Barry, Oliver and Kara fight impossible odds to beat Deegan. Who is now Superman. Or is he?

It seems delightfully on the nose that this story about heroes triumphing over impossible odds should manage that itself. Much like the second part, it does a vast amount of things. Let’s list them:

Cements Kara and Alex’s relationship

 Justifies Kara’s decision to not reveal her secret identity

Puts her in place as the lead hero and de facto moral compass of her Earth

Closes out the story in immensely satisfying ways

Superman proposes to Lois.

Oliver says the day thanks to classic literature. Seriously.

Punching, fights, running.

This is a story chock full of fun, meaningful little moments. Barry feeling actual nausea at the thought of putting innocents in peril is flat out adorable. Cisco, gang boss and Jimmy, idiot muscle, are both kind of hilarious and serve the story very well. The constant jokes all feel earned and in place instead of punchlines breaking the pace of the scene. Everything, with one exception (why is Deegan apparently a monster now?), is here for a reason and everything that’s here works a treat. I especially liked the fact that they’ve now set up a year long (presumably) arc about what Oliver swapped out for Kara and Barry’s deaths and whether that will impact on Nora’s future. I suspect the premier vigilante on his Earth has swapped his death for that of his friend’s going full Doctor Faustus to do it. I also have longer ranging theories that Crisis may see one or more of the shows end and at least one pair of casts combined but we’ll see.

But all of that is window dressing. This episode works brilliantly and it does so because this is a Supergirl story and it hinges on her relationships with her family. The scene with Alex in the prison is one of the show’s strongest moments to date and the pride in Kara’s voice when she talks about her sister is really touching. Chyler Leigh and Melissa Benoist are consistently the strongest players in their almost ludicrously strong cast but this really is some of their very best work to date. It also pays off wonderfully with Barry’s ‘Okay, badass in every universe, got it’, moment later on.

Likewise the Superman sequences. Tyler Hoechlin has massive fun as Deegan but it’s his moments as Clark that really land. He exudes fundamental decency and never lets it tip over into arrogance. He also takes a fall like an absolute champ and Clark gets his ass handed to him a lot this week. The fact that then becomes part of the plot is impressive. The fact that same scene addresses the ‘can Lois survive Superman’s baby?’ chestnut in one graceful line is amazing. But it’s Benoist’s reaction when Clark tells Kara that the Earth will be safe with her that stays with you. Just for a second, she crumples and you see the lifetime of suppression and determination and drive that lies under the surface with Kara. She’s more than good enough. One of the people she loves more than anyone else in the world tells her so and she trusts him, and herself, enough to lose it. That’s brilliant writing attached to subtle, smart acting. That’s these shows at their best. Oh and special mention too to Elizabeth Tulloch whose Lois is absolutely top notch. The gentle ribs at Clark, the natural way she calls him ‘Kansas’, the way they’re not just equals but clearly love the fact they’re equals. This relationship is so much fun and I honestly hope we see more of both of them soon.

Next episodes, the toys are back in the box and the Christmas panto season for the CW is over. When we return in the new year it’ll be back to fighting Cicada, stopping Diaz and trying to turn the escalating bigotry of Earth-38 around. All of which, based on the seasons to date, will be great. Just like this ridiculously ambitious and ultimately successful, crossover. Now, give us the Batwoman (and maybe Lois and Clark) show and we’re good to go. 9/10

Alasdair Stuart