For eight seasons, The Flash has served as the CW’s tentpole show for the Arrowverse. So it seems only fitting that the network plans to bring season 8 in with a bang.
“Armageddon”
CW has just announced that the season will launch with a five-part special event titled “Armageddon” on November 16. The description is as follows:
A powerful alien threat arrives on Earth under mysterious circumstances and Barry (Grant Gustin), Iris (Candice Patton) and the rest of Team Flash are pushed to their limits in a desperate battle to save the world. But with time running out, and the fate of humanity at stake, Flash and his companions will also need to enlist the help of some old friends if the forces of good are to prevail.
“Armageddon” … will feature numerous special guest appearances from some of our favorite heroes and villains. Team Flash will widen its roster to include Javica Leslie as Batwoman, Brandon Routh as The Atom, Cress Williams as Black Lightning, Chyler Leigh as Sentinel, Kat McNamara as Mia Queen and Osric Chau as Ryan Choi. In addition, Tom Cavanagh and Neal McDonough return as the adversaries we love to hate – Eobard Thawne/Reverse Flash and Damien Darhk.
About the event, Executive Producer Eric Wallace has said:
Simply put, these are going to be some of the most emotional FLASH episodes ever. Plus, there are some truly epic moments and huge surprises that await our fans. And we’re doing them on a scale that’s bigger and bolder than our traditional FLASH episodes. So yes, ARMAGEDDON is a lot more than just another graphic novel storyline. It’s going to be a true event for FLASH and ARROWVERSE fans, old and new. Honestly, I can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve got planned.
Why We’re Excited
Let’s be honest: not every multi-show crossover has been worth the hype. As a fan of The Flash, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” was particularly disappointing. Sometimes the crossovers try to cram a little too much in, so our favorite characters aren’t necessarily given the chance to shine. Even in stories that are ostensibly about them. (Sorry, I may be thinking about “Crisis” again.)
But I have to admit, this announcement has me excited in a way that other crossovers might not. For one thing, it’s not a “typical” crossover. This five-episode event seems like it will be contained entirely on The Flash, so it seems less likely that our favorite Scarlet Speedster will be pushed to the side for other shows.
Also, fans have wanted to see some of these characters interact for a while, so the fact that they might now is particularly exciting. In particular, fans have waxed nostalgic that they would have loved to see Black Lightning interact more with The Flash characters. And ever since Leslie’s Batwoman was introduced, countless fans have wished that Iris would get a chance to meet her. In no small part due to the genuine friendship that appears to exist between the actresses. And, yes, I’ll confess that I’m inordinately excited to get The Atom back, if only for a brief time. I loved Routh in the role (and as Superman in the Crossover I Shall Stop Naming Now, I Promise). He’s just so earnest and endearing, and I’ve felt his absence from DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
Are you excited about the five-part epic event? Sound off in the comments below!
The Flash‘s “Armageddon” event premieres Tuesday, November 16 at 8/7c on The CW.