#arrowverse positivity

[asm5129]

Flash thoughts: A New World, Part 1--Reunions

So it's apparently been almost nine months since Khione announced the pregnancy, that went quick XD

Jokes aside, yeah, that one was real solid. Eric Wallace has almost always done well with Thawne, interestingly.

it was real cool to finally have The Day depicted on our screen. This has always been at the heart of Barry's character--he can't let things go, because of his survivors guilt over his mom's death and his dad's imprisonment.

To let him deal with it head-on, having already learned the hard way a few times he simply cannot change it, and being able to spend time with his parents one last time...it was very poetic, very well done.

And I really like that Barry gave Thawne a chance at an out. But Thawne's petty delusions and his rage that came from it couldn't let him take the path out of his pain.

hell, Barry even apologized for "taking the credit" for his so-called heroic moment., something Barry literally called him out for holding onto that tight in season 8 because of just how petty it is, just to give Thawne the best chance at being able to take that out. But he couldn't do it.

And while it was a little odd to have his Mr and Mrs Allen telling a complete stranger he can stay at their home for a night--not to mention with no concern for their son-- I think it does very much speak to why Barry is the kind of hero he is.

I do find it interesting that the final villain of the show is actually the Negative Speed Force itself. That's a really intriguing idea, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes.

I guess a bit of a shorter #FlashThoughts today. just overall, by far one of the better epsidoes this season, and honestly?

I think flash is gonna have a great last few episodes. It should haven been a great last season, especially after last season showed just how great this show could be when the writers prioritize their strengths, but at least it looks like the ending is gonna be pretty cool, cuz this episode shows all the signs of Eric Wallace's better work.

It's an epic Flash event dealing with Thawne and the Negative Speed Force with deep personal and cosmic stakes cutting to the heart of Barry's character by pitting him up against the darkest threats reality can muster.

So we may as well enjoy the ride <3

And hey, at least Grant Gustin isn't a criminal about to be overshadowed in their first headlining feature as The Flash by fanservice. It would be an awful disaster for that to be the case for a Flash actor, don't you think?

[the-feral-gremlin]

the laughing man by st. vincent// arrow 3x12 // ?? By langston hughes // arrow 1x23 // the lover by marguerite duras

[arrow-v-flash-polls]

Thoughout the two shows the reoccurence of particular events happened. You could consider them curses with how badly events turned for the characters. Two of which being never run or be the Mayor of Star(ling) City or you may end up dead before reelection and try not to become the love interest for Caitlin Snow and never be seen again.

Which is these two curses is the superior one?

[afaims100arrowversefavs]

The Spare

[overhatedcharacterspoll]

OVERHATED CHARACTERS POLL: Mon-El (Arrowverse)

Feel free to explain your position in the comments or tags, but any harassment, over-the-top fighting, or personal attacks will result in you being blocked. Do not attack real people, be they fans or creators, over fictional characters.

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

Ranting about the old Netflix Marvel shows:

Looking back at the original NMCU as a whole, while I think the general consensus is that this side of the MCU fell off when “Iron Fist” premiered, I think the real issue is more complicated then that. I think that the Netflix shows started off strong, but couldn’t implement their long-term plans for their side of the universe due to mismanagement/lack of collaboration. Oddly enough, the NMCU sorta reflects the current issues with Phases 4 and 5 of the mainstream MCU.

When you look at the shows overall, it feels like a bunch of creators were given free reign with these characters, and it shows. All of them had their own distinct identity, as well as what audience they were targeting. The problems started occurring when the shows had to start connecting.

I can’t say this for sure, but it really feels like no one was put in a Kevin Feige-like position to direct the overall journey. Instead, it feels like Jeph Loeb and Marvel Television (which was its own thing before being absorbed by Marvel Studios) just sorta mandated that the shows need to have a big crossover event. It made sense, especially since the Arrowverse was pulling this off as an annual thing with their shows. While it sounds good on paper, I feel like none of the teams behind each show were in sync with each other:

1) Daredevil didn’t really find a good way to balance the needs of the show and the needs of the crossover. Rewatch season 2 and you’ll notice that while the Punisher storyline feels more thought-out, the Elektra storyline feels jumbled and incomplete. In fact, the first 4 episodes are focused on Frank, and then all of a sudden, Elektra is pushed into the story. I can’t prove this but it feels like the original idea was to focus on Frank Castle, but then Elektra had to be introduced in order to set up “The Defenders”. Which was premiering the following year.

