Earth’s finest heroes gather for the event of the century – Barry and Iris’s wedding!

DCTV decided to do things a little differently this year – rather than a traditional crossover, Crisis on Earth-X is more like a four part movie. In fact, there’s really no way to tell which show you are technically watching each hour – the title cards all say the Crisis on Earth-X rather than a specific show name. The result is a uniquely epic television event like nothing we’ve ever seen before. All of our heroes have intertwined stories throughout the entirety of Crisis, and there is no particular focus on any one team at any time.

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In the first part of the crossover, Team Flash awaits the arrival of Team Arrow, the Legends, and Supergirl (with plus one Alex) for Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris’s (Candice Patton) wedding. We are treated to a very casual gathering between the heroes – Iris, Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker), Felicity, and Kara (Melissa Benoist) get their nails done while Barry and Oliver (Stephen Amell) head to a tux fitting. This leads to girl talk, and guy talk, that all heads in the same direction – Barry and Iris really love each other, and Oliver and Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) should be next down the aisle. When Oliver brings up this idea to Felicity later, she declines his proposal (pretty publicly). She doesn’t want to get married. Meanwhile, Alex (Chyler Leigh) gets little flirty with none other than Sara Lance (Caity Lotz). The two of them get a little drunk together and end up having a one night stand (a first for Alex.)

As if Barry and Iris’s wedding needed more drama, Nazis from Earth-X interrupt the ceremony and the crossover officially begins. With more superpowered heroes than humans in the church, a serious fight ensues. It finally ends when a flying Nazi (who is clearly Earth-X Kara) is injured, and an archer-Nazi (who is clearly Earth-X Oliver) picks her up and retreats. The first part of Crisis ends with the (shocking!) reveal that the Earth-X villains are led by none other than alternate world Eobard Thawne (in Wells body), Oliver, and Kara.

In the spirit of crossing over, we’ve got a very special roundtable this week. We’ve got fans from all four shows here to discuss Crisis on Earth-X. Please welcome our Crossover Roundtable!

Becca (@karadanverss) – Supergirl fan. College Student. 22 years old. LA. Way too attached to some fictional characters.

Raj (@clearheatvision) – Arrow fan, Biomedical Engineer with a knack for fanboyism, especially comic books.

Jessica (@newsflash52) – Lover of all things DC, especially The Flash and Iris WestAllen, and podcast host for Ladies w Gumption.

Olivia (@atjogialove)- Avid tv watcher, bread eater and Melissa Benoist and Supergirl fan

Tere (@tere_clarkson) – Caity Lotz’s number one fan, Lotzers Ambassador, Legends Of Tomorrow’s biggest supporter.

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1. This crossover really does feel like a four part movie. Do you prefer this format, or the more episodic format of last year?

Becca (@karadanverss): I know! I actually prefer this format. The format for last year stressed me out… like the fact that we have to wait for another 24 hours to see a new episode makes me anxious. So I definitely prefer this year’s format. It feels like it flows naturally and it’s just more exciting.

Raj (@clearheatvision): Yes, it totally feels like one continuous 4 hour episode! I like this better than last year where it was really just a 3 part crossover with Supergirl thrown into the mix. I prefer this format because it integrates everyone quite nicely.

Jessica (@newsflash52): I prefer that the crossover flows like a four part movie. It really feels more like one consistent story with all the superheroes integrated. Last year, the Supergirl episode was barely a part of the crossover, and the story felt like one story over four separate, distinct shows, which made it a little choppy and disjointed. This year feels more like a true crossover, one story and one show.

Olivia (@atjogialove):  I like this format a lot better actually. Last year it felt like I wasn’t fully following what was going on because I don’t watch all the shows but this year it felt like a proper crossover that intertwined the stories better.

Tere (@tere_clarkson): This crossover it really does feel like a four part movie. I totally agree with that, and of course, I love this format! It was so freakin’ good!

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2. Tell us about your very favorite character in the entire Arrowverse – why do you love them?

