The Crisis on Infinite Earths affected Black Lightning last night after Part 2 concluded. The anti-matter wave hit Black Lightning’s (Cress Williams) Earth, killing his family. He disappeared just before the wave hit him. The anti-matter also hit Earth -203. In New Gotham, the Huntress/Helena Kyle (Ashley Scott) runs through the city and calls out to the Oracle for help. It’s too late. Earth-203 and the Birds of Prey are gone.
RELATED: Recap CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS Part 1 and Part 2 Here
The wave rider is flying above Earth-1. The Monitor (LaMonica Garrett) has the team looking for the last three Paragons who can stop the destruction of the Multiverse. So far they have four. Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) is the Paragon of Hope. Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) is the Paragon of Destiny. Kingdom Come Superman (Brandon Routh) is the Paragon of Truth. And Kate Kane/Batwoman (Kate Kane) is the Paragon of Courage. I’m seeing a pattern here.
Barry Allen/The Flash (Grant Gustin) arrives with back up: Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes), Caitlin Snow/Frost (Danielle Panabaker), and Ralph Dibny/The Elongated Man (Hartley Sawyer). Ray Palmer (Routh) is making some modifications to the Paragon detector. He asks for Cisco’s help to get the machine working.
THE NEXT MOVE
Barry says they need to focus on getting everyone to safety. Superman-38 (Tyler Hoechlin) tells him the trajectory of the anti-matter wave will hit Earth-1 last. J’onn J’onzz (David Harewood) arrives. The people of Earth-38 are all accounted for and save on Earth-1. KC Superman and J’onn team up to save as many people in the Multiverse. Lois decides to stay on the ship. They left Jonathan with Mick Rory (Dominic Purcell) from Earth-74. Supergirl wants to stay on the ship to figure out a way to get her world back.
Ray and Cisco get the Paragon Detector working and the last three Paragons are revealed. Barry is the Paragon of Love. Makes sense. J’onn is the Paragon of Honor. Ain’t that the truth. And a mere mortal physics professor, Ryan Choi (Osric Chau) is the Paragon of Humanity. Ray, Ralph and Iris (Candice Patton) leave to find Ryan Choi. Their next priority is how to stop the anti-matter wave.
ABOUT OLIVER…
Leonard (Wentworth Miller), the voice of the ship announces that John Diggle (David Ramsey) has arrived. Diggle is so mad that no one told him what’s been happening. Sara says they are going to purgatory to get Oliver Queen’s (Stephen Amell) soul back. Diggle wants to go too. There is one more thing Sara needs to tell him. Lyla/Harbinger (Audrey Marie Anderson) is missing. She has the ability to transport anywhere, but the Monitor thinks she’s with his adversary, the Anti-Monitor (Garrett)
Cisco doesn’t really like the name the Anti-Monitor, but that’s beside the point. Frost asks what the Anti-Monitor wants. He wants to destroy this Multiverse and replace it with a new one that he can control.
The Monitor says he should have seen the connection between Harbinger and the Anti-Monitor. Diggle wants to find a way to get her back. The Monitor says he can’t rewrite was has been written. He can only save what remains. Kara gets upset and leaves the room. Kate watches her leave and pulls out the disk of Kryptonite.
Sara decided to stay behind, but Diggle knows what to do to get Oliver’s soul back. She wants to watch over Oliver’s body. And promises keep Diggle updated on Harbinger.
GOOD VIBES
Cisco triangulates the anti-matter wave particles on the Earth that are left to locate the source of the wave. It’s hidden in the subterranean region of Central City. He leaves, heading for the cargo bay.
The Monitor stops Cisco to let him know that he has a purpose to serve too. Vibe must live again. Cisco says no. He gave up his powers for a reason. The Monitor says he must answer the call and gives Cisco his Vibe powers back.
Iris and Barry say their goodbyes. It almost seems like it’s the last goodbye. Barry leaves with Cisco and Frost. They are in the tunnels were Nash (Tom Cavanagh) disappeared. They find the door with seven symbols. Nash, now Pariah arrives. He says he’s there to bare witness to tragedy.
VIBING MEMORIES
Pariah tells them of how he followed Mar Novu to kill him, but it was actually the Anti-Monitor luring him to Earth-1. The Anti-Monitor is controlling him so he could get a foothold in this universe. Now Pariah is forced to bare witness as the Anti-Monitor destroys world after world.
Cicso says they will stop the Anti-Monitor but they need to get inside the door. Pariah doesn’t have Nash’s memories, but Vibe can retrieve the memories through him. Cisco grabs Pariah’s arm and sees Nash touching the symbols to open the door.
