DC TV Roundup: White Martians Cause Trouble, Kid Flash Comes Into His Own

While Marvel and DC battle to see who wins at the box office, it’s virtually inarguable that it's the latter who dominates the small screen. Now having taken over four nights of the week when it comes to prime time programming, serialized superhero storytelling has swiftly become a cornerstone in the lives of many a geek these days. And who could blame any of us? Twenty-some episodes afford more character development and make room for introductions of heroes and villains that you would never be able to see in a two-hour movie. Multiply those possibilities due to a handful of these shows now existing and we’re being treated to a Golden Age of Superhero TV that we hope doesn’t end any time soon. Given that, we've established this column with the intent to recap the most memorable moments in DC TV each week, analyzing all the unforgettable developments to occur on Gotham, Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, provided a new episode airs. Check it all out on the next page and be sure to comment down below letting us know what your favorite moment was this week from DC's TV universe. 4) Christmas In February Hats off to DC’s Legends of Tomorrow for airing one of the most belated holiday themed episodes I can recall. Believe me, this was no mistake as everyone in those production offices know exactly which episode will function as a midseason finale and this one was obviously further ahead on the schedule. But when your show features a ship that's often flying around outside the timestream, I guess you're free to celebrate Christmas whenever you want. Anyway, the Waverider crew’s trip back to colonial America was not without incident and, as much as I’ve grown tired of Bill and Ted style team-ups with historical figures (this time with George Washington), the plot thread involving evil Rip Hunter is at least turning out to be quite intriguing. Although, I must admit that I keep watching the clock hoping for the Reverse Flash to show up again. Hey, Eobard Thawne is really making this show for me lately. Perhaps it was largely due in part to some witty writing, but the cast’s chemistry was especially great in “Turncoat.” Seeing them forced to rely on their ingenuity after Hunter triggered an EMP and stripped them of their technology for much of the episode really opened new doors for these characters. I can only hope that the rest of the season flows just as well. 3) Arrow Begins Although “Bratva” wasn’t close to being my favorite episode of Arrow this season, it certainly wasn’t one to be dismissed. As you can guess, it dealt heavily with Oliver Queen’s history with the Russian mafia and let it collide with the present. In short, Team Arrow 2.0 – complete with new Black Canary, Dinah Drake – traveled to Russia in search of the crooked General Walker, who has been brokering the dirtiest of deals. While there, they got wrapped up in some serious international intrigue that felt a bit too big for the britches of a show about street level vigilantes. At least we got to see that Ragman’s costume can contain a nuclear blast even though its power was rendered useless thereafter. But, hey, Joe Dinicol is contracted for only so many episodes and we need a storyline excuse for him to be gone until later in the season. The flashbacks, which were also tied to the Bratva, focused heavily on Oliver’s training with Talia and his transitioning to becoming a vigilante. I’m looking forward to seeing when exactly she teaches him more about her relationship with her father, Ra’s al Ghul, and why she wasn’t around during any of the business involving the League of Assassins spanning seasons 2-4. 2) A Winn-Winn Situation Is it just me or is Supergirl reaching a new level of awesomeness as it turns into a live action equivalent of Superman: The Animated Series? Now, some may argue that the focus is taken off Kara perhaps a bit much at times and, while I can respect the position of anyone making such a claim, I can’t really complain since J’onn J’onzz/The Martian Manhunter is probably my favorite character on the show. No matter how you feel, an episode like “The Martian Chronicles” had to happen sooner or later in order for his and M’Gann’s situation with the White Martians to be wrapped up neatly, lest it be clumsily done in a B-plot during a Kara focused episode. In the process, we got an edge of your seat thrill ride that saw the DEO in lockdown as the heroes had to root out two shapeshifting invaders. Heck, even Winn got his time to shine. It’s kind of funny that things left off with M’Gann going back to Mars in order to have Sharon Leal make a storyline exit. Seeing as how we just discussed a similar situation happening over on Arrow, I can only assume that certain other guest stars (Lillian Luthor?) will be making more appearances in the coming weeks. 1) My Plague While Clive Yorkin – a villain who can decompose anything with but a simple touch – was certainly one of the most dangerous threats the S.T.A.R. Labs crew have faced to date, the Barry Allen-Wally West dynamic is what stole the show this week, at least in my opinion. Although Wally has been running around in his Kid Flash costume for several weeks, I felt “Untouchable” was when he truly came into his own. Not only is he showing he has what it takes to be a hero, but his handling of his powers is also coming along thanks to the tutelage from his mentor. Speaking of which, I like how their relationship is being fleshed out more than Oliver Queen and Roy Harper’s was over on Arrow. In my view, that never had the chance to be as fully explored as it should have before Colton Haynes departed the show. And, from what we’ve seen so far, The Flash will succeed in that area.