Becca: I have a lot of favorite characters on the Arrowverse so this is a very hard question for me… but I will go for Supergirl without any doubt. I just love the fact that she is a strong independent woman. She is badass. She is generous and compassionate. She is powerful. She is everything. She has grown so much since season 1 and I’m very proud of her. I love everything she stands for and she is the best role model.

Raj: It would have to be Oliver Queen. He started it off back in 2012 and I don’t think there was a plan for a big 4 (soon to be 5 hopefully) show universe on the CW. If Arrow flopped in ratings after falling in the shadow behind Smallville, we would have never had this. Stephen Amell is often criticized by fans for being too stoic and expressionless. I think that is the character and not the actor. Oliver is essentially Bruce Wayne of the CW world. Especially after last night’s Kryptonite Arrow! What I like about him most, especially since last year is that he is the fearless leader for Barry, the Legends, and even earned Kara’s respect after year’s crossover.

Jessica: My favorite character is, hands down, Iris West. I love her spirit, her courage, and her gumption. She was the first person to believe Barry as a child, and she inspires him to be a better man and a better superhero. She’s shown incredible growth over four seasons, from grad student, to journalist, to leader of Team Flash. When people tell her “Iris, no” she says “Iris, yes”, and that fearlessness and determination to fight for the truth and protect her friends is why she’s my fave!

Olivia: Kara is my all time favorite Arrowverse character. I love her heart and I love her humor. But other than Kara I gotta say Iris, she’s such a badass!!

Tere: Everything about Sara Lance/Caity Lotz. Because, she’s one hell of a badass, her character impacted millions of lives on how to fight fears and be badass woman. Besides, she’s a very sweet and kind person in real life! Sara/Caity is my entire world!

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3. Are you enjoying the storyline for your show’s characters?

Becca: To be honest? Nope. The only characters from Supergirl that form a big part on the crossover is Kara and Alex. What about the others? Winn, James, Mon-El and Hank literally showed up for 5 seconds on part 1 and I don’t think we will see them again. I know Winn will show up again but I don’t think it will for much. I really wish the writers would’ve included more Supergirl characters for this crossover. They failed me on that part.

Raj: So far, it was cool that Oliver continues his maturing development, especially in interactions with the other shows, especially Barry. I’ve loved that about Oliver. I don’t know where or how the villain’s story in Season 6 of Arrow is going to proceed and whether it will affect the Crisis, but we’ll have to wait and see!

Jessica: The premise for the crossover is everyone coming into town to celebrate Barry and Iris’ wedding so I’m ecstatic! Lol I loved all the pre-wedding activities as well. The girls trip to the nail salon brought some much needed female bonding in the Arrowverse, and I hope they continue at least alluding to and building on these friendships across all the shows even after the crossover. Barry and Oliver’s talk as they got fitted for tuxes was very sentimental and brought their whole relationship full circle from S1 when Oliver lamented that “Guys like us, don’t get the girl”. It was nice to see the mentee become the mentor, and for Barry to tell Oliver he can “get the girl” of his dreams too. Oh, and Barry typed out 38 pages, single spaced, of his wedding vows?! Shook! Joe’s speech at the rehearsal dinner was so moving, and it was just nice see all the heroes being brought together and interacting for something happy rather than an emergency crisis. The only thing that was disappointing, of course, was the Nazi element. Story wise, there didn’t really seem to be an obvious reason why they would come to this Earth and invade WestAllen’s wedding. In general there was way too much Nazi imagery that just made me feel uncomfortable. Especially considering today’s current climate, seeing some of our heroes in this way is very jarring and unnatural. I think the writers could have found or created a fictional world and villains just as menacing as Nazis without them actually being Nazis.

Olivia: Yes! I love seeing all the characters from the different shows interact and I like seeing Kara and Alex in a different setting with new people.

Tere: I’ve totally enjoyed the storyline of my show’s character, no doubt about that!

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4. What was the best moment in the crossover’s first episode?