THE BOOK OF DESTINY
Supergirl tells Lex Luthor (Jon Cryer) about her belief that the Book of Destiny can bring back their Earth. She wants to know how the book works. He says the book channels ancient and endless power. It takes immense will power and focus to make it work. He focused on his hatred for Superman to power the book. Lex says if Kara uses it to bring back the earths, it will drive her mad.
Kate warns Kara about the ripple effect of the book. Kara says she is the Paragon of Hope. It’s her role to find a way to fix everything. They leave Lex in his cell as he thumbs through a new book.
EARTH-666
John Constantine (Matt Ryan), Mia Smoak (Katherine McNamara), and Diggle go to Los Angeles on Earth-666 to meet a guy who can get them into purgatory. His name is Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis). What a pleasant surprise! He flirts with Mia and asks what she desires. She wants her dad back. Lucifer loves girls with daddy issues. And Diggle reminds Lucifer of his brother, tall, dark and annoyed. Lucifer thinks Diggle is cute too!
Constantine tells Lucifer about Oliver’s soul. Turns out that Luci owes Constantine a favor. He hands them a card with the devil on it. They have until the devil fades away to find Oliver or their souls will be trapped in Purgatory for eternity. Lucifer gives Diggle another flirty look before leaving.
The card transports them to Purgatory in the form of Lian Yu. Constantine says the soul chooses it’s prison. And Lian Yu is what Oliver thinks about when he thinks of being trapped. Which is surprising because when Oliver died, his memories were erased. That means Mia and Diggle will have to make Oliver remember them. Lucifer’s card is already fading so they have to act fast.
OLIVER’S TWIST
Oliver jumps out at them, knocking them all down. He grabs Constantine and holds him by the neck. Diggle steps forward and apologizes for not having Oliver’s back during Crisis. But he’s there now and he needs Oliver back. They can’t lose him. Oliver starts to remember Diggle and Mia.
Lucifer’s card is almost completely faded. They start to leave but a strange man stops them. His name is Jim Corrigan (Stephen Lobo) and he’s a Spectre. Corrigan explains that he was once human, a police officer until he was called to a higher purpose. It’s Oliver’s turn. He says only Oliver can light the spark. It’s his destiny to save the universes or everyone he loves will perish.
Oliver turns to Mia and apologizes. He’s going with Corrigan. Mia starts to protest, but Oliver says it’s going to be okay. He looks at Diggle and tells him the same thing. When he turns to face Corrigan, Mia, Diggle and Constantine disappear. The last thing he hears is Mia saying she loves him.
BEHIND DOOR NUMBER ONE
The Flash meets back up with Cisco and Frost and is surprised to see Nash. Cisco tells him that the Anti-Monitor’s domain is behind the door. They can stop the anti-matter wave before it destroys Earth-1. Cisco opens the door and they find a large machine inside. Pariah says the room is the nexus between the anti-matter universe and Earth-1.
There’s something or someone vibrating in front of them. Flash tries to run in to see who or what it is. He sees Barry Allen/The Flash (John Wesley Shipp) from Earth-19 running on a large treadmill.
The last time the saw Flash-19, the Monitor sent him away from the Elseworlds crossover. The Anti-Monitor found him in a Netherverse. He used Flash-19’s power to build his anti-matter cannon. When it was ready, they tested it, destroying Earth-2. The force field around the device is negative based. Anything with positive energy can’t penetrate it.
Barry tells Cisco to vibe the machine to release Flash-19. It works, but Flash-19 tells Barry to put him back. The Anti-Monitor designed the cannon with a failsafe. If he ever got off, it would erupt, destroying all earths at once.
HOPE CUTS THROUGH
Lois watches another Earth disappear. There are only seven Earths left. She finds it ironic that she’s watching the biggest event in history take place and there will be no one around to read the story. The Monitor says the Earths weren’t the only worlds destroyed. His world died and so did his family.
KC-Superman arrives. He’s upset that he couldn’t save the people on the latest Earth to disappear. He says he made a promise when he put on his suit to keep fighting no matter what. Lois asks why he added black to his insignia. KC Superman says even in the darkest times, hope cuts through. Hope is the light that lifts us out of darkness. He leaves to try to save more people.
Kara is in the library, staring at the Book of Destiny. Kate stops her from opening the book, reminding her that she doesn’t know what will happen. Kara believes it’s the only way to help everyone who died. Kate says the book will destroy her. Kara says she will do this and Kate says she will stop her. Kate says if she takes a chance on that book, it doesn’t work, and something happens to Kara, then they are all doomed. Kara walks away from the book.
