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"Legends of Today" Directed by Ralph Hemecker Story by: Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg  Teleplay by: Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing

It’s kind of insane to think about far the DCWverse has both expanded and begun to resemble a superhero comic book universe since the pair of crossover episodes last year. We now have a full blown DC Multiverse and magic as the central conceits for both The Flash and Arrow respectively, this season. Last year’s crossover episodes “Flash vs. Arrow”(Flash 108) and “The Brave and the Bold”(Arrow 308) were self contained episodes that both thematically reaffirmed each heroes place in the world. This season’s crossover event actually feels like a superhero comic book crossover and best of all like a two parter from the old Justice League animated series. The specter of Legends of Tomorrow has loomed over Flash and Arrow since their seasons began. The knowledge that Legends was coming has unavoidably colored audience perceptions as both series do legwork setting up the time traveling team up series. This bit of color is perhaps the best adaptation of the comic book reading experience, readers know far in advance the gist of what’s to come; such as a new spinoff title. So we are trained then to read little things as key forshadowing towards larger things issues.

The biggest bit of legwork comes in “Legends of Today” with the introductions of the Hawkman (Falk Hentschel) and Hawkgirl played by previously introduced Ciara Renée, and immortal Vandal Savage(Casper Crump). Savage who isn’t in a world domineering mood comes to Central City as a vagrant with a coat full of knives intent to hunt Kendra Saunders, the reincarnated spirit of Egyptian priestess Shiera. This begins to push Kendra and the rest of the Team Flash (slightly) over the bridge into Crazy Town as magic comes to the normally science fiction based series. It is this lack that quickly sends Team Flash to intrude (and save) Team Arrow after yet another run in with Damien Dahrk and his ghosts.

“Legends of Today” is almost breathless in its pace, quickly racing through just a ton of plot. But unlike the DC Animated Features, this plot race allows for moments of pause and the joys of crossovers can be had. Seeing these characters interact with one another is still extremely novel and fun. Their brief mixer in Ollie and Felicity’s apartment is wonderful. Where else would we get Cisco bemoaning his inability to codename Thea and talk up his conditioner game, or Speedy wondering if Team Arrow had forgotten to tell her about knowing the Flash? And Barry’s exasperated “come on!” as Malcolm Merlyn just saunters into the Arrow Cave willy nilly. It’s a reminder of the best moments from Age of Ultron, the Party and Farm House sequences.  Better yet “Legends of Today” evokes the Justice League animated series, a series that was expertly plotted but its creators understood how to make the characters sing as they chewed through everything in 22 minute episodes. From a straight plot view “Legends of Today” is a lot but it doesn’t matter because the character beats all work.

At the emotional center of the episode is Cisco and Kendra, with the former getting to pay forward what Dr. Stein did to him in earlier Flash episodes. By helping normalize all this insanity that Kendra has been thrown into. Every day after this one will seem more and more normal he promises her…right before a giant Hawkguy swoops in and kidnaps her. Their relationship wasn’t something that was high on my list of things I enjoy but it more than works in this episode. As plot driven, the threat of Vandal Savage to Kendra, “Legends of Today” is they manage to make her emergence of Hawkgirl something she chooses and not something brought forth by the various men surrounding and protecting her. The middle-ish portion of the episode had a bad habit of back grounding Kendra’s character (and person in the frame) and using her more as plot object for Barry to work out some of his hero issues on. In the end though jumping off that building was her choice a personal moment she only shared with Cisco.

I tend to be more in the bag for the DCWverse costume designer Maya Mani’s use of leather as unifying material to ground and cohere what are outlandish get ups. The overall darker, earthy, tones go a long way in making these outfits work. As with most superhero/comic book outfits made real, still photographs never look all that good. It looks like cosplay because that’s exactly what it is. In motion the Hawks, which with their cowls are easily the most outlandish costume the DCWverse has done, look pretty well. Their digital wings work for the most part, fitting the overall CGI budget of non-Grodd objects.  With smart cinematography and editing the Hawks should be just fine.

Something should be said about Casper Crump as Vandal Savage. Simply, he is delightful as the arch kind of annoyed but amused immortal serial killer. Crump’s Danish accent helps give the character a good foreign and ancient quality.  The best DCWverse villains have been ones that are just a bit arch and outlandish. They have big master plans and emotions. For now Savage’s plan is very simple but will grow much bigger judging from the promos for Legends of Tomorrow and “Legends of Yesterday”. It also helps to have John Barrowman talk up your ferocity with a smirk on his face.

While this may be the big crossover between Flash and Arrow it is still technically an episode of The Flash and they have their own problems to deal with. Bubbling awayin the background, Caitlin and Harry concoct Velocity-6, a drug meant to enhance a speedster’s speed. It’s counterpart in the comics is Velocity-9, which was invented by Vandal Savage himself.