The Flash and Arrow cross over again this week, and this time, they’ll be setting up a third series in the “wheel” – DC’s Legends of Tomorrow – by introducing characters like Hawkman and Vandal Savage. (Legends’ soon-to-be-Hawkgirl, Kendra as played by Ciara Renee, has already been seen on The Flash though she plays a much bigger role in this crossover.)
Want some teasers?
You’ve come to the right place.
Here are a few not-extremely-spoilery thoughts of what to expect, in no particular order:
1. “Your city.” Barry and Oliver both seem to default who takes a leadership role based on whose city it is in. There are other minor character moments between other characters adjusting to new locales – for example, Cisco wants to take charge at the computer, which Felicity will have none of.
2. Malcolm Merlyn knows how to make an entrance. But when characters from The Flash are involved, you can expect them to make jokes about it.
3. Some of the crossover’s best moments don’t involve super-powers. A plot element from Arrow’s past resurfaces (from New Zealand… kidding. Not New Zealand.) and it brings out some great character work from the actors involved.
4. We meet Vandal Savage. The immortal DC Comics character finally comes to life in the form of actor Casper Crump, and he plays the character well and scary. We get some of his backstory, and there’s a mention of him being seen in the 1970’s which lines up with some things we see in the new Legends of Tomorrow trailer.
5. Hawkman! Hawkgirl! Wings! A few thoughts: 1) Hawkman’s costume totally looks like brown costume Wolverine, and we’re okay with that. 2) Why don’t their shirts rip when their wings sprout out? 3) How cool is it that we’ll see the Hawks on a regular basis on Legends of Tomorrow? 4) If they go back in time, will they meet their past selves? (Yes, the “reincarnated souls” bit that originated in Geoff Johns’ JSA comic book run is here in full force… and that, too, is a good thing.)
6. There’s an inside joke that you’ll react to differently, based on how old you are. There’s a line in the Arrow episode “Legends of Yesterday” that will probably be taken as a reference to this summer’s Avengers: Age of Ultron movie, but being in my late 30’s, my initial thought was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You’ll get it when you see it.
7. Stakes and drama. You probably expected that though, right? Just remember, the good guys don’t always win.
8. Sometimes, you forget which show you’re watching. Who would’ve thought you’d see such sci-fi elements on Arrow? Isn’t it weird to see a dark setting on The Flash? Yet, the transitions seem to go seamless, and some of those crossovers… including a moment with Damien Darhk… make it all so much fun.
9. Grant Gustin, Flash of Two 
Shows? It was two years ago that Grant Gustin first made an appearance as Barry Allen on Arrow. And, somehow, while Carlos Valdes’ Cisco gets some of the best material of this crossover, and Stephen Amell is definitely still “the captain” leading the team(s), it is Grant who glues a lot of it together. It almost feels like there’s an alternate universe where Barry is still a part of the Arrow cast, because his interactions with Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards, especially, is great. (Also great? Speedy’s reaction when she finds out that Team Arrow knows The Flash)
10. DON’T plan on watching just one. Although you could pick and choose what you wanted to see last year between Flash and Arrow, each part this year is half of a story. If you miss one, you’ll be confused watching the other. This really is like a two-hour merged Flash/Arrow show. So set your DVR’s (and add a few minutes at the end for each, as The CW is running longer on them.) The Flash, Tuesday, December 1 at 8PM. Arrow, Wednesday, December 2 at 9PM.
And, something I’m wondering: Is there a Hawkman or a Vandal Savage on Earth-Two? I notice that Jay Garrick doesn’t share scenes with either of them… hmm. Also, don’t expect to see all of the stars of the upcoming Legends of Tomorrow in this episode, though Captain Cold does make an appearance in a place you’d never expect to see him. Still, this “Heroes Join Forces” Flash/Arrow crossover is a fantastic introduction to some of that ensemble, and most fans will not be disappointed.
See photos from Part 1 “Legends of Today,” airing Tuesday night, right here!
See photos from Part 2 “Legends of Yesterday,” airing Wednesday night, here!
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Having seen the reference, you of course would know best if it is a reference to “Ultron” or to “TMNT”, but it could very well be a reference to “TMNT” — possibly the live action sequel, a tip of the hat to Stephen Amell’s new film.