Photo Credit: The CW
Half of the Arrowverse shows have taken a break but Marvel stepped up in this week’s Hero Report.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. pulls off a shocking twist in this episode that will have every jaw-dropping. Meanwhile, DC Comics celebrates a solid slate of shows this week, with everyone performing pretty well.
It’s a major win for the comic book company that will soon face more competition from Marvel in the television landscape.
Legends of Tomorrow
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“Necromancing the Stone” is a fine showcase for Caity Lotz and that’s really enough to save any episode of Legends of Tomorrow. After Mallus takes over her body, she becomes a demonic shape-shifter who takes her team down one-by-one.
Genre television has always had great episodes where the heroes must confront their fears and this is no different. Buffy the Vampire Slayer did it a few times, and it’s done just as effectively here.
For the most part, this is one of the darkest episodes of the season. However, Matt Ryan’s Constantine allows for some comedic breaks in between all of the serious action. His interactions with Ava and Gary provide some of the funniest scenes of the season. It definitely should make viewers even more excited knowing that he’ll be returning full-time next year.
Mick getting to wield the fire totem is another nice touch and promises some interesting story-telling. In the New 52 comic book line, he is able to wield fire from his body, so this could be a step in that direction.
Hero Report Grade: B+
Photo Credit: FOX
Lucifer
Is anyone surprised to discover Pierce is using Chloe? He’s the guy who thinks his brother deserved to die simply for being a “jerk”. “Last Heartbreak” is still enjoyable simply because the Lucifer’s jealousy is entertaining to watch. However, it still feels like a retread of stories already told throughout the show. It’s going to get old quickly watching Lucifer act like a jealous idiot over Chloe and Pierce.
This week’s case is pretty interesting and forces Pierce to join the team. Naturally, Lucifer is upset but Chloe isn’t prepared to coddle him over his insecurities. A serial killer has popped up who is targeting couples and forcing them to eat their wedding rings. Turns out Pierce actually investigated a case like this back in the 1950’s making him the perfect addition.
While they crack the case, it’s ultimately revealed the Pierce/Chloe relationship is a sham so he can get what he wants. It’s unclear but it seems like she’s the key to breaking his curse somehow. In the side plots, Maze has become incredibly unlikeable, and she manages to break poor Trixie this week. Lucifer is really going to have to fix that relationship because it’s too heartbreaking to think this could be the end.
Hero Report Grade: B-
Photo Credit: The CW
Black Lightning
The theme of family is always prevalent in superhero shows but Black Lightning is doing better than others. “The Book of Little Black Lies,” takes a break from the Tobias and LaLa action to focus on the Pierce family. It’s an interesting story-telling decision that ultimately pays off in the end.
Jenn has been competing with Lynn for the least compelling member of the Pierce family simply because they haven’t been a major factor in the plot. However, Jenn is finally thrust into the superhero radar now that she’s become powered.
What could have easily been a retread of origin stories from other shows, Jenn’s frustrations feel very real. She doesn’t want to save the world or to have powers, she just wants to be normal. Her father and sister don’t even realize for a second what a burden this could be on a young girl.
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Part of this is because their alter egos are such a large part of their identities. While Lynn finally has one family member who won’t be suiting up at night to fight crime, it does feel like tragedy is going to strike soon. There have been no costume leaks for Jenn and her reactions in this episode definitely feel like it’s setting her up for a sad ending.
Hero Report Grade: A-
Photo Credit: The CW
Riverdale
Riverdale has had some major missteps this season but none more-so than their treatment of Veronica. If “Primary Colors” intended her to be seen as a tragic character, it failed on almost every front. Veronica has been partnered up with her parents and knowingly making decisions which will negatively impact the town. She’s been lying to her friends and using her family’s power to wield control at school.
During her breakdown to Hermione, it feels as though the viewer is supposed to feel bad for her but it doesn’t come across that way. At this point, Veronica has made so many bad decisions that she needs to face some consequences.
That’s not to say all of the other characters are saints either. Jughead’s hunger strike provides a sweet moment of levity with his father but that’s about it. He’s still intent on being a savior for a group he joined only a few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Betty is just discovering that Chic is a major creep, and ends up moving in with her boyfriend. At least Mary Andrews is back to finally tell Archie to stop acting like a spoiled brat and a Lodge lackey. With the end of season two almost here, it looks like Mary will be taking first place for best Riverdale parent.
The only kid on the show who deserves some real sympathy is Cheryl, who is shipped off to conversion therapy in one of the most unnecessarily tragic plots yet.
Hero Report Grade: B
Photo Credit: FOX
Gotham
So much happens in “A Dark Knight: The Sinking Ship, The Grand Applause,” that a few parts get lost in the mix. For example, Mr. Pen is apparently part of an adult baby fetish group and no one takes the time to question this. Yes, Gotham is a weird show but this is probably the most bizarre scene yet.
Getting to the actual plot, the story works well enough as a cat-and-mouse chase. Sofia has made so many villains during her rise to the top that everyone teams up to take her down. It feels like a cop-out for the Falcone leader to be in a coma after a gunshot to the head but Crystal Reed has been so great that it’s hard to fault the show.
Most fans will probably be talking about the reunion between Penguin and Riddler, but Jim Gordon’s ex-girlfriends are the real stars. Lee is no longer the meek milled doctor, but the one who ends up serving justice to Sofia and Samson.
She isn’t about finding alternatives to violent, instead, she bashes in the latter’s hand with a hammer. Barbara doesn’t want to just gleefully kill Nygma, but it would be too much trouble. She’s become a savvy businesswoman despite the constant headaches that plague her.
Hero Report Grade: B-
Photo Credit: ABC
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
“Devil Complex” is easily the best episode of the season, maybe even the entire show. It pulls off one of the most shocking twists that have been lingering beneath the surface since season two. The promos for Framework Fitz made many assume he would be facing off against his evil counterpart.
However, it turned out that he was simply a manifestation of Fitz’s damaged mind that surfaced to “get things done”. His Fight Club episode may have just ruined his relationship with multiple team members, but none more so than Daisy.
As audience members, it’s easy to forgive Fitz knowing just how damaged his conscious is. He’s had a lingering darkness in him since the Framework, and he’s been known to see “people” who aren’t there like in season two. Yet, the scientist himself doesn’t believe he deserves forgiveness and it’s also easy to understand why.
His actions might have closed the fear dimension but they came at a high cost. Forcing Daisy into surgery to remove her power inhibitors is possibly one of the darkest acts the show has had. Chloe Bennett and Iain de Caestecker are revelations in their scenes here both in top-notch acting.
It’s incredibly painful to watch Daisy beg her friend to stop and even more to see Jemma lose hope in her relationship. Thankfully, Deke gives her a brighter future to hold onto and it gives fans something to look forward to.
Hero Report Grade: A
Next: Constantine: City of Demons behind the scenes video
Next week all of the Arrowverse shows will be back as The CW seasons wind down. Thankfully, Legends of Tomorrow and Black Lightning both look poised to end strong.
The ratings for FOX’s superhero shows have been lower than usual but the network seems confident about bringing them back. Fans should definitely be paying close attention to the renewal news as all of the shows come to a close.