Becca: Gosh. I loved the first part of the crossover so– again– this question is hard. Meanwhile, I hate the Nazi villians storyline and I do think any other type of villian would’ve been okay instead of using Nazis– the effects, the fights, the wedding storyline were fun and entertaining. But using real and messed up stuff just for shock value, was not okay… I think the best moment in this part was when Earth-X Kara, Oliver and Prometheus attacked the wedding and all the gang started fighting back. Everything was so badass and amazing. I also loved when Caitlin changed into Killer Frost and starting fighting with them. Killer Frost may be a villain but look at her fighting with them!

Raj: The wedding rehearsal was so fun! All characters from the 4 different shows interacting was very cool to see and them catching up with another. It was awesome to see everyone coming together for Barry. Filming that must have been fun because I can imagine the actors just talking normally to each other in the background scenes.

Jessica: I really enjoyed what we got of the wedding, but especially a little moment before it starts when a very adorable and excited caterer approaches Barry with some advice about his big day. I’m betting all my money that Barry just met his future daughter, Dawn (Nora) Allen. The actress, Jessica Parker Kennedy, did an amazing job. Dawn was just as adorably awkward as Barry, but also had Iris’ sweet reassuring personality. It just made the whole wedding that much more special for me as the audience to know something that Barry didn’t. Also, I have to give props to Wally West during the church fight scene. I had missed him so much since he left for Blue Valley, so it was great to watch him fight and see just how much he’s improved while he was away.

Olivia: As someone who’s been wanting to see Kara and Iris interact for a while those were some of my favorite moments, as well as Kara singing- being someone who followed Melissa from Glee, I loved that.

Tere: My best moment in the crossover’s first episode was Sara and Alex met. That was freakin’ great!

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5.  How do you feel about Alex and Sara?

Becca: Lol. We already knew Alex and Sara were going to happen because of the spoilers so I wasn’t surprised really. But I mean… I didn’t hate it either. I just thought it was funny. The whole Alex’s reaction after it happened was HILARIOUS. I just love both Alex and Sara. They are both badass. They are both queens. So… I just think it was funny to see them together. I’m pretty sure they will have a more serious conversation about what happened later. Can’t wait to see that!

Raj: As a guy, I bluntly thought it was pretty hot. Both Sara and Alex haven’t had their recent share happiness and so for them to find each other over shots of whiskey which led to a one night stand was great and natural. I wonder if the show writers would ever be bold enough for the Legends to travel to Earth 38 or whether Sara would find the Alex on Earth 1.

Jessica: I think Alex and Sara make a great duo actually, and they work on a couple different levels. Alex had this beautiful coming out story, and her first relationship turned seriously very quickly. I was so afraid that, after her break up with Maggie, Alex would think she lost her one shot at love and shut herself off from ever trying again. So I thought her chance fling with Sara, who has a casual “no strings attached” attitude, provided a great, no pressure situation, for Alex to fumble through and start to try to figure out who she is post-Maggie. As fighters, they work extremely well together. There’s an unspoken respect between them when they’re fighting together against Prometheus (Tommy). I hope we continue to see more of them together as partners, if not necessarily lovers.

Olivia: I have to say I thought they were cute. I loved sanvers but I also know Alex has every right to move on. Sara is awesome and I think she and Alex fit well. And the scene outside the church was hilarious to me.

Tere: I totally ship Sara and Alex and as we named them #Agentcanary, they are damn so good! Knowing the fact that I’m Sara/Caity’s biggest fan so whoever make her happy I will definitely support her.

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6. Barry and Iris’s wedding was beautiful, right? How long do you think it’ll take them to officially tie the knot? Will it be during the crossover?

Becca: It was! I almost teared up seeing Barry all emotional when he saw Iris walking down the aisle. It was a very beautiful wedding! Sad it didn’t end well… But I’m 100% Barry and Iris will get married at the end of the crossover! So I’m really not worried about that.

Raj: I would guess it to be at the end of the crossover where they just say I do in front of everyone and Barry puts the ring on her and she on him.