2) Jessica Jones didn’t even bother building up into “The Defenders”.

3) Neither did “Luke Cage”.

4) Although I have a ton of separate issues with “Iron Fist”, I do feel sorry for the production team. This show had the unfortunate burden of having to introduce its hero while also doing most of the build-up for the crossover. To make matters worse, if you read up on the behind-the-scenes development, you would know that the show was rushed out. Finn Jones was literally learning the fight choreography minutes before filming.

I have this funny feeling that Marvel Television set up the schedule for each show and refused to change it. Given more time, Netflix could’ve made it work. I can easily imagine the Elektra storyline being its own season of “Daredevil”, “Jessica Jones” and “Luke Cage” each having a season focused on the Hand, and “Iron Fist” being given more breathing room to introduce Danny Rand before diving into the crossover.

But let’s say Marvel Television didn’t want to make people wait that long for a crossover. Then they still failed to move the storyline of the shows in a way that could naturally lead into “The Defenders”. You’re telling me Jessica and Luke couldn’t have at least had a 1-2 episode subplot about the Hand? Or that the Daredevil team couldn’t have introduced Frank Castle later on in order to prioritize Elektra, who is arguably the most important character in the crossover? “Iron Fist”, while not a good show, at least tried to lead into the crossover.

(Side note: Just as a reminder, a common problem people had with the NMCU was that each season was too long at 13 episodes and that the shows didn’t have enough story to squeeze in. Jessica and Luke could’ve definitely worked in a 1-2 episode Hand stand-alone subplot to offset these issues)

I don’t mean for this post to take away from any of these shows. I still am fond of the NMCU. But looking back at it, I can’t help but feel that they were mismanaged. Good on their own, but since they had a crossover miniseries set up, there needed to be stronger collaboration between each show. Or, at least move the damn crossover if the shows weren’t ready for one.

[bradshawssugarbaby]

☆ { licking } their neck to make them gasp with arrowverse Clark Kent please and thank you ❤️

oooh yes anon! love this idea 😍🥵

warnings: just a really hot playful makeout session with Clark?

sort of smut? below the cut - minors dni

Clark playfully pushed you onto the bed, careful to be gentle with you. You giggled and held your hands up over your face, shielding yourself from the shower of kisses that Clark was about to give you. He simply grinned, loving the fact that you were giving him a challenge. He sat with his knees on either side of your hips, keeping you in the perfect position for him to kiss every inch of your skin. Propping himself up on his hands, strategically placed on either side of your shoulders, he ducked his head down, lips pressing gently to your cheek as you teasingly turned your head so he’d miss your mouth.

Clark smirked at you, continuing to kiss along your cheek, his lips finding their way to your jawbone. A trail of hot, wet kisses ran up your jaw to your ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down your spin as his lips grazed your earlobe. After this long together, Clark knew your every sensitivity. Every erogenous zone had been discovered, and Clark had each one memorized. He prided himself on it. Half the time you wondered if he got off purely on the fact that he was making you feel good.

“You look so beautiful, have I told you that yet?” Clark whispered, his voice deep and velvety smooth as he spoke.

“You have, but I’m happy to hear it again,” you responded, letting out a soft whine as he took your earlobe between his lips, gently sucking and tugging on the sensitive skin.

“So pretty,” he purred, kissing down your neck with a slowness that made every kiss linger just long enough, “So perfect.”

“Clark,” you let out a strangled laugh as you tried to stifle another moan, the feeling of his lips on your neck driving you wild.

“Mhmm?” He hummed, lips vibrating against your sensitive skin.

Before you had a chance to give him a playful warning about how he his teasing was going to drive you insane, you felt his tongue lick a trail from your collarbone up your neck. A moan escaped your lips, the sensation catching you completely off guard in the best possible way.

“Clark!” you gasped, your eyes flitting over to see him grinning at you, his glasses slightly crooked as he smirked.

“That’s my name, last I checked,” He replied cockily, dipping his head down to kiss your neck again, murmuring into your skin, “What is it, honey?”.

