With all the hype around Batman v Superman, I wouldn’t blame you for forgetting the other DC crossover of the week. Ever since the Powers That Be announced that The Flash‘s Barry Allen would be hopping on over to Supergirl (the shows air on two separate networks), I wondered if the ambitious endeavor could be pulled off. The verdict? Most definitely.
The reason World’s Finest worked so well is oh-so-simple: the chemistry between Kara and Bara was off-the-charts INCREDIBLE. Everything about the duo’s dynamic was just perfect – the cute banter, the funny glances, the terrific dialogue (as you can see below, this is one heck of a quotable episode). Honestly, I just wanted Barry to stay on Supergirl after this episode was over; I’ve been so unimpressed by The Flash this season, that this episode reminded me what a fun character Barry could be. Here’s hoping Andrew Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti continue to pull off further epic crossovers well into the future. The potential is just enormous.
Of course World’s Finest wasn’t perfect; I would have been fine if the show decided to focus on only one villain, but they tried to have their cake and eat it too by bringing back Livewire AND introducing Siobhan’s new alter-ego, Silver Banshee. The result? A messy affair with pointless scenes (Siobhan learning about her family curse), and some awkwardly-staged action (both faceoffs between the duos should have been much more impressive). Nevertheless, it’s a small complaint when the rest of the hour is so on point.
Also a win: Supergirl’s awesome supporting cast! Of course I’m mostly talking about Calista Flockhart who continues to deliver top-notch work as Cat Grant. While I still hate that she doesn’t know about Kara (or does she?), I love that she figured out Barry’s identity and showed no fear when facing off with the two baddies. She’s definitely the show’s MVP, and she’s infinitely more amusing than useless Olsen (Winn is definitely more of a fully-realized character). But why didn’t we get Alex or Hank? Maybe it would have been too overstuffed, but I would have loved to see them interact with Barry as well!
Ultimately, this was certainly one of Supergirl‘s finer hours, and the ending holds a lot of potential with Kara finally kissing James, only to lose him (and the rest of the neighbourhood) to Non’s Myriad mind-control plot. Two episodes left, and things are going to get crazy.
Super Bits
– Cat using the cupcake metaphor and giving Kara love advice – priceless. Although I didn’t buy Cat eating cupcakes since she’s always talking about watching her figure.
– Great little set-piece with Banshee screaming and sending Kara flying out the window only for Barry to save her at the last moment.
– Cutest moment of the entire hour: Kara eating ice-cream like a little girl and being completely amazed by Barry.
– The fact that Cat wanted to name The Flash herself was just hilarious.
– Something about Lucy giving Olsen love advice just made me uncomfortable.
– Kara and Barry both doing their wind trick against the evil duo was kind of cool I guess. But the whole face-off was just underwhelming.
– Cat begging for her life because of her boys was pretty heartbreaking.
– It’s funny how Barry didn’t do much in the final battle besides get knocked out; maybe it’s part of the show’s feminist message? Not bad!
– As cheesy as it was, I enjoyed the people protecting Supergirl, and the firefighters she saved delivering the lethal blow to the evil duo.
– Interesting touch: now the police department has a prison to hold metahumans, giving them a fair trial.
– So who do you think won in that final race? My money’s on…
Kara Quips
Kara: I have tried everything I can think of. Last night I helped a family assemble their IKEA table.
Cat: Ker-rah, call security. I haven’t seen eyes that crazy since I had fondue with Ramona Singer.
Barry: I thought I was the impossible. How did you do that?
Kara: I’m Supergirl.
Barry: You’re who now?
Kara: Sorry, I was just a little…disoriented from the scream. How did you save me?
Kara: Who are you?
Barry: I’m The Flash.
Kara: The who now?
Barry: The… Wait, do you not know who I am?
Kara: Should I?
Barry: What about the Green Arrow? Black Canary? Firestorm? Atom? Zoom?
Kara: Sorry.
Barry: Oh, boy. Not as sorry as I am. Hey, I’m Barry Allen I’m the fastest man alive.
Winn: Oh, well, after she went all Mariah Carey on you, she just split.
Barry: Oh, so we both have Mariah Carey. That’s something.
Winn: (to Olsen) I didn’t know your face muscles could make that look.
Cat: All four of you standing there doing nothing, you look like the attractive yet non-threatening, racially diverse cast of a CW show.
Cat: Now, I have to name this hero. I was thinking about “The Whoosh” or “The Red Streak” or “The Blur.”
Barry: What about The Flash? I’m just saying, I think that’s a pretty cool superhero name. Right?
Cat: The Flash? Sounds like someone whose only superpower is jumping out of an alley in a trench coat. No, I want mystery, I want intrigue, I want The Blur. Boys, be gone. Girl, stay.
Winn: And she’s basically like living electricity.
Barry: Cool. We have a rogue like that. We call him Blackout. Doesn’t feel relevant, all of a sudden.
Barry: Is this a spaceship?
Kara: That’s actually my spaceship.
Barry: I love this Earth. Hey, Winn, can I get a picture with this bad boy?
Livewire: Who the hell are you?
Siobhan: Siobhan Smythe.
Livewire: It’s like your parents knew you’d grow up to be a big snob.
Siobhan: Figured we could team up.
Livewire: Like an evil Taylor Swift squad?
Barry: All right, yeah. What’s the plan?
Kara: Catch the bad girl, bring her back here so she can’t hurt anyone. 85% chance of punching.
Barry: This is gonna sound ironic coming from me but, um, you need to slow down.
Cat: Cat: Oh, it’s you, Siobhan. I see that my ex-minions have united. Strength in numbers? You should call Norma Rae and find out how it’s really done.
Barry: Hey, Sparky! Shrieky, hi. What do you say we step away from the nice lady? Settle this like women. (Kara looks at him) What? There’s more of you guys here than me.
Cat: Okay. Tell Mr. Allen to have a good time zipping around in his red outfit.
Kara: Wait, you knew he was The Flash?
Cat: Oh, please. Barry shows up, The Flash shows up. His insistence on that silly name. And he was so unfailingly charming and nice, that he had to either be a superhero or a Mormon. Ker-rah, I can spot the extraordinary pretending to be a nobody in my midst just like that. Now, my eyebrow waxing with Arabella at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning is not going to book itself. Feel how good it feels to dial.
Barry: Think you can keep up, Girl of Steel?
Kara: Just you watch, Scarlet Speedster.
Kara: Was that good? Was it not good? Too good?
Conclusion
It’s not without its flaws, but our first ever Supergirl/Flash crossover was an undeniably charming success.
Nad Rating
A-