Arrow Review: Crisis On Infinite Earths: Part Four

After a month-long hiatus, the big Arrowverse crossover continues on Arrow Season 8 Episode 8, “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four,” as Oliver’s Spectre helps save the others.

The hour continues its messy, and frenetic plot and pace without much of a coherent explanation for anything, hoping that saving themselves and the multiverse is enough of a foundation to keep things moving.

Sure, there are brief moments when things make sense, clearing up the purpose for any of these character’s actions, but it still feels like too much.

The memories that Oliver/Spectre uses to keep everyone from falling into the anti-matter feels arbitrarily chosen, and not necessarily for any specific tie for most of the characters.

Given that Kate never really had any memories tied to Oliver (aside from the last crossover), and there aren’t many to choose from for Kara, J’onn, and Oliver, the tenuous connections and interactions add a challenge to adding a substantial foundation for these moments.

Let’s not even mention the fact that Sara’s scene/memory never even actually happened that way on Arrow.

Those flashes back to Arrow Season 2 and Season 3 give you a glimpse to see how far Oliver has come as a hero and leader while simultaneously making you long for those seasons with moderately more grounded storytelling.

Something the hour does well, though, and what becomes a clarifying moment is setting Oliver Queen up as the ultimate hero, letting the others know exactly how much he has given up to save the entire multiverse, making the ultimate sacrifice, and what he’s leaving behind.

Oliver’s final act is gut-wrenching, facing off against the anti-monitor. The fight feels less like something out of Arrow and something more out of another show, but the idea behind the light and dark fighting for what is right is still there.

Oliver giving birth to a whole new multiverse feels pretty much on-par considering Arrow is the show that launched the entire Arrowverse.

But, something about the fact that Oliver never felt the need to consider himself a hero to save all of humanity until the very end is both incredibly powerful and infuriating.

That he never recognized it in himself feels a little disheartening, but seeing Barry and Sara reinforce the idea that he is the best of all of them is some consolation and important as Oliver’s legacy is solidified in the Arrowverse.

Ultimately, I know this is supposed to be a peak comic book story with the tone to match, and they succeeded in bringing that through into this hour.

I’m just not sure how much I actually enjoyed watching the way the story feels disjointed at times, and Oliver Queen having to go through all of this only to die once more (having Oliver Queen die multiple times the span of 1 crossover will have that effect on an Arrow fan).

Especially considering there are 2 episodes of Arrow left. What story is left to tell if the titular character is dead?

Random Thoughts

• The letter narration at the top of the hour to recap were some of the people stuck in the Vanishing Point stand is a little grating.
• Oliver/Spectre’s voice modulation feels…unnecessary.
• Ezra Miller making an appearance as The Flash from the cinematic universe is a fun break amid the breakneck speed with which the hour blows through the story.
• Seeing the heroes merely look on as Oliver “defeats” the Anti-Monitor and create a new multiverse for all of humanity to thrive in gives off major Care Bear stare vibes, and is somewhat cringe-y.

What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Arrow airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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