Clark began sucking at the skin where your neck meets your collarbone as if it was becoming his sole mission to cover your body in reminders of him, leaving purple marks from his kiss along the places only you and him would see. You whined at his lips on your skin, arching your back and bucking your hips into the air slightly, pressing your body into his as he hovered over you.

“Clark, so help me, God, if you don’t move your lips further down, I might scream,” you managed to get out, fighting off another moan as he playfully licked over the now red spot he’d been sucking on.

“I think I can make that happen for you, but I’m pretty sure you’ll be screaming whether my mouth goes there or not,” he grinned before pressing his lips back to your skin.

[seiya-starsniper]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💗

I ADORE THIS, thank you anon 💖💖 Gonna be sending this to so many people ahaha. In no particular order, here are my favorites:

Turn the Page (A New Beginning, Another End) - my Dreamling big bang fic! This fic was a monster to wrangle, and I'm SO HAPPY with how it turned out. I'm incredibly behind on my comment replies so this is a good reason to get to them sometime today

and if I get burned, at least we were electrified - I can never leave my very first sandman fanfic out of a list because it still is and probably always will be one of of my favorite fics 💖

A Dream for a Viscount - I never in my life thought I would try to write something regency related, and yet, here this fic is! It was also my first omegaverse fic! I adore this universe and I have a whole thing planned for it, just need to get around to finally writing it all down 😅

Time after time - A non-Sandman fanfic! I wrote this fic in post season 2 Loki daze and I just adore it. I have so many more ideas for Loki fics and the positive reception I got from this is making me really want to go back and write more.

Prologue - A much older fic from the Arrowverse fandom, but one that made such a difference to me when I first posted it to Tumblr back in oh...2016? I'll always love it, honestly.

[negative-speedforce]

Supernatural Fear Inducer for... hm, Cassandra and Jay? (or if there's another OC you had in mind, feel free to write for them instead)

Ooh, this one will be fun!

Prompt: Supernatural Fear Inducer

From: @badthingshappenbingo's challenge

Featuring: My Arrowverse OCs Jay, Cassandra, and Ameerah

Cassandra clenched her handgun in her hands, approaching the woman who was slowly filling a sack with money from the bank vault. "Freeze!"

"You again." The other woman, a known metahuman criminal by the name of Ameerah Carmine, sighed. "I thought I told you to stay out of my way."

"I don't take orders from criminals." Cassandra replied. "Now back away from the vault. Slowly."

"How about... no?" Ameerah whipped around, ducking under Cassandra's gun. She kicked Cassandra's feet out from under her, grabbing the money back. Cassandra shot up to her feet, gritting her teeth.

"Oh, it is so on." With the quick casting of a sigil from muscle memory alone, massive feathered black wings exploded out of Cassandra's back. She took to the air, shooting up like a falcon to the high ceilings of the ornate bank building, then back down into Ameerah's path, clenching her wings close to her back as she slammed the full weight of her body into Ameerah's.

Ameerah stood up, clenching her fists. "Back off, bitch."

"Hand over the money first, and I'll consider letting you go."

"You don't know what I'm capable of." Ameerah snarled.

"Actually, yeah, I do." Cassandra flicked her hand, a portal opening up in the floor beneath Ameerah, shadowy tentacles rising up from within to ensnare her. "That's why I had my little friends make these for me. Keeps you from messing with my emotions." Cassandra gestured to the irridecent sunglasses that she was wearing.

"Is that so?" Ameerah raised an eyebrow, struggling against the tentacles.

"Yeah. It is." Cassandra replied, approaching Ameerah. "Now hand over the cash, and I'll let you go. Deal?"

"No." Ameerah reeled her head back, slamming her skull into Cassandra's face, smashing her sunglasses to bits. Cassandra watched as Ameerah's eye color flicked through the spectrum. "You got overconfident, Agent Stevens. Now watch how that feels to have that confidence ripped away."

Deep, visceral fear welled up in Cassandra's chest. Her eyes went wide as her chest clenched so hard she couldn't breathe. Cassandra tried to push through, but it wasn't enough. She began to hyperventilate, collapsing helplessly to the ground as Ameerah escaped, sack of cash in hand.

She didn't know how long she laid there in the fetal position, but she hoped that someone would come for her. Her wings curled around her like a protective barrier, instinctively putting distance between her body and the world. Tears ran down her cheeks, running her eyeliner and mascara. She wasn't normally like this, was she? She wasn't pathetic, right?

