The two-part Flash vs. Arrow showdown not only set a ratings record for Arrow in its 54th episode but also proved that the mini-DC universe created between the two shows can be as compelling as the grand multi-film Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the success of this crossover, it’s clear that there will be more in the future, but how many?
How Often Should Crossovers Happen?
The running theory is that there will be at least one crossover per season, as seems to be the rule with other CW shows like The Originals/The Vampire Diaries. However, I believe that’s not enough. With two episodes out of forty plus per year for both shows, that’s only 5% of the season devoted to a Flash/Arrow team-up. The way shows are currently split into two half-seasons because of winter break brings the opportunity to double that.
With two crossovers a year, that would give fans the dose of Oliver/Barry combo they want, yet it wouldn’t overload the season with crossover content to the point where it’s no longer a special event. Then that would be 10% of the year devoted to team-ups, while the other 90% can allow the show to exist as normal and pursue its own plotlines. Though again, those could be woven into crossovers as well, like what we’ve seen here.
Future Crossovers: What to Expect
Future crossovers can’t play out exactly like the one we just saw. I think the “vs.” part of the equation will have to be dropped, as there simply isn’t going to be a reason for Arrow to outright fight The Flash every time. The same goes for setting one episode in Starling and one in Central City, as sometimes both episodes will have to probably pick one or the other, or a third neutral location (Oliver’s Island? Metropolis? Gotham?).
Still, I think all of this is very doable, and will yield some great episodes.
Character Swaps and the Expansion of the DC TV Universe
But past future Arrow/Flash team-ups, I really look forward to seeing the show swap characters more. Felicity has already jumped over between shows ahead of this fully-fledged crossover, and the banter we saw between all the team members this week was the highlight of the episode. I’d love to see Cisco come back to Starling even by himself, or have Oliver send Roy to Central where maybe he strikes up a little thing with Caitlin. Villains could make the jump too (and already have with Tockman), and I really think DC has hit a home run here with this little mini-universe. Add in the coming Supergirl show, get Wonder Woman off the ground at long last, and this is going to be the most compelling web of shows on TV. There’s just nothing else like it, other than perhaps Marvel’s upcoming four-pronged Netflix series plan.
Arrow and The Flash may be two of the best shows on TV right now separately, but together, there isn’t much that can match them in terms of pure entertainment value. I’m glad their combination was such a success, and I already can’t wait until the next time we see them together. If my predictions are correct, we won’t have to wait an entire year for that to happen.
What do you think? How often should Arrow and The Flash cross over into each other’s shows?
[Photos via CW]
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