Crisis on Infinite Earths Ends By Taking A Step Into The Future

If the 2019 portion of Crisis on Infinite Earths was about celebrating the past and the heroes that had come before, 2020 made it about the future. The Arrowverse has had its version of the classic DC Trinity for years: Green Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl. Rightfully so as they are the most fleshed out characters to pull from but also the biggest stars. But this is the last crossover Stephen Amell plans to do. Instead of shoehorning someone into his place, the Arrowverse Powers-that-be have chosen to take a brave step into the future: Seven heroes that will form the (As of now untitled) Justice League.

Notably, it's a significantly more diverse group than before. Flash and Supergirl remain in the fold but are joined by Superman, White Canary, Batwoman, Martian Manhunter, and Black Lightning. For a set of shows that put so much emphasis on diversity, this is a major leap forward. It's not perfect, and it probably won’t ever be, but it is the natural continuation of what the shows have been doing individually, especially this season. And I expect the ranks to grow sooner than later.

But that's the final scene of the crossover. Let's linger in the past for just a bit longer. While this isn't the true end of Oliver Queen (Arrow had two more episodes after all), it is almost assuredly the last time he saves the universe. And what a way to go out. Oliver and, by extension, Amell were always the heart of this universe. Now it's literal as Oliver, as Spectre, sacrifices himself to create the new multiverse. Honestly, it's a shame Arrow has two more episodes because I would be completely satisfied if this were the last we saw of Amell.

Beyond the literalization of Oliver as the center of the universe, the final installment of Crisis features many of our heroes coming to grips with the fact their friend is gone. These moments are the highlights of the final installment. Especially the scene between Barry and Sara. Being Oliver’s two oldest friends (Except John Diggle who would not handle this moment well), they try to help each other process their loss, potentially beginning a friendship of their own. Its one of a number of times I teared up watching these final two installments and is emblematic of what the Arrowverse does best: emotional scenes between characters that allows them to grow and change. And that’s the heart of this crossover event: The universe is growing and changing; something exemplified by the creation of the Justice League.

Other Important Notes:

Part 4 opens with the origins of Monitor and Anti-Monitor. It doesn’t quite explain either though. Mar Novu takes the place of the comics’ Krona, viewing the beginning of the universe and thus changing it, creating the multiverse. Why he gets godlike powers is unclear. How his actions create the Anti-Monitor is unclear. Its maybe the biggest letdown of the entire crossover.

Oliver is, for a short time, the Spectre, God’s Spirit of Vengeance. Not much comes of this outside of him being able to combat Anti-Monitor, as Spectre does in the comics. That happens in the climax where Spectre and Anti-Monitor shoot laser beams at each other as the Paragons stare at them. Its not the most visually astounding climax but it leads directly to the emotional moments afterward, so I don’t have a problem. Also, Oliver tells Anti-Monitor, “You have failed this universe.” It’s the sickest burn in television history.

Ezra Miller is the best. He showed up in Vancouver for about a minute of screen time for which I doubt he got paid. And it was an absolute delight! Miller’s version of Barry Allen is so delightful and just similar enough to Grant Gustin’s portrayal that you can clearly see them as different versions of the same man. Also, Gustin and Miller have excellent chemistry. Can I get a Grant Gustin cameo in Miller’s solo film? And can we get that film already? I’ve been waiting for most of the last decade.

Black Lightning appears in this episode. And that’s about all he does. Unlike earlier in the event, there is no emotional scene for him. There isn’t much for him to do at all except be a member of the Justice League in the final scene. There isn’t even a scene continuing what appeared to be a burgeoning relationship between him and Barry. Maybe they’ll do better next year, Jefferson.