollie whom we saw while they rescued baby Jonathan will have a role to play in everything. Only time will tell.

I’m going to try to keep posting these updates the day after each episode airs, so stay tuned tomorrow when I give my thoughts on Batwoman and Wednesday for my review of Flash (plus speculation on what will happen when we return in January for the thrilling conclusion).

This Crisis has been six years in the making, by my count. Ever since we first saw headlines about how the Flash would disappear during Crisis they have been planting the seeds to what looks to be their best crossover yet. I am simultaneously very prepared and not at all ready for what comes next.