"Crisis on Infinite Earths" Part 4 and 5 needs to answer these 10 questions
It's the most ambitious crossover in DC history. And we have a lot of questions.
Just like that, fans of the Arrowverse have hit the halfway point for “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” With three episodes down, only two are left to air, and won’t until January 14, 2020. This means we’ve got a little over a month to mull over the ripples of what went down in parts one, two and three.
That’s fine, because we’ve got infinite questions about “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” But because we’re not cruel, here are just 10 of those questions we have that “Crisis” Parts 4 and 5 will hopefully answer.
Warning: Spoilers for “Crisis on Infinite Earths” parts 1-3 ahead.
10. I’m still not clear on Earth-16.
One of the weirdest choices in “Crisis on Infinite Earths” was to revisit 2046, a future dystopia where the Green Arrow grew old and alone. This timeline was first shown in an episode of Legends of Tomorrow Season 1. However, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” visited a 2046 of a different Earth, meaning it’s a different future dystopia where the Green Arrow is old and alone. I think.
I’m honestly not clear what purpose Earth-16 meant to serve, or what its circumstances are. Is Green Arrow the only hero alive? Are there no other Legends? (Probably not if its universe’s Sara Lance died on Lian Yu.)
Narratively, I guess it’s a beat for Caity Lotz’s Sara to have with Oliver (at least, an Oliver who is alive and breathing). With Arrow coming to an end, there’s not a lot of time left for Sara and Oliver to put a bow on the time they spent together. Despite being close years ago, these characters have hardly exchanged more than two minutes amidst these crossovers.
But it’s just never quite clear what Earth-16 is or how it exists, and why Jon Kent landed in the year 2046. It may just be an Easter egg to Season 1 of Legends of Tomorrow, but this is one of those times it’s more trouble than its worth to figure out its place.
Hey, where are these guys?
9. Where are the other Legends? And Gary?
Sara Lance said she promised her team wouldn’t get involved in any more crossovers. But, come on. This is a crisis on goddamn infinite goddamn Earths! The heroes of the crossover absolutely need the other Legends. We’re sorely missing Nate, Nora Darkh, Gary, Mick (Earth-74 Mick doesn’t count), and the others. The sooner the Legends can join the fun, the better.
It was great to see Jefferson Pierce join the crossover, but is that it for him?
8. Is that it for Black Lightning?
The Monitor keeps saying that everyone serves a purpose. Cress Williams’ Black Lightning was brought in to stabilize the Anti-Monitor’s anti-matter device while the two Flashes (of Earth-1 and Earth-90) figured out a new plan, which ultimately ended with the Flash of Earth-90 sacrificing himself.
Black Lightning followed Flash, Killer Frost, and Vibe back to the Waverider and got an introduction (including a moment with the two Supermen, because in case you didn’t know, Freeland is a suburb of Metropolis). But his presence ended as the rest of the multiverse vanished. When things are restored, will Black Lightning stand with the rest of the heroes? Or was that it for the one CW crossover that actually seemed impossible?
7. Will Ryan Choi officially replace Ray Palmer as The Atom?
With Brandon Routh in his final season of Legends of Tomorrow, it’s guaranteed that Ryan Choi will take over as the new Atom. But will it happen in “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” or is the baton pass being saved for the rest of Legends of Tomorrow Season 5?
Lucifer (Tom Ellis) is now canon to the Arrowverse. But did a weapon from 'Legends of Tomorrow' confirm that Jesus Christ is too?
6. So, Jesus and Satan are canon to the Arrowverse now?
“Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 3” had a very amusing, and very surprising, crossover with the Fox/Netflix show Lucifer. What’s killer is that in Season 2 of Legends of Tomorrow, a key plot device was the Spear of Destiny — the spear that pierced Jesus’ rib at his crucifixion.
I just want to point out that the Arrowverse considers the existence of both Jesus Christ and Lucifer Morningstar canon. Pretty miraculous.
Routh, as Clark Kent, in "Crisis on Infinite Earths."
5. What happened to Earth-96 Superman?
As the cliffhanger ending revealed, Lex Luthor of Earth-38 (so Jon Cryer’s Luthor of Supergirl) made himself a Paragon by “writing over” Earth-96 Superman’s name with his, thereby “erasing” the Man of Steel out.
But is Brandon Routh’s Superman dead? Or is he just tagged out like tag team pro wrestling? Exactly what are the circumstances of Superman’s disappearance, and will he ever (pardon the pun) return?
Stephen Lobo debuted as Jim Corrigan, a.k.a. the Spectre, in "Crisis on Infinite Earths."
4. Is Oliver Queen the Spectre now?
An unexpected character introduced in “Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 3” was Jim Corrigan, played by Stephen Lobo. A former cop who is murdered in cold blood, Jim is brought back to Earth by “The Voice” to fight evil.
On Purgatory, Jim Corrigan abruptly introduces himself to Oliver Queen, and seemingly passes on his powers as the ghostly Spectre to the former (?) Green Arrow. It seems a given that Oliver Queen has a new superhero identity, but how will he use those powers? And just how can it help the good guys against the Anti-Monitor’s current advantage over the multiverse?
It's honestly amazing how Constantine has survived into the Arrowverse despite his show lasting just one season on NBC nearly five years ago.
3. What did Constantine do to Maze for Lucifer?
As hinted at in their talked-about scene, Constantine has a history with Lucifer that, in the current timeline of Lucifer, has either yet to happen or happened in the past. It involves “Maze,” a character precious to Lucifer, and whatever it was that Constantine did, it means Lucifer owes him a favor (which Constantine cashed in to help Mia and Diggle find Oliver in purgatory). Should there be an explanation, Constantine could very well appear in an upcoming episode of Lucifer in our near future.
2. Just what is it that the Paragons will do?
You can go ahead and assemble a bunch of superheroes and call them Paragons, but what actually makes them Paragons? Being “pure of will” ain’t enough. Will the Paragons work together to build a weapon? Are the Paragons qualified for a very specific mission? Are the Paragons going to get Lantern rings? (Wait a second…)
Just what purpose the Paragons will serve, especially now that the multiverse is gone, is arguably the biggest question going into the last two episodes.
1. What other crossovers are in store?
The DCEU? Syfy’s Krypton? Adrianne Palicki’s canceled Wonder Woman pilot? The cheesy 1997 Justice League of America special? I just want to know what else awaits in “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” because I truly can’t get enough.
“Crisis on Infinite Earths” will conclude on January 14, 2020 on The CW.
