Series: Superhero of the Week -- Week 3 [Contributor: Jen]

The giant Arrowverse crossover, "Crisis on Earth-X," brought nearly all of the superheroes from across the universe into a four-night extravaganza. Everyone teams up to stop Earth-X Nazis when they crash Barry and Iris’ wedding and nearly every character has more than one stand-out moment. However, there is only one who truly shone more than all the rest...

SUPERHERO OF THE WEEK: Martin Stein (Legends of Tomorrow)

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It is Stein who makes the ultimate hero’s sacrifice: he gives up his life to save another. He is shot when he charges into gunfire to turn on a console crucial to getting all the heroes home. His injuries are so severe that the only way to keep him alive and get him home is for Jackson to merge with him as Firestorm. Once aboard the Waverider, Jackson’s body is affected by Stein’s injury and he begins to die as well.

Professor Stein tells Jefferson that it’s time to let him go. It is the most moving scene in the entire crossover and one of the most devastating deaths in the DCTV universe. Professor Stein touched many of the heroes' lives, particularly those on The Flash, but he was universally liked and respected. No one felt his death more than the Legends and no one was more devastated than Jefferson Jackson.

Professor Stein uses his last moments to impart some final wisdom on Jefferson and us all. Stein does not want to die. He very much wants to retire from the hero business and live out the rest of his days with his wife, daughter, and new grandson. He was, in fact, on the impetus of this retirement and the battle with the Nazis was his final mission. However, Stein also recognizes he has lived a long, full, and happy life. In the years they were Firestorm together, Jackson and Professor Stein formed a father and son bond. Stein simply wants to ensure that his son has the same chance for the long life he has enjoyed. It is a wondrous act of heroism, and a simple act of fatherhood. No real father would do any less for their child.

Stein tells Jackson to live for today because life is gone in a blink. He wishes him love and joy. Stein also thanks Jackson “for the adventure of a lifetime.” He goes peacefully, with Jackson holding his hand.

Professor’s Stein’s final words are also the impetus for the impromptu wedding of both Barry and Iris, and Oliver and Felicity. These two couples take to heart that they’ve just come from the funeral of a fallen friend who lived his life for the fullest and decide not to waste another moment of their own. They are inspired to live their lives full of love, joy and adventure. Together.

And that’s the very essence of a superhero. They inspire us all to live our best life.

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Series: Superhero of the Week -- Week 2 [Contributor: Jen]

Welcome back to our newest series, Superhero of the Week! If you missed it, you can check out the first week here. Each week, I'll continue to talk about who is the biggest superhero across the DCTV universe — whether they wear a mask or not.

SUPERHERO OF THE WEEK: Iris West (The Flash)

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Iris continues to be the  best thing about season four of The Flash. Whether she's leading the team or setting Barry straight, Iris' approach has bonded the characters together in a way they haven't been before. The strongest part of Iris has always been her voice, which is why it was so maddening the way The Flash outright silenced her sometimes. However, season four Iris West is off the bench and bringing all the warmth and wisdom to the series that makes this character great.

When Caitlin Snow's cure begins to wear off and Killer Frost reappears, it's Iris who is able to finally get through to her. "You are free right now," she says, "but if you do this you will always be a killer. Killer Frost or Caitlin — you don't have to be one or the other. You get to decide who you are."

This is one of the many reasons why Iris West is the best: she speaks for the audience. Why Caitlin Snow is the only meta on Team Flash who can't control her powers is beyond me, but I've been screaming for a couple years now that she can be both. Iris appeals to both Caitlin's heart and her brain by using logic and warmth. Both women are part of who Caitlin Snow is and Iris is one of the first people to actually point that out in a way that is compassionate and makes sense.

Caitlin and Iris' lacking friendship is the direct result of The Flash ignoring these two female characters for the last four years. However, if this past week's episode is a turning point, then I don't think they could have a better start to their friendship. Iris is rapidly becoming the voice in everyone's head on Team Flash — and not just Barry Allen's.

Who was your superhero this week? Sound off in the comments below!

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Series: Superhero of the Week -- Week 1 [Contributor: Jen]

Welcome to the first Superhero of the Week installment! Each week, I'll be choosing one stand-out character from four competing shows: Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl (and Black Lightning will be eligible too, once it premieres). Perhaps the character had an emotionally heartbreaking scene, was incredibly funny, did something shocking, or exemplified all the characteristics of a selfless hero. Whatever the case may be, this character shone brighter than all the rest.

(And no, they do not have to wear a mask to be eligible.)

So let's kick off our new series with my vote for Superhero of the Week this week!

SUPERHERO OF THE WEEK: Oliver Queen (Arrow)

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As far as superheroes go, Oliver Queen has been kind of a hot mess for the last five years. He has a good heart and loves deeply, but Oliver always learns by error. He does things the wrong way first before he figures out the right way. He stumbles, falls, and then gets back up back up — often with the help of those closest to him.

It's why his progression, particularly this season on Arrow, has been such a joy to witness. Oliver has found a way to make peace with his past and this has given him a newfound sense of stability. Instead of being the person who needs advice, Oliver is dispensing it. He's hung up the hood to be a father to his son William, but Oliver is still determined to help his team. Particularly when it comes to the great love of his life — Felicity Smoak.

Oliver and Felicity have reunited and are carefully embarking on a "new" relationship. However, they explored a reversal of roles this week in the appropriately named episode "Reversal." It was Oliver who encouraged Felicity to find a life outside Team Arrow,  insisted she ask her teammates for help with taking down Cayden James, and pulled Felicity out of a morose spiral after she initially failed to defeat the bad guy. Oliver's advice was quite similar to the advice Felicity has given over the years. It reveals the light Felicity worked so hard to harness in Oliver has taken hold in a permanent way. Oliver's belief gave Felicity the confidence to succeed, just like her belief has done for him so many times.

Of course, Oliver Queen is still Oliver Queen. He's a man of action. He follows Felicity when she goes to meet some less than upstanding individuals to obtain the tech she needs to bring Cayden James down. Oliver mistakenly believes Felicity is being kidnapped, so he busts down doors and breaks legs to save her. Oliver's Protective Boyfriend Mode is a little Cro-Magnon, but I still love it. Felicity doesn't need to be saved, however, and Oliver blows the meet. It ignites a humorous fight between the couple as they bicker about protecting each other.

The real evolution is Oliver finding another way to help Felicity other than kicking butt. He jumps onto the comms and becomes the voice in Felicity's ear while she's in the field — just like Felicity has done for Oliver all these years. His willingness to take off the mask and go behind the scenes proves he's a team player. Oliver Queen steps into the shadows and lets Felicity Smoak shine. The titular hero of Arrow taking on the role of the "IT girl" also shows how vitally important Felicity Smoak is to the show.

Oliver's evolution is as much a victory for Felicity as it is for him. He wouldn't have gotten here without her. However, this week was one of those rare times when the balance in their relationship shifted. This time it was Oliver doing the emotional and communicative heavy lifting instead of Felicity. It's a much needed shift in dynamic for their relationship and for Arrow. So much time and effort has gone into making Oliver into a fully realized superhero. It was nice to see him just being one.

Come back next week to see who makes my pick for Superhero of the Week! In the mean time, feel free to sound off in the comments below.

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