7 Cringe-Worthy Arrowverse Moments That Went Too Far

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At its peak, television didn’t offer many superhero series that could compete with the Arrowverse. This collection of shows breathed life into some of DC Comics’ most renowned characters and provided them with captivating narratives that tested their boundaries. The shows gained such popularity that The CW began organizing annual crossover events, uniting characters from across the Arrowverse to confront formidable villains. However, each series in the franchise had lengthy seasons, which sometimes resulted in episodes feeling like mere filler or failing to meet expectations. This pattern persisted for quite some time, and eventually, the franchise produced its share of perplexing instances.

As a die-hard movie buff, I’ve got to admit that sometimes a scene falls flat and misses the mark, but that doesn’t mean the entire production is a flop. The Arrowverse, my dear fellow cinemaphiles, has its fair share of awkward moments that make you squirm in your seat, yet they’re quickly forgotten because they don’t tarnish the overall narrative. However, the scenes on this list are exceptions to the rule – instances where the Arrowverse clearly lost its marbles!

1) John Diggle Getting the Green Lantern Ring in Arrow

Occasionally, the Arrowverse delves into fan theories, and one of the most significant instances is the mystery surrounding John Diggle’s true identity. His stepfather’s surname being “Stewart” hints at the possibility that Diggle could be a version of Green Lantern on The CW. However, the final episode of Arrow only serves to fan the flames without providing concrete evidence, as it shows Diggle discovering a box from space that radiates green light, but stops short of exploring the matter further.

Although Diggle appears occasionally in the Arrowverse, he doesn’t end up becoming a Green Lantern. Instead, he chooses to stay with his family and forgo the role. It’s exciting to hint at something intriguing, but disappointing to have it seem like a genuine opportunity only to take it away later.

2) The Flash‘s Lightsaber Fight

In contrast to the big-screen DC films, the Arrowverse productions typically had smaller budgets, resulting in subpar visual effects at times. Yet, it was often possible to overlook this issue when the shows were showcasing innovative creativity. Regrettably, a particular scene on The Flash pushed things too far.

In Season 7, Barry Allen enlists his arch-enemy, Reverse-Flash, to help battle Godspeed. All speedsters go all out in this fight, even crafting lightning-made swords that resemble lightsabers. As wild as it may seem, the series’ lead actor, Grant Gustin, himself has expressed disapproval of this scene.

3) Leeroy Jenkins Name-Drop in Supergirl

Although awkward scenes typically don’t fit this list, there’s an exception: In Season 5, the DEO faces an attack by robots, prompting Supergirl, Alex Danvers, and Brainiac-5 to spring into action. This battle scene is fairly typical for the Arrowverse until Brainiac-5 breaks away and shouts, “For the horde!” which is a reference to a famous video game quote.

The scene clearly evokes a well-known internet meme from around the 2000s, featuring a World of Warcraft player shouting a specific name while charging into combat with his group. However, this sudden event serves no real purpose other than showing that those in charge at The CW seem disconnected or unaware of their audience’s preferences.

4) The Flash Using Red Death

By Season 9, The Flash had already utilized many of its main character’s well-known adversaries. In an attempt to introduce something fresh, the series introduced Red Death – a comic book villain less known to audiences – as a formidable foe for Barry Allen. Although the concept was intriguing since Red Death mirrors Batman in the comics, The Flash opted to portray the villain as a counterpart of Ryan Wilder, better known by her alter ego, Batwoman, on screen.

Red Death poses a significant challenge due to Barry’s limited interaction with Batwoman. Wilder, who initially showcases her abilities in her own series, transitions quickly to The Flash, leaving her solo show with minimal time to develop. Consequently, the villain becomes confusing and complex, while Batwoman is ready to retire her golden boots and move on from this complicated conflict.

5) Grodd Going After Barack Obama in Legends of Tomorrow

Without fail, Legends of Tomorrow consistently aims high. The series boasts some of the zaniest moments across the Arrowverse, such as an episode where the team unites to create a colossal toy named Beebo to battle a demon. Remarkably, even that episode is outdone by another, which features Barack Obama.

Instead of trying to vanquish Mallus, the adversary that Legends battle as Beebo, Gorilla Grodd decides to travel back in time to eliminate Barack Obama. Legends of Tomorrow struggles to make clear why Obama is connected to Mallus’s scheme, but fails to do so effectively. The episode is chaotic and confusing, with many scenes from it becoming popular on social media due to their bizarre nature.

6) The Justice League Fighting Beebo During “Crisis on Infinite Earths”

Concerning Beebo, the plush toy bear makes another appearance in the concluding episode of “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Following Oliver Queen’s selfless act to save the multiverse, the superheroes from the Arrowverse find themselves on a fresh Earth. Struggling to adapt, they are left with little time as Beebo wreaks havoc in the city, compelling them to unite and subdue the troublesome bear.

The concept of uniting all franchise heroes following their emotional crossover is commendable, but the inclusion of Beebo hints that those in charge may struggle to resist tinkering when things are already going well. Beebo has his own unique moments and is best saved for Legends of Tomorrow.

7) Oliver Queen and Malcolm Merlyn’s Rooftop Fight in Arrow

Throughout Season 3, Oliver is dedicated to eliminating Ra’s al Ghul, whose objective is to annihilate Star City. He manages to accomplish his goal, but the League of Assassins doesn’t disband, with Nyssa al Ghul and Malcolm Merlyn vying for power. In Season 4, Oliver gets caught up in this struggle and finds it too much to handle.

In a surprising turn of events, Nyssa and Malcolm encounter each other on a rooftop. In an unexpected swap, Oliver takes the role of his “spouse” and successfully battles Merlyn, even severing his hand. This pivotal scene seems out of sync with the already inconsistent season, particularly given that the League of Assassins has lingered too long.

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2025-05-17 02:13