Photo Credit: FOX
The Hero Report has a solid week after the return of many shows from an Olympic hiatus.
However, the Arrowverse is still struggling to maintain viewership with each week with the quality dipping almost every new episode. While the CW has hit a bit of a roadblock, FOX has been having an upswing in entertaining seasons. Gotham is back, and proving why the campy prequel series has remained a fan-favorite, and Lucifer continues to be a surprise.
Photo Credit: The CW
Legends of Tomorrow
Quite a lot happens in this week’s Legends of Tomorrow, and it is proving once again that it’s the best Arrowverse show currently on the air. Kid Flash has his first real episode, immediately forming a fun bromance with the former captain, Rip Hunter. It’s actually a smart way to introduce the character to the cast and it shows just how much potential he has aboard the Waverider after remaining sidelined for most of The Flash.
The Darhks’ has been a bit of a letdown in this season, but the rest of the cast remains stronger than ever. Of course, what most fans are talking about from “The Curse of the Earth Totem” is Ava and Sara’s new relationship. An exciting development for the series, it will be interesting to see how exactly their characters will be affected by the dangers that come with dating one another.
Hero Report Grade: B+
Photo Credit: FOX
Lucifer
Unlike the CW series that have gotten increasingly dark, FOX’s slate of superhero shows has embraced their fun sides with every season. Lucifer thrives this week with another entertaining episode. “High School Poppycock” that has the team go undercover at a high school reunion.
Lauren German shines, getting the chance to play dorky Chloe, who gets caught up in the book series, Class of 3001. While she’s wrapped up in the series, Lucifer is forced to actually step up and be the “adult” in their partnership, which is always fun to see.
Ultimately, it’s an episode that feels like a check-in for viewers who need a reminder about what has happened this season and where the storyline is going but still manages to be entertaining.
Hero Report Grade: B+
Photo Credit: The CW
Flash
It seems like the two flagship Arroverse shows are struggling to find a captivating season-long storyline.
The Flash started out this season on a relatively high note, with the return of the light-hearted humor from the first season. However, the DeVoe storyline has gotten more and more frustrating as the show tries to find a way to make craft him into a terrifying villain.
“Subject 9” gets a little bit better by trying to flesh out DeVoe as more than just a smart man on a floating chair, but it feels like it’s too late in the season for it to have any substantial impact. Hopefully, all of the Arrowverse shows will learn from the mistakes this year because almost all of them are suffering from the same problems.
Hero Report Grade: C+
Photo Credit: The CW
Black Lightning
The only part of “Three Sevens: The Book of Thunder” that doesn’t work is everyone’s reluctance to let Jefferson kill Tobias out of justice for his own father’s murder. Why are Gambi and Lynn so convinced that the man they love will “lose his soul” over the decision?
It’s clear that most of the cops, including the police chief, are in Tobias’ pocket and Jefferson would be getting rid of an extremely dangerous criminal. While this section of the episode isn’t great, everything else remains pretty intriguing.
Gambi’s association to Tobias deepens this week when he ends up visiting Lady Eve to remind her she promised to leave the Pierce family alone. Just how involved was he in the city’s criminal underground? One thing is for sure, his relationship with Jefferson is going to be severely damaged when the latter discovers his connection.
Meanwhile, Anissa’s powers are out in the open now after an exhilarating fight scene between her and her father. It’s just one less secret that Black Lightning needs to keep in line.
Hero Report Grade: B-
Photo Credit: The CW
Arrow
Even with low expectations heading into “Collision Course,” the episode still managed to be incredibly disappointing. Promised to be a fight between OTA and NTA, it’s hard to think of any viewers who were actually rooting for the latter to succeed.
With every episode this season it feels as though Arrow presents another reason why the new team members should be dropped in order to focus on the original cast. If next year really is the final season, it’s time to get back to basics with the people who really matter.
Based on the forced Black Siren redemption arc, it seems like the show is at least setting up the return of Laurel Lance to give the character a proper second chance.
Hero Report Grade: D
Photo Credit: FOX
Gotham
When Gotham announced it would be recasting Poison Ivy for the third time, a collective groan from fans could be heard. However, Peyton List is easily one of the best parts of “A Dark Knight: Pieces of a Broken Mirror,” as a new villain rising within the city. She’s the perfect amount of unhinged — yet in control — and suddenly the Poison Ivy storyline has gotten ten times more interesting.
She isn’t the only one thriving, with the Sirens club flourishing under Tabitha, Barbara, and Selina’s new leadership. However, Gotham is ready to mix up the status quo with Bruce acting like a wealthy brat that no longer cares about his friendship with either Selina or Alfred.
Speaking of Alfred, he has moved into a seedier part of town where he takes on the role of a lonely vigilante trying to save a girl from her abusive boyfriend. Sadly, she ends up dying but it does allow for Alfred to team-up with Bullock to form a partnership that viewers never knew they wanted.
Also, the Riddler makes his murderous return trying to put out a hit on Lee (much to Ed’s dismay), and drama-loving Barbara gleefully tells Jim where to find his former fiancee.
Hero Report Grade: A
Photo Credit: ABC
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns from the break with an incredibly surprising episode, however, it’s hard to decide if the shock value is bold or cruel.
“All the Comforts of Home” has a couple of fun moments, specifically the ones with Deke since the man from the future did indeed survive the trip to the present day. He’s hilariously disgusted by beer and seems to be the comic relief intended for the rest of the season.
However, as much fun as it is to take a break from the bleakness of the first ten episodes, the rest of the episode is a high-stakes problem. New character Ruby (played by Disney Channel star Dove Cameron), is the daughter of Hale and seems to be their greatest weapon. She’s kept in a vaulted room where she idolizes Quake, and it’s unclear how that obsession will play out throughout the rest of the season.
However, the shocking moment is when Yo-Yo ends up losing both arms — something that definitely establishes the risks of these last ten episodes but still feels a little cruel.
Hero Report Grade: B-
The CW was once the reigning champion for superhero shows on cable but ABC and FOX have been getting better with every year. Gotham and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. have notably improved with every season, and it’s exciting to see them return to the Hero Report.
Next: Jessica Jones gets a final round of photos before premiere
Next week, it looks like The Flash and Arrow plan to continue the angst as they drag themselves towards the finish line this season. Hopefully, they take a page from the other series next year and learn to take themselves less seriously.