"Hey, hey, it's me." Cassandra felt hands ruffle through the feathers on her wings, but she couldn't tell who it was. The person continued talking. "It's Jay. Your fiance. I need you to breathe with me, okay? In... out... yeah, that's good- in... out..."

Cassandra breathed with Jay, the panic slowly starting to disperse. With a shakily whispered spell, Cassandra managed to make her wings curl back into the slits in her jacket.

"Carmine again?" Jay asked.

"Yeah. She got away."

"I know. That fear attack of hers is a bitch, isn't it?"

Cassandra nodded, rising to her feet, though she still had her arms wrapped around her chest. "Yeah. It is."

"I brought you a makeup wipe." Jay offered, pulling one out of the pack. Cassandra smiled slightly, wiping off the trail of mascara that ran down her cheeks.

"Thanks."

"No problem. I'm just glad you're okay." Jay replied. "Hey, better this than the anger attack, right? Last time she hit one of us with that, Arya had to be sedated for almost a week."

"How could I forget?" Cassandra started to loosen up, laughing weakly. "They tried to bite my leg off."

"Yeah, that was not a good look for them." Jay agreed. "Look, we'll make the glasses out of something sturdier, and next time, we'll catch her, okay? She's not going to get away again."

"Next time." Cassandra agreed.

"But for now, let's go home. I got approval from the higher-ups for you to go home early already, don't worry." Jay said. "You can take a nice bath or something, just to shake off that panic attack."

Cassandra nodded. "Okay. That sounds nice."

"Then, maybe we can cuddle?" Jay offered.

Cassandra smiled. "You're on. As long as you don't steal my blankets again."

[joanthangroff]

once I got a fixed position in this/any company and get used to a schedule. then I will rewatch the entirety of the arrowverse in order

[romancomicsnews]

Who should play Lex Luthor in the DCU?

With the DCU casting its red caped hero last month as David Corenswet in Superman Legacy, the Man of Steel's archenemy feels just around the corner.

While nothing is confirmed, names like Nicholas Hoult, Alexander Skarsgard, and Bill Skarsgard have been rumored for the role.

While I have no problem with any of these actors or these Luthors, I feel we can do better.

So before James Gunn throws out a name that will likely break the internet, I thought I'd pitch my three ideas for The DCU's Lex Luthor. Unlike my last fancast (shameless plug for My Flash Fancast Article), I have one actor who I think truly stands beyond the rest.

But first, as always, let's answer a few questions:

What performances are we looking to emulate?

Much like the Man of Steel himself, Luthor has a number of appearances across DC media, including animation, film, and live action television. So unlike my Flash article, I will not be going through all of them, even the main ones.

While I don't think any performance has been perfect, I think there are several we can draw from to create a better Lex.

I'm going to try to remain positive and only look at performances I appreciate, so instead of dunking on Jesse Eisenberg for 45 minutes, I'll just say quickly: He's doing a real good Mad Hatter in Batman vs Superman.

1. Michael Rosenbaum - Smallville

There's a lot to love from this one.

Unlike most iterations of Luthor in media, Rosenbaum begins the series an ally to Clark, even a friend. Luthor is confident, smart, but has a likeability to him I think we have lost in more recent interpretations. All those aspects should be brought over to the DCU.

We need someone who you could believe the city loves almost as much as Superman.

Rosenbaum also had a physical presence and voice to beat. He projected strength, and felt like someone who could throw hands if he needed to.

Finally, his anger and rage were bubbling just beneath all that. He could snap at a moment's notice, and in those moments is where you see the villain. That's what I want from my Lex, someone who mastered masking his demons.

2. Clancy Brown - Superman the Animated Series, Justice League & Justice League Unlimited

If it wasn't for Rosenbaum, this would be my definitive Lex Luthor.

Clancy Brown has never misunderstood the assignment, as he plays a much more aggressive and fiercer Luthor in the DCAU.

What I love about this Luthor is his ability to become a bigger threat from season to season. Making deals with Darkseid, giving speeches to Amazo, and even fusing with Brainiac, this Luthor could hang and outsmart the best of them.

While he was a little quick to anger in my opinion, this Luthor had that same strength and confidence I absolutely love in Rosenbaum.

