Going into the Arrowverse’s big crossover “Elseworlds,” we were prepared for it to reference The CW’s previous DC show Smallville. We’d already been shown the opening scene, for example, which featured the Superman prequel series’ version of Green Arrow as a neat (if tragic) easter egg. That turned out to be just the tip of the iceberg, though, as part one of the three-night event went above and beyond in pleasing Smallville fans.
After realizing that their identities have been switched and everyone on their earth believes they’re each other, Barry Allen and Oliver Queen travel to Earth-38 to get Supergirl’s help. Specifically, they visit Clark Kent’s hometown of Smallville, Kansas, and as they arrive there, the Smallville theme song blasts onto the soundtrack. For those who don’t know, it’s Remy Zero’s “Save Me,” which has been burned into viewers’ heads after hearing it at the beginning of over 200 episodes for 10 years.
The opening shot of this scene – an airborne sweeping shot of the whole town – is also a replica of the first shot in Smallville‘s credits sequence (specifically, the version used from seasons 5-10). Although, fans may notice that the show’s iconic watertower has been taken down in the years since Smallville ended.
That’s still not all, though, as the location used for the Kent farm was the same one utilized as Tom Welling’s Clark’s home for all ten of the show’s seasons. It was pretty weird seeing Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch’s Clark and Lois by the famous red barn instead of Welling and Erica Durance, though.
The Arrowverse has referenced Smallville in a few minor ways before, of course, but fans have been desperate for something more substantial and the first installment of “Elseworlds” definitely delivered. Next time, Arrow‘s part of the crossover should please Batman lovers instead, as Ruby Rose’s Batwoman makes her debut with the Arrowverse trinity heading to Gotham City.
