DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Review: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4 (Season 3 Episode 8)
On DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Season 3 Episode 8, “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4” we lose a Legend and celebrate a double wedding. But first, let’s talk about Nazis.
To be honest, I don’t feel I can properly review the concluding hour of “Crisis On Earth-X” without addressing the premise of this crossover as a whole. Because the stories we choose to tell? They matter. The way we choose to tell those stories – it matters too.
Even on comic book shows with heroes who can fly, turn to steel, and are made of fire.
There is real power in telling a story millions of people across the world will see. Want to base a popular crossover series on alt-Earth Nazis? Okay, but you better treat the subject matter with respect.
The Flash Season 4 Episode 8, “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3,” briefly touches on the true nature of Nazis and their crimes. However, the overall use of Nazi imagery? The swastikas, the constant references to the “Reich” and the “Fuhrer,” the SS logos adorning the chests of our Earth-X evil-doers, the freaking gates of Auschwitz, and prisoners in striped uniforms?
It’s just window dressing.
I do appreciate the crossover somewhat addresses the Nazi persecution of the gay community. But, it is not until “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3” we see a Jewish Earth-X character and “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4” before the word “Holocaust” is said.
That is just not acceptable.
Felicity Smoak: My grandparents didn’t survive the Holocaust so the world could be ruled by Nazis.
Unfortunately, there is no profound statement being made here, or really any statement at all. “Crisis on Earth-X” treats Earth-X Nazis as generic villains, using their symbols as ‘black hats’ for the bad guys without fully engaging or exploring the ideas those symbols represent.
So, why use Nazis at all? For the surprise of seeing the Earth-X version of a popular character wearing a yellow star with a gun pointed at her head? Or watching our heroes line up on the edge of a mass grave?
Or maybe because they are a narrative shortcut to establishing a set of villains for this particular story. No need to spend screen time explaining who the bad guys are, because everyone knows Nazis are evil. Right?
Except we now live in a world where this seems to be up for debate.
The writers have a responsibility here to either treat the subject with the sensitivity it deserves, or not use it at all. It is a shame a crossover so strong in wonderful character moments and fun action sequences is ultimately bogged down with Nazi trappings.
Okay, deep breath. On with the events on “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4.”
Martin Stein. What a wonderfully fitting end to his character, though I hate losing him from the Legends team.
This is essentially the trope of Guy Who Is About To Retire And Then Dies Tragically, but tropes can work when they are well written and performed. And this? Is brutal to watch in the best way.
Tears, everywhere. Blubbering, all nine stages of grief. Kudos to Victor Garber and Franz Drameh for ripping out my heart and stomping all over it.
Given the action-packed nature of this episode, the writers deserve credit for giving Stein’s death the weight and screen time it deserves. However, a bit more focus on the initial impact of his death on our Legends would be welcome.
I expect we will see this play out in the mid-season finale and throughout the rest of the season. I can wait.
All the interactions between characters from different universes and shows are immensely enjoyable in this hour. Fun to see such a different version of Captain Cold – and bonus laughs for Mick’s reaction to learning his Earth-X version died saving police officers.
Zari’s new outfit gets an A +. Again, I really have to credit the writers here. It’s only been a handful of episodes since her introduction and she already feels like a fully integrated member of the team.
Did we know Ray’s suit has ‘en-biggening’ powers or is that new? Regardless, the giant hand is delightful.
On the negative side, the deaths of Nazi!Kara and Nazi!Oliver are lacking in emotional punch. Neither character is well-written (or performed). Their relationship seems more of a gimmick to shock viewers than to reveal anything important about those characters or their Earth 1 counterparts.
Being the final part of the crossover, “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4” is where we see many of the character arcs reaching their conclusion. In particular, I like how the writers use Sara and her interactions with Supergirl’s Alex to explore important character developments.
I don’t watch The Flash, so I don’t have much to say about Barry and Iris getting married. Other than Iris West is amazing and Barry does not deserve her.
I do sporadically watch Arrow, but I am exhausted from hashing out all the Nazi stuff. Instead, I’ll just repeat what I said in my review for Arrow Season 6 Episode 8, “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 2.” The sudden relationship drama feels a bit manufactured, but is well-executed.
Also, Felicity Smoak is a treasure and Oliver does not deserve her.
Oh, and finally seeing John Diggle show up is a welcome delight. After all, it wouldn’t be a crossover if he didn’t barf at least once.
What did you think of this episode of Legends of Tomorrow? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Jennifer Ann
Jennifer works in public history and digital marketing. She has a borderline academic interest in how historical time periods and events are presented in popular culture. When she is not over-analyzing story arcs and character growth in her favorite shows, she enjoys lazy weekends avoiding housework and spoiling her dogs.
2 comments
I appreciate your review. I’ve watched my share of Nazi-fodder on television and in film and a Jewish person (and the descendant of a survivor) realize they can’t get everything right or accurate. So I’ll pick my battles carefully. But “Crisis on Earth X” got me more frustrated than anything else I’ve seen in recent years.
I’ve noticed a lot of people rating positively for this crossover but the use of Nazis wasn’t what bothered me the most: it was the direct replica of the Holocaust and its victims down to the striped pajamas. As you said, “You better treat the subject matter with respect.” If this was a documentary or a replica of history then it might work. But as a science-fiction superhero show, it cheapens the Holocaust and files the Nazis down to standard villains and pushes the victims into posters for modern politics. “The writers have a responsibility here to either treat the subject with the sensitivity it deserves, or not use it at all.” I’d just like them to use a little more common sense and decency when dealing with such a terrible and painful subject. “But it’s fiction,” some may say. “It’s just for fun.” If you’ve grown up listening and learning about this, it is *never* fun.
The Earth-X Jewish character would never have been born, because her grandparents would have been murdered in the alternate time-line. A reminder of the seriousness of the subject.
Comments are closed.