Something inbetween these two may make the perfect Luthor.

3. Jon Cryer - Arrowverse

While there is a huge gap between two and three, I think there is a lot to love about Cryer.

While he is harder to take seriously than the other two, he does show off one thing the others don't, the fun of being the richest, smartest person in the room.

Cryer always felt like Luthor was having fun toying with heroes. Only when he dealt with the Girl of Steel did he really go off the rails.

Do I want a performance as hammy or out there as Cryer? Not necessarily, but someone who can do a little comedy may be fun here.

What ethnicity is Lex Luthor?

This one doesn't have a definitive answer.

While in most iterations of the character he appears to be white, in Justice League/Justice League Unlimited, some fans speculate he is a person of color, specifically black.

I have mixed feelings on changing a villain into a person of color, as that can have its own implications, especially when their hero wears Red and Blue.

I do think leaving Lex Luthor as an only white character can take away from the depiction. Luthor sometimes is a self made man, and making him a person of color who clawed his way through oppression only to be seconded by another white man could be an interesting take.

Again my feelings are mixed, but for now I'm going to say either way works.

Any other stipulations?

Yes, a few.

For one, I will not bring back an actor who played him before, so I'm sorry Rosenbaum fans, maybe next time.

My Luthor will be either A) a friend to Superman of the same age or B) a mentor like figure, still a friend though, at least for the first movie. So age range is anywhere between 30-50.

Unlike Superman, Luthor's are usually played by actors with a name. Jesse Eisenberg and Gene Hackman both are heavy hitters, so I will be looking for actors of similar caliber.

I also don't want to go with actors who have been or are known for different superhero roles. That doesn't mean they can't have ever been in a superhero movie (hint hint) but we're not getting Downey Jr.

If they are bald that is a plus, but not necessary.

Again I think these picks all can do it, but I really love my number 1 pick.

3. Jason Bateman

This one will probably take the most convincing but think about it.

Known for his wide ranging work such as Ozark, Arrested Development, Game Night & Air, Bateman is a comedic and dramatic force.

At 54, Bateman is my oldest Luthor, but I think he can emulate better than anyone else on this list the fun of Cryer.

I have a few problems with this casting. While he has a great calming voice, I don't know if it's Luthor. It can be sinister, and it can be friendly, but I don't know how confident it can be.

My other main problem is this Luthor doesn't seem like he can fight. I think this Luthor would feel more like someone who needs the mech suit.

Overall I think this is a fun cast and would be a little unexpected, and a challenge for Bateman. But one I think he could nail.

2. John David Washington

If we want a cool, strong, and same age Luthor to befriend Superman, I think John David Washington slides into this very well. At 38, Washington still looks like a passable 30.

Known for his roles in Tenet and Malcolm and Marie, Washington I think is our best bet at emulating Rosenbaum. The swagger, the look, and the dangerous presence bubbling beneath the surface.

My main problem with casting Washington is always the same, does he fit better elsewhere?

Washington is such a versatile actor, he sometimes feels like a blank slate. Would he better suited for Cyclops? Green Lantern? An older Firestorm? Who is to say.

In any case, I'm sure he'll be casted in one of these sooner or later, but Luthor may be an example of right place, right time for Washington.

1. Sterling K. Brown

Several years ago, I saw an episode of Brooklyn 99, which to this day is my favorite episode, where Jake Peralta and Captain Holt try their absolute best to get this killer to admit his crime or slip up.

He is so intelligent, suave, and calm, that they are unable to break him, until they hit the right nerve, and the bubbling anger boils so hot, he admits everything.

That is Lex Luthor.

And that is Sterling K Brown.

Known for hit shows like This is Us, The People vs OJ Simpson, the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and movies like Black Panther and Waves, Sterling K Brown may be the most underrated actor working today.

Brown has an intensity about him that screams Luthor. He can play likeable and caring like Rosenbaum, he can reach that rage and intensity that Clancy Brown nailed, and have the fun of Jon Cryer.

Brown also has a kindness that reads extremely genuine. You'd get the sense in another world, this Luthor would be a hero.

At 47, he's old enough to be a mentor to Clark, but still feel formidable, especially with his current physical build.