BLACK LIGHTNING
Barry wants to find another way to stop the anti-matter wave without putting Flash-19 back on the treadmill. In a flash of light, a man appears out of nowhere. He’s confused and angry and demands they send him back. He starts throwing lightning around, but Pariah stops him from fighting anyone.
Pariah introduces the man as Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning. They explain to Jefferson about the Multiverse and the anti-matter wave that’s destroying everything. Jefferson gets angry when he finds out his Earth and his family has just been destroyed.
Barry calms him down saying they need his help to stop the anti-matter wave. He doesn’t know how Jefferson feels, but he knows how it feels to lose a family. Barry asks what his family would want him to do. Flash-19 begs him to help or all worlds could die. Jefferson asks what he needs to do.
BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY
The Flash — “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three” — Cress Williams as Black Lightning — Photo: Katie Yu/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.They tell Jefferson that the machine is the source of the anti-matter wave and it needs to be disabled. Barry asks if he can contain that much energy. Jefferson starts pulling in the energy into him. He’s holding on the best that he can, but Frost says Jefferson will die if they don’t find another way to destroy the cannon.
Barry and Flash-19 slow down time to have a chat. Flash-19 says in order to find your purpose as a hero; you have to take a couple steps back. Reverse the way you see the situation and see a bigger picture. Barry says he knows how to stop the cannon. This is what he’s been running toward all these years. It’s time for the Flash to vanish in Crisis.
Barry wants to reverse the direction of the treadmill, making the antimatter wave recede and funnel back into the cannon, destroying the machine and ending the Crisis. They hear Jefferson scream and then recite his mantra: “Where’s the future? Right here. Whose life is this? Mine. What are you going to do with it? Live it by any means necessary.”
EARTH-1 IVY TOWN
Iris, Ray and Ralph find Dr. Ryan Choi. He is star struck by Ray. He says one of Ray’s papers was the foundation for his work on miniaturization. They give Ryan a quick overview of the Crisis and ask him to go with them. He doesn’t believe their story at first, but then Ralph elongates his arm around Ryan. That freaks out Ryan a little. He decides that if this is the end of the world, he wants to be with his family.
Iris finds Ryan in his office gathering his things. She says he has every right to want to be with his family, but they really need him. He asks if she’s a superhero, but she’s human just like him. Her husband is a superhero though. Ryan doesn’t think he’s the superhero type, but Iris says he has a purpose too. Humans remind superheroes what they are fighting for.
Ryan really wants to be with his family. He and his wife have a six-month-old baby girl and he probably won’t get to see her grow up. Iris asks if he’d like to hold his daughter, knowing he made the world safe for her. Ryan changes his mind and calls his wife.
Ray and Ralph catch up with word from Lois. All of the other Earths are gone. Earth-1 is the last one. Ralph is relieved that Ryan is joining the team and asks how Iris knew what to say to him. It all goes back to Barry.
SAYING GOODBYE
Before they left on their missions, Barry spent one last moment with Iris, just in case it was their last. Iris was sad at the possibility that Barry could die and she wouldn’t be with him. He tells her to find Ryan Choi. They will need her intelligence, resourcefulness, and her heart because those are Iris’ superpowers. Iris doesn’t want to say goodbye. Barry promises that he will always come running home to her. They say see you soon, not knowing if that will actually happen.
This is it. Frost returns to Caitlin, she’s already tearing up, not wanting to say goodbye to Barry. He says Caitlin and Cisco were the first two people he saw when he first opened his eyes as the Flash. He wouldn’t be the hero he is today without them. GROUP HUG, TEARS….Ugh! STOP!
Barry’s last message is to tell Joe and Iris that he loves them. Flash-19 says he’s sorry and steals Barry’s speed. Novu said the Flash must die in Crisis, but he never said which one. (I KNEW IT!)
BARRY’S LAST RUN
Black Lightning takes in all the energy he can handle and Flash-19 thanks him. Flash-19 asks Vibe to open a breach so he can get on the treadmill. At first Cisco says no. But Flash-19 wants to do this for them and save their friend. Barry protests, but Cisco does it anyway.
Cisco opens a breach. Flash-19 thanks him and tells Barry to keep riding the lightning. He goes into the breach and onto the treadmill. Barry wants to save Flash-19, but Cisco says he’s the team leader. And sometimes the team leader has to make tough choices. They all have to leave before the machine explodes.