Jessica: So beautiful! Even though we’re only in S4 of the Flash, Barry and Iris’ wedding has been 15+ years in the making. From the church set built specially for the wedding, to the red and yellow flowers, to Kara singing Running Home to You as Iris walks down the aisle in her beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown, you can tell a lot of love and attention went into this wedding. I don’t think fans will have to wait long for Barry and Iris to make it official. As soon as the Earth X threat is taken care of, he’s looking for the nearest courthouse or officiant to complete the ceremony! We started the crossover with a wedding, so I think it’s only right that the crossover end with a wedding.

Olivia: I have a feeling we’ll see them actually tie the knot in one of tomorrow’s episodes!

Tere: The wedding was so beautiful. I’m loving it! And I would say they should tie the knot during the crossover. That’ll be epic thing to look forward to!

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7. In the final moments of the episode, we see that it is Earth-X Kara and Oliver attacking the wedding. Do you think it’s plausible that a person can be changed that much by their environment – that a character can be a hero on one earth and a Nazi on another?

Becca: Uh, this is an interesting question! I do think it’s possible. Earth-X Kara and Oliver have been surrounded by Nazis… so they’ve learned these bad and disgusting habits from them. Meanwhile, Earth-38 Kara and Earth-1 Oliver have been surrounded by good people and come from families with values and virtues… they’ve learned that too. That is why they’re heroes. They are there to help and give people hope.

Raj: Absolutely. One of the great comic stories in existence is called Red Son. The premise of that comic is what if Superman’s ship landed in Russia instead of Kansas. That whole string of events could be what led to Earth X’s current state! Extrapolate that to Oliver having killed his father while on the boat instead of his father committing suicide, Oliver’s development on Lian Yu would have been on the evil side. So it is absolutely plausible that you could have an evil version of everyone in the multiverse theory.

Jessica: The nature vs nurture argument. In the comics, there’s a storyline where Superman’s pod winds up in the hands of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany instead of Smallville, Kansas, and that drastically changes his life. He becomes Overman instead of Superman, which I think was adapted for Supergirl/Overgirl for the crossover. I do think nurture plays an important part in how people initially shape their view of the world. However, that view doesn’t have to be permanent. At some point people have to either make the choice to challenge their ignorance and grow from it, or they don’t. I guess that’s part of the reason why it’s so jarring to see this version of our heroes, because, you want them to, intrinsically, have the humanity and values that makes them heroes no matter what Earth/nurtured environment they grew up in. It feels weird speculating on it because, to try to find or hope for Overgirl and Dark Arrow’s humanity would mean sympathizing or humanizing  Nazis, and that’s just an absolute No for me. Again, I think the writers should have created a fictional evil empire with no connections to actual real-life atrocities. The fact that they are actual Nazis is just a serious disconnect for me.

Olivia: I do, on some level I think someone’s environment can change how they end up being.  I don’t think anyone it born inherently good or bad. I think the way you’re raised and conditions you grown up in have a lot to do with how you turn out. I don’t think that means bad conditions = bad person but I think it can.

Tere:  Affected by Environment – My answer is definitely, YES, IT’S PLAUSIBLE! Totally different worlds.

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Final Verdict: Crisis on Earth-X is an epic television event, the word ‘crossover’ just doesn’t do it justice

There is no comparison between this year’s crossover with previous years. The CW’s DCTV lineup has always been a bit revolutionary. First by just having a week full of shows set in the same universe. But now, with this four part event, the Arrowverse is once again changing the game. If you’re a superhero fan (or television fan in general) there’s really no better time to be alive. Unless we’re mistaken, there’s never really been anything else like this. The closest thing to compare it to is big screen superhero team ups (ala Avengers and Justice League) but executing this kind of event on television is a whole other ballgame, and it’s as impressive as it is exciting.

We’ve gotta give major props to the writers for this one – seamlessly blending four different television shows is no small task, and they executed it flawlessly.

CRISIS ON EARTH X continues TONIGHT, NOVEMBER 28th at 8/7c on THE CW.