The Arrowverse has remained some of the standard DC franchises, however among the episodes are onerous to observe at the moment. The TV universe started with Arrow‘s October 2012 debut and ran till Superman & Lois concluded in December 2024, although most individuals think about The Flash’s season 9 finale the ending.
Regardless of the franchise being over, followers proceed to revisit all of the Arrowverse reveals of their spare time, falling in love with their favourite superheroes and villains once more. I can attest to the truth that they’re the right psychological escape from the world we’re residing in.
Nevertheless, not each episode within the Arrowverse is satisfying on rewatch. A few of the tales and visible results have aged poorly. Choose episodes and dialogue have change into cringier over time. In the meantime, others are simply too tragic with future data about characters and storylines.
10
Supergirl season 2, episode 13, “Mr. & Mrs. Mxyzptlk”
After I first watched “Mr. & Mrs. Mxyzptlk,” I discovered it zany and amusing, although Mr. Mxyzptlk was all the time a little bit bit creepy. Nevertheless, the episode is just about unwatchable at the moment as a result of, looking back, it’s full of controlling males and incel habits.
Mon-El all the time provides off frat boy vibes, however he’s particularly infantile and controlling on this episode. Kara kicking him out was nice. Nevertheless, I can’t stand that she simply forgives all his dangerous habits and kisses him on the finish with out a second thought.
On high of that, Myxy began mildly humorous along with his Mon-El prank, however he rapidly grew to become creepy and rapey. By the top, Mxyzptlk’s habits is anxiety-inducing, as he clearly has no boundaries or qualms with forcing a lady into one thing she doesn’t need. In the end, “Mr. & Mrs. Mxyzptlk” is neither romantic nor enjoyable to observe.
9
The Flash season 1, episode 18, “All-Star Staff Up”
“All-Star Staff Up” is an episode I skip on nearly each watch-through. For starters, the episode felt deceptive as a result of it was extra of a Flash and the police team-up reasonably than a Flash and The Atom team-up.
Moreover, the villain was additionally one of many weakest in your entire present, as her powers and motivation come throughout as fairly juvenile. Barry getting attacked by bees is so campy and ridiculous that it may solely be taken severely in a comic book e-book. It doesn’t work onscreen. There’s no purpose he shouldn’t have the ability to outrun the bees.
On high of that, Iris looks like a really sexist stereotype of a lady on this episode, whereas she is normally satisfying. She talks a lot about how she needs a profession, however then she spends the entire episode complaining about her relationship. Iris is normally written with extra nuance than this.
8
Legends of Tomorrow season 1, episode 15, “Future”
Legends of Tomorrow’s “Future” lands on the “onerous to observe” checklist as a result of it’s the final episode with Leonard Snart as a most important character. Snart is without doubt one of the greatest villain-of-the-week characters on The Flash, and he solely grew to become extra fascinating in Legends of Tomorrow.
The spinoff present gave him a unbelievable character arc, which was tragically reduce brief on the finish of season 1. In the event that they needed to write him off the present, they did it completely.
He has the second-most-devastating demise on the present, solely behind Martin Stein. There’s little doubt that Snart’s sacrifice was compelling. Nevertheless, the standard of the writing doesn’t change the truth that “Future” simply brings overwhelming unhappiness with each rewatch.
7
The Flash season 3, episode 17, “Duet”
I like a great musical episode, and the actors on this crossover episode have nice voices. They actually performed into the strengths of the Arrowverse solid. Sadly, the music and choreography, minus one tune, are the one constructive facets of “Duet,” making it onerous to observe at the moment.
The earlier episodes on each The Flash and Supergirl really feel a lot heavier and extra critical. As such, the chipper tone felt fully off in “Duet.” The storyline was in all places and extremely cringey at factors. Plus, the ending felt unearned.
Kara and Mon-El had a extremely good purpose to interrupt up, as did Barry and Iris. Nevertheless, the 2 relationships reconcile with out something truly altering. What’s worse, Barry proposes to Iris with an authentic tune, “Runnin’ Dwelling to You,” that has too on-the-nose lyrics.
6
Arrow season 4, episode 15, “Taken”
The Arrow episode “Taken” contains so many narrative points that make it onerous to observe at the moment. I can’t stand that Felicity walks once more for the primary time as a result of she will get mad sufficient at Oliver to actually stroll out on him. The writing feels ignorant at greatest and actively ableist at worst. Plus, they constructed the restoration up an excessive amount of for that.
Then, Felicity breaks up with Oliver due to William, which feels wildly out of character for her. He makes it very clear that he wished to inform her, however William’s mother mentioned he may solely have a relationship along with his son if he stored it a secret. This looks like one thing Felicity from previous seasons would normally perceive.