Barry Allen, The Flash of Earth-19 runs, remembering his wife Tina. He runs until he fades away from existence. The cannon explodes, stopping the anti-matter wave just as it’s about to hit Earth-1. All that’s left is the Flash’s lightning bolt from his suit.
CRISIS AVERTED
Everyone returns to the wave rider. Diggle, Mia and Constantine are last and inform everyone that Oliver wouldn’t come back with them. Barry thanks Jefferson for his help. He’s sad because his world and his family are gone. Jefferson says nothing will be okay again. Barry tells Jefferson the tragic story about his parents.
Jefferson’s dad also had a tragic life. He says their fathers didn’t raise quitters. They should honor their memory and rage against the dying of the light. Barry knows that quote is by Dylan Thomas and Jefferson is impressed. The two heroes formally introduce themselves, forming a new friendship.
HOPE AND COURAGE
Kate tells Kara that she didn’t want her to get hurt, that’s why she stopped Supergirl from using the book. Not bad for the Paragon of Courage. Kate tries to give her the disk of Kryptonite. She explains that it belonged to Bruce. He lost hope, but she never will. Kara tells her to keep it and have the courage that Kate will never have to use it.
Leonard announces that Iris, Ralph and Raymond have returned with Dr. Choi. Barry reunites with his wife and explains that Barry Allen from Earth-19 was the Flash who perished. Barry introduces Jefferson Pierce who is excited to see Supermen in the room. Ralph introduces Ryan Choi, who wants to know how they are saving the universe.
HARBINGER OF DOOM
The team decides that they need to find Harbinger. Iris starts to look in the computer and Lyla appears. She tells Diggle that she was doing recon on Earth-1, but the death of the other Earths is affecting her abilities. Barry asks where she was on Earth-1, but she doesn’t remember.
Barry and Ralph start speculating about Lyla. What if the Anti-Monitor wanted her back on the ship? What if he’s been controlling Lyla the entire Crisis? KC Superman points out that the Anti-Monitor also controls Pariah, allowing him to appear when he wants him to see a great tragedy.
Lyla turns and smiles at them. Her eyes start to glow. She throws Diggle around and speaks in the Anti-Monitor’s voice. He says it’s time to end the Age of Heroes and everything they hold close. That’s no longer Lyla. The Anti-Monitor has taken her.
KC Superman tries to hit her, but she throws him back. Black Lightning tries next and she incapacitates everyone in the room except Pariah and the Monitor. The Monitor says the fate of humanity lies with Pariah and he will know what to do when the moment arrives.
BATTLE OF THE MONITORS
Harbinger and the Monitor blast each other, their energies meeting in between them. Harbinger overpowers the Monitor, saying it was foolish to try and stop him. Novu calls him Mobius, saying it was foolish to allow his creation in the first place. Harbinger destroys the Monitor and then destroys Earth-1, the last Earth.
Harbinger says soon the anti-matter universe will be all that remains. Leonard warns everyone that the anti-matter wave will hit the ship in a matter of seconds. Pariah figures out what he needs to do. He blasts all of the Paragons with light energy, making them disappear.
Pariah sent the Paragons to a place where the Anti-Monitor can’t touch them. Wherever they are, they will fight him by any means necessary, til their very last breath. Harbinger brings the anti-matter to the ship, killing the remaining heroes.
VANISHING POINT
The Paragons land in the vanishing point. It’s a point outside of time and space. KC Superman says Pariah sent them there. He knew the Anti-Monitor couldn’t follow. Barry wants to go back, but everything and everyone is gone.
A red light overcomes KC Superman, making him fall to the ground. Supergirl stands over him. No one knows how to help him though because they don’t know what’s causing it. Kingdom Come Superman disappears and Lex Luthor takes his place.
Lex is surprised that his plan worked. He held the book of destiny and saw the Paragons stranded at the Vanishing Point. Lex thought destiny needed a re-write. On the page that lists the Paragons, he crossed out Superman’s name and wrote his own over it. Making him the Paragon of Truth. So what now?
The Crisis on Infinite Earths concludes on January 14, 2020
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News Editor, Senior Contributor, and Press Editor. Coordinate breaking news, trailers and press releases. I also contribute reviews, recaps and interviews. Creator of the Indigenerd Wire, a column dedicated to the Indigenous creatives in pop culture.
GGA's resident Indigenerd, a little bit rez, a little bit classy...with a love for all things Star Wars, zombies, science fiction, and Indigenous. My ultimate goal is to start my own podcast.
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