Arrow Season 3 and The Flash Speculation
DC is taking a page from Marvel’s shared cinematic universe with the return of Arrow and the all-new Flash series. With San Diego Comic Con this week, we can expect to have light shed on some of the rampant speculation surrounding these series.
Both the shows’ title characters are already familiar with one another, opening the door for even more of the DC Universe to join in. In season 2, episode 9 of Arrow, “The Scientist” we were introduced to Barry Allen. In the extended trailer for The Flash, Oliver, is seen advising that Barry conceal his identity – showing that clearly some great crossover is already in the works. Will Gorilla Grodd make an appearance in Starling City? Could Slade reemerge in Central City?
While the shows are bound to have many similarities, there’s also likely to be more than a few differences. Among the most stark difference is the tone and setting. Starling City (home to Arrow) is very grim and dark – even during the day. Meanwhile, The Flash‘s Central City is predominantly bright and upbeat. In Arrow, Starling City is very much a character in its own right; a fact that enriches the atmosphere. Arrow’s rich playboy billionaire who’s lived through a hell of his own making will contrast significantly to Barry Allen’s carefree charm. It’s a dichotomy that, rather than working against one another, should complement the respective series when they go head-to-head.
With audiences now used to two seasons of Arrow’s dark vigilante, will The Flash’s brighter tone be able to keep viewers of the former show onboard? Now that we have two established characters sharing a single universe, how will they impact one another? Expect a lot more super science with fantastic elements, “X Elements” as it was referred to in the trailer by Tom Cavanagh (Dr. Harrison Wells) in The Flash. More sensational super-powered storylines are bound to bleed into Arrow.
I personally have high hopes for The Flash, and the continued success and of Arrow. The contrast alone will be enough reason to tune in every week. Let’s hope that the writing and acting will carry it throughout Flash‘s first season and live up to expectations. If this formula proves successful -who knows what else we could see from DC’s massive catalog.
Haven’t checked out Arrow yet? Seasons 1 and Season 2 are waiting for you.
6 Comments
San Diego Comic Con is later this month. Sorry everyone, just noticed that. Sorry!
As a fan of the Arrow since season 1 I have always said that Arrow is the batman TV series we can not legally have. I think they are setting up The Flash to be the Superman counterpart to that Batman.
What I am hoping for going forward is for the “X Element” or metahuman elements to continue to creep into Arrow – It already has with Slade in season 2 and I can see Black Canary coming back with a metahuman Canary Cry sometime in season 3 or in their own Birds of Prey spin-off (As a fan of the 2002 Birds of Prey I am hoping for a remake with Felicity Smoak as Oracle.)
You also described Central City/Starling City in a similar way as people have described Gotham/Metropolis. I think this an intentional choice by the show runners.
I like that The Flash is pushing the meta human aspect. I’m very curious to see if that bleeds over into Arrow. Canary actually having her cry would be very cool, that said the fact the characters are all using technology and cunning with raw human physical ability is for me one of the more fun elements. Keeps it somewhat grounded. Although I’d like to see them let loose with some more DC level ridiculousness.
I absolutely love the series, and am excited for Flash and interested to see how they play out the potential for the Rogues and other related characters. Oddly enough, my nitpicks about Arrow had very little to do with the storylines or characters, but the setting. NERD ALERT! The primary issue is the proximity of certain areas to Star(ling) City. While Bludhaven is typically near Gotham, I suppose I could forgive it being a slummy neighborhood in the “Glades” area. But traditionally (and in the DC Atlas) Starling, being in Northern California is NOT a short train-ride from Central City (or Iron Heights) which is placed a bit north of Kansas City, Missouri. And Belle Reve…well I don’t think I need to get on that. Ok, there I got that out, and now can resume the Hype-itude for the new season/series.
You’re definitely right. I don’t mind the change if locations to be honest. Because like Marvel they are building the DC universe for the silver screen and they are doing it justice which is all most nerds really ask for. I’m for one happy that it is Arrow and not Batman that is the lead character for their tv universe or how it is now. I want more shows to spin into and out of Arrow like The Flash, so long as they are characters we want to see. I’d like to see Booster Gold, Blue Beetle or maybe someone from Justice Leagur Dark to add a bit of a supernatural spin to it.