The Flash Review: Elseworlds Part 1 (Season 5 Episode 9)
It’s always hard to evaluate any single installment of the popular annual Arrowverse crossover without taking into account the fact that they’re also part of a larger story but, for the most part, The Flash Season 5, Episode 9, “Elseworlds, Part 1” is a delightful romp in its own right from start to finish.
The crossover kickoff episode is bright, colorful and most of all, utterly joyful, reminding us all that at the end of the day, these shows are meant to be fun, not dark slogfests of unhappiness and strife.
And “Elseworlds, Part 1” delivers that in spades. From long-awaited new characters, to spot-on emotional beats to a group battle featuring our marquee heroes battling a classic power-stealing villain together, this story sparkles from start to finish.
From the hilarious opening sequence, in which Oliver and Barry realize that they’ve swapped bodies, to their time on the Kent farm, to the final showdown with Amazo, everything basically exists to make you wish this crossover could go on all week.
Does the episode gloss over some salient plot points from each series in the name of group team-up hijinks? Sure it does. Given the state of things on Arrow, there’s no way Oliver should be ready to put the hood back on (as Diggle seems to assume when he thinks Barry is the real deal.) And The Flash side of things seems to have conveniently forgotten Nora’s existence entirely.
Nor does “Elseworlds, Part 1” do much with The Flash’s secondary characters. Iris gets a few solid emotional moments as she wrestles with whether to believe the Oliver-is-really-Barry twist. Cisco vibes people around. But everyone else is basically fancy window dressing so far, and that’s a shame.
(Though since no one bothers to even tell Felicity that her husband body swapped with someone, I guess there are worse fates.)
But what this episode does right? It slays.
Tyler Hoechlin remains a pitch perfect Superman, while Elizabeth Tulloch thoroughly established herself as the Arrowverse’s Lois Lane in just a handful of scenes. These two are so good together, and their characters so well drawn, that it seems hard to imagine why the CW hasn’t given them their own Superman series yet.
(Get on it, is what I’m saying. I need to see more of these two immediately.)
The final team up fight between Clark, Kara, Barry and Oliver was wonderfully done, giving everyone a chance to shine while still handing the final triumphant moment to Barry, since we’re technically on his show.
But what makes “Elseworlds, Part 1” really great is the deft way it explores what makes Barry and Oliver tick as people, and how the two have evolved over the past four years since the first crossover into distinct yet still impressive heroes.
Everyone may dunk on Oliver’s gritty voiceovers or laugh at Barry’s constant need for positive affirmation, but these things are part of what makes them both special, and why the work so well as characters.
Sure, the lesson of “Elseworlds” appears to be that Barry will need to embrace his inner darkness to some degree, and that Oliver has to find a reason to keep running that keeps him facing toward the light. But it doesn’t discount what makes either of them great now.
Barry is the light of his team — and the DC TV universe in general – projecting light, optimism and humor wherever he goes. Oliver is its darker, capable center, a natural leader who may occasionally come off as a humorless jerk but who nevertheless knows how to get things done.
If we’re honest, the first episode of “Elseworlds” actually doesn’t do that much to advance the story of the crossover. We’ve barely seen The Monitor or Dr. Destiny except in ominous flashes here and there. We don’t know what they’re doing or what they want.
Yet, this installment is full of so many great moments that it doesn’t feel like its spinning its wheels, despite being a mere prelude of things to come. In short: Please, sir, may I have some more?
Stray Thoughts and Observations
- Finally, someone explained where the bathrooms are in STAR Labs secret basement prisons!
- Grant Gustin’s note perfect portrayal of Barry’s glee at the smallest things — using the salmon ladder, getting Oliver back for his arrow prank four years previous — was the best part of this episode.
- The Smallville theme song!!!!
- Have I mentioned that literally everything about Lois is perfect? Of course she’s Team Barry.
- Barry saying “You have failed this city” was so great.
- The one shot of Batwoman at the end was incredible.
- Have I mentioned we’re going to Gotham City next?? FINALLY.
What did you think of this episode of The Flash? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Lacy Baugher
Lacy is a pop culture enthusiast and television critic who loves period dramas, epic fantasy, space adventures, and the female characters everyone says you're supposed to hate. Ninth Doctor enthusiast, Aziraphale girlie, and cat lady, she's a member of the Television Critics Association and Rotten Tomatoes-approved. Find her at LacyMB on all platforms.