What’s extra, this launches the breakup storyline. Your entire arc felt pressured and added nothing to the story. Oliver and Felicity bought again collectively a couple of season later, and so they had the identical communication points as earlier than.
5
The Flash season 6, episode 18, “Coronary heart of the Matter: Half Two”
The Flash wasn’t all the time top-notch, however most scenes have some redeeming qualities. Nevertheless, the lightning bolt lightsaber scene in “Coronary heart of the Matter: Half Two” is an exception to this assertion. It was cringey. The CGI seemed horrible. The dialogue was poorly written. I completely love Star Wars, however this homage introduced me zero pleasure.
The lightning bolt scene is hands-down the worst factor that The Flash has ever carried out, and it’s dangerous sufficient to overshadow something redeeming within the episode. Even Grant Gustin hated this scene of The Flash and tried to get it modified.
In the end, the one scene is so dangerous that “Coronary heart of the Matter: Half Two” ranks as one of many hardest Arrowverse episodes to rewatch at the moment.
4
Batwoman season 2, episode 1, “What Occurred To Kate Kane?”
Forged transitions are tough for even the perfect TV reveals, so it’s no shock that “What Occurred To Kate Kane?” is without doubt one of the worst episodes of Batwoman.
Despite the fact that it’s presupposed to be Ryan Wilder’s introduction, the shadow of Kate Kane is so heavy on this episode that Ryan doesn’t really feel like the primary character. The story focuses on the previous lead. The visuals characteristic a number of homages to Kate’s begin as Batwoman, which shift the main target from Ryan to Kate.
In the end, it’s robust to observe this introductory episode as a result of Ryan Wilder is so unbelievable as a personality later within the second half of season 2 and all through season 3. She actually will get short-changed with “What Occurred To Kate Kane?”
3
Supergirl season 4, episode 11, “Blood Reminiscence”
This episode of Supergirl is difficult to observe for all the perfect and worst causes. “Blood Reminiscence” was already emotionally difficult on the time it got here out as a result of it shone a lightweight on the truth that transphobia can come from probably the most unlikely people. It does an excellent job of conveying that fact, which is a testomony to the writers.
Nevertheless, it feels much more tough to observe at the moment due to the present political local weather. The message feels much more true now than it did earlier than. My coronary heart breaks for Nia as a result of she thought her sister was protected.
Then again, the remainder of the narrative in “Blood Reminiscence” is flawed. The meta-pills felt like a contrived plot level. Alex not figuring out basic particulars about Kara feels unrealistic, even with the thoughts wipe. Plus, Nia’s sister walks out of her mom’s funeral when it’s burning, which feels ridiculous looking back.
2
Legends of Tomorrow season 3, episode 17, “Visitor Starring John Noble”
“Visitor Starring John Noble” was thought-about glorious when it first aired, however it’s tough to observe looking back. I wish to know who accredited a narrative the place a large psychic gorilla goes after Barack Obama. The premise is foolish even for Legends of Tomorrow, which embraces campiness and absurdity.
On high of that, the CGI for Grodd seems worse on this episode than it did in The Flash. The comedy comes throughout as cringey not humorous. The 2 traces that stand out to me are “Run, Barry, Run” and “seems like we’re all on Obamacare.”
The inclusion of Obama additionally felt like an pointless gag. In previous episodes, historic figures have had a great narrative purpose for his or her inclusion. Younger Barack Obama may have been substituted for just about anybody else and had the identical affect.
1
Arrow season 7, episode 13, “Star Metropolis Slayer”
The Arrow episode “Star Metropolis Slayer” is definitely very well written and acted, which makes it tough to incorporate it on this checklist. Nevertheless, the episode serves as the muse for 2 horrible Arrow storylines that proceed all through the remainder of the present.
Firstly, William leaves to reside along with his grandparents in“Star Metropolis Slayer”, and Oliver and Felicity don’t communicate to him for many years. Whereas I’m detached as to whether he lives with Oliver or his grandparents, the shortage of contact is out of character and merciless. Secondly, that is the episode the place Felicity finds out she is pregnant.
Emily Bett Rickards mentioned earlier than season 7 got here out that she did not need an Olicity child this season (through Comicbook).
Like Felicity, Mia isn’t a personality from the DC comics, and he or she actually wasn’t vital. Oliver and Felicity’s child made the William scenario extra merciless. They left Star Metropolis for a child however not him. Plus, Mia’s introduction led to an unresolved storyline through which William will get kidnapped. In the end, I want I may reduce the ending as a result of it makes “Star Metropolis Slayer” too tough to observe.
- Created by
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Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, Phil Klemmer, Geoff Johns
- First Episode Air Date
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October 10, 2012
- Newest Episode
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2023-05-24
- Forged
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Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist, Caity Lotz, Cress Williams, Ruby Rose, Javicia Leslie
