Arrow Review: Elseworlds, Part 2 (Season 7 Episode 9)
The annual Arrowverse crossover continues as things move to Star City and more insights into how this new reality affects Oliver, Felicity, Diggle, and the city on Arrow Season 7 Episode 9, “Elseworlds, Part 2.”
We finally get a glimpse and a formal introduction to Kate Kane and Batwoman throughout the hour as Oliver, Barry, and Kara head to Gotham for some help on tracking down the man in the drawing.
Ruby Rose plays up the charm and channels some of Kane’s cousin, Bruce Wayne, in her interactions with Oliver, Barry, and Kara in a way that works with the reality we see in Gotham. She’s reluctant to join in and really only does so to speed up the process of getting these three out of the city—she definitely is part of the Bat-family.
Unlike prior character introductions in crossovers over the years (yes, I’m thinking of that unfortunate Legends of Tomorrow introduction in Arrow Season 4), Kate Kane’s screen time isn’t the main focus of the hour and that works to the character’s advantage.
We get the fun aspect of introducing Gotham and Kane without having an entirely new character to the ‘verse having to carry all 3 hours, letting her just settle in nicely into Arrowverse.
Because these crossovers involve so many moving parts, it’s understandable that character consistency and continuity are thrown out the window most of the time. But it feels like some of the characterizations feels slightly off and outdated, leaning on some early series traits.
What’s an odd choice throughout “Elseworlds, Part 2” is to bring back a lot of what Oliver was back in early season 1 and even before the island and kind of throw it in his face.
There’s also the fact that when Oliver and Barry Scarecrow’s fear gas, the pair face off against early series villains and rehash fears and insecurities that don’t necessarily match up with where Oliver’s at.
I mean, he continues to struggle with the darkness. But even as recently as Arrow Season 7 Episode 5, “The Demon,” it feels like Oliver’s worked towards accepting and reconciling the light and dark parts of him.
It’s fantastic to see that sense of understanding coming from Barry, though, about the kind of trauma and heaviness Oliver faces regularly and making the valid point that Barry doesn’t have the wherewithal to withstand everything Oliver’s been through.
Barry and Oliver always have solid moments of understanding during crossovers and Elseworlds continues in that tradition in small moments like that.
Meanwhile, I appreciate that regular Arrow viewers get some more follow through on the state of Oliver and Felicity’s relationship struggles even amid the crossover and the body (mind?) swapping.
Things are tense between the pair, especially after she finds out about the body swapping. But it’s Olicity’s final moment together in the crossover that serves as a solid start to working through their issues together and has me looking forward to seeing where it goes.
Oliver: No matter who you are or what you become, or who I am or what I become, you will always be the love of my life. People change, that never will.
He’s accepting that with his own choices and situations the pair face on a daily basis, growth is inevitable, and that means they have to change and adapt. It’s a small, lovely moment that I hope serves as the beginning of this arc and not just a neat resolution.
By hour’s end, we get one more iteration of Oliver and Barry in the form of the Trigger Twins courtesy of Deegan and The Monitor. While their name is hilarious, I’m still trying to figure out why this is all happening and what crisis is coming.
Will Supergirl’s installment give me the answers I’m looking for or is this a long-term situation?
Random Thoughts
- Did I get ridiculously giddy about Earth-90 asking Digg about where his “ring” is, alluding to him being the Green Lantern on that Earth? Yes, yes I did. Even if it’s a quick moment, it’s just exciting to think of that possibility.
- Stephen Amell playing to the comedy has been a highlight throughout the crossover so far.
- Kara getting flustered by Kate in the study is just plain adorable.
Will Oliver’s characterization during the crossovers ever be consistently current to the season and his corresponding growth? Any thoughts on Kate Kane’s introduction? How is it that these Arrow characters are more willing to believe the body swapping than The Flash team do?
What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Arrow returns Monday, January 21 at 8/7c on The CW.
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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.