Flash and Supergirl Crossover Review

Let’s talk about musicals. Specifically, when a T.V. series decides that they have enough decent singers on their show to pull off a musical episode. These episodes are not your average episodes so episodes on shows like “Glee” or “Smash” don’t really count as musical episodes rather they are a musical series. Some of the more successful musical episodes have been “Psych the Musical” from “Psych,” “Song Beneath the Song” from “Grey’s Anatomy”, and of course “Once More with Feeling” from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.  Usually the stories of the episodes follow one of two paths. The story is either completely comical with a little serious characterization here and there like in the “Psych” episode or it’s a serious episode with a few humorous moments thrown in due to the comedic situation such as the episodes for “Grey’s Anatomy” and Buffy. Yet in one of the most bizarre ways possible the musical crossover episode between “Flash” and “Supergirl” entitled “Duet” attempts to do both.

The story follows Flash and Supergirl being trapped in a sort of a dream dimension by the Music Miester, played by fellow “Glee” cast member Daren Criss. The Music Miester wants to teach our two superheroes a lesson about love by having them play out a little musical for him. Both Flash and Supergirl have been having relationship struggles and the Music Miester intends for them to work through these issues…in a 1920s-night club…with alternate versions of their friends and family…what? And this is where the story starts to really lose me. You have these large casts of characters who can sing and you limit them inside a sort of dream… trying to help our two characters solve their love life with the help of our not-really villain. Personally, I just don’t think it flows as well as they would like.

The original songs were well written, including a very comical “Superfriends” and an emotional finale “Running Home to You”. The cast performed both vocally and physically well with wonderful melodies and fun choreography and the visuals were very creative. However, if you lack a cohesive story in this type of episode, it can make the episode hard to swallow. (I will probably post a theory later as to what I think could have worked for the episode later.)

Overall though, my impression of the episode was fun. The cast and crew clearly had fun while working on the episode and I had fun watching it and I get the impression that many others did too. My favorite song would have to be the “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” number with Jeremy Jordon, Carlos Valdes, Darren Criss, and John Barrowman.

 The song was filled with so much energy that even the Flash couldn’t help but move to the groove. The story was a little clunky but it was enjoyable and a good way to show off a musically talented cast.

For now though, I'm going to watch the guys of "Flash" do their acappella cover of the "Firefly" theme song about 20 more times.#TheStruggleIsREEL!