Brown's Luthor I can see as a staple character for the DCU, appearing as an overarching puppet master, leader of villainous teams, tormentor of many heroes, or even uneasy ally when greater threats emerge.

No matter where they take Luthor as a character, Sterling K. Brown is the right pick to menace the DC Universe for years to come.

Thank you for reading! Let me know who you'd like me to fancast next for Marvel or DC!

If you'd like to support me you can:

Follow me at www.facebook.com/romancomicsnews

Follow me on Twitter @diegoleonroman

Follow me on Threads @romanleondiego

Help me pay my student loans by donating!

[asm5129]

Flash Thoughts 9x09--It's My Party and I'll Die if I Want To

Full spoilers ahead!

Tonight was the Return of The CW's Flash, and thus the return of Flash Thoughts! I of course wasn't in town to do Flash Thoughts for the last two episodes so I'm excited to get into this again

So, to get it out of the way

OLIVER QUEEN IS BACK

But how is it handled? Does it do the Godfather of the Arrowverse justice (no pun intended)?

I'd say...Yes. But. the episode is still a bit of a mixed bag. Let's back up a bit.

I think the way they set this story in motion was actually really interesting. Using the weird superaging Barry had to deal with and then got reversed to give Barry a superhero-enforced version of a crisis many people deal with when they hit 30---

Am i using my time on earth wisely?

And to dive into Barry's survival guilt is definitely always an interesting angle to explore. It's fundamental to his entire journey as the Flash.

I genuinely love the kind of meta angle of him being the star, and thus everyone who dies dies for him because he's the most important part of the show

Taking a look at Wally's trauma about being left behind and feeling undervalued and taken advantage of was really interesting too. What we saw tonight was a very similar pain to what we saw all the way back in season 2 when he was first introduced. And honestly, it makes a lot of sense. plus it was interesting to revisit his whole "finding myself" thing that he's been doing for absolutely ages and kinda give a solid reason why it's necessary for kinda the first time haha

it was really cool to get bloodwork back. the CGI monster he turned into was iffy (CW budgets, what can you do), and actually overall I just don't think the VFX for his powers was handled as well as in his original appearance, but I still think he was great.

And Oliver was literally the healthiest he's ever been. It only took him until he died apparently.

Regardless, I actually think this episode handled his return quite well. He's still The Specter (or is it Spectre?) so he can't just pop down to earth any time he likes, but it was established in COIE that even after his death at the hands of the Anti-Monitor and his sacrifice he still existed in some capacity. I think his story from Arrow was used very well to push Barry forward, and their relationship is always really strong and continues to be so.

Oh and of course Ollie's time with dig was beautiful too.

I'll give Eric Wallace this--execution aside, this show has never believed in any benefits of toxic masculinity. It is...genuinely awesome to see men casually and sincerely telling one another "i love you" without an ounce of shame. Oliver and dig saying that to each other in particular was very powerful, because it does show how different Oliver is from where he began.

i know some folks will be pissed about the Green lantern ring thing, and I'll be honest, while i respect what they went for I understand the frustration. It seemed like they were heading in the direction of an exciting payoff to a long held fan theory that slowly became canon, and that would let Dig really transcend Oliver's story. But...I do also get that Dig does not like the cosmic shit. He never has. It would be a little weird for him to go off into space and be a Green Lantern when he's never even stopped puking when Barry uses his super speed.

Anyways, moving on...It's kinda annoying it took three years, but team Flash finally learns about the existence of the new multiverse! Shame we'll never get to see anything done with that though.

Khione gets some confirmation of some of why she is the way she is--specifically, that she is "tuned into the natural order of things". Kinda intriguing, looking forward to seeing where that goes.

Glad we got to dig into the fact that Barry is still mourning Caitlin and Frost too.

In fact, all of this is so interesting, it really ought to have been given more time.

Yeah i think that's my biggest criticism of this episode. It's not so much the content of it, it's that it genuinely feels like this should have been the meat of about half the season and they put it all in one episode.

Especially because this episode played to the strengths that made season 8 so fantastic!

Eric Wallace's Flash has showed multiple times that it's strengths come

A) when it plays with the rest of the Arrowverse in a way that furthers the story of this show

and

B) when it goes really dark and even leans into horror a bit

and the problem is, he's spent most of his run actively leaning away from both. This episode shows just how much of a mistake that is.

Not letting Red Death be Ryan from the Armageddon timeline? Not doing a proper Batwoman/Flash team-up? Not letting Red Death lean into the horror aesthetic her costume easily could have connected her to and instead having those somewhat campy screaming breakdowns and the vibrating camouflage voice? Not letting Red Death lean into the absolutely twisted nature of the comics Red Death?

Eric Wallace's highest points as showrunner were the original Bloodwork story and season 8, especially the Armageddon and Deathstorm arcs (slightly iffy Armageddon finale notwithstanding)

All of these are decisions that lean away from those strengths, and while I'm still enjoying the final season, that's a significant error in judgement on his part.

Anyways. See you next week for more Flash Thoughts on...apparently the return of Matt Letscher's Thawne in a villainous role!

[kitkatt0430]

I am SO curious about Flash- Dollhouse.

Flash - Dollhouse is a fusion fic using the Dollhouse plot with Flash characters (filling out with general Arrowverse characters too) though it will go off in it's own direction over time. If you haven't seen the show Dollhouse, I recommend it as it's pretty interesting sci-fi. The basic premise is that the Dollhouse is where Dolls - augmented humans with their memories and personalities literally in storage - are rented out and imprinted with entirely new identities. Romantic engagements, kidnapping negotiators, a highly competent thief, or even just a friend to play laser tag with - if you can afford the price then you can have whatever you want. Of course, the technology quickly lends itself to some quite terrible abuses and, eventually, an apocalypse that remotely wipes the identities of millions of people across the world. (The ending is a hopeful one, however.)

It's focus is going to be on Iris as Echo. Prior to being made a doll, Iris thought she'd gotten Barry killed with her investigation into the company behind the Dollhouse project, only realizing she was in love with him afterwards. So when she's captured by the Dollhouse and shown he's alive... as a Doll partway through a five year contract, the last of her objections kind of fall apart.

Eddie Thawne gets introduced as Echo/Iris' new handler - a job he's intensely uncomfortable with because he had no idea what the job his uncle - Eobard Thawne and the guy behind the original Dollhouse tech - was giving him. Julian's an FBI agent investigating the Dollhouse from the outside. Cisco works at the Dollhouse as the one who makes the imprints and builds the tech. Moira Queen runs the Dollhouse. And Hunter Zolomon will eventually turn up as Alpha.

“Welcome to the Dollhouse.” Eddie resisted the urge to react. This was… not the job he’d been expecting when his uncle offered him a position at Thawne Corp. He’d been expecting a glorified security officer position that he could sit comfortably in until he found a job he actually wanted. Instead he was sitting in the office of Moira Queen, being read into something he’d always believed was little more than a rumor made up by people who wanted to discredit his uncle’s work. Admittedly, Eddie got it. Eobard Thawne was not an easy man to like and he got more so with every year. Especially now that Eddie was learning the Dollhouse was real. And if Eddie was being given a job there… that meant there was no going back. He should have never said ‘sure’.

[afaims100arrowversefavs]

[overhatedcharacterspoll]

OVERHATED CHARACTERS POLL: Laurel Lance / Black Canary (Arrowverse)

Feel free to explain your position in the comments or tags, but any harassment, over-the-top fighting, or personal attacks will result in you being blocked. Do not attack real people, be they fans or creators, over fictional characters.

[phoenix]

From CBR’s article, “5 Arrowverse Stars Who Can Make the Jump to James Gunn’s DCU”

A later addition to the Supergirl cast, Nicole Maines had the simultaneous honor and unenviable position of playing the first transgender superhero in live-action or animation. Nia Nal, or Dreamer, was an original creation of the show. Having her reprise the role does feel like a no-brainer, yet there's opportunity there for another trans actor to reimagine the character. This is how Batman, Superman and other DC icons became immortal. But this doesn't mean Maines shouldn't be a part of the new DC Universe. Given Dreamer's magically stylized powers, Maines shows she can handle that kind of sci-fi weirdness. So, she'd make a perfect Zatanna.

The popular DC sorceress has shown up in animation but has yet to make the jump into live-action. The way Maines played Nia's story shows that she can balance light and dark, crucial to most interpretations of Zatanna. Maines also proved she can handle character debuts and VFX-heavy stuff, on a broadcast TV schedule no less.