Arrowverse Thanksgiving Episodes Ranked

As a dedicated fan who has spent countless hours binge-watching the Arrowverse shows, I must say that each Thanksgiving episode offers a unique perspective into the lives of our beloved superheroes and their families. From the heartwarming to the heart-wrenching, these episodes showcase the struggles and triumphs that come with balancing everyday life with extraordinary abilities.

As November draws to a close, we’ve reached the period that signifies the start of the festive season, particularly Thanksgiving. Every November, friends and family unite to celebrate and express gratitude. For many, the Thanksgiving holiday is accompanied by cherished traditions such as a special meal, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and let’s not forget the enjoyment of movies and TV shows. Since entertainment has always been a significant aspect of the holiday, it’s no surprise that popular series often air episodes around or themed on Thanksgiving – and The CW’s Arrowverse is no exception. Over its 11-year span and across five series – Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman – the shared universe frequently referenced the holiday but only produced six episodes directly related to it. Here’s our list of them ranked.

These episodes may seem like ordinary family and gratitude stories in a superhero series, but don’t be fooled – action is always on the agenda. After all, villains never take a break, so neither does justice. Interestingly, one of these episodes takes Thanksgiving to a whole new level, given the time-traveling abilities of our heroes. There’s also an extra recommendation for an episode that might not be explicitly about Thanksgiving, but it’s still a must-watch! Now, let’s dive into the rankings!

1. Supergirl, “Medusa” (Season 2, Episode 8)

As a gamer, I can’t help but cherish the unique experience that “Medusa,” the first Arrowverse crossover featuring Supergirl, offers. This special episode not only forms a crucial part of the franchise’s legacy (“Invasion!”), but it’s also a heartfelt Thanksgiving tale. Picture this: It’s Thanksgiving at Kara’s (Melissa Benoist) apartment, and the guest list includes not just her family, but Winn, James, and Mon-El too. The dinner is warm, yet there’s a hint of tension in the air. Mon-El harbors feelings for Kara, while Alex prepares to reveal her truth to her mother. However, their intimate moment is disrupted by an imminent threat.

2. The Flash, “O Come, All Ye Thankful” (Season 5, Episode 7)

In typical fashion for holiday specials, “O Come, All Ye Thankful” focuses on familial bonds, specifically delving into the father-daughter dynamic in this instance. The story unfolds during a season where The Flash is engaged in combat with Cicada, revealing aspects of his past and the reasons he transformed into the villain. The narrative also sheds light on the intricate relationships between Weather Wizard and his daughter, as well as Barry Allen and his future daughter Nora. A pivotal scene involves Nora urging Barry to relinquish his role as The Flash to shield him from a potential future crisis. The episode concludes with two distinct Thanksgiving celebrations: Team Flash gathering at Barry and Iris’ home, while Cicada spends the holiday in his niece’s hospital room. It is these complex family interactions that give this Thanksgiving episode a deeply emotional resonance, underscoring the fact that holidays aren’t always simple affairs.

3. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, “Tagumo Attacks!!!” (Season 4, Episode 5)

This Thanksgiving special, “Tagumo Attacks!!!”, might just be the zaniest one yet! Instead of turkey and pumpkin pie, we’re off to 1951 Tokyo, a tribute to Ishirō Honda, where we get an absurdly funny and wacky origin story for none other than Godzilla. Yep, you guessed it – kaiju shenanigans during the holidays! But that’s not all. There’s also a side tale involving the Time Bureau and mystical creatures, and a seemingly ordinary family Thanksgiving with my boss (you know, the big shot at the Time Bureau). However, things aren’t quite as they seem in this Legends of Tomorrow episode. In other words, we’re having a blast this holiday season!

4. Supergirl, “Livewire” (Season 1, Episode 5)

An intriguing detail about this episode is that it was broadcast before its intended sequence due to the Paris Bataclan music festival terrorist attack in 2015. CBS, the network where Supergirl aired for its first season, reshuffled some episodes as a result, causing the Thanksgiving episode to air slightly early. In the episode “Livewire,” Kara and Alex’s mother, Eliza Danvers, makes a visit for the holiday, which causes stress for Alex since it’s her first time back since Kara transformed into Supergirl. Moreover, Alex hasn’t disclosed her true profession to Eliza yet. The revelations do not go smoothly, leading to tension. This episode also introduces the villain Livewire and provides insight into Cat Grant’s more human side. Towards the end, Eliza reveals a secret about Jeremiah Danvers, explaining that he agreed to work for the DEO if they left Kara alone following Hank Henshaw’s attempt to take her away. Overall, it’s a compelling episode with details that prove vital to Supergirl’s storyline later on and demonstrates that even super families have their fair share of struggles.

5. Arrow, “Thanksgiving” (Season 6, Episode 7)

In contrast to other shows in the Arrowverse, Thanksgiving on Arrow was seldom a festive occasion, and this episode follows suit. The character Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) finds himself arrested for murder, burglary, and assault as the Green Arrow, leaving Team Arrow in a state of heightened vigilance for the city. However, their attempts to protect the city don’t prove fruitful, and tension arises between Diggle and Oliver when his secret struggle with nerve damage and withdrawal from medication to manage it is revealed. A Billy Joel concert serves as a potential target for an attack, and Oliver misleads his son about his resumption of Green Arrow duties upon his release from jail. Additionally, Thea Queen wakes up from her coma during this time. Despite a brief reference to Thanksgiving at the beginning due to a food drive, the episode primarily focuses on establishing other storylines rather than being closely tied to the holiday. Nevertheless, there is a Billy Joel concert to look forward to.

6. Supergirl, “Call to Action” (Season 4, Episode 6)

The closing episode of “Call to Action” in the Arrowverse’s Thanksgiving lineup could be seen as the most somber. In this episode, we witness the emergence of a hostile group called the Children of Liberty, who are vehemently against aliens. Supergirl confronts their leader, Ben Lockwood, in a televised debate, which doesn’t go well and casts a shadow over the Thanksgiving festivities, escalating into a heated argument between humans and aliens. The episode also features an alien-finding dog, a battle between Supergirl and a dragon, and James being abducted by the radical group. Despite the holiday theme, there’s little joy or optimism in this episode, making it an uneasy viewing experience, particularly for one of Supergirl‘s less impressive seasons.

Bonus: DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, “wvrdr_error_100 not found” (Season 7, Episode 3)

This episode doesn’t fall under the traditional “Thanksgiving” category since it was broadcast in October. However, despite not being themed around Thanksgiving, the 100th episode of Legends is worth mentioning as an honorable exception. The storyline revolves around Astra, Spooner, and a humanized Gideon trying to rescue their team when Gideon, under stress, enters a catatonic state. Unbeknownst to them, a virus is attempting to wipe out Gideon’s memories. They must act quickly to vanquish the virus before it’s too late. As they work tirelessly, they delve into Gideon’s past memories, among which is a shared Thanksgiving experience by the team.

You can watch all of these Arrowverse Thanksgiving episodes for yourself on Netflix.

2024-11-28 02:10