Tag: cw

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 Earth – Part 3

Yada yada yada, there continue to be spoilers in all of my Crisis posts. Read at your own risk.

The Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover continues with part 3 on The Flash. Things that were told come to pass, but not in the way you expected. Also, more cameos! Including the very beginning where we get the Birds of Prey cameo we were promised, although it is far too short in my opinion. Poor Huntress gets dusted almost immediately, along with her entire Earth. Still, it’s been nice using this multiverse story to do these short little cameos.

The other big cameo we got was Lucifer, who helps Constantine and Co get to purgatory in their quest to save Oliver Queen. This was one cameo I figured would be a background appearance that ended up having a short but major part to play. I don’t watch Lucifer, but the few moments we got with him were delicious. I especially loved seeing him trade words with Constantine.

As for the fate of our Green Arrow, things take an unexpected turn, but one that makes total sense when you think about it. Just as the group is about to take Oliver out of Purgatory they are visited by The Spectre, who tells Oliver he must become the new host for him. I know, comics get confusing. The Spectre is supposed to be a Spectre of Vengeance, but I think Oliver will transform into more of a Spectre of Justice, just as he’s made that transformation himself throughout the entire Arrow series. He himself might’ve wanted vengeance at first, but now fights for justice. I’m interested to see what happens next in his story, which I assume happens during Arrow.

The major storyline that finally came to its conclusion was the fate of Flash. We’ve spent the entire season and then some worrying about our Barry Allen dying to save his friends. We finally got to see that a Barry Allen sacrificed themself to save the world, but not our version. I was very satisfied with the way they got themselves out of killing the main character of one of the anchors of the Arrowverse, and I was especially pleased we actually concluded this part of the story on The Flash. Past crossovers have had major deaths happen outside of that characters show, and it always feels a little wrong. It was nice for Flash fans to get a satisfying end to one of their deepest worries of the series.

Of course now ironically Flash is one of the only people in the multiverse, while Iris and most of his friends have, at least for now, vanished from existence. The Paragons are stranded at Vanishing Point after Harbinger betrays them all and Pariah saves a few key members in the last moments. We’ll have to wait a month to see how they fix this mess, and I’m sure not everyone will survive in the end. Obviously they have to at least undo some of it though, unless they’re scrapping the entire Arrowverse (which we’ve already had two new shows announced so doubtful). The wait is going to be long, but I’m sure it will be